France to Stay for a while or Retire
Here are a few tips if you are planning on coming to France
Long Term - with vehicles
1. My advice sell any British vehicles - in Britain before you come across
( You will see many parked up across here - they become a ball and chain - your choice )
- Buy a French Vehicle ( Maybe a Renault ) there are many French garages set up to work on these.
2. If possible try to pick up a French Car or Van in England you may get them at a reasonable price (They can be expensive here)
(left hand drive with lights to suit France & preferably French Registered)
( also check out the prices in France for new lights )
- maybe it is cheaper to buy these in England before you come over.
3. If you do bring vehicles over and you are staying Long Term - consider these problems ......
a) Insurance - at some point you will need this - and the cheapest insurances seem to be on French Number Plates.
b) The MOT (Control Technique) is only every 2 years but - if a English car - lights need changing to point right (not cheap).
c) The export documentation needs doing to have French plates (again not cheap).
d) Any vehicle repairs are not cheap (especially if its not a French make),
(not cheap in England) but without you speak technical fluent French (you may get stung).
4. If you are really rich then maybe no problem - but if you are on a budget - take care its not always that easy and the places are not always that close for getting things done and the other thing is the language barrier.
I have only been here a year and already have two vehicles which are as good as worthless and a motorbike shortly to become the same because they will not insure it ..
( without lots of things changed and each thing is an added expense that you can possibly do without )
- also as a note on cost ... the motorbike insurance was double what I paid in England.
cars are similar too .... and check for what they mean by fully comp .... charge loads - give little back .....
I paid 1500 euros for a head gasket replacing on a Mercedes Van .......
I paid 550 euros for motorbike insurance for the year a VFR750 ........
I refuse to pay high costs now - it is cheaper to buy a French Vehicle maybe a motorbike ...... and insure it than to carry on ........
Car Batteries and Van Batteries are not cheap here - You could make some money bringing some over ....... !!!