er?? hope I'm doing this right!

My husband, 3 children and myself are hoping to move to France next summer. We are currently looking in the Dordogne, Correze and Lot regions. Preferably a do up habitable house with outbuildings and a little land. The prices for these kind of properties seem very reasonable. Although we have spent hours and hours reading up on as much info as possible my head is now a shed haha! Could anyone please give me any info regarding schools/home schooling etc my children are 10/14 and 17. But any info on the transition to the french way of life would be greatly appreciated. We are no longer happy in this country (uk) and yearn for a quieter life with our children building a home and a better future for them.

Hi there,
I can't answer many of your questions concerning schooling and the Dordogne area as I am in the north of France. Your last sentence made me want to answer your email - I do not know the reasons you are fed up with the UK but France is not all easy sailing and believe me, I know what I am talking about. I came to France after uni, married a French man and have 2 children. You say you want a more relaxed life and that it may well be but with children used to living in the UK, they may just see the life as plain old boring and be dying to get back there like so many I know. As for a better future, jobs are definitely NOT easy to come by here, especially for foreigners and you will always be regarded as this, no matter how much effort you make. My children are in the French schooling system and I can't wait for them to get out and think for themselves in a British university - that will be them making a real future for themselves.
regards

Thankyou.....but we are under no illusions about france being the perfect life....we have run 2 businesses here and are used to working extremely hard. We have also spent the last 5 years refurbing/extending our home doing most of the work ourselves. On selling our home here we would have more than enough to buy in France with no mortgage. This country has gone to the dogs. It is true that I like many parents fear for my childrens future in this country and the lifestyle that young teenagers lead. I have had a few problems in the last couple of years with my own and desperately want them out and away from this influence of brit yob culture before it is too late. We have always wanted to move to France and spent many long holidays there. My husband is multi talented and at present setting up a removal/delivery service in France which from feedback would be a great opportunity and suit our humble living standards. Bills paid, food on table kids happy then Im happy! Im about to start a course to teach English language to foreigners which results in an internationally recognised qualification. This could be used for extra income if needed.
We are also as a family learning the french language so as to break the barrier and help us intergrate into the culture and community more easily. The kids are picking it up really well.

Our aim is to buy a home become as self sufficient as possible and live quietly.

Hi,
there was a similar thread about schooling a few days ago, "Advise please", and if you make a search, there are lots of threads on the subject. You could also look on the regional forum mentioned...
As mentioned above, life isn't a bed of roses in France. A family of 5 would need a monthly income of more than 1500€ in order to survive, without treats, outings, holidays... And if your OH is an auto-entrepreneur, this sum doesn't include the monthly lump sum for social security, nor does it include a Mutuelle (top-up insurance) for a family of 5.
Do your children share your enthusiasm for a quiet life in a foreign country?

Up until now we aren't being very optimistic (just realistic), but there'll be others coming along to give advice, positive and negative, which you can take on board between now and next summer!

I would also add that IMHO the cost of living in France has probably gone up by about 100 Euros every 6 Months for a family of four. When we moved here 2002/03 you could get by on a pittance. Fuels were a lot cheaper. Supermarket prices are hurting the customers wallets, These days the more rural lifestyle you choose the more the cost goes up, Companies are very quick here to pass transit costs on.

The cost of living is going up everywhere.....the recession is global! We are not moving to france to be rich. Its the lifestyle, the country, the weather and the people that appeals to us. As previously said I want my kids out of this country and sooner the better. I have brought my kids up to know whats right and wrong and as a whole compared to most kids round here they are good, polite and well mannered. We live in a nice house in a good area yet this has not stopped my 16 year old being brought home drunk by the police nor my 14 year old son hiding cannabis in his room waiting to meet with "friends" to try it out???? (what the hell)....(grounded indefinately). I know all about "its what kids do" but it is a rocky road and its where it leads in todays society that worries me greatly. Neither my husband or me drink or smoke so influence has not come from within the home. Its all the kids want to do these days not like "in my day" when it was a crafty fag and a bottle of cider....Im 42 by the way!!

