Confolens, Charente
 

We have found a nice property here. Does anyone know the area, please?
Any info appreciated!
Rose

Re: Confolens, Charente
 

Can't help with immediate area. Does it tick all your boxes? Have you been honest with yourself? Head/heart? Bit both? Vacances/permanent? Access airport/ferry if needed? Share more??

Re: Confolens, Charente
 

Hi, you're certainly having a good look round!;)
I have friends who lived just down the road from Confolens, but they didn't stay very long and had their house on the market for 2-3 years before they could sell it (to a French family) and return to the UK. They didn't particularly enjoy living there, but one important factor was problems with the neighbours and the husband didn't speak French....
As you are asking for info about several areas, in approx. the same region, why not come down for a holiday and see for yourself?
P.S. Confolens is a larger town than the others you have been asking about and there may be more potential for your professional activities. As a bonus,
http://www.festivaldeconfolens.com/
may interest you!

Re: Confolens, Charente
 

Thanks. The festival looks amazing! We are coming over at the end of May just for one week. We don't speak the lingo, either, very little anyhow. But we aim to try! Is there much resentment from the French if you can't speak their language?

Re: Confolens, Charente
 

Resentment? Perhaps not. Pity - yes. Irritation certainly.

But why would you want to live in a country where you are unable to understand what the postman says, the badinage in the boulangerie, ( my personal delight)
AND WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS? Sorry, rant over.

Confolens seems very nice, we go there often to the reclamation yard. Quite a lot of English around. Very pretty town centre. The river (like many) is fabulous.

Overall, it seems a bit down at heel, but many French towns do like to hide any semblance of prosperity. We very nearly bought there.

But returning to my first theme.
Seriously now. Many nations like to talk. The French do too. But they like to be polite too. And in their view (and mine) it is simply rude to live in a country and not be able to talk to your neighbours. More than anything, you will miss so much.

Re: Confolens, Charente
 

I wouldn't say that, except maybe from some Fonctionnaires who might be impatient with your lack of understanding. You'll be encountering many when tying up the red-tape concerning your various artistic projects, registering with the French S.S., etc.... French bureaucracy isn't for the faint-hearted!
In another thread you asked about S.S. coverage in France. You would be covered for a certain time or until you work legally, by the S1 form that the DWP in Newcastle will issue at your request. But you must have contributed to the NH Service for a certain time beforehand, otherwise you'd have to take out private healthcare insurance until your OH reaches Pension age. You could start another thread on the subject and some one will come along to explain in detail.
P.S. Have to agree with B-W re wanting to come to a country where you don't know the language. You'd miss out on such a lot, and not integrate well.

Re: Confolens, Charente
 

I speak enough French to get by reasonably well but my husband's French is rather more limited. Our French neighbours love him never-the-less! It has been a source of great amusement for several years with the joke being that Simon is going to learn French this year... well he had to learn this particular year, as he has been out there for nearly 8 months on his own. He has never-the-less coped with car registration and other bits of bureaucracy!
Always try, listen to the accent, practice on your own if you think your accent is lacking and try to ensure that at least one of you has a reasonable command of the language so that you can deal with any problems (doctor, hospital, vet, man coming to inspect the septic tank/install the phone line/repair the fridge...) Look for free internet sites and Apps that can really help if you are able to learn that way!
We are about 80km from Confolens, been a few times not yet been for the festival which does look good!