Pip64
English expat in France
Forum
36 posts
Contacts
3
About me
English
Speaks English and French
Registration: 12 February 2016
Activity
Looking for green rolling wooded countryside in southern France by Scotathome
Ok i know its huge area but looking for a sizeable small town ie pop 10/20,000 located within easy reach of verdant countryside for walking etc. perhaps near an equivelant of a 'country park' Somewhere from Toulouse to Provence , not high ...
Yes, I agree with the above comment.. If 'verdant' countryside is at the top of your wish list, then perhaps the Pyrénées-Atlantiques would be a good place to start - even though it's outside your area of interest. ... Read More
Looking for accommodation for between 2-4 weeks in October by JenniferAA
My husband and I (currently living between London and Northern France) want to move to Bordeaux in the next year, but would like to spend a few weeks there in October, getting to know the city and the areas we like and making some contacts with ...
Très chic! Read More
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in France by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Old clichés die hard, as the saying goes... and living in France can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people. What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in France? What are the most ...
It's clear from reading Spero's experience above and other people's on different threads here that in France "your mileage may vary". For example, I go to a lab (that's at most a 10 minute walk from home) for my annual ... Read More
New life in France by Semoussac
Hi i now live near to Miranbeau. I moved from the uk, i enjoy walking , going to the coast, gardening, meeting new people & eating out. I am married we are both retired & enjoying the good life.
Welcome to the south west! It's a great part of the world.. We've been here for 9 happy years now and we wouldn't change a thing. Read More
Tour in France by Lisara
Hi! I'm a single mom and I wish to have a tour in France with my daughter for her birthday next year. Does anyone know a trusted agency where I can apply? TIA.
I've seen this lady's tours advertised for some time.. "Sophisticated" might be code for "expensive" though! But - if her guide to the Pays Basque is anything to go by, it looks like she knows her stuff. (it looks as ... Read More
UK expats in France by Prudence Wright
Hello, I'm looking at moving to France. I was wondering what pros and cons there are to moving to France? Cost of living how easy was it to integrate? how different are jobs in France compared to the UK?
Hundreds of books have been written on this very subject. And judging from responses from people here on other threads, I'd suggest that it's a personal decision for you to make.. What works for one might not work for someone else. It all ... Read More
Moving to France but still looking at areas by Plezier
Greetings. We are moving to France hopefully in the next 2-3 months to fulfill Mothers dream. Our idea is to rent a place for a while so we can explore and find where we really wish to be before looking to buy a property. Once we find a place to ...
Think that subject deserves a thread all of its own. There are still a few dishes that give me nightmares..! Read More
Moving to France but still looking at areas by Plezier
Greetings. We are moving to France hopefully in the next 2-3 months to fulfill Mothers dream. Our idea is to rent a place for a while so we can explore and find where we really wish to be before looking to buy a property. Once we find a place to ...
Hi Plezier, Here's a link to the blog I started writing shortly after moving here. The early posts describe the house hunt and also engaging with French bureaucracy.. You might find it helpful. Pip Read More
Customer care in France by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in France and ...
Shhh! I always say that the Pays Basque is France's best-kept secret..!☺ Read More
Customer care in France by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in France and ...
I apologise unreservedly if you took my comment as a personal attack.. It's just that our experiences of French customer care/after sales service seem to differ so widely. As I've said elsewhere, people in the Pays Basque are remarkably ... Read More
Moving to France but still looking at areas by Plezier
Greetings. We are moving to France hopefully in the next 2-3 months to fulfill Mothers dream. Our idea is to rent a place for a while so we can explore and find where we really wish to be before looking to buy a property. Once we find a place to ...
If I may offer a couple of tips - we travelled over here with everything we thought we'd need to be self-sufficient for an undefined period. The one thing I had with me that was worth its weight in gold was my PC and more importantly, my ... Read More
Customer care in France by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in France and ...
Back to Priscilla's original question.. I find sales people in shops are unfailingly polite here in the Pays Basque.. I would say that it's hard to generalise about after sales service here in France. I've not noticed any significant ... Read More
Moving to France but still looking at areas by Plezier
Greetings. We are moving to France hopefully in the next 2-3 months to fulfill Mothers dream. Our idea is to rent a place for a while so we can explore and find where we really wish to be before looking to buy a property. Once we find a place to ...
I had the same problem with finding a French language course when we moved here.. There were fewer places here for foreigners to brush-up their French than I had expected. Yes, there's a swish language centre here in bayonne but looking at the ... Read More
Customer care in France by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in France and ...
We've lived in Bayonne for 9 years and I beg to differ.. My memory of our experience of engaging with the oft-maligned French bureaucracy when we arrived here is that everyone - without exception - was friendly and helpful. I have no axe to ... Read More
Looking for accommodation for between 2-4 weeks in October by JenniferAA
My husband and I (currently living between London and Northern France) want to move to Bordeaux in the next year, but would like to spend a few weeks there in October, getting to know the city and the areas we like and making some contacts with ...
In addition to AirBnB, have you thought about a gîte near Bordeaux.. You could be fortunate and find something very affordable to cover October. Good luck! Pip PS I had to smile at your pen picture - ".. in our early 50's, ... Read More