We fully understand all the implications of health care, taxes and income. The harder we work here the more seems to be taken away. My kids are fully aware of the complete change and what is involved but as a family we are united. This decision has not been taken lightly and without much thought for all concerned.

You just know when the time is right for a complete change of direction.

Its true to say that in rural France there seems to be no negative 'yoof' culture
but don't forget that as your kids did not go to school here in France they will not find it easy to establish a deep network. In my local bar in the Dordogne you will see youth kissing on the cheek when they meet and just as likely to drink coffee in a bar as a 25cl of beer which will last an hour. There is never any unpleasant atmosphere or trouble.
There is a danger of living too remotely and buying the bargain property but location is the key, not the bargain.
Your posting invites caution from everyone but if you want to make it happen you will despite everything.
UK isn't all bad so although you feel down in the dumps where you live, a move to a better area could be a lot less stress than changing countries.

John Keats had his thoughts on moving

There was a naughty boy,
And a naughty boy was he,
He ran away to Scotland
The people for to see-
There he found
That the ground
Was as hard,
That a yard
Was as long,
That a song
Was as merry,
That a cherry
Was as red,
That lead
Was as weighty,
That fourscore
Was as eighty,
That a door
Was as wooden
As in England-
So he stood in his shoes
And he wonder'd,
He wonder'd,
He stood in his
Shoes and he wonder'd.

Thanx for the reply and the poem

I know the uk isn't all bad but moving area is not the answer....the "yoof" culture is everywhere. Which is why I question it.....our area is "well to do" and the schools are "supposed to be the best" yet outside of the home and school is this need for drink,drugs and trouble. I cannot keep my kids chained up in the house and keep my fingers crossed. This is not the only reason for the move. Its something we have wanted for years and now the time is right....and yes we will do it and we will make it work.

As you say Ive invited caution yet no amount of negativity will steer our decision. As a parent I have a responsibility to do right by my kids and try set them on the right path of life. Life is for living, an adventure and about new experiences! Not a make do with ya lot!!! Its about passion and following your heart as well as keeping your head. To never be afraid of trying new things. Afterall the only constant in life is change!!!!!!!

Fair enough!
I wish you the best of French luck!

I know around this area Cannabis use is pretty high by the younger population, The French are a lot more liberal towards it. Visiting bars out of school hours you will find a lot of children "Younger Persons" for want of a better word in them. The main difference is that drinking until you can barely walk home is less common, I see more people here having a beer for breakfast than I ever did in the UK. You cant hide children from it anywhere, It's about educating them to be sensible with their choices. Moderation, France is a loverly, But it is no Fairytail. More like Middle Earth really

I appreciate the downs of living anywhere and also intelligent enough to know you can't run away from reality.....we are not......we have made a life changing decision for the good of us all.....

ANY CHANCE OF SOME POSITIVE FEEDBACK.....PLEEEEEEASE!!

Life is not all doom and gloom you know!

I find its becoming more and more common actually - not on the same scale as the UK but its slowing creeping in. Beer is fairly cheap, which suits younger people especially that for the price of 1 coke in a bar in France you can probably get 2 beers.

By your pic I see you are maybe a biker

Being self employed takes up far much more of my spare time than I would like, but I got a brand new bike this summer so I'm trying to use it as much as possible before the winter sets in - not far off by the looks of it

the 2 beers will only amount to 50 cl not 2 pints though.

On a brighter note in the 6 years I have been here only 2 families out of about a dozen I know have gone back. All the older fogies with pensions and no need to work have stayed and would never return. (Unless they get bitten by the curse of missing the grandchildren)

Both returnees had run into problems being self employed in France but both felt their children were better for the 4 year experience here. One of the couples returned to Liverpool and within 9 months their older (15) daughter is suddenly a lost cause.
I prefer France because I do not watch French TV, read French newspapers. or do local politics. I do however get the Daily Mail which continually endorses my decision to live here.