Planning to move to South or Southwest France

There are french sites for rental properties but I believe it is very difficult to get a proper rental agreement without already being in france.  You need a french bank account and to open that you will need to present in person at some stage, for a meeting  in france. A common solution is to first go into a long let airbnb in the area you have chosen, this gives you  base from which to tackle everything else.

https://www.logic-immo.com/

https://www.seloger.com

https://www.avendrealouer.fr/

You will need a visa

https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/long-st … ne%20year.

Also health cover for at least the first three months residency after which you can apply for french health care which covers about 70% of costs

https://www.service-public.fr/particuli … 59?lang=en

A mutuelle insurance covers most of the remaining 30%

https://www.survivefrance.com/t/is-it-w … le/32793/2

I absolutley adore living in france.  After a decade in the centre we moved to the south west, hautes pyrenees.It  is amazing to be able to drive to spain so easily too.

Like most countries, the coastal areas are very expensive and prices decrease as you go inland, and of course decrease also as you move away from cities and into the countryside.

i would think of the children first as finding a school you are happy with may decide your location so start searching for those international schools and research opinions.

Wherever you go there is a good chance that you will find french lessons free to help you integrate, that’s what I found, coming from the uk. I would really REALLY recommend learning as much as possible before you land, it will be much appreciated that you are trying to communicate in the language of your adopted home.

https://www.languagetransfer.org/

https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/actualite … ce%2Da1%2F

Bayonne

https://www.seloger.com/immobilier/acha … lsrc=aw.ds

Bordeaux

https://www.seloger.com/immobilier/pays … lsrc=aw.ds

Toulouse

https://www.seloger.com/list.htm?tri=in … rch_hp_new

Bon Courage, it will be worth the effort .

Janice

If you are EU citizens you do not need a visa

I recommend you use Dossier Facile, a French governmental agency, to assemble your required documents.

It tells you what you will need to get a place and helps you assemble it into an easily transmitted form.

https://www.dossierfacile.logement.gouv.fr/

I too am from Oregon and understand how it has fallen into chaos.

Jonathan

Hi!

I would really focus on finding a good school and settling somewhere near to the best option.  The education system can be a bit old fashion with more punitive qualities.  Students with disabilities and/or special needs don’t always get the attention and care that is needed.  Choose wisely based on what your children need.  Sometimes the international schools and the private Catholic systems can give you added flexibility.

Good luck!

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