FRENCH PROPERTY - Where are all the British living in France?

Thinking about Buying a House in France ?
Wanting to know where to find other English people, or avoid them?
Here’s a short video about which regions of France are the most popular with English residents.
Brought to you by Dan NEWTON, CEO of SAS Agence NEWTON
#agencenewton #france #2021
Website: www.agencenewt...
Facebook GB: / agencenewton
Facebook FR: / agencenewton. .
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[@mikeabbott8521]

Hi Dan, I'd be interested to see a similar video expanded to include all native speakers of Engish (North Americans, AU/NZ, SA, etc), to show what parts of France have the highest concentration of English speakers.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

You might want to check out my new channel, plenty on new videos in the pipeline. www.youtube.com/@FrenchPropertySpecialist

[@VisorView]

Here's my experience. I had friends in France, stayed with them, and dreamed of living there. I was then made redundant in 2001 and had some cash. I gave them a ring, and drove down for a couple of days house hunting. Back then property was 'very' cheap. Long story short, I looked at many properties, some with an English girl who worked in an estate agent. They all required complete renovation. I could have bought a huge farmhouse with a couple of acres of land for 5000 francs. Problem was renovation costs, so I ended up buying a smaller place that was still three times the size of my UK house. Then the problems began, getting French tradesmen to work on the place was a huge challenge. It took me ten years to get it to the point where I could finish it off. I got scammed a couple of times, but luckily had the money to cover it. Living and working in the UK while work was being done was a bit of a nightmare. So I rented out my UK home, and moved down in April 2009. There was still a lot to be done, it was 35C and I was working 6am - 11pm. Kitchen, bathroom, complete internal painting, sorting out oak beams, and all while I was living in the place. By September I called it done. Then winter came. It was freezing, and I had nothing to do! By Christmas I was thinking of selling, by January it was on the market. Summer arrived in February, t shirt weather. I had spent so much on it that by the time I sold it I had probably just broken even. Been back in the UK since 2010, but it is now 2024, and well, I am now wishing I had stayed down there. Anyone in the UK will tell you why. Problem is that it is now more complicated to make the move, and I am older, so it would have to be a solid home, not a renovation job. My UK house (I moved three times since 2010) is on the market, and I am still trying to make my mind up about what to do?? I speak enough French to get by, but English speaking locals would be a bonus.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

If you had a residency card when you were here, I believe they still renew just like that.

[@antz123-m3f]

It's a challenge. Moving somewhere all by yourself. Even if you do speak the language. Problem is even if you can do it again, how to keep occupied. I think it doesn't matter even if you are absolutely minted and never have to work again, it's staying sane is the challenge. If you still call your French friends 'friends' then maybe your best bet is find somewhere not too far from them. It's great that couples move away together and I sincerely believe it is far easier to fit in anywhere (including at home) as a couple, rather than all by yourself. Cos you know The Doors song........People are strange.........

[@Kecken123]

Metal tingling disturbs the audio. Otherwise good.

[@condorone1501]

Ireland 🇮🇪 is not part of the UK.

[@kayking4884]

😂

[@TheKARMMARK]

I am looking at buying a house in France and want to buy something where there are other British people in the area so your video has been very useful. I have subscribed to your channel. Great work.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Email me your search criteria on [e-mail] and I will see what I can find

[@TheKARMMARK]

Thanks for getting back. I do not want to take up any of your valuable time without any return for you so let me do some homework and get back to you when this is completed.

[@christophermichaelclarence6003]

The best place for you if you want to settle in France is Britanny (very cool fact about that particular region. It used to part of England in the Medieval Era precisely in the Hundred Years War)

[@duncansmith7562]

Here in Pyrénnées Orientales, on the Med and just 28 kms from Spain, it gets cold in winter! We now spend 3 or 4 months in south of Spain to avoid the winter here. Snow is rare, but a strong cold wind coming over the Pyrennees (the Tramontane wind) will remind you that everywhere in France does have bad weather. No regrets at all, but as mentioned in the video, check carefully temps and precipitation in winter.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

It wouldn't suit me, but as the old saying goes.... horses for courses!

