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Hi
Applied for a job in France.. Should be right up my street , doing what I am good at in possibly the best location in France . Amazing mtb and road riding within minutes of work, skiing too for half the year as well.
Brexit is going to screw us royaly , and the industry which I am in is going to suffer as it is basicaly an avoidable non essential item you can easily go without if short of a few £££'s.
I am 49 ( yep, i know I look about 48 ) single, no wifey , no ex wifey , no kidz. Own 75% of my flat , own 25% of a BTL, have 2 years worth of take home pay stashed plus about £150k in PPP's already . I know i am exceptionally lucky ( a series of relatives died and left me lump sums, and I made alot when Maggie sold off everything )
If I get offered the job I guess rent out my flat and rent initially in France . I dont speak great french, its ok but not good enough but the area is full of Brits anyway .
Its a bold move . I am usually risk averse but the risk is relatively low for me. Currently I am not on a full time contract, but float between different employers as and when required . Like an IT contractor, but on 1/4 of the day rate.
Please either talk me out of going, or kick me up the arse and tell me to grab the opportunity ( if they want me ) with both hands and get gone .
Right now if I had a clean chance to get the hell out of Dodge I'd take it.
If you can keep your property then what's the worst case scenario if it goes belly up over there?
Just do it, you'll regret it if you don't.
I'd make a big effort to improve your french between now and then - that will only be seen as a positive by anyone; including at the interview.
Cannot possibly say anything else here except bon voyages!
Without any strings you'd be mad not to. GET ON THE DAMN PLANE
You need to ask?
Give it ago you can always come back in March.
Are you on the plane yet? Yolo and all that shit
Can't really see the risk. You have a decent safety net and it sounds like not much job security at the moment. Just get on with it. It won't all be perfect but it'll be a nice change. Seriously, get packing!
Go for it. You have a fall back position.
Don't end up in the old peoples home, sat there in a warm adult nappy dribbling into your soup wondering what it would have been like if you had given France a go.
you wouldn't see me for dust........
Applied for a job in France.. Should be right up my street , doing what I am good at in possibly the best location in France . Amazing mtb and road riding within minutes of work, skiing too for half the year as well.
Why have you not gone purely based on this? your next four paragraphs only sweeten the deal.
Just remember, they drive on the wrong side of the road over there 😉
In your position, I’d do it. Look, if it all goes to shit and you end up missing home too much, you can always come back and it’ll have been great life experience.
just throw yourself into it when you’re there. Don’t just hang out with Brits - you’ll never learn a word of French that way. But having loads of them out there will be a big help in getting around any sticky boring-real-life-bureaucracy type situations.
Only thing I'd want to get sorted is a path to residency for stability.
considering I was thinking of doing this with £4k to my name recently, you're so wealthy you have nothing to worry about and you can always come back to the thunderdome if you don't like it. I've relocated to Denmark but not sure if contract will be long enough to dodge brexit at the moment, so will be looking at France again, must be some good contracting in Paris
Early retired and living about 45 mins from the Pyrenees, been here for 2 and a half years now......
There are challenges in moving here, but none that can't be conquered, learning French being the biggest as it opens so many doors. The pace of life here is very slow and the bureaucracy is incredible, but the people are so welcoming, the scenery is absolutely gorgeous and there's no traffic on the roads.
I love living here but really need to improve my French as it's stopping me making friends and getting involved.
Where are you potentially heading for?
I'd post a humble brag thread from my phone whilst booking my plane tickets from my office computer, before leaving in such a hurry i risked noticable shrinkage.
I cant belive thats even a question....
Especially as you will have a fallback property in the dusty husk of what will be left of the UK, after March...
Are you on the plane yet?
To summarise:
1) you say your job may disappear in UK
2) the riding and skiing
3) you have a huge financial security cushion
Bon voyage.
Go. Walk out the door. Don't turn around now (it falls apart at that point sadly)
We'll be coming to visit though, so make sure you get a place with plenty of spare rooms
Go for it. We'll stay here and try to fight off the zombies.
other points of note. I have a real French surname , and my Dad was not born here but on a French colonial Island so that will help smooth the path a little
Although I am in a great positiion financially ( more blind luck , plus the only single thing good thing my alcoholic Dad did was made be get a pension at 17 ) its all relative. Owning alot of a small flat on the south coast is ok , but not as good as owning a house in Surrey for example .
The job is in Haute Savoie , need to be abit careful as there is a tiny chance my future employers could be on here.
I loved the Pyrennees when we went to Argeles Bazost (sp) and did some amazing road climbs , seemed idylic and anywhere down near there would be a great place to live
One negative would be the lack of windsurfing , although Lake Annecy is not far away , nor Lac Leman either. slight lack of waves though
Well that question hardly needed to be asked. Living abroad is a great experience under normal circumstances. All the brexit shit just makes it a no-brainer. Are you there yet?
Even if you don't really settle there and end up coming back (and plenty fall into this group), you're unlikely to regret having given it a go.
No strings? What are you waiting for?
I did toy with the idea of Italy many years ago. Too much baggage now. Little pang of 'what if' from time to time.
