Could buying a gîte business in France be the key to your dream lifestyle? How easy is it to integrate into French life as a foreigner?
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In this video we meet Allan and Nicky, two British expats in their 50s who, with the help of French Connections HCB, swapped city life in Manchester for the peaceful charm of rural Dordogne in France.
Listen as we learn about how they moved and retired to France from the UK, and how their journey wasn’t rushed. It took five years of planning, research, and return visits before they found the right place to build their next chapter. But thanks to French Connections HCB, they had expert administrative support to make their dream of running a gîte business a reality.
Lizzie O’Hara-Boyce catches up with Nicky and Allan on what is their first full year as gîte owners and hosts.
In this video, they talk about:
– How their love of the Dordogne region shaped their retirement plans and moving to France from the UK
– Why buying a gîte business gave them a purpose post-retirement
– The warm community spirit where French locals and English speakers meet every week
– How French Connections HCB helped them navigate admin when starting their gîte business in France
If you’ve ever dreamed of running a gîte business or retiring in France to somewhere peaceful but connected with plenty of opportunity to make friends and thrive in your 50s, Nicky and Allan’s story is full of practical insight and encouragement for those who are considering moving to France from the UK.
Watch now and see how French Connections HCB can help turn your French dream into a thriving new life.
Chapters
0:00 – Meet Nicky and Allan in the village of Saint-Estèphe
0:28 – Why they left Manchester and Ireland for rural France
1:07 – The five-year journey to finding the right property
1:58 – Buying a gîte business: how it all started and falling in love with Dordogne
3:28 – Buying several gîtes and navigating the tourism season
7:50 – Settling in France and integrating within the French community as a foreigner
9:14 – The steps Nicky and Allan took to join the community and make friends
13:35 – How important is it to learn French and make an effort?
15:13 – Lifestyle differences between the UK and France
16:08 – How Allan and Nicky found French Connections HCB and got support
17:54 – Benefits of working with French Connections HCB, handling French admin and Visas
19:08 – Setting up a business in France & accounting with the help of French Connections HCB
20:15 – Complete support from French Connections HCB
21:21 – Buying a car in France with French Connections HCB
21:54 – Letting French Connections HCB handle all the paperwork and remove stress
23:27 – Best time to look for properties in France,
24:11 – The moment of arrival and finding the perfect gîte and property in France
26:20 – Differences between the UK and France when buying property
26:40 – Renovating the home, moving furniture and discovering charming details of the area
29:47 – Adjusting to French country life
30:48 – Exploring Nicky and Allan’s gîtes
35:40 – Astronomy groups
36:30 – Exploring the gardens, reigniting passions, working on your own terms
38:30 – Advice for people who want to buy a gîte business in France
39:05 – Enjoying their lives together in France
40:50 – Advice for anyone considering moving to France from abroad
👋 Thinking of moving to France?
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👉Watch Next:
Why This American Couple Moved to France at 70 | Life After Starting Over: https://youtu.be/oU4Bzdwewto
Ready to Retire or Move to France from the USA? Steps to Make It Happen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vhDMC-Njk0
Find French Connections HCB on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frenchconnectionsHCB/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrenchConnectionsHCB/
Thank you for watching! 🌟
#MovingToFrance #LifeInFrance #AmericanExpat #RetireInFrance #AffordableLiving #FranceRelocation #FrenchConnectionsHCB #RuralFrance #ExpatStories #SimpleLifeFrance
8 Comments
This was lovely interview
Love how you stress the importance of integrating into French society as well as ex pat! Learning the language is both crucial and a sign of respect for the new country.
What us a gite
charmants.welcome
I’m abandoning my plans to buy in France due to the air pollution. No one seems to talk about the air quality, which is not good. It’s a shame.
What type of visa did u get
French Connections sounds fantastic but I have no idea what any of these services would cost.
uhmmm why is this lady talking about her kitchen as if it is in another dimension or in another country!! Hello…its called a TOUR. She came to your house to do an interview but you won't let her inside your house or is the house not really as you protray. There is something fishy going on here with French Connections and these people living in France.
Like my friend told me…"Show me, i wanna see, I wanna touch…" This is so sus…. spring or summer day out and all you gave your guest was some fucking water with NO ice….at least put a lemon in there. out here in the heat of summer drinking some water from where? how do i know u didn't get that out of lake geneva?