[@abigailgammie6496]

We just bought in Poitou Charente near Civray. We are retiring and need to get a long stay visa - bugger Brexit. But I so love France. We are selling a smaller house near Rochechouart to get more space for a permanent life there. Love it and so glad I kept up my French from School and Uni. The other half doesn't speak any being South African. So was happy to know there are enough Brits 🤣🤣

[@Elizabeth-qy3zk]

My hubby and I love France and are reluctant to purchase because of the annual renewal policy required for a long stay Visa. Do you feel confident about the annual renewal process?

[@lupinbrabablebix9840]

My thoughts exactly , I’m just a bit concerned about health provision , do you plug into the french system or do you need private insurance? I have some pretty serious health concerns that require a bundle of meds, at the moment in the uk they’re provided with out charge but I think it’s just a matter of time before that’s withdrawn

[@lupinbrabablebix9840]

How do you work out the hotter the summer the colder the winter ? I’d imagine it would depend on the altitude wouldnt it ?

[@johnwilson3842]

What the hell has Brexit got to do with it, jeez😂

[@lupinbrabablebix9840]

@@johnwilson3842 because now you have to get a long stay visa like a right to remain , sometimes you have to pass a test on your french language proficiency, before Brexit you didn’t need to do this. The logistics are also now complex and precarious , pre Brexit you could sell your house in the certain knowledge that you could go to live in France ,now how do you sell a uk house with an uncertain prospect that you will get a long term residency permit and that it will be renewed year on year, it might be my wife gets a permit because her French is good and I don’t because my french is crap, it’s not like we’re in our twenties and have the flexibility and agility or even fortitude to adapt to uncertain outcomes

[@psour33]

Aquitaine aka "Gascogne" was english for quite a long time. This is like going back home 😂

[@chisle25]

Yes and prior to that England was french.

[@xpat73]

Just look at what you can buy in Normandy or Brittany compared with England. A one bed one bath renovated Fisherman's cottage in Cornwall costs more than a 4 bedroom house with land in Normandy or Brittany, France. So IF, you can work remotely or whatever - it's going to be a no-brainer for a lot of people. With cheap flights home or ferries if you are in the north, I totally get it. But beware....you will likely not make much if any money or your property. Example - my parents purchased in 1992 in Normandy not far from Honfleur. When they sold in 2022 - the property had basically risen in price in line with inflation or slightly lower. So they actually probably lost money when selling! The did not care because they enjoyed it.....but I think English people who are used to selling at a massive profit might be in for a shock. It is also harder to sell in France.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Pretty well sums it up, except the market has changed drastically since Covid

[@bretagnejean2410]

U say it cheap bit for breton is too expensive ( +50% since 3 years). Nobody actually can buy, bank refuse credit.

[@richardrowland2898]

Reality kicks in eventually

[@user-fb3pu3qx3t]

Very interesting. I’ve just returned from the Dordogne and found it way too hot. Admittedly it was a freak year for heat. But main reason for wanting to move is to get more sun! 25 degrees is perfect. Would you say Brittany has reliably warm summers at around this temperature?

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

I would say that Brittany is a very good choice, not too hot in summer (normally speaking) but also quite mild in winter, it rarely goes below zero degrees and snow or ice are extremely rare

[@user-fb3pu3qx3t]

@@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists Thank you. I’ll put Brittany on the list 🙂

[@abigailgammie6496]

I like the northern poitou charente region plenty to see and do and not too hot avg 27c winter is also mild Beaches am hour.away airports at Limoges and Poitiers TGV less than 2 hrs to Paris and 4 hrs drive to Caen for ferry.

[@LeJobastre1215]

​@@abigailgammie6496C'est pas le nord 😂

[@gwynethgrove772]

A lot of English people who bought in France cannot now afford to sell up and return to the UK in their retirement. House prices have changed so much in both countries that the gap has widened too much.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

I think you can argue the fact that UK house prices on average have been 4 times those in France for many years, and it is partly this which allowed the British to buy such nice places in France in the first place.