Just post on here and make us all jealous, esp >29 March 2019, whilst we clear up the s..t that is, err you know what.
as i am off today I am going for a bike ride. far too nice to be tapping away on a computer. although I really should be typing invoices. au revoir etc
As people have said there doesn't really seem to be a downside. I did something similar 13 years ago and I'm still out here. Depending on your level of French, the Michel Thomas audio guides are worth a look, I found them very useful..
I moved to Switzerland and there were a lot of hoops to jump through at first.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">France is notorious for it's level of bureaucracy, so depending on how much help you get to get settled that might give you a negative impression of things at the start. Once you've got a place to stay, have registered with the authorities etc then things should calm down. </span>
I'm surprised your even asking..
The grass isn't always greener,but in your situation what have you got to lose?
You wouldn't see me for dust.
If you get the job, go for it!
Being in Europe when Brexit happens might get you some rights?
You're a brewery right? Beer scene in France is picking up, as far as small breweries go. Lots of opportunities.
Lake Annecy is beautiful too
Also, an opportunity like this might not be possible after we leave the EU
Any Irish grandparents? An Irish passport could help you long term.
Lucky git! My brother keeps trying to persuade me to do similar, but I have, well, you know, a kid.
Your flat would rent out easily... can't see a downside really.
If you have an escape plan, i.e. the ability to go back to the UK and get yourself a similar level of job you have now, then you're not really risking much. You have a lot of security with your equity in the UK, so why not? Protect your pension is all I would say.
One other thing...... We might just be unlucky but whilst there are lots of brits here, those that we have met are either much older than us and therefore just here for a quiet life, some are a bit eccentric (I guess the UK didn't understand them) or they're running away from something. I can honestly say I haven't met a 'normalish' brit here who is into the same things as me (bikes with or without engines). So as I say, good French would help enormously.
If you go for it, bonne chance!
I am 49 ( yep, i know I look about 48 ) single, no wifey , no ex wifey , no kidz. Own 75% of my flat , own 25% of a BTL, have 2 years worth of take home pay stashed plus about £150k in PPP’s already . I know i am exceptionally lucky ( a series of relatives died and left me lump sums, and I made alot when Maggie sold off everything )
You know with a dating profile like that I'm amazed you are still single.
You know with a dating profile like that I’m amazed you are still single.
Were you biting your bottom lip as you typed that? 😀
No creating a fake online id to lure him into sending me all his cash!
Go...and find yourself a lovely French lady* too. Life could not get any better. My plan has always been to eventually make my way down to France to finish my career/retire. I really hope Brexit doesnt screw that up.
(*or man)
I can't see how you could end up any worse than staying in this craphole post Brexit.
Take your happy-go-lucky attitude and fancy pants job and thoughts of living a fabulous lifestyle and stick it .
Danz Les Frenchaise..
Awesome opportunity 👍☄️
The job is in Haute Savoie
You cannot seriously be debating this with yourself still?
Go.
APF
Go for it!
In the spirit of a little practical advice though, check the French tax law for overseas income, you'll (probably) need to pay tax on rental income on the UK apartment and probably also on the BTL, in France, not in the UK. This can make the tax returns a bit more of a headache so best get on top of it early.
Leave now, do the forms on the plane.
I moved to Switzerland two years ago and live on the Swiss French boarder.
I hate the place so moving on in a few weeks.
bureaucratic cockbags is an understatement. Try it here, you may love it.
for me, no amount of beautiful vistas and decent riding can make up for the utter cockbaggery.
How does healthcare work? That is going to be your biggest concern.
Also if we do Brexit will you be allowed to work in Europe ?
bureaucratic cockbags is an understatement
Ha ha, know what you mean. Mrs Natrix is French and we spend a fair bit of time over there but there's no way I could live and work there. A lot of things progress at a snails pace, some of their views towards women are positively medieval, at times they're obsessed with food (which whilst expenisve isn't necsarily all that good) and the bueaucracy!!!!!! Not to mention that they can take pre-ride faffing to incredible lengths. It's a great place to visit with fantastic scenery, mountains, coastlines etc but I couldn't hack it full time. Why else do you think there are lots of French people in the UK???
Give it a try by all means, but go in with your eyes open.
Yeah - it's always worth it for a while. You can always come back.
I know a few people who have moved to France, some came back after a few years, but the ones who stayed had one characteristic in common - they were all very patient, laid back people. I suppose that is very much a virtue when dealing with the red-tape.
God this place has changed. Allow me to be the first to say that I hate you! I despise your independence, your financial security and your access to this opportunity. Frankly, if you don't take it I shall seriously consider hunting you down and applying the bombers in the approved manner.
In the nicest possible way... Is this a troll? The answer is so blinding obvious.
Good luck! Am jealous.
Go for it and find out.
From prior experience having lived and worked in Germany and Italy in the past as well as having worked in France a bit, moving abroad always appears first to be a bigger and scarier move than it really is.
Learning a foreign language is way easier if you actually live in the country in question and need to converse. Red tape and bureaucracy is everywhere and language barriers tend to cause issues but you can get around these with patience: If in any doubt, get help from someone who is a native speaker or an experienced ex-pat.
