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Moving to France - Full Time - Salty (6th Aug 2025  18:28:01) I am interested to know if anyone has friends or family who have moved to France post Brexit as residents ( which is not impossible ) in retirement - and any comments on the up or down sides ?

Re: Moving to France - Full Time - Ivan (8th Aug 2025  02:08:40) Hello Salty, If you can not find anyone to share their experience with you living abroad (i.e in France) ,you can try on Rightmove(a website for property business) ,where you can find plenty of articles ,advices with pros and cons, not only for France ,but for many other countries; Hope that will help you a bit and Good Luck!

Re: Moving to France - Full Time - Salty (8th Aug 2025  08:24:24) Thank you Ivan I will certainly look at that.

Re: Moving to France - Full Time - Local (8th Aug 2025  10:12:45) Only had a family member come back because it wasn’t as they expected. Not what you wanted to hear I suspect.

Re: Moving to France - Full Time - Phil (8th Aug 2025  11:36:47) Salty, I've been looking and preparing for a number of years to relocate. I don't know if what I've gleaned is helpful, but will share a few points: 1. Locals think any ex-pats who buy at UK market prices are completely bonkers. For example, plenty of estate agents offer nice apartments at UK prices, whereas the locals would never buy these and point to other properties in the area that are typically less than half the price of e.g. Terresens. You really need local knowledge. 2. There is a serious issue with air quality in the area south of Grenoble into the Alps, meaning many properties up to 2,000m are sitting in dangerous levels of smog most of winter - and they are receiving less snow. There is a glut of properties for sale up to that 2,000m line - but they are overvalued, no-one really wants them, and not worth long-term investment. 3. Be prepared for estate agents in France and Spain to take a dim view if you say you are from the UK - it's just a thing! 4. People I know who have relocated (e.g. to Chamonix, another to Carcasonne) really love it, and the lifestyle. They say it's the best thing they've ever done, and they enjoy local holidays as they are still exploring the region. 5. You need to see any target area in all 4 seasons. They can change dramatically, particularly if they are seasonal resorts, Personally, having looked on and off for coming up to 8 years I've decided France is no longer a viable option. It's a stunning country, but sadly it is changing fast and is not without serious problems these days.

Re: Moving to France - Full Time - Salty (8th Aug 2025  12:04:48) Local ... That depends on what they were expecting - I spent a lot of time working in France so am really only interested in post Brexit logistics. But thanks anyway.

Re: Moving to France - Full Time - Salty (8th Aug 2025  15:20:20) Phil, Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. All noted - all I could add is I am thinking more Brittany or Normandy, rather than the warmer south. Thanks again Salty.

Re: Moving to France - Full Time - Not a local (8th Aug 2025  22:10:29) Hi. My brother lives in France and has done for 15 years so pre Brexit, but when he moved there he offered free English lessons in exchange for free French lessons. He now has several local French friends and can speak French.

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