[@gwynethgrove772]

@@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists yes France has always had lower house prices but whilst Uk,prices have risen dramatically French prices have dropped, creating a much bigger gap. In addition the number of Brits buying in France has also dropped since Brexit. We lived in France for a number of years and saw prices either stagnate or fall, post Brexit the prices went even further down and many are now stuck with a house that’s worth less than paid for it ,that is hard to sell and cannot afford a house back in the Uk. We were lucky we sold quickly and because we had conducted a good renovation it gained in value but many are not so lucky. We have 2 sets of friends who are desperate to return to the UK but cannot sell.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

@@gwynethgrove772 So you are judging this from abroad by the sounds of it. Following Brexit there was a worldwide pandemic, and in France as in most countries, there was an exodus from the towns to the countryside. France, for some reason, always bases its price studies on the major towns, where yes there has been a drop in prices, most rural communes though have had a massive price increase, anywhere from 10% to 45% in the past 2 years. Prices are dropping slightly now due to the French interest rates, but nothing major. If your two sets of friends are having problems, maybe it is because they want to sell their French properties high enough to buy in the UK?

[@darkyannouche]

Lannion airport is no more on service since 2018, exept for private jet...

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Thank you for the update!

[@MarianneInmarsilia]

For sunshine, the southeast is best

[@MarcusCactus]

I'm not much an Internet-buyer. I like to pore over books before buying. So... in which cities in France are there English-bookshops ?

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

All over the place... from the popular "British" areas where you have "English book shops", BIG libraries that stock original languages books.

[@andrewmackenzieeveritt673]

That map at 2:31 needs a-changing…

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Why? It is the different airports in France?

[@justynabrzuchalska19]

Any thoughts on Nimes? Thank you

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

To hot for me, nice for holidays but thats it... personal opinion obviously

[@leecourt8509]

Very useful thanks! We are a middle-aged couple living in France on the Brexit visa but am not sure if I want to stay. We got stuck here because of COVID and now my other half is hooked on the idea of France. We live in Provence which is beautiful but I feel that even if I learn French I won't get the same connection as I would with a Brit (humour etc!). So bearing that in mind do you think it would be wise to live in an are full of Brits or do you think it doesn't matter?

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Obviously if you are missing the British side of life, but not to the extent of wanting to move back, then yes, moving closer to a British conclave would make things better for you. Easiest way is to check out the British run bars/pubs and usually there will be a group around that.

[@leecourt8509]

@@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists Thank you!

[@kenrehill8775]

If you choose not to learn the language of the country you choose to live in, expect to not enjoy living there. If you want to enjoy life in France. Avoid areas where Brits are and if there are some in your area, avoid them.

[@duncansmith7562]

@@kenrehill8775 This is nonsense. I know plenty of people who speak little or no French, including my wife, who LOVE life in France and do just fine!

[@kenrehill8775]

@@duncansmith7562 how disrespectful is it to live in a country where you don’t speak the language? Stinks of a total lack of education and respect. What do these people add to society in France? Their money? France doesn’t need that. Ironic that you consider a criticism of people who chose not the speak the language, nonsense. Utter gobshite.

[@TheKingandrew1984]

Is there a book/video etc, on basically how to move to France to buy a house /work etc? Or is it a case to watch loads and learn from there? Great video btw

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

There are plenty of books out there, but the problem is, if you read the books about moving here, and everything you have to look out for, well,....... you would never make the move. Its like reading all the books possible about swimming, its not until you jump in that you really learn (and don't worry there are life guards around!)

[@robindumpleton3742]

It's bad when incomers know more about the rules than some of the fonctionnaires. Bureaucracy is the biggest hindrance, secondly is the postal service. The one thing that is superb is the health service. Second to none.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

@@robindumpleton3742 Why is it Bad ? I have been doing this job longer than most fonctionnaires have been working ! lol

[@lesterdewey7644]

Just found this video thank you very informative. Are you able to give any advice on health insurance or where to buy it

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Hi Lester, I am presently working on a video about it at the moment, but its taking a bit longer to confirm necessary info.

