Emigrating to buy house with land for horses, anybody done it?

gadetra said:
I can't believe no one has suggested Ireland!
There are loads of English ex-pats, the pubs are great, the people are Lovely (even if I do say so myself!!!) and it's horse country. Land and property are cheaper and you are only 20 min flight from the UK-perfect! (And we could do with the business ha ha :p )
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Watching the programme on Ireland tonight on ITV reminded me how much I have always enjoyed Ireland when I have been there on holiday. You are right to remind people - it really is the Emerald Isle with golden beaches, lovely helpful people and fantastic horses!

I do like Wales and Scotland, and Canada as well, all have their good points, but am happy in the Peak District, and will settle for visiting other countries on holiday.

Just a thought there is no mud where my daughter is in Dubai, and they have fantastic horse facilities, and riding in desert and year round sun (but you do have to have air con for your horse in summer)!!
 
Fabulous idea! I've often wished Scotland were just that little bit warmer with proper seasons that don't all happen in one day. I have an American working with me right now and she was stunned to see every kind of weather in the space of a few hours. :D

I'd love to live in America with lots of land for horses. Would need to win the lotto tho. :rolleyes:
 
Thanks LLAM that does sound so good! I guess after I've finished my degree in a year or so we will have to see what the opportunities are, the world is our oyster although it is harder when you have two people and jobs to find... and ponies to keep obviously! Honestly my OH is desperate to get out of retail so I'm sure he'd give oil a go! My bro works in the nuclear industry currently in Paris, so maybe I can tout my ecological advice to their companies for megabucks - sorted!

I can't say Aberdeen has a very romantic image in my mind, I am imagining plumes of smoke coming out of chimneys and grey buildings against grey skies? Haha who cares I'll do anything to stay out of the city!
 
maree t said:
I love the idea of moving to the USA. Myself and the kids are planning a three week trip travelling around the eastern part of the country. The problem is it is my dream and the OH wouldnt come. We also have quite a few animals and I wouldnt want to leave any of them and moving them would probably be prohibitively expensive.
I am not very employable either so would worry about trying to earn a living and the price of health insurance .
guess I will have to keep dreaming but dont know what will happen if both the kids want to go too.
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Interesting views of life in the USA. My father worked for Time Magazine for 25 years and the London Office was top of the Americans' wish list for overseas posting.

An American business colleague of my husband's based in London, dreaded the thought of his daughter returning to college in the USA because of the huge amount of money he would have to pay out for health insurance - he had grown to like the NHS!!

My friends in Washington tell me their daughter left California to set up home in Texas as California was just too expensive.
 
mandwhy said:
Thanks LLAM that does sound so good! I guess after I've finished my degree in a year or so we will have to see what the opportunities are, the world is our oyster although it is harder when you have two people and jobs to find... and ponies to keep obviously! Honestly my OH is desperate to get out of retail so I'm sure he'd give oil a go! My bro works in the nuclear industry currently in Paris, so maybe I can tout my ecological advice to their companies for megabucks - sorted!

I can't say Aberdeen has a very romantic image in my mind, I am imagining plumes of smoke coming out of chimneys and grey buildings against grey skies? Haha who cares I'll do anything to stay out of the city!
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Not really any smoke plumes and although the buildings are grey, they do look nice in the sun after a rain shower as the granite has bits in it that glitters! Lots of parks too. But you don't have to live in Aberdeen (and most of the oil cos are in Westhill or Dyce! To the west and north of the city respectively).

It's the grim grey image that keeps everyone from discovering the secret of how good it is up here, so I better not go on too much!

Here's a picture of our house, this is the sort of architecture that typifies the area. Not even grey! But even grey ones look nice I think.

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Has anyone thought of, or actually live in South Africa. I've been looking at the Waterberg area as I have been there a few times and its malaria free with an altitude that moderates the temperature a bit. I know there are ticks and African Horse sickness, but just wondered if anyone has first hand experience.
 
Hello

Just registered with the forum and had an interesting time looking around and then found this thread

We, my OH, son, dog, cat and 3 horses live in Nomandy France having moved out here nearly 8 years ago. I had my son out here and my OH set up as a self employed electrician. We are actually looking to relocate back to the UK - it's been a really hard decision as we do have a good life out here but on balance we only came out for a couple of years as an adventure but ended up staying and we now feel the pull of the UK

Here in Normandy we are near to the ferry ports so it's easy to get back to the UK. There is a lot of horse activities although if you compete you need to do your "gallops" kind of like the BHS exams. There are farriers, saddle fitters, physios, osteopaths etc both English and French and my local vet specialises in horses and can speak English if needed.

