Anyone living in or near Annecy?
Sep 11th 2007, 5:15 pm
#16
Immigration Consultant
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,144
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
I know what you mean. I posted a series of positive things about Nova Scotia earlier this summer and people living further west were frothin at the mouth when I dared to say it was one of the best places to live in Canada. That backwater easter province full of fishermen on benefits they said. Most had never even been here! Water off a duck's back I say though! Nova Scotia is wonderful and one of the worlds best kept secrets IMHO. I do love Annecy too though - really pretty town. Fairly expensive as I understand it? But very pretty and really crisp fresh air as I recall.
Sep 11th 2007, 6:23 pm
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 274
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
Hello there ScillyBrit, Nice to have someone else to chat to on this forum. welcome .......
Sep 12th 2007, 11:59 am
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Normandy, France and occassionally Nova Scotia!
Posts: 3,373
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
I know what you mean. I posted a series of positive things about Nova Scotia earlier this summer and people living further west were frothin at the mouth when I dared to say it was one of the best places to live in Canada. That backwater easter province full of fishermen on benefits they said. Most had never even been here! Water off a duck's back I say though! Nova Scotia is wonderful and one of the worlds best kept secrets IMHO. I do love Annecy too though - really pretty town. Fairly expensive as I understand it? But very pretty and really crisp fresh air as I recall.
When my OH was moved there I knew within a week or so it was a big mistake and I was just so thankful we had kept our house in France. Thankfully he travels all over the place, so we can meet up without me having to spend much time there. I'm only back at the moment because he had a bad car accident and his arm is still in plaster.
Compared to France, the education, health care and general lifestyle are pretty grim. You mention fishermen on benefits. To be honest, he works with a lot of those fishermen you refer to, although they pick seaweed in Yarmouth during the summer. They are refusing to extend the season at the moment and carry on collecting seaweed as they have done the 12 weeks they need to now go on benefits
So it does happen.The worst part for me was the sense of isolation. In Normandy it is so easy to get to places, to drive to Spain, Belgium, and get to UK, and there is always so much to do. Perhaps the problem was we first saw NS in summer but moved in December. I actually felt as if we'd got off the plane in the wrong place
There are all those positive postings on the Canada forum at the moment about their 2 weeks holiday in NS and I just want to tell them to go back again in December/January before making up their mind about moving there. The other thing they don't appreciate is that once there they will only get 2-3 weeks holiday a year and wont be able to do what they are doing now.Also, my OH's salary was doubled to entice him to make his base in NS but he soon found after tax etc. he was no better off a month. I also found I couldn't work as a nurse there unless I retrained and sat the local exams. After being registered as a nurse for 30 years in UK I found that hard to do.
It is a beautiful place - but I'm afraid I prefer to visit, not live there.
Now you know why I haven't posted on the Canada forum
Sep 12th 2007, 12:13 pm
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 370
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
Now you see that's why I don't want to post on the Canada forum because I am not a fan of Nova Scotia
When my OH was moved there I knew within a week or so it was a big mistake and I was just so thankful we had kept our house in France. Thankfully he travels all over the place, so we can meet up without me having to spend much time there. I'm only back at the moment because he had a bad car accident and his arm is still in plaster.
Compared to France, the education, health care and general lifestyle are pretty grim. You mention fishermen on benefits. To be honest, he works with a lot of those fishermen you refer to, although they pick seaweed in Yarmouth during the summer. They are refusing to extend the season at the moment and carry on collecting seaweed as they have done the 12 weeks they need to now go on benefits So it does happen.
The worst part for me was the sense of isolation. In Normandy it is so easy to get to places, to drive to Spain, Belgium, and get to UK, and there is always so much to do. Perhaps the problem was we first saw NS in summer but moved in December. I actually felt as if we'd got off the plane in the wrong place There are all those positive postings on the Canada forum at the moment about their 2 weeks holiday in NS and I just want to tell them to go back again in December/January before making up their mind about moving there. The other thing they don't appreciate is that once there they will only get 2-3 weeks holiday a year and wont be able to do what they are doing now.
Also, my OH's salary was doubled to entice him to make his base in NS but he soon found after tax etc. he was no better off a month. I also found I couldn't work as a nurse there unless I retrained and sat the local exams. After being registered as a nurse for 30 years in UK I found that hard to do.
It is a beautiful place - but I'm afraid I prefer to visit, not live there.
