katiemoon

Well, we've lived the dream here in Alberta - with some nightmare moments - and are looking to the now-no-too-distant future - retiring to France was our long-term goal even before the Canadian adventure came up.

Anyone any suggestions about the pros/cons, moving companies etc, all comments welcome

Katie

Novocastrian

I have nothing to say about moving companies. But I'm also retiring to France.

Do you have a particular destination in mind?

We'll be in Normandy.

There are no cons.

katiemoon

We have owned a house in the Charente for the past 10 years and always spent as much time there as we could when we lived in the UK.
We went back for a visit this summer and realised it's the place we want to be - close enough to travel backto the UK (without jetlag!) to visit family & friends - and have them visit us more often.
My ancestry on both sides is French (a long way back, but I always feel at home whenever I'm there) and we have good friends in the area - both English & French - something we are short of here in Alberta.
Plus, the Canadian weather - whilst wonderfully sunny and lots of blue skies - has no Spring to speak of, hardly any Autumn and very long winters...

Katie

Jon-Bxl

Hi Katie

Heres a thread I started re the new tax laws..

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=768528

Just something to consider....

Jon

cyrian

Only applies to second homes.
If they move back to their home in Charente and declare it as primary residence then it is not a problem.
The resident french have already had to pay the social contribution in addition to capital gain on second homes but non-residents have not.
You do benefit from the sliding scale mentioned in Jon's post from the time of purchase until the time of sale of the french property.

I suggest that the OP looks at this site which is full of good information.
http://www.notaires.fr/notaires/en/jsp/site/Portal.jsp
Have a look at inheritance laws if you have family esp if you have second marriages. The law in France is very different from the UK law - don't know about Canadian.

You will have to look at importation of goods from outside the EU. Search the forum for previous threads.
Good luck

Novocastrian

Canadian practice is very similar to the UK, with the important difference that there's no Inheritance Tax.

Novocastrian

We have much in common. The Richmond Hill we live in now is the one just outside Toronto, so I know very well the deficiencies of the Canadian climate.

Also, similar to yourself, the missus is half french with lots of family connections in the area where we have our house in France.

FSH

Well here's another Albertan looking to move to France. We live between Red Deer and Calgary for 16 years now (german roots but will never go back there). I think the climate part is one of the biggest reasons for us to leave. Had a good time with lots of scary times as well...no regrets. Which part of Alberta are you from?
I was in France 4 times this year looking and searching....the Gers and perhaps along the Loire south of Paris are areas where we might move to if we can manage it. The french language is not an easy task to master and
also the tax side is difficult as I want to keep "just in case property here".
Does anyone of this Forum know a good accountant who has experience with the tax laws of both countries?

cyrian

The tax issues need not be difficult - just different because the way the french apply tax is different.
If you are "tax resident" in France then you will pay tax on your worldwide income and assets.
There is a double taxation treaty between France and Canada which means that you don't pay twice.
Any income that is taxed in Canada should be declared on your french tax return.
If you have assets (including Canadian) exceeding ~€1M (check current figure) you will pay "wealth tax".
You will pay sales tax of 21% on your purchases.
When you die your estate will be divided as specified in french law and will be liable to inheritance tax.
Have a look at this site: http://www.notaires.fr/notaires/en/jsp/site/Portal.jsp
If you need any help with the Loire valley I may be able to help.
Good luck

Jon-Bxl

Hi I found a great site that will give you all sorts of info on moving, taxation, health etc etc. I posted it here.... it seems up to date as it has the new 2nd home tax rules.....

It is a mine of information IMHO

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...1&postcount=12

Good luck
Jon