I still like that area but on looking round there briefly the property/land prices seem quite high compared to higher up and we want to try buy outright with no mortgage if possible. We want rural, quiet but not too secluded.

The last three years there have had reports of Ski'ing on the beach in Collioure. But that suits me.

We have decided to try to move a bit closer to the coast "Med" but anywhere in Aude will get consideration. The aim though is 40 to a 90 km from the med.

Hi
In the Languedoc, about 50 km from the coast, we've had two successive winters with several cold spells at -15°C, also 4 lots of snow this winter and endless rain inbetween. Dry, mild winters in the Midi are a myth!
Back to the OP's mention of home-schooling, it is legally feasible, but the home-teacher at Collège level must have a thorough knowledge of French Grammar/Literature, French History/Geography & Maths, to enable the pupil to pass the Brevet, indispensable to take the Bac, itself indispensable to enter University or to compete for a job. Not to mention adequate knowledge of the subjects listed on
http://france.angloinfo.com/countrie.../schooling.asp (scroll down to Home Schooling in France) which also gives practical info and further links in French, particularly the official governmental bulletin, and "la loi" and "FAQ" on Les Enfants d'Abord.
Hope all this will help you in your decision!

Yeh thanx for that I was reading that site til midnight last night. Ive also looked into the Oxford GCSE home learning which caters for the year they are already in right through to exams with full courses, I need to look into this more but this could be an option depending on the area we move to and if the french education system will accept this. It is internationally approved for brits to continue their english education in this way. Its expensive but again an option. Im not worried about my 10 year old as much as my son whos 14 and presently in year 9. But again after reading up on other peoples experiences and advice the french system is still possible.

Me again! If you are intending to come to France to live, never to return to the UK, it would be more logical for your 14-year-old to get into the French Education System straight away. An internationally approved British method is OK in theory if he expects to return to the UK to work, but if he stays in France, a French Bac is a must in order to compete with French applicants on the job market.
Have you considered an Ecole Internationale? (google to find out where they all are if you haven't decided on an area yet).

Hi yeh Ive been looking at that idea too ...the fees are huge! Still trying to digest all the info but I agree the french system prob best way to go for his future.

Good luck with the search and eventual move!

Hi
I'm new to the site and have been reading your threads and was wondering how you got on with your viewing trip and your plans to move to france? A lot of the feedback you were getting seemed to be quite negative but I could really see where you were coming from. A lot of what you were saying resonated with our reasons for moving to France. My husband and I are in the process of buying a house in the dordogne with a view to moving over there in the summer. Although my children are younger than yours 5 and 2 I share your concerns about the culture in the UK. We share your dreams of living a more simpler life and hope that with the added bonus of nicer weather it will offer us a more outdoor and active lifestyle.
Good luck with your move and whilst advice is great (and often much needed) only you can decide whats best for your family!

We moved to the Dordogne in 2007 and through a bank soiree met another 6 Brit couples who had arrived the same year. Like us they all were smitten and in their french honeymoon period.

Of the 6, 4 had young school age children.

Today only 1 of those families remain. The ones with children complained about the tough regime at school for their little darlings and their remote country properties causing unforseen problems. One of them failed in business too.

Of the older older couples 1 returned due to missing their grandchildren and the other had marital problems. Both sold at a huge loss.

The remaining family, who live in the sticks, can not say enough about the quality of life they live and that their 2 children are able to stay children for longer although they have complained, but not whingeingly, about tough schooling. They do have a decent income.

Its all to do with expectations and a willingness to accept differences. France is no magic bullet for happiness if you do not have the heart for it. The dreamers soon wake up and decide what to do about their personal reality.

Including myself there are now 2 out of 7 left, not great odds but with the right attitude the French dream is achievable.

I totally take on board what you've said and dont envisage it being an easy ride. I suppose until you've actually lived it you dont fully comprehend the realities of it and it may work and it may not but at the end of the day what have you got to lose by giving it a try. If all else fails you've at least given it a shot and you're not spending the rest of your life wondering what if.....

Glad to hear you've managed to make it work - whats your secret?