At some point in their lives, many people will consider a life-changing move. Sometimes it will be job related, sometimes location and sometimes both. For the British, Irish, Belgians and the Dutch, France has always been a favourite destination, probably due to its proximity to their respective countries but also because the quality of life including healthcare and education is generally considered to be among the best in the world. And in the South of France let’s not forget the climate, food and wine.
Of course, some people move solely for retirement but there are many who want to make a new life for themselves and buy large properties in the country, miles from anywhere including airports. The rationale being, how much more you get for your money compared to property prices in Northern European countries. Add to that the potential for restoration and future profit. There are a number of drawbacks to this idea, the main one being, isolation. The beauty of the countryside soon wears off when you find yourself doing a ‘Prince Charles’ – talking to the plants, your cats and dogs. Unless you are engaged in agriculture, hunting or fishing you are also destined to merely exchange pleasantries with the locals because you will have nothing in common. The gloss of acquiring a spacious property begins to wear off when you are faced with long trips each time you want buy something or eat out and the nearest restaurant or shop is twenty miles away.
Buying a property in a small town in the South of France has many advantages, especially social, because most of the attractions will be within walking distance. For the time being departments like Languedoc-Roussillon are not clogged up with traffic so you can be on the beach within 30 – 45 mins from home or in the ‘country’ within 10 minutes.
If you are considering using all or part of your house for commercial activities then remember that areas like the Aude offer huge price advantages over the Cote d’Azur and Provence. For example the difference in the cost of one night in a luxury B&B in Carcassonne and Nice is €10–15, however, the cost of acquiring a townhouse in Carcassonne instead of the equivalent in Nice will be at least three to four times less.
Most people associate the South of France with the Cote d’Azur, Nice, Cannes, Saint Tropez when in reality that area is South Eastern France (almost in Italy). If you take a straight line south from Paris you will arrive in the town of Carcassonne – the real South of France, a town with everything to offer. Stunning history, castles, river Aude, Canal du Midi, Michelin restaurants, cinemas, championship golf course, festivals, international airport and over four million visitors every year.
A great place to live and to do business.
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