France > Living in France

Living in France and moving to France

This section is about the challenges and realities of moving to France, either to retire or to setup in business. All the common problems are examined - from getting a mortgage to buy a French property to learning the language and putting your children into a French school. Each section has several parts.

Buying a property in France

An introduction: Buy property in France
How to choose a region to move to: Where to live in France
How to actually Find a property to buy
How to finance the deal: Finances of buying a house in France
Completing on your purchase: Close the deal

French mortgages

mortgages introduction: French mortgages (part 1)
types of mortgage and detail: French mortgages (part 2)

General French information

Special article: getting married in France

Moving to France - what to expect during the first few months:

An introduction: Living in France
Financial considerations: Finances of moving to France
Moving on a limited budget / how little money can you move with: Relocating on a budget
Language considerations: problems with learning French: Language problems for expats
Meeting people and becoming established: living in a French community
Schools and education: expat children in French schools
Driving: see driving in France

LEARN FRENCH AT HOME - AND HAVE FUN!

See our guide to learning French at home - quickly and easily...by playing games!

Learn to Speak French!

Property Renovation in France

Renovating a ruin or converting a barn in France? see Property renovation in France

Running a gite or gite business in France

We have several articles to cover this popular topic, essential reading if you are thinking of moving to France to run gites or holiday rentals:

Finances of Retiring to France

Concerned about the financial aspects of moving to France? see our guest articles:

Introduction to Expat finances in France
Mortgage tax relief in France
Inheritance tax in France
Assurance Vie (life insurance) in France
UK - France-double taxation treaty changes 2008
Expat health care France looks at the healthcare situation for expats in France, following the changes finalised at 23 November 2007 and the situation with healthcare in France for people planning to move to France

If you live in France and have experiences of French life to share, or you would like to live in France, please send us an article about yourself or your business. We would like to establish a series of 'real-life' stories for our site visitors. As well as the prestige (!) of seeing your article in print you will also gain a little publicity for your business!

Many of the topics on this page are also covered informally in our French life blog where descriptions of our day to day experiences are enhanced by comments from other experienced French expats.

See also the Expat Guide for lots more useful information to help make the transition to your expat life go as smoothly as possible.

Information within this section (and all the france this way site) is provided for guidance only and francethisway can in no circumstances be held liable for the information, which is supplied in good faith but should be verified with an appropriate legal adviser.

Other sites of interest: moving to France