New to Carcassonne
Apr 29th 2022, 12:40 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 223
Re: New to Carcassonne
Thanks Cyrian
yes I am aware I have to declare it here but I will still be better off than leaving it in my French current account. I didn’t want to transfer that cash back the the UK and make the currency dealers even richer! By the way when you do transfer money do you just accept the rate the dealer qoutes or do you compare it with the on the spot bank rate snd haggle? I’ve found that sometimes they offer 3 pts below bank rate and sometimes 4 or even 5 and when challenged they give a better rate. It seems odd to me (not an economist) that they don’t appear to offer better rates when exchanging large sums of money. For example they’d ask how much I want to transfer - I tell them - they quote a rate - I then say maybe I’ll exchange much more and they’ve never offered a better rate.
yes I am aware I have to declare it here but I will still be better off than leaving it in my French current account. I didn’t want to transfer that cash back the the UK and make the currency dealers even richer! By the way when you do transfer money do you just accept the rate the dealer qoutes or do you compare it with the on the spot bank rate snd haggle? I’ve found that sometimes they offer 3 pts below bank rate and sometimes 4 or even 5 and when challenged they give a better rate. It seems odd to me (not an economist) that they don’t appear to offer better rates when exchanging large sums of money. For example they’d ask how much I want to transfer - I tell them - they quote a rate - I then say maybe I’ll exchange much more and they’ve never offered a better rate.
Apr 29th 2022, 12:58 pm
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Scotland & Touraine [37]
Posts: 3,019
Re: New to Carcassonne
I am only transferring smaller amounts now - just to top-up my account - and I check the available rates beforehand.
I use Wise for the transfers and I also have their multi currency pre-pay card.
If I am not happy with the rate at that time then I can wait for a better rate,
As I said, the transfer took 11 seconds and the card top-up is not much longer than that.
I have just returned from the USA where I had US$ on the card which I can change into euros or GBP as I wish.
I use Wise for the transfers and I also have their multi currency pre-pay card.
If I am not happy with the rate at that time then I can wait for a better rate,
As I said, the transfer took 11 seconds and the card top-up is not much longer than that.
I have just returned from the USA where I had US$ on the card which I can change into euros or GBP as I wish.
Apr 29th 2022, 8:29 pm
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 2
Re: New to Carcassonne
Hi - I’m not near Carcossone but the Dordogne. Thought though I could give input about bank account.
before actually signing any papers re house purchase I got in touch with the local Credit Agricole branch and was assigned a consueler (sp) who was/is fantastically helpful. Everything was so easy. Whenever I email with a query he tends to phone me (yes! You actually speak to a human being!) and sorts it out. After all the costs I ended up with about €18k in the current account which obviously gets no interest so I contacted my man and he suggested and opened a Livret A account which is linked to my current account - moving cash back and forward online a cinch - plus 1% interest. I have very limited French language skills - mon Consuelor speaks excellent English.
I too am not resident in France yet - spending a total of 4 months in Coux this year but plan to move permanently at beginning of next year.
before actually signing any papers re house purchase I got in touch with the local Credit Agricole branch and was assigned a consueler (sp) who was/is fantastically helpful. Everything was so easy. Whenever I email with a query he tends to phone me (yes! You actually speak to a human being!) and sorts it out. After all the costs I ended up with about €18k in the current account which obviously gets no interest so I contacted my man and he suggested and opened a Livret A account which is linked to my current account - moving cash back and forward online a cinch - plus 1% interest. I have very limited French language skills - mon Consuelor speaks excellent English.
I too am not resident in France yet - spending a total of 4 months in Coux this year but plan to move permanently at beginning of next year.
May 14th 2022, 11:37 am
#20
M.O.V.E.D. !
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Charente Maritime
Posts: 9,346
Re: New to Carcassonne
I see there are some new people here who made the plunge to move to Carcassonne.
After having lived in the Var from 1996 till 2020 and at the moment not really liking the Charente Maritime, I'm wondering what life is like in that neck of the woods ?
It's especially the climate that is of interest ...
Heat I can handle but I somehow hate the cold and windy weather.
How was the winter where you are ?
Any info is much appreciated.
Thanks
After having lived in the Var from 1996 till 2020 and at the moment not really liking the Charente Maritime, I'm wondering what life is like in that neck of the woods ?
It's especially the climate that is of interest ...
Heat I can handle but I somehow hate the cold and windy weather.
How was the winter where you are ?
Any info is much appreciated.
Thanks