[@AdrianSnell]

Thanks for the info, but you know"British" and"English" are interchangeable... It's not the same thing!

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Hello @AdrienSnell. Yes I have learnt via other commentaires which weren’t as polite. The thing is, having lived in France for over 30 years I use the generic « Les Anglais » as per the French, so quite often I will use the term English for any English speaking population.

[@alannairn9913]

Your title says British but you keep repeating about English so I won't bother subscribing thanks

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

If you wish to be pedantic, that is up to you. No skin of my back.

[@diogenes1815]

The map of ferry ports is totally wrong

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

It looks fine to me… on the French side that is, I don’t know much about the Irish side though.

[@andrewmackenzieeveritt673]

Err, Bordeaux isn’t Bilbao. How can we trust your other info when your geography is primary school level..?

[@ji3946]

thanks, where not to go

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

I would agree to a certain extent, but even the popular areas are not over run. After that in each region it is more of having enclaves of expats. For exemple, in the commune I am right now in Dordogne, there are only 2 english people. But 20 mns up the road is another village with 90% expats

[@leecourt8509]

@@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists Which village has 90% expats?

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

@@leecourt8509 Well this was taken from a French TV report about the France-England football match, and as far as I remember they said the village of Abjat sur Bandiat in the Dordogne had a population 90% British

[@anthonydecastro6938]

where the british expats are is where not to go??? good for you!!!

[@prettyhomebymariadesousa]

What about areas that are also ideal to have a Airbnb business or rent out a room?

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Well thats would be a short video.... Anywhere near tourist attractions seems to work fine. The real question would be, where are the mayors limiting AirBnB's.

[@prettyhomebymariadesousa]

@@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists thanks. Would appreciate a video on that matter.

[@carolekratzke9500]

DONT BUY A PROPERTY IN FRANCE WITHOUT LOOKING INTO INHERITANCE TAXES.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

(Repeating from other comments) Going by the fact that you shouting in capital letters on multiple videos, all of which have nothing to do with the tax side of things, I would guess that you have just been stung by the tax office. The inheritance laws over here are very different to the UK etc, and if your property purchase isn't set up correctly taking into account your marital & family status, it can become very costly in the case of the inheritance. If it is prepared correctly, and/or your situation corresponds to the French Thinking, then it will cost you very little, if not free.

[@nancyvandergucht9295]

Obviously one needs to look in to those matters when purshasing a property out of the home land . We live in Belgium and it is not so different of our own . Thanks for sharing !

[@angelagalloway5486]

We are not all British we are ENGLISH no thy difference more of us than British big big big difference

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Well that’s a first!!!! After all the messages complaining about me saying English. Now I am getting complaints about saying British. I suppose the old « you can please some of the people all the time » saying comes into play!

[@dwilliamson1063]

When you say English people I take it you mean British? Just wondering.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Its only the 1087th time this has been mentioned. Yes I mean British, but I am used to translating the French "Anglais", so "English" comes naturally. I actually mean any holder of a British passport.

[@mickeencrua]

How many of that 148,000. have had to go home because of Brexit? 🤔

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

And how many new arrivals due to Brexit?

[@mickeencrua]

@@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists We're talking about non-E.U. citizens here with particular reference to your 148,000 non-E.U. U.K. citizens. How many of them no longer qualify for permanent residence in France, Spain, Portugal etc..? The answer to that lies in the large number of properties that have come on the market in recent times. The new arrivals "due to Brexit" will be citizens of other E.U. Member States.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

@@mickeencrua No actually I am referring to all the United Kingdoms citizens, call them whatever you want, that rushed over to buy before Brexit and are now comfortably in the system, add to this all the United Kingdoms citizens, that have moved over since Brexit AND ARE NOW CONFORTABLY in the system. . I am not basing my advice on something on some opinionated news channel or newspaper, I live and work here and help United Kingdoms citizens, buy houses here and move over, and this on a daily basis. As the old saying goes, "it is not because you disagree that I am wrong !"

