3 Good Things To Know About Living In Rural France
1) The Devis System: Living in Rural France
So when you are living in rural France you soon become familiar with the ‘devis’ or quote system.
A