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Post by adrianjohn on Jul 7, 2016 13:29:01 GMT 1
Well, here I am. A newbie and a first post. Now this topic might well have been covered before, so if it has I'll apologise in advance and ask to be pointed in the right direction.
And the topic is: Moving to Brittany! Not too much of a surprise there then.
My wife and I are considering selling up in the UK. Despite the Brexit vote - or maybe because of - we still feel that a move would be right for us.
A couple of issues though. I'm 73, my wife is approaching 70. We're both very fit and active but in life one can never predict 'what might be around the corner'.
I'm sure that someone on the Forum will be able to enlighten me about medical insurance, health care and eligibility criteria, and I'd be grateful for that advice.
Also, general house, car insurance info. will be useful.
I know that a lot of this can be found by reading articles and 'Googling' and I have made extensive notes. However, it's always best to try to get first hand knowledge!
So thanks in anticipation!
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Post by bisdu on Jul 7, 2016 16:18:57 GMT 1
Hi and welcome Adrianjohn
My OH and I are both retired and have lived here full time for 15 years or so; we love it here have no intention of ever returning to UK, in fact we are, in the light of brexit looking at French Nationality. Of course anything I have to say now is based on the pre brexit vote, as in truth no one truly at this point, knows the full ramifications of leaving.
Regarding health care I can't help you with eligibility - its a while since we did it, but I can tell you that here the health care, should you need it, is second to none, and I have availed myself on it a great many times. Perhaps you could be more specific about what exactly you would like to know, as insurance is quite a wide subject. If it helps I can tell you that when we first came we took out an expensive mutual (almost €2000pa) which covered almost everything, but realised that we were not getting the benefit from it, so changed to just hospital cover (€450 per annum for the 2 of us) - only covers hospital - we now pay everything else like top up for docs visit (€6) prescriptions, dental, glasses etc. For us this with the hospital mutuel amounts to a fraction of what we paid before. However there are people who will tell you different and I will not argue with that - people get what they are comfortable with for them.
There is not much to say about car insurance, except it is the car which is insured and therefore you can allow others to drive it without having to tell the insurance company (your excess will be different though if there is a claim and its not the policyholder driving). You can take your car abroad without the need for a green card - that is automatically included.Also the policy will probably cover you for AA type breakdown - otherwise its pretty similar to the UK - possibly a fraction cheaper, as is house insurance - which is compulsory and most policies are fairly comprehensive. You might negotiate a discount if you get all your insurances from the same company.
If you have a French bank account and get a gold card (bank debit card)this will also cover you for travel - even to the US.
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Post by Ali on Jul 7, 2016 17:56:24 GMT 1
Brill reply from Bis (bisous bisous)
Will put in mypenithworth too during tomorrow (just back in)
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Post by adrianjohn on Jul 7, 2016 21:40:43 GMT 1
Thank you both for your speedy replies! bisdou - very useful and the general info I am looking for. I take it that your hospital cover means treatment as an in-patient too?
Ali - looking forward to your peniworth too!
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Post by bisdu on Jul 7, 2016 22:10:43 GMT 1
Hi - yes in-patient, that's was what I meant - if I have to stay in hospital for treatment the assurance maladie (mutual) pay for almost everything - the surgeon, the anaesthetist, all tests, food, and the room (mine includes €40 a day for a private room, should I want it and this is usually enough to cover it) Actually it covers pretty much everything except wifi and tv (nominal) I have had numerous ops in several different hospitals.
Perhaps I should mention that here in France, that once you have a carte vital you are generally covered for about 70% of charges (there are some variations for some conditions) so you can cover the rest with mutual or pay it yourself - the latter is very risky if you contract something serious or have an accident - that is a real gamble so it is not a smart route to follow. However it is worth mentioning that some very serious (usually life-threatening) conditions are covered by ones carte vital for 100% of the costs - these include cancer and ulcerative colitis (this is not the full list) and prescriptions are included in this 100%
Hope this is what you are looking for
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Post by adrianjohn on Jul 8, 2016 13:51:30 GMT 1
Yes, that's good advice thank you. I appreciate your time.
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Post by Ali on Jul 9, 2016 17:40:06 GMT 1
Crikes Bisdu is good ! I can't add anything.
I can talk 'houses' tho. Spent 3 years as an Agent Commercial Immobilier here and worked with lots of Notaires. Can't think of anything else that I could possibly help you with.
However. MOVE. 16 years here and love each and every day.
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Post by adrianjohn on Jul 18, 2016 17:01:23 GMT 1
We will have a cash budget of €150 000 to €210 000 to spend on a property.
We will be looking for a 2/3 bedroom house that is 'habitable', although we do not mind minor cosmetic work. We would like a secure garden where we can continue to keep hens, grow vegetables and where our dog can enjoy running around safely. A pool would be a real bonus!
We work from home, so access to a good WiFi connection is going to be essential.
We are keen to join community activities and as we are currently members of a choir, would like to continue with that.
Yoga and pilates are pastimes of my wife, Anne, and I know that she would like to find classes.
Ideally we would like a house, old or new, in a village close to a main town, with boulangerie, pharmacist etc.
Unfortunately, my wife doesn't drive.
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Post by littlemouse on Jul 18, 2016 18:14:32 GMT 1
Isn't Bunty in a choir?
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Post by JohnP on Jul 19, 2016 8:32:58 GMT 1
In the rural areas of Brittany, your budget should get you a nice property. In coastal areas and large towns/cities, you will find prices are higher. Good internet connection can be an issue still in some areas. I live in a large village and I get good service but move out a few kilometers and it is a different story although improvements are being made. I would urge you to restrict your searches to villages not only for internet services but also for local shops, banking and post office etc. It can be very tempting to go for the country cottage in the sticks but do you really want to get the car out everytime you need milk and bread and as only one of you drives, what if for medical reasons you found yourself unable to do so? It is very easy to overlook little things when you have good health. There are many properties on the market at the moment so good choice and don't be afraid to make an offer, I am sure you will find what you are looking for. Good luck with your search.
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