Major and important piece of advice: Rent out your flat here, don't fully sell up unless you are totally sure you aren't coming back
Oh, and if you do go, make sure you don't mind lots of sofa surfers suddenly appearing on your doorstep asking for a free local ride guide and, as its you, some free samples or your latest alcoholic creations 😉
The door wouldn't hit my ass I'd be out of here so fast. I'm trying to work out whether I can do that without the job or financial security.
Ta Ta & good luck. I wish I'd gone about 25 years ago.
Not nececelery France though. Canada mainly.
I was chatting to someone who moved out to just near Carcassonne, who said it's amazing. But she did say that the mayor of the local village makes a big difference - if nothing else they get to set the local taxes. So maybe have a snoop around where you're going to be living.
Other than that, I'd say do it.
Considering the same once kids are finished with uni. Property is cheap and where we live very expensive. A nice French property and a flat back in the UK. Add to this a pension and some consulting work and it is hard not to be tempted by the pull
Fabulous country. Just work on your French and they will really warm to you. Avoid expat scene and go full immersion.
au revoir
I’ve been in France eleven years now. Married locally, took nationality in 2012 and am a fonctionnaire (civil servant). So the full traitor!
i avoided Brits until I wanted my kids to have more English language exposure. Apart from that I’d say I’m 90% integrated. I think I’ll always get ribbed as the ‘anglais du coin’ but I have a list of battles in reserve. Honestly, once you are fluent most French seem no different than most English. My vtt club humour is centred on cocks and farts, very reassuring.
My mother on the other hand got it completely wrong and it is going to get very expensive. She fully sold up in the U.K. and bought a massive farmhouse in the sticks, seven hours drive from us. The ex-pats there are dreary AF and if you want to get on with the locals you better farm and hunt. Ma and husband did neither, can’t speak, and just eat. Everyone is trying to sell and the ex-pat friends are dropping like flies. Proper depressing, and all with an eye on U.K. house prices, seeing what they can no longer afford at home.
My tuppence, go for it, all the way, but do keep that flat for a while.
my Dad was not born here but on a French colonial Island
Was he a French citizen? If so, I think you're eligible for French citizenship straight off. Worth going there and getting citizenship as Brexit proofing, even apart from the other reasons.
There are only three legitimate reasons for an Englishman to leave Blighty
- Champions League football
- To win a war
- Buy a property in France
Lucky I'm not an Englishman (and neither is my wife).
Probably explains the lack of humour.
No that's the piles
As you have sevral different kind of assets take very good financial advice as the french tax man has very sticky fingers. I wish I did.
1) investments: you will pay on dividends intrest and so on your marginal rate and on top of that social security tax CSG which is about 17%
They claim that they deduct foreign tax already paid but that's only partially so. Your investment might be tax exempt in UK law but the french tax man will take its part.
Partial reduction apply but often not or at a lesser rate on foreign assets
2) rental income taxed income tax and CSG again. reduction apply for furnished and so. Check what applies to foreign properties(my second one is in france as well)
3) Capital gains tax on investments and real estate. No clue what uk does but I moved to france from an exempt country. But if i sell investments they want to tax from day one so had it for ten years abroad would have paid naught.Move to france value 3(bought at one) sell at 4 french taxman will want to tax you on 3. And they are very good at finding out whatever accounts and assets you have.
4) Real estate same taxed if its not your main residence. You might be slapped with a hefty bill if you sell uk property check how much and how much time you have to sell when you move here. Exemptions apply in france dependind on period owned. Not sure for foreign property's I never owned one outside France.
Its better and easier to move to france when you're just poor and only have cash in your accounts.
Haute Savoie, Beautifull but most parts are very expensive prices driven up by those working in Switserland or those who used to work there and retired over the border. Check rental prices.
Annecy lovely on a postcard but traffic nightmare.
Learn to be very patient, learn french, learn french.
Oh yes lern French
Will you work under French management? They are a special breed, very top down, strick and believing they have the almighty knowledge. They are decades behind in management techniques(I live rurally which adds another decade at least).
Weather and riding is lovely though 😉
Country side is beautifull though.
or you just dont tell the french taxman you have a property in the UK . that is my plan anyway .
10 years in. Regrets? None.
We tell the tax man here that we have a property in the UK and haven't been penalised any more than we would be in the UK. Yes there would be Capital Gains to pay here if and when we sell, but it's not prohibitive.
We rent out our UK property and declare the income in the UK and in France, the French tax man takes it into account, but assumes we have paid tax on it in the UK. They know the UK tax allowances and can check that you are telling the truth.
They ask for all your accounts and investments, but only a/c numbers, not what's in them.
I'd wait til I got offered the job first, Imagine the disappointment if you don't get it!
no pressure like 😉
Alors, t'est parti déjà?
Not yet
Email reply acknowledging receipt of CV only.
Renting is expensive in town , a few Kms down the valley its much more realistic and the same as home , sans garage though
Funnily enough all everyone says to me is rent a 2 bed appartment , or 'make sure you buy a sofa bed'
French tax rates are confusing , and a staggering percentage do not pay a bean in income tax ,somehow.