Hints & Tips for Buying in France #1 - Know how to communicate when you get there!
We've all seen those lifestyle programs on the TV, where families sell up and move to France hoping to get away from the pressures of the rat race and build a new, more leisurely and peaceful life in some remote, unspoilt part of France. It reminds them, they say, of England 40 years ago, when people had more time to spend with their families, when work (or the thought of it) didn't take up most of their waking hours, and when they actually had the time, and the inclination, for a chat with their neighbours. Surprising then, that a good many of these life-quality migrants cannot speak the language when they get there! This puts them at an immediate, and often unecessary, disadvantage as soon as they arrive, sometimes forcing them into English-speaking ghettos where they create a 'Little England' in France.
My tip for any would-be lifestyle-migrants, whatever their destination, is to learn at least a little of the language before you go! How are you going to chase errant builders, or query the delay in the installation of your telephone, or handle disputes? Goodness knows, it's difficult enough in your native language at times; imagine how hard and stressful it will be in a foreign language. You will seriously doubt your decision to emigrate; You will worry that you are being ripped-off; You will end up with a different product or service than you wanted... the list goes on!
So, get yourself enrolled at evening classes. Tune in to French TV and radio stations. Attend French conversational groups. There are many internet-based French broadcasts for those who are prepared to search.
Speak that language!!
My tip for any would-be lifestyle-migrants, whatever their destination, is to learn at least a little of the language before you go! How are you going to chase errant builders, or query the delay in the installation of your telephone, or handle disputes? Goodness knows, it's difficult enough in your native language at times; imagine how hard and stressful it will be in a foreign language. You will seriously doubt your decision to emigrate; You will worry that you are being ripped-off; You will end up with a different product or service than you wanted... the list goes on!
So, get yourself enrolled at evening classes. Tune in to French TV and radio stations. Attend French conversational groups. There are many internet-based French broadcasts for those who are prepared to search.
Speak that language!!
posted by The Boss @ 8:58 AM
1 Comments:
At 2:43 PM,
River Cottage said…
Hi, I purchased a cottage near Bourganeuf in the Creuse region of Limousin. Anyone thinking of house hunting in this area I can offer a discount on weekly bookings.
Drop me a line for further info at,
rivercottagegite@yahoo.fr
Regards
Richard
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