A friend warns of people she knows
who bought the big place to house three generations but now grandma grumbles because she
spends her entire time shopping, cooking and catering. Is
that what I really want?
Well yes, sometimes, but also no.
 And then there is the vexed question of how often we will
use a place in France. Having decided to
focus on the south, around Avignon, we’re talking a six-hour train journey, not to
mention the bits to add on at this end and more at the other.
We would use such a place one week every month? My husband already looks wistful, thinking of how
much golf he will miss. Yes, he could play
golf there, but I’m not sure I fancy so many hours of absenteeism in a place where I
have no roots, though that could change…
One week every two months then? A big effort and outlay for 6 weeks a year, plus
the odd couple of weeks in the spring and summer. We’re
definitely not the kind of people to hole up down south for months on end, whatever the
weather. The truth is, we like our lives at
home too much.
I record all this because they are the essential
ruminations for anyone contemplating buying a second home anywhere.
 Meanwhile, for those further along the path, or just
beginning, it’s worth getting hold of French Property News which offers lots of
practical advice and insights into buying and running a home in France. The website is http://www.french-property-news.com, and
once you are on the mailing list, you get the monthly issues free. Another must-have for the south is the first
edition of the English Yellow Pages, a free 240-page book listing French and international
companies in the Riviera and surrounding areas. Email:
englishyellowpages@yahoo.com.
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