FRENCH PROPERTY - Where are all the British living in France?

Thinking about Buying a House in France ?
Wanting to know where to find other English people, or avoid them?
Here’s a short video about which regions of France are the most popular with English residents.
Brought to you by Dan NEWTON, CEO of SAS Agence NEWTON

#agencenewton #france #2021

[mikeabbott]

Hi Dan, I'd be interested to see a similar video expanded to include all native speakers of Engish (North Americans, AU/NZ, SA, etc), to show what parts of France have the highest concentration of English speakers.

[Kecken]

Metal tingling disturbs the audio. Otherwise good.

[VisorView]

Here's my experience. I had friends in France, stayed with them, and dreamed of living there. I was then made redundant in 2001 and had some cash. I gave them a ring, and drove down for a couple of days house hunting. Back then property was 'very' cheap. Long story short, I looked at many properties, some with an English girl who worked in an estate agent. They all required complete renovation. I could have bought a huge farmhouse with a couple of acres of land for 5000 francs. Problem was renovation costs, so I ended up buying a smaller place that was still three times the size of my UK house. Then the problems began, getting French tradesmen to work on the place was a huge challenge. It took me ten years to get it to the point where I could finish it off. I got scammed a couple of times, but luckily had the money to cover it. Living and working in the UK while work was being done was a bit of a nightmare.

So I rented out my UK home, and moved down in April 2009. There was still a lot to be done, it was 35C and I was working 6am - 11pm. Kitchen, bathroom, complete internal painting, sorting out oak beams, and all while I was living in the place. By September I called it done. Then winter came. It was freezing, and I had nothing to do! By Christmas I was thinking of selling, by January it was on the market. Summer arrived in February, t shirt weather. I had spent so much on it that by the time I sold it I had probably just broken even.

Been back in the UK since 2010, but it is now 2024, and well, I am now wishing I had stayed down there. Anyone in the UK will tell you why. Problem is that it is now more complicated to make the move, and I am older, so it would have to be a solid home, not a renovation job. My UK house (I moved three times since 2010) is on the market, and I am still trying to make my mind up about what to do?? I speak enough French to get by, but English speaking locals would be a bonus.

[TheKARMMARK]

I am looking at buying a house in France and want to buy something where there are other British people in the area so your video has been very useful. I have subscribed to your channel. Great work.

[duncansmith]

Here in Pyrénnées Orientales, on the Med and just 28 kms from Spain, it gets cold in winter! We now spend 3 or 4 months in south of Spain to avoid the winter here. Snow is rare, but a strong cold wind coming over the Pyrennees (the Tramontane wind) will remind you that everywhere in France does have bad weather. No regrets at all, but as mentioned in the video, check carefully temps and precipitation in winter.

[psour]

Aquitaine aka "Gascogne" was english for quite a long time. This is like going back home 😂

[fbpuqxt]

Very interesting. I’ve just returned from the Dordogne and found it way too hot. Admittedly it was a freak year for heat. But main reason for wanting to move is to get more sun! 25 degrees is perfect. Would you say Brittany has reliably warm summers at around this temperature?

[darkyannouche]

Lannion airport is no more on service since 2018, exept for private jet...

[abigailgammie]

We just bought in Poitou Charente near Civray. We are retiring and need to get a long stay visa - bugger Brexit. But I so love France. We are selling a smaller house near Rochechouart to get more space for a permanent life there. Love it and so glad I kept up my French from School and Uni. The other half doesn't speak any being South African. So was happy to know there are enough Brits 🤣🤣

[xpat]

Just look at what you can buy in Normandy or Brittany compared with England. A one bed one bath renovated Fisherman's cottage in Cornwall costs more than a 4 bedroom house with land in Normandy or Brittany, France. So IF, you can work remotely or whatever - it's going to be a no-brainer for a lot of people. With cheap flights home or ferries if you are in the north, I totally get it. But beware....you will likely not make much if any money or your property. Example - my parents purchased in 1992 in Normandy not far from Honfleur. When they sold in 2022 - the property had basically risen in price in line with inflation or slightly lower. So they actually probably lost money when selling! The did not care because they enjoyed I think English people who are used to selling at a massive profit might be in for a shock. It is also harder to sell in France.

[gwynethgrove]

A lot of English people who bought in France cannot now afford to sell up and return to the UK in their retirement. House prices have changed so much in both countries that the gap has widened too much.

[MarcusCactus]

I'm not much an Internet-buyer. I like to pore over books before buying.
So... in which cities in France are there English-bookshops ?

[TheKingandrew]

Is there a book/video etc, on basically how to move to France to buy a house /work etc? Or is it a case to watch loads and learn from there? Great video btw

[leecourt]

Very useful thanks! We are a middle-aged couple living in France on the Brexit visa but am not sure if I want to stay. We got stuck here because of COVID and now my other half is hooked on the idea of France. We live in Provence which is beautiful but I feel that even if I learn French I won't get the same connection as I would with a Brit (humour etc!). So bearing that in mind do you think it would be wise to live in an are full of Brits or do you think it doesn't matter?

[lesterdewey]

Just found this video thank you very informative. Are you able to give any advice on health insurance or where to buy it

[AdrianSnell]

Thanks for the info, but you know"British" and"English" are interchangeable... It's not the same thing!

[prettyhomebymariadesousa]

What about areas that are also ideal to have a Airbnb business or rent out a room?

[dwilliamson]

When you say English people I take it you mean British? Just wondering.

[alannairn]

Your title says British but you keep repeating about English so I won't bother subscribing thanks

[mahaalbalushi]

Hi which areas or cities would you recommend that has a direct line to Paris?