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Earning a Living
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 02/05/2008, 9:15
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Will
 
Joined on 22/09/2004
Sussex & 50 (Mortainais)
Posts 5,104
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Re: Cost of Living for familes in France?
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Ron does talk sense, but I would point out that the official figures for our commune in Northern France give an average household income of less than 1000€ per month. But do bear in mind that many of the inhabitants are elderly with very simple lives, producing much of their own food etc, and that official figures are always several years behind reality. Things have gone up a lot in France, like everywhere else, over the last few years. And I don't think a young family would find the 'retired' lifestyle particularly fulfilling: the open spaces, quietness and beauty of the countryside may be perfect for an extended holiday but doesn't sustain kids for ever.
Will
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http://www.vienormande.com
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02/05/2008, 9:45
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oscar
Joined on 28/02/2008
Posts 94
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Re: Cost of Living for familes in France?
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I'd take note of both Ron and Will's comments. We are two and we do like to eat well and enjoy a drink, so that probably increases our shopping bill. However, with no mortgage our outgoings average about 1200 euros a month. This does not take into account filling the oil tank 1.5 times a year, which will now cost just over 2100 euros compared to about 800 euros 3 years ago, Christmas presents, birthday presents, car parts/servicing, clothes or holidays - it just covers day to day living expenses.
I used to wonder how our neighbours seemed to live so well, new 4x4s, 3 kids each family, holidays, and they earn no more than us. However, they are farmers and in addition keep rabbits, chickens, the odd sheep and a good potager. Consequently they NEVER have to buy any meat or milk and very few fresh veg. You may have to think about turning to the "Good Life" to help make ends meet, but remember, that is also extremely time-consuming if you have 3 kids to look after and ferry around. Good luck anyway - but thik hard. Just speaking good French and having the will to get a job certainly doesn't guarantee getting one.
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02/05/2008, 11:13
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blackcat
Joined on 16/04/2008
Posts 30
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Re: Cost of Living for familes in France?
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Hi
I dont think that the cost of living is much cheaper in France, I just wanted an realistic idea of how much families in France do manage on.
We are a family of 5 and spend £2500 each month living in the UK, which includes a monthly mortgage payment of £1,050 each month. Now, if we lost the mortgage why on earth couldnt we manage on £1500 in France each month, regardless of where the income came from.
We have been a family of 5 for some time, I manage the finances in our house very well and have a very realistic view of what it costs to keep a family as I actually do it every day.
The question I posed was just a cost of living query. I have been used to my husband working away for many years, its nothing new to me and I didnt ask for anyones opinion on how our income will be generated, not did I ask how my children should be educated, which someone was keen to offer advice on.
When I posed a question on another forum about residency for my elderly mum, people seemed to want to tell me I shouldnt contemplate living with my mum, which wasnt the subject up for discussion either.
I am grateful for the advice being given but I just wanted a couple of simple questions answered.
Thanks for your help anyway.
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02/05/2008, 11:24
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Benjamin
Joined on 21/08/2005
Vendée South
Posts 1,815
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Re: Cost of Living for familes in France?
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I can understand your frustration sara77 when you ask what appears to you to be an isolated question or two and people introduce other topics as well in replies.
Realistically though it is a little too simple to look at things in isolation as so many things are interlinked. The answers given by posters reflects their overall experience of living here which they are trying to share with you. Ignore the bits that you already think you have sorted but bear in mind there is probably a very good reason why people have mentioned them from their own experiences.
Benjamin
St Malo 1-New evidence suggests mis-trial
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02/05/2008, 11:51
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blackcat
Joined on 16/04/2008
Posts 30
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Re: Cost of Living for familes in France?
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Hi.
I totally understand that. But no-one else knows your own circumstances, how much money or assets you may have, your knowledge and experience, your families individual personalities, what they are capable of etc.,
Having given out only as much info as I wanted to, I didnt feel that the questions I posed warranted knowing the full picture. Maybe the area we intended to move to, yes, thats relevant.
I appreciate people want to share their own experiences, but there is a way of wording things tactfully so as not to be patronising or condescending.
Thanks for your time.
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02/05/2008, 11:52
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blackcat
Joined on 16/04/2008
Posts 30
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Re: Cost of Living for familes in France?
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Thanks Will, that information is very useful. Much appreciated.
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02/05/2008, 11:59
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Albert the InfoGipsy
Joined on 01/07/2006
Kingdom of the Middle Saxons & Vannes (56)
Posts 633
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Re: Cost of Living for familes in France?
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Sara,
"Having given out only as much info as I wanted to, I didnt feel that the questions I posed warranted knowing the full picture."
Giving a bit more background when you post a question helps everybody, including you. Similarly, responding to posts avoids people going off at tangents because they are guesing at what you really want/need.
One of my favourite sayings is that any idiot can find out answers; the difficult part is knowing what the questions should be.
If people give you advice about things you are sure you already know about then you can thank them and say you don't need any more. If you read all the answers you get in your threads you may well identify things you do need to learn more about.
This is a forum; nobody 'owns' any of the threads and often a question will trigger off a discussion that doesn't relate to the original poster's enquiry. People answer questions out of the kindness of their hearts. If you want a professional advice service you're at liberty to pay for one.
Albert the InfoGipsy
"So welcome to the Citadel where the question is 'Am I?'"
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02/05/2008, 12:25
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oscar
Joined on 28/02/2008
Posts 94
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Re: Cost of Living for familes in France?
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 Albert the InfoGipsy wrote: | |
If people give you advice about things you are sure you already know about then you can thank them and say you don't need any more. If you read all the answers you get in your threads you may well identify things you do need to learn more about.
This is a forum; nobody 'owns' any of the threads and often a question will trigger off a discussion that doesn't relate to the original poster's enquiry. People answer questions out of the kindness of their hearts. If you want a professional advice service you're at liberty to pay for one.
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I agree and I think Sara your reaction to the comments that you didn't "need" is a little aggressive itself. No one needed to answer you and it appears that you are pleased with some of the information you received. I suggest that no one was rude to you as such, just maybe in your eyes interfered a little too much in your personal lifestyle. I should take care in the way you respond to such things or you may not get any comments to future questions for fear of over-stepping the mark and then you won't have any information.
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France Forum » Living » Earning a Livin... » Re: Cost of Living for familes in France?
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