For most people, the French dream is probably a farmhouse in the countryside with land and outbuildings. Something with character, somewhere to grow vegetables, breathe fresh air and have views across the landscape. In many cases, it’s to have something completely different to the UK, where people often feel they are living on top of each other.
France is the ideal place to satisfy that dream. There are plenty of French country properties that can be bought for a fraction of the price of a house in the UK. Properties in the countryside tend to be much cheaper than townhouses and this is often because they require a lot of work, but that’s not a problem for us intrepid Brits – we’ve all seen the television programmes and think we can turn a run-down wreck into a stunning character property.
Well, that might be true but it really depends on your DIY skills and how deep your pockets are. If you intend to employ someone to do the work then bear in mind that French artisans tend to be very expensive and the good ones often have long waiting lists. If you are going to do it yourself then, depending on how much work is required, be prepared for it to take much longer and cost far more than you think, even if you are just paying for materials. Most of us aren’t spring chickens when we move to France and the reality of doing DIY every day for weeks, months or even years can quickly lose its appeal. What starts out as a challenge to be relished can become very tiring when it drags on and is more difficult than expected. However, when you do finish all the work, you will undoubtedly feel a great deal of pride and satisfaction with your achievement.
But then what? Having created your dream home, what are you going to do with all your free time? Now’s the time to put your feet up, relax, and enjoy the views. Sounds idyllic but for how long will you be happy doing that?
Living in the countryside can certainly be very relaxing but it also has its drawbacks. After a while it can feel isolating to have no neighbours and, in winter, the beautiful green landscape that is so appealing in summer can become bleak and feel a bit depressing.
What about when you want to go out? The main problem with living in the countryside is that you are likely to have to get in the car to do just about anything. For a few years, this feels like a small price to pay for being surrounded by beautiful views but it can become annoying. Fresh croissants from the bakery, running out of milk, going to the cinema, meeting up with friends – all of these will probably require a journey in the car. If your socialising includes any form of drinking (and being in France it is very likely to!), having to drive to everything is not much fun.
So, in summary, before you buy somewhere in the heart of the French countryside, have a good think about the type of lifestyle that you really want. Many people have been seduced by the views and cheap property prices of the countryside only to realise a few years later that maybe it isn’t the dream they were hoping for. Explore various properties in France and consider all aspects of living in the countryside before making your decision.
