Would You Move to France After Hearing This? Ep.36

In this episode, Richard Hall takes viewers on a wintry morning stroll through his garden, bundled up in his dressing gown to soak in the beauty of a frost-covered Lot landscape. After recovering from a nasty cold, Richard reflects on the year ahead and introduces new plans for his YouTube series. Among these plans is a special focus on interviews with friends and fellow expats in France, starting with a chat with Jim and Jill, a couple who recently made the move to the region. The interview explores Jim and Jill’s transition to life in rural France and how they’ve adapted. For Jill, the move fulfilled a long-standing dream of retiring in France, while Jim, who had lived in England for 15 years, had concerns about isolation. Their story mirrors that of many expats, from fears of language barriers to the excitement of discovering a new lifestyle. Key points of discussion include: • The couple’s decision to settle south of the Dordogne, where they found a perfect balance between French authenticity and a supportive expat community. • The stunning difference in property value, allowing them to exchange a small, modern home in England for a spacious seven-bedroom villa with a pool and large garden in France. • The vibrant community life, highlighted by weekly markets, night events, and regular village gatherings. Jill and Jim praise the local mayor’s role in fostering social connection through these events, something they feel is missing in many parts of the UK. • The joys of living near the Lot River, which transforms the village during the summer with festivals, live music, and bustling markets that attract people from all over the region. The couple also share their experiences with learning the language and integrating into French culture. Jill admits she struggles with picking up French despite living with Jim, a native French speaker. However, their efforts to participate in local life, including attending markets, events, and their humorous French lessons, have helped them build a strong network of both English and French friends. Food and drink are major themes in this episode. Jim and Jill reflect on how dining culture in France differs from the UK, with drinking often centered around meals rather than pub culture. They note that tradesmen and professionals still take leisurely two-hour lunches with wine – a tradition that has all but disappeared in England. Richard and the couple also discuss the quirks of rural life, such as limited access to conveniences like 24-hour coffee shops or English breakfasts. While they miss the ease of certain routines from the UK, they agree that these minor inconveniences are more than compensated for by the region’s natural beauty, strong community spirit, and quality of life. As the episode concludes, Jill and Jim reflect on their journey, expressing how much better the move has gone than they ever expected. They have no plans to return to the UK and are excited about their life in the Lot. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of the rewards and challenges of moving to France, offering viewers valuable insights and inspiration. Thank you for watching! Please like, subscribe, and leave a comment sharing your thoughts or experiences about life abroad. Until next time, that’s your lot from the Lot! 😊 Chapters: 0:00 Richard’s Wintry Garden Walk – Plans for the New Year 3:30 Introduction – Meeting Jim and Jill 6:00 Moving to France – Property and Community Life 10:45 The Vibrant Social Scene and Weekly Markets 14:30 Learning the Language and Cultural Adaptation 18:00 Life on the Lot River – Summer Events and Festivals 22:00 The French Approach to Food and Drink 26:00 Rural Life Quirks – What They Miss About England 30:00 Reflections on the Move – No Regrets! See you in the next episode! 👋 Gilles and Jim's place to stay: https://www.lesmartinets-fongrave.fr/