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Embrace life in France and your move will become the dream you hoped it would be
We have been living down in the Languedoc Roussillon for seven years now. My how time flies! Christmas time and the anticipation of the New Year ahead is always a time for reflection, wherever we are; a time to take stock of what has happened over the year and to think about plans for the future.
The space and beauty of this country never fails to impress us.
2016 saw many surprises, Brexit being one of them of course. Interestingly, now that the dust has settled on that one (not that anyone still quite knows what will happen or when) the property market in France does not seem to have suffered and research amongst many agents here shows that even more British people are seeking to buy here. It probably won’t surprise you to know also that there has been an increase in Americans seeking to buy here. The world does seem to have been in some sort of upheaval this year.
So seven years on, we are thrilled that we chose to live in France. The pace of life is far slower, family life remains top of most French people’s agenda and the space and beauty of this country never fails to impress us. Our house still needs work doing to it but is all the same very comfortable and beautiful and we feel very safe living in our little village, among what I can only describe as the friendliest of communities.
Immerse yourself in the local community (Philip Lange / Shutterstock.com)
We have learnt a lot along the way, including becoming used to lunchtime still being fairly sacred. With many shops closing for a couple of hours, although most supermarkets now stay open all day and at Christmas time they even open on Sundays!
I suppose the key to having a happy life here – or anywhere indeed – is to accept the differences and join in. There is little point making comparisons and feeling frustrated, for example, that paint is not as good a quality here as in the UK. All these minor problems can be dealt with and the bigger picture is very rosy.
May I wish you and your loved ones a truly happy Christmas and whatever your plans are for 2017, please do contact us for advice on any aspect at all of buying or living in France. We did it and you can too.
Let us hope the New Year brings peace in the world for us all.
