Coffeebeans

With the helpful advice of this forum can anyone recommend rental agents, preferably with English speaking agents? Is anyone out there renting now and can give me some tips on going down this route for long term?

dmu

Hi, following on from your other thread, the thought occurred to me that, if you don't yet know where you'll be "resident", you'd do better to rent a furnished gîte for a month or two in various locations, to get a feel of the place. Firstly you wouldn't be considered resident in France (a normal 3-year lease would automatically make you resident) and you won't want to move all your furniture to an unfurnished house, only to discover that you aren't happy with the area after all...
You don't need to pass through an Agent for gîtes, nor prove regular income. Try
https://www.gites-de-france.com/
for a selection in the South West (vast area!!).
HTH

petitefrancaise

rioting etc My friends in Toulouse area said there was disruption in centre of Toulouse but everywhere else is alright.
https://www.ticket-immo.fr/ is owned/run by an acquaintance of mine, all the girls in the office speak English and my friend runs a tight ship there so they are good at their jobs, unlike many of the halfwit estate agents around. There are also a couple of good estate agencies in Levignac and just because this whole area is Airbus and loads of anglophones finding an agent who speaks English isn't too hard, just ask around

Whereabouts are you looking?

Coffeebeans

Thank you for information. The link on rent only brings up 4 properties through the whole of France. Somewhere for mild winter. I need a warmer climate with oesteoarthritis and oesteoporosis at only 59, preferable with a pool and allow pets (1 dog). Not having much luck so far which is why I thought of buying but previous forum member thinks renting would give me more flexibility and avoid 2 x French property taxes. Finding the right agents for rent is proving much harder as it's all on seasonal pricing which is very expensive.

dmu

Hi, I think you should live within easy access of Doctors/Hospitals in order to treat your condition with the least stress. We live 40 km from OH's nearest Specialist and Hospital, and it was uncomfortable for him to get to consultations and examinations, even by ambulance. If you're alone, you would find such a trip even more problematic and you'd have to make provisions for your dog if you break a bone, heaven forbid...
Sorry to be a Cassandra, but I always think of worst-case scenarios based on info given, so that would-be expats with specific problems are aware of what they may have to cope with in unknown territory.
At your age, you aren't in receipt of a UK State Pension, so you will have to take out private healthcare insurance as soon as you arrive until you're eligible to enter the French S.S. System. Strictly speaking the EHIC isn't valid if you're resident in France....
As for weather, be warned that, in East Occitanie/Languedoc, we suffer from the Tramontane, an extremely strong wind and it's blowing heartily today and cold at that. At least it's drying the ground after all the recent rain..... For a drier climate, would you consider southern Spain or Portugal, rather than France?

Coffeebeans

I am not drawn to Spain, and have not thought of Portugal. With my School knowledge of the French language and non of Spanish I gravitated towards France and the drive commute to England more realistic as (dog) will travel with me and not going through the stresses for her or expense of flights. I live high up in East Sussex looking over the South Downs and get battered more than most with high winds and driving rain. I suppose I've got this rather rose tinted view of being in a beautiful rural position in France with unlimited walks and not having to drive to take the dog out even though I'm in the countryside the footpaths and bridlrways not maintained and pretty hazardous so I drive to the locally national trust forests which are in good order with tracks. I've lived here 23 years, desperate for change, peace and quiet. A filthy divorce dragged out since 2004 and only came to an end April this year..... Exhausted and out of love with Britain. Is there a problem with emergency services coming out to rural France? I have a state pension but not cashing in yet. I hope to have rent from a smaller property I'll buy in UK before leaving so I've still got a "toe" in blighty.

EuroTrash

Well, you would pay one tax instead of two. As the occupier you would pay taxe d'habitation.

Coffeebeans

One tax to rent, 2 taxes to buy? Is that right?

Annetje

I would search on leboncoin.fr
Just choose a location and take it from there.

Btw, I find your yellow print very pretty but it hurts the eye

Coffeebeans

Okay is that better?

Annetje

Do you know where you want to be ?

EuroTrash

Yep.
As Annetje says, spend some time on leboncoin, most properties get listed on there.
In view of what you've said, I suggest you avoid anywhere too remote. "Rural" in France tends to be somewhat different from English "rural". Bear in mind that France is roughly double the size of the UK, but the population is about the same. England being densely populated and having a very shrunken agricultural sector, rural tends to conjure up images of chocolate box pretty countryside with small towns and villages scattered all over, a good transport network and never very far from urban civilisation. France being sparsely populated and highly agricultural, rural tends to mean driving through vast tracts of farmland, vineyards or whatever depending on the area you choose, to get anywhere. Places that would be considered rural in England, would be considered semi-urban in France. Think deepest rural Wales or Scotland, and then some.

I also agree with Annetje that pale fonts are not easy to read, especially for those of us with old eyes.

Tweedpipe

You're correct, there were only 4 rental properties on that particular site as far as I could see.
However, currenty on LBCoin, sorting by 'maison' there are throughout France:
i) 6061 furnished properties posted by individuals
ii) 954 furnished properties posted by agents
iii) 16852 unfurnished properties posted by individuals
iv) 20380 unfurnished properties posted by individuals
(Some of the above may be one or more rooms only being let within a given property).
If an unfurnished appartment may be suitable:
50030 properties posted by individuals
100236 properties posted by agents.
You may also sort by region, ville, department or postal code. You will find the above numbers updated in real-time.
Bonne chance!
-
-
After posting, noticed you mentioned "in South West."
Limit your search to MIdi-Pyrenees. Summers are warm, but take note that winters here can be very cold. Nice bright sun at the moment - but only 6deg C.

Coffeebeans

South West France preferably.

EuroTrash

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