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With the sun setting on the oldest democracy on the planet and the mother of all parliaments it's easy to want to beat the rush (Oh yes I'm sure there will be one)...to get outside the gravitational pull of the UK. I'm hoping that more people take a close look at Brittany & Normandy...not just because that's our business...but, because we've discovered what a brilliant antedote it is for the economic crisis... www.ahouseinbrittany.com Find out more about Brittany & Normandy!! The things the Mail chose not to elaborate on from the story we sent them... Right now there are some negative turns in the UK and in foreign property markets... I'd like to narrow that down. ...The UK and the French Property Markets! We have been lucky enough to get some coverage in National Press as well as in the pages of trade monthlies, what the ad agencies call French Interest Press although a good few of the titles are beginning to disappear in the effects of the recession. Some big property agencies in the French market are also beginning to tumble (eg VEF-UK)... The acronym gives you a clue as to what their competitors used to call them! Recently too short haul 'low cost' airlines are also beginning to 'clip their wings' in terms of where they fly to. I've been saying for years that in the future second home buyers or those disenchanted with life in the UK will have to be thinking closer to home when deciding on where they will settle. The press always seem to be interested in bad news rather than good so, when talking with journalists I get the impression they dig for the negatives, saying 'but people in Brittany are selling up to come back in droves aren't they'? 'No', I say... 'not if they know what's good for them'. And here I maintain that Brittany, Normandy and to a lesser extent, the Loire are different to what I call 'Mainland France'. Brittany & Normandy are accessible very easily (more easily) by ferry, rather than gas guzzling, carbon emitting planes and are, anyway, the best means of hauling furniture, materials and tools to restoration projects... There are still loads of properties for restoration or renovation in Northwest France. In history this area was the place where the agricultural revolution was at its busiest. Brittany is still a leading region for food production for France. But, when mechanisation and techology took hold many farms and farm cottages fell vacant. There are still many of these for sale. The people per square metre tells you a lot about the quality of life...England = 385 per sq mtr • France 111 per square metre and Brittany is probably only 60% of that...so it will be a bit quieter maybe than you're use to in the UK...lovely! Getting to your Overseas property... Now the economics and - why your money can go further over there. France has no road tax. They abolished it about 10 years ago admitting that they had finished fixing the roads after WWII (can you have imagined Gordon & Tony doing that?). Don't forget that France has the same population but almost 3 times the road network of that in the UK and so it seems even more amazing. Brittany & Normandy? Brilliant roads and... if there are more than 3 cars between you and the horizon it's called traffic jam! OK...shopping... Well it's pretty much equal. Wine is obviously much cheaper and the Bretons are very loyal when it comes to their own producers - so, you are less likely to find mange-tout from Egypt or Green Beans from Kenya...If it's in season - it's from up the road...Very sensible. Local Community Charges...In our little corner of the UK we pay £2,200 per annum... For our place in France (it's bigger - with more land)...£400 per annum. AND... people over 60 and on a low fixed income are exempt from their community charges as well as the French Health insurance top-up. This all makes the cost of living much more bearable. Will the last person to leave the country please turn out the light! Oh, and while we're at it...something else our own power mad & cash crazy politicians and big business brains don't seem to have sorted out quite yet is how you maintain quick and efficient healthcare and a solid and successful education system (or is it just me?). You probably want to know that if you have to have a hospital stay you won't take home a dose of MRSA or C-Dificile...You probably want to know that when your kids sign off their education it won't be with the flourish of a Graffiti 'Tag' or even worse - an ASBO tag. Where once the UK led the world we now trail behind arguing about whose fault it all is (the list is too long - but you know who they are). So, where is this magical alternative place? Just across the channel...You can even row your own boat to Brittany if you like - just like some of those Celtic settlers had to after being being expelled during an early example of ethnic cleansing by the Saxons from Britain's southern shores. But don't wait until there is a mad exodus - take the ferry over and have a look around Northwest France....Britain - Brittany...The secret's is in the name! You'll love it - it's like Britain only better! Chris Slade • A House in Brittany Ltd., 2 Westbrooke, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1RE • Tel:01903 202272 About us | Properties for Sale in Brittany | FAQ's | Essential Services | Links | Legal Aspects |