There is a strong expat community so it is basically up to the individual whether they immerse themself in French community and/or stick to the English. A lot of doctors,vets, insurance companies etc etc speak English due to the number of English and in fact some have adapted and learnt English to help build up their businesses.

It is a really good idea to do an immersion course of some sort in the language and have a very clear idea of how to earn an income - social charges are high and you need to pay top up health insurance otherwise you could find yourself with huge bills.Having said that there is no postcode lottery with healthcare and I've never had a problem getting a doctors appointment..

Ok going to stop rambling on now!

If anyone is interested in a renovated (in final stages of completion) house with extensive outbuildings, completed 2 bedroom cottage (could be used for rental income), further building for possible renovation, 2.5 acres, stabling and all for
£150 000 (plus legal fees) then drop me a pm!
 
We went from having house, land and stables in the UK to France. Initially we were going to settle about 50 miles north of Bordeaux, then decided to go south east.

We deliberately chose to split our purchase of land from the house. This meant we could buy a nice, modern 3 double bed (about 100sq.m) with garage and ½ acre for £120k and enjoy it for as long as we like. Our agricultural land is about 9 acres and 2 miles away. When the horses have to go because we are too old, the land can be rented out or sold as required with no further hassle to us. We needed PP for the shelters (new rules) and to get a water connection but if we want we can also build a domestic property there too. Cost was about £2500k an acre fees included.

The French do manage their horses differently but as our house and land completion dates did not match, they went into livery, which helped us adapt a lot. The owner managed the paperwork for us when we first arrived and registering our land as “equine” was done online with the Haras Nationale. All livery owners here seem to be experienced in the procedure as practically every other horse seems to be a PRE from Spain.

Food is mainly hay at £1-£2 a small 28kg bale but they prefer to sell in large roundels if you can handle it. Delivery is of course extra. Hard feed is always pre-mixed at around £9 for a 25kg bag of maintenance mix or cubes and goes up from that. I agree straights are impossible to find. Treating flies and worms is best done through a good country pharmacie. A dose of Butox and fly masks are effective for flies. There are numerous blacksmiths in our area; also equine dentists, osteos and good vets. No idea if they speak English, I speak French properly.

Other “handy hints” use http://www.leboncoin.fr/
which sells everything including houses, it is better than French ebay. If you like a house make a “silly” offer, prices are no indicator of true value. One estate agent told us 40% is reasonable in some cases. There is no shortage of houses in most parts so you will find one that you like.

Also go to http://www.cavadeos.com/ as there is a limited online version of “L’annuaire du cheval” which is on sale in good magazine shops at the beginning of the year at 16 euros. It lists nearly everybody in France who is professionally involved with horses, their contact details and their professional activity.

Also use the small ads in the local papers.
 
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hi we are curantly packing our house up! we leave for france in 5 weeks!
horses dogs kids !!
so will let you know... south west of france here we come!! hot weather, wine grass for my boys what more can you want!
xx
 
gadetra said:
I can't believe no one has suggested Ireland!
There are loads of English ex-pats, the pubs are great, the people are Lovely (even if I do say so myself!!!) and it's horse country. Land and property are cheaper and you are only 20 min flight from the UK-perfect! (And we could do with the business ha ha :p )
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Are we living on the same island :D
I would have no problem leaving Ireland it is wholely depressing right now and the outlook is not good for the next decade.

I would love to move to France. I just love it there, the Luberon is my absolute favourite and the Dordogne is to die for.
Honey08 - where would you choose to live in France (with horses) if you had zero limitations?
 
Lark said:
Are we living on the same island :D
I would have no problem leaving Ireland it is wholely depressing right now and the outlook is not good for the next decade.

I would love to move to France. I just love it there, the Luberon is my absolute favourite and the Dordogne is to die for.
Honey08 - where would you choose to live in France (with horses) if you had zero limitations?
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Ah some of us have to stay home and make it work! There's also the 'call of the green' situation as I call it, where by the land doesn't let you go too far (I'm from a farm, gens in the family etc.) ;)
Also love France. My OH's mother lives about an hour from carcassonne. It's fabulous. really fabulous. Quite a horsey area too. I'd move in a heartbeat for 10 years or so but couldn't do the rest of my days there-call o the green situation!
 
Wow this has become an interesting post, thanks everyone for sharing your views and experiences, it has been very helpful. Let's hope we all get where we want to be with our families and our horses. :)
 
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