wanna run away ! SPAIN OR FRANCE

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schweppes

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ive been dreaming of uping and going for a long time . things dont look as though they are going to get too much better here so i am now thinking of just doing it. realistically i will rent out my place here and rent wherever i go as i have a family to consider and although they are keen i wouldnt have money to come back if i sold up. SO the question is where to go . it wont be for a year by the time things are sorted i shouldnt think but i need to concentrate on a particular place. i used to live in spain when i was young and can just about remember some of the lingo plus i adore spain and its people however i havnt been there for 25 years and know it is probably ruined. france ; i am told is like english countryside 60 years back in parts which i long for but i cant speak french . i know some of you have taken the plunge and are living the dream as i type. sorry for the boring post but can anyone give me any advice. many thanks
 
You need to go to wherever you can speak enough of the lingo to be able to get a job and earn enough money to live!!

Assuming that you have already been through the technicalities and it REALLY is just a case of "which country?" then for me it would have to be Spain. As long as you can stand the heat.

The language is easier to learn, the people as a nation (based on my own experiences) are more friendly and tolerant than the French, flights to and from Spain tend to be cheaper than France, and they don't have as many postal/transport strikes as France.

Can I come please........?
 
We have some friends who moved to france in feb, not being able to speak a word of the language, and now they can speak it fluently. Don't let not knowing the language stop you from moving somewhere (it is much easier to pick up when you live somewhere that speaks the language)

Only you can decide where to go! Listen to what youur heart tells you!
 
We did it two years ago and havent looked back. Originally we were planning on going to Spain but OH got offered a good job in Brussels so here we are. Its great and the kids are now going to grow up multilingual, (french, flemish and english). I say go for it, at least if you try and you are really unhappy then if you keep your home place you can always go back. If you dont try then you will never know.
 
France.
Don't worry about not speaking French you will be fluent in no time.

When I looked with my OH we were struck by Brittany and Haute Vienne. Affordable property, great riding, great food!
 
France has a hugely varied countryside, so I'd suggest touring around to see where you like, and what area would suit you best.

I can't advise about Spain, I've never lived there.

The French are mostly helpful and kind, as long as you make the effort to speak French.

The social life is very different, there is no real pub culture the way the UK has, and most bars in the rural areas are shut by 8pm, unless you are in a resturant.

The only way you'll find out is to give it a try. People with gites rent them out more cheaply out of season, and that would give you the opportunity to move around and see what you like the look of.

I'm happy to give you some pointers about the area I live in if you get to that stage.
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I would definitely agree about spending some time over in the places you would be interested in living. No point in upping and offing if you discover you hate the place.

Also, make sure you have enough money to support yourself, I knew a family who moved to Spain only to return six months later because they couldn't find work and ran out of money.

Whatever you decide, good luck
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I say France - better food, lots of unspoiled places, more centrally located (granted it's big, but you can travel easily from wherever you are), great people. I've spent a fair bit of time in Toulouse and been to the Riviera a few times. My dream is to move somewhere in eastern Languedoc not too far from the Pyrenees. It's close to Spain for good horses, has lovely varied countryside, good pizza a bit further east and great wine (can you tell what my priorities are..?). Also near Pau for good horsey comps!
 
thank you all for your replies ----- keep em coming ! ----- any pitfalls any pluses ! anyone who wants to come youre welcome ! safety in numbers ! it does worry me about not knowing anyone but thats something to think about too .
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