English Expats in France
Thought I’d comment on the thorny issue of English expats in France today, because I just read an article about it in the local newspaper. Are there too many English Expats in France? Not enough? Is France being over-run by the English, have property prices escalated because too many expats buy all the properties, and so on.
First off, the article. It is not the first article about English expats in France, and certainly it won’t be the last. The article was concerned with the number of expats in the Dordogne rather than France as a whole, but I will make the sweeping generalisation that the same must apply everywhere. Which of course it doesn’t.
First a couple of facts. Less than 1% of properties in that region are owned by English expats. The amount of terrain that goes with those properties is less than 5% of the total terrain. But 96% of communes in the Dordogne have at least one English household (48% in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques and 70% for France as a whole). In some of the more popular communes there are more than 7.5% of English expats. The English expats are not spread evenly across all households, but are very often found in ‘houses of character in the countryside’. Less than 7% of properties sold in the region were sold to expats, of which 2/3 were to English expats. The average expat property cost 220,000 euros, against an overall average of 170,000 euros. Last interesting fact - the number of English expats moving to France was 30% lower in 2005 than 2004.
So what is to conclude from all these facts and figures?
Well, the overall number of English expats in France is relatively small, but they are more affluent than the locals. This is seen not just in the prices paid for properties, but in cafes and restaurants, for example, where a disproportionate number of expats can be seen, often talking English in loud voices. So English expats in France tend to be more visible than their numbers would suggest.
Given the low number of property transactions, by comparison with the total, property prices are only likely to have been distorted in certain markets - such as renovated country properties, or ruins in the countryside awaiting renovation. It is very possible that these prices have been inflated a little, but who can say, for there is no point of comparison. For various reasons, including rural depopulation, there was little historical demand from locals for ruins, and less ‘already renovated properties’ were available. So I am very cynical about the claim that English expats in France have pushed property prices up.
It is undoubtedly true that it is hard for a local farm-worker, bank clerk etc to buy a nicely renovated house, and the cost of renovating a ruin is usually prohibitive to someone on a low salary. But surely that was always the case, in France as it is in the UK?
Still, even ignoring the evidence, the fact remains that in certain ‘hot-spots’ across France there are a very high number of English expats, and there is a perception from the French that these expats are (a) aloof from them and (b) can’t be bothered to learn French. The second especially I hear very often from French people. So what to do if you want to be an English expat in France?
First, try and avoid these ‘expat hotspots’, where the community of English expats is so large that there is no motivation or necessity to fit in with the French way of life. Don’t be put off buying a nice house, but then don’t be too ostentatious - do you really want to plant a nine feet high hedge around your property, and a screen of Australian Tree Ferns to protect your Mercedes from the sun? I think not. Third, and you have heard me say it before, you do need to learn to speak French as well as you can, and speak to real French people, and get involved with the social life of your new community.
I believe it is the language issue that gives rise to the misconception that the English don’t want to fit in and then to the belief that English expats in France force up property prices. Solve the first and the others will disappear. So don’t hold back, come and buy a house in France, you’ll have a great time - but then do make an effort to learn French and fit in when you get here, you will enjoy yourself much more because of it, and all will be well.
Don’t forget you can read more about the pleasures of becoming an Expat in France in the Living in France section of the francethisway site.
yes, but what about all the taxes you have to pay over there? the social taxes etc
Hi Janet,
Taxes are not great if your income is low to average, and social charges are more or less 10% of income (after costs, on gites etc) - so not terrible.
Which social charges are you concerned about?
The main time large charges arise is when you start a new small business, when 2-3000 euros is payable up-front, even for a small part-time business, in order to register and get a SIRET number. Which can make starting a small business / part time business a complete waste of time. That is the main problem area I think.
I have read your article with great interest, we moved to france 2years ago not speaking the language or knowing anyone. We had never been to France before but we have been accepted with open arms in our village and all around, we are often mistaken for french and do try to make the effort with the language , we now sell our produce to the locals , We have been told by nieghbours that they welcome the english moving here as we buy the properties the locals don’t want and that if we didn’t buy them the villages would die. So there is always another side to things.
I am at the moment looking at all sites re; France as I want to move there with my family and found yours very interesting. At the moment I am looking at all avenues to see if this would be possible, how we would support ourselves etc but feel that the French way of life is for us. I am also learning French which I do agree is important. I have also bought lots of recommended books on the subject!
Hi Shelley, thanks for stopping by
Yes, learning the language and making sure you have enough money are definitely the two main challenges - after that it’s plain sailing! You’ll find learning French is much easier once you are in France and exposed to it all the time
Good luck with your plans
Great article, thank you. Do you have any recent figures for the total number of property trtansactions in France each year and how that’s trending?
Are estate agents licenced and regulared in France at all, an roughly how many operate throughout the country?
Hi Martin, I don’t have recent figures I’ll try and find some.
I did see a report saying that property was having a strong start in 2008 - but it was an estate agents report, and it seems that the first thing estate agents announce in a difficult market is…how well everthing is going.
I suspect that things aren’t moving much, at least with sales of more expensive properties to expats, although new French cheap houses on lotissements (housing estates) give the impression they are doing fine. There is little possibility to over-borrow funds in France which holds prices back quite successfully (unlike the UK / USA where it is easy to borrow excessively).
Yes estate agents are very closely licenced and regulated. Due to the complicated requirements, it is unusual for expats in France to be licenced (I’m not even sure if it is possible) - more commonly expat agents act in conjunction with a local licenced French agent, and find customers for them, rather than actually list their own properties.
I really enjoy your blog and you seem to have a slightly less dramatic view on Brits in France than some of the ex-pat websites - so it’s a breath of fresh air. We didn’t intend to come to France but ended up here in a very old house (now renovated) and in an area which back then had very few Brits - we didn’t meet any for two years. I spoke no French at all but hubby did a bit - now, after 14 years, we are both as fluent as we’ll ever get which is not bad really! My bug bear on the subject of language is that it seems every single Brit over here, apart from us, has SKY TV which of course is fatal. It’s just too easy to “catch up” on the news in English if it’s there in front of you; not to mention everything else. But if you mention this people don’t like it - it’s part of our culture blah blah blah. Well, if that’s the case, glad I left so many years ago!
Keep up the good work!
we hope to move to france after spending 5yrs in asia,what we need to know is about medical insurance, tax on pensions [we will both be 60yrs], and the cost of living in general ie:electic,medical, heating,water,food,electrical items.it seems lorraine is in the ideal spot where ever that is ?.
Hi, I can’t advise on medical insurance in France or tax on pensions - they depend on many things and you are likely to need professional advice to make the best decision. Be very wary of taking ‘non-professional advice’ and opinion.
Cost of living in France is broadly the same as the UK - some things a bit cheaper (petrol?) some a bit more expensive (clothes?) but overall I think roughly the same.
Lorraine (north-east France) is not usually considered to be the ‘ideal spot’ for UK expats. Your choice depends of course what you are looking for regarding lots of different factors: climate, expat communities, property prices, scenery, proximity to the UK or transport links etc
Sorry I can’t be more specific with the info given!
Cheers