[@mickeencrua]

@@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists Forgive my nitpicking. It's got to do with my age. I've found your stuff to be very helpful. I just can't see the attraction of France or Spain for British people, given the conditions they now have to work with. I was rather selfishly hoping that a lot more properties would now come to the market and bargains would be available. 😜

[@MK-cc5ve]

I’m dizzy

[@mahaalbalushi6751]

Hi which areas or cities would you recommend that has a direct line to Paris?

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Carte_TGV_fr.svg/1280px-Carte_TGV_fr.svg.png

[@targetglen]

Who are these "English" people to whom you refer all the time ? The title of the clip was about "all the British".

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

You are only the 1088th time this has been mentioned. Yes I mean British, but I am used to translating from the French "Anglais", so "English" comes naturally. I actually mean any holder of a British passport.

[@andrewmackenzieeveritt673]

We’ll say so then. It’s not an unimportant detail…

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

It is for the rest of the world, only United Kingdom’ers, get there back up about it. The rest of the world refers to the “Perdantic English”

[@nativetexson]

Thanks for the info! I'm looking in the Ariege and Aude.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Nice area too, there are many in France, I just mentioned the most popular.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

You know Ariège ? 🙂 Few foreigners know that area. A gem. But you have to know that it is quite austere during winter, and very rural 🙂

[@nativetexson]

@@heliedecastanet1882 I purchased in the Aude near Carcassonne. :)

[@heliedecastanet1882]

@@nativetexson Oh, ok… so, in the meantime (your post was one year ago, mine was just few minutes), you did it ! Congratulations ! I hope you are fine and I wish you a Happy New Year !

[@nativetexson]

@@heliedecastanet1882 Merci Helie. Bonne année et meilleurs voeux.

[@beauthestdane]

Climate is one of the biggest reasons for choosing Brittany for us. We prefer cooler summers and warmer winters.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

Does it for me too, and when I want the hotter summer weather, I just get in the car and drive south!

[@tombartram7384]

Support your country and community by spending all your money in a country that's given you nothing.

[@janschkeuditz6065]

The figures do not reflect the number of British English property owners. Many have lived there for decades without official residence status . A property owner may be registered as a second residence for local tax purposes ( second residence tax ,) plus the usual property tax on top ( rates ). The property owner may live there with several members of the family however non are registered . So the figures for English people living in France as quoted are not the reality. Prior to Brexit there was no requirement to register in France . Given there are thousands of refugees etc on the cost there is dtill still no real requirement . The Alsace is also full of unregistered Brits particularly near the swiss border.

[@TheFrenchPropertySpecialists]

The figures are based on INSEE statistics, which are the official government ones based on the government door to door censors, the notaries sales data and communal information and any other form of official data. There might be a few British people that have slipped through the net, but no real numbers to speak of. For all those “unregistered” people you seem to know of, lets hope they never have to go to hospital, get stopped by the police, and definitely not travel abroad, as they will find themselves with major legal problems. I don’t see what “Given there are thousands of refugees etc on the cost” has to do with the number of British residents in France, or maybe there is a whole fleet of Brittany and DFDS ferries anchored up offshore full of British refugees all patiently waiting to dock? And as for Alsace being the place to be when it comes to flying under the radar while keeping your millions in a Swiss bank account, well I would like to see some OFFICIAL statistics to that effect. So, I can either do a video using the official stats with maybe a 1-2% error chance, or I could do one making up my own stats, but then I would come over as credible as you do here.

[@founddevers]

@janschkeuditz6065 I do not agree with your comments since brexit and the need to have a titre de sejour I dont believe there are the people living here non registered As well as now you have to have a visa to stay longer than 90 days its not possible Where are you getting your information from ?

[@founddevers]

@@JohnnyinMN which country are you referring to then ?