Now you know why I haven't posted on the Canada forum
When my OH was moved there I knew within a week or so it was a big mistake and I was just so thankful we had kept our house in France. Thankfully he travels all over the place, so we can meet up without me having to spend much time there. I'm only back at the moment because he had a bad car accident and his arm is still in plaster.
Compared to France, the education, health care and general lifestyle are pretty grim. You mention fishermen on benefits. To be honest, he works with a lot of those fishermen you refer to, although they pick seaweed in Yarmouth during the summer. They are refusing to extend the season at the moment and carry on collecting seaweed as they have done the 12 weeks they need to now go on benefits
So it does happen.The worst part for me was the sense of isolation. In Normandy it is so easy to get to places, to drive to Spain, Belgium, and get to UK, and there is always so much to do. Perhaps the problem was we first saw NS in summer but moved in December. I actually felt as if we'd got off the plane in the wrong place
There are all those positive postings on the Canada forum at the moment about their 2 weeks holiday in NS and I just want to tell them to go back again in December/January before making up their mind about moving there. The other thing they don't appreciate is that once there they will only get 2-3 weeks holiday a year and wont be able to do what they are doing now.Also, my OH's salary was doubled to entice him to make his base in NS but he soon found after tax etc. he was no better off a month. I also found I couldn't work as a nurse there unless I retrained and sat the local exams. After being registered as a nurse for 30 years in UK I found that hard to do.
It is a beautiful place - but I'm afraid I prefer to visit, not live there.
Now you know why I haven't posted on the Canada forum
Sep 12th 2007, 3:43 pm
#20
I'm older but no wiser!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Granbury. Texas
Posts: 79
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
To Val...
To my way of thinking you are not whining!!!
You are expressing your personal feelings with 'straight' talk...
What I hate on the US forum is the whining and bitching!
I love living here, and luckily for me the positives out weigh the negatives. I am sure that for most of us, living abroad is great, the hardest thing to cope with is family and friends left behind.
When I went home in August to the Isles of Scilly I was surprised to find myself wanting to move back... for me though, I realised that where ever my parents live is home, so if they moved here, would I want to move to England?... The answer was no!!!
Sep 12th 2007, 6:49 pm
#21
Immigration Consultant
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,144
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
Now you see that's why I don't want to post on the Canada forum because I am not a fan of Nova Scotia
When my OH was moved there I knew within a week or so it was a big mistake and I was just so thankful we had kept our house in France. Thankfully he travels all over the place, so we can meet up without me having to spend much time there. I'm only back at the moment because he had a bad car accident and his arm is still in plaster.
Compared to France, the education, health care and general lifestyle are pretty grim. You mention fishermen on benefits. To be honest, he works with a lot of those fishermen you refer to, although they pick seaweed in Yarmouth during the summer. They are refusing to extend the season at the moment and carry on collecting seaweed as they have done the 12 weeks they need to now go on benefits So it does happen.
The worst part for me was the sense of isolation. In Normandy it is so easy to get to places, to drive to Spain, Belgium, and get to UK, and there is always so much to do. Perhaps the problem was we first saw NS in summer but moved in December. I actually felt as if we'd got off the plane in the wrong place There are all those positive postings on the Canada forum at the moment about their 2 weeks holiday in NS and I just want to tell them to go back again in December/January before making up their mind about moving there. The other thing they don't appreciate is that once there they will only get 2-3 weeks holiday a year and wont be able to do what they are doing now.
Also, my OH's salary was doubled to entice him to make his base in NS but he soon found after tax etc. he was no better off a month. I also found I couldn't work as a nurse there unless I retrained and sat the local exams. After being registered as a nurse for 30 years in UK I found that hard to do.
It is a beautiful place - but I'm afraid I prefer to visit, not live there.
Now you know why I haven't posted on the Canada forum
When my OH was moved there I knew within a week or so it was a big mistake and I was just so thankful we had kept our house in France. Thankfully he travels all over the place, so we can meet up without me having to spend much time there. I'm only back at the moment because he had a bad car accident and his arm is still in plaster.
Compared to France, the education, health care and general lifestyle are pretty grim. You mention fishermen on benefits. To be honest, he works with a lot of those fishermen you refer to, although they pick seaweed in Yarmouth during the summer. They are refusing to extend the season at the moment and carry on collecting seaweed as they have done the 12 weeks they need to now go on benefits
So it does happen.The worst part for me was the sense of isolation. In Normandy it is so easy to get to places, to drive to Spain, Belgium, and get to UK, and there is always so much to do. Perhaps the problem was we first saw NS in summer but moved in December. I actually felt as if we'd got off the plane in the wrong place
There are all those positive postings on the Canada forum at the moment about their 2 weeks holiday in NS and I just want to tell them to go back again in December/January before making up their mind about moving there. The other thing they don't appreciate is that once there they will only get 2-3 weeks holiday a year and wont be able to do what they are doing now.Also, my OH's salary was doubled to entice him to make his base in NS but he soon found after tax etc. he was no better off a month. I also found I couldn't work as a nurse there unless I retrained and sat the local exams. After being registered as a nurse for 30 years in UK I found that hard to do.
