This week the FranceBuyingGuide.com spoke to Shaun – a Jersey resident on the eve of leaving home for good and moving in to his beautiful French property.

 

In this insightful interview Shaun discusses what made him choose the Loire, how he found the process of buying property and what it is that really appeals to him about the French way of life…

What made you decide to purchase property in France?

I live in Jersey, so it is right on my doorstep and the island is well-known for having a heavy French influence. I have been going to France for many years and have always loved everything about it.
I love the rolling landscape and the fact that it is very unspoilt. I speak near fluent French and that means that I can blend in and absorb the culture and way of life. I am also lucky enough to have many wonderful French friends.

To me it is the quality of life and the relaxed family life that is so appealing. It’s just so much more casual than Jersey and much less of a rat race.

How did you choose the area?

I love the sun so it had to be south of the Loire. I originally looked in the Saumur area for about a year but unfortunately I couldn’t find the right thing. I decided to venture further south into the Vienne area which won me over.

What’s your property like?

My house in the Vienne is a 14th Century farmhouse with six bedrooms and six hectares of land, on which I have planted 3000 trees and three hectares of wild flower meadows. I also have a lovely swimming pool, two further cottages and around eight hectares of lake about 15 km away.

How did you find the buying process?

The buying process was easy as I am a very tough negotiator. I managed to get the house that I wanted at the price I wanted but it did take a year to find the perfect property. I spent many weekends looking with several different immobiliers who were given a tight brief and told not to deviate. I was after an old property with bags of character and as soon as I saw the current house I knew that it was what I wanted. My offer was accepted the same day.

You are planning on leaving Jersey and moving to your home in France next year – what made you decide that it was time to make the leap on a more permanent basis?

I am fed up with Jersey. The economy is under great pressure through bad political decisions. If possible (and finance permitting), I would like to semi-retire and continue my technology consulting around the globe from France, while keeping my company in Jersey.

Do you have any advice for people who are looking to do the same as you?

Yes do it don’t wait! Pick your region, stay strong when it comes to your budget and don’t be afraid to negotiate hard! Think about what you and your family needs as they grow and develop. France is a lovely country but make sure that you do your research well and if you can, learn the language – it is such an advantage. If you pick an old property that needs work, make sure you employ quality, reliable people to do the work and treat them well.

Adapt and don’t try and be English in France …it doesn’t work. If you want to be English in France just go on holiday, don’t try and live there.

What are you looking forward to the most about making the move?

Being more French than I am already by completely immersing myself in the French way of life. I just can’t wait to enjoy my lovely house all year round!

For details of properties for sale in France visit the French listings on Rightmove Overseas. One way to save money when buying in France, or moving there, is to use a currency specialist when transferring your pounds into euros to complete the purchase of your property. For more information on this, contact Smart Currency Exchange.

To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in France, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘France Property Buying Guide’