It is a beautiful place - but I'm afraid I prefer to visit, not live there.
Now you know why I haven't posted on the Canada forum
Attached is a picture taken at the beginning of last December to remind you!
Don't know what you mean about education, healthcare and general lifestyle though. Perhaps there are regional differences. Living near Halifax we have had highly positive experience of both education (well only elementary schools so far) and healthcare.
3 weeks holiday is common though - that does suck a bit!
Sep 15th 2007, 3:13 pm
#22
I'm older but no wiser!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Granbury. Texas
Posts: 79
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
Just bumping this thread... still actively looking for anyone living near Annecy...
Sep 29th 2007, 2:46 pm
#23
I'm older but no wiser!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Granbury. Texas
Posts: 79
Oct 4th 2007, 5:07 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: France (74)
Posts: 34
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
I'm new on this forum. This thread prompted me to join: I live in Annecy! I have been here for the last year and I'm looking forward to the second. As your sister has no doubt told you, this is a beautiful corner of the world!
I imagine that your sister is feeling a little more settled after nearly a month here, but feel free to send me a private message if you think there's anything I can do to help.
But really, just to reassure you, this is a very safe, touristy town and your sister will be just fine! On the language front, it is true that it helps to be able to speak good French, but at the same time (probably due to the amount of tourism here) local people are often (a bit too) keen to leap in with their English whenever they hear a foreign accent. Great for the tourists but mildly irritating for the language learner...
I imagine that your sister is feeling a little more settled after nearly a month here, but feel free to send me a private message if you think there's anything I can do to help.
But really, just to reassure you, this is a very safe, touristy town and your sister will be just fine! On the language front, it is true that it helps to be able to speak good French, but at the same time (probably due to the amount of tourism here) local people are often (a bit too) keen to leap in with their English whenever they hear a foreign accent. Great for the tourists but mildly irritating for the language learner...
Oct 4th 2007, 5:18 pm
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: France (74)
Posts: 34
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
Ooops, just looked back at my email and my "Welcome to BritishExpats.com" message informs me that private messages won't work for me for 24 hours. So, erm, wait at least 24 hours before sending me one! (Or just post on here, I guess 
)
)
Oct 5th 2007, 2:24 pm
#26
I'm older but no wiser!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Granbury. Texas
Posts: 79
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
I have sent you a PM, hopefully you will be able to access it today.
Great to hear from you... I will pass on this message to my sister. At the moment she is still waiting to get internet service... still hasn't got her landline hooked up either so we are having to text back and forth!
Oct 6th 2007, 11:53 pm
#27
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Annecy, France
Posts: 25
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
Hi There, new to this forum.... But not new to Annecy.
I've been living here for 4 years. I can understand the problems getting connected to the internet. France Telecom had me tearing my hair out when I first moved here.
Happy to help out anyway I can.
Jim
I've been living here for 4 years. I can understand the problems getting connected to the internet. France Telecom had me tearing my hair out when I first moved here.
Happy to help out anyway I can.
Jim
Oct 7th 2007, 1:57 pm
#28
I'm older but no wiser!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Granbury. Texas
Posts: 79
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
Great to hear from you too!!! Thanks so much for responding... I am feeling so much more at ease knowing there are people living in the area who are willing to help her out.
For the next week or so I will be passing on any info to her... once she is online, she can look at this thread and I am sure she will get in contact!
Thank you Moosette and Jim for your kind offerings of help.
Oct 7th 2007, 6:12 pm
#29
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: France (74)
Posts: 34
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
Hello ScillyBrit,
I tried to access the PM, only to be informed this time that PMs are restricted to those with 3 or more posts! Hopefully this third post will allow me access to your message.
So many rules...
xx
I tried to access the PM, only to be informed this time that PMs are restricted to those with 3 or more posts! Hopefully this third post will allow me access to your message.
So many rules...
xx
Oct 8th 2007, 12:14 am
#30
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Annecy, France
Posts: 25
Re: Anyone living in or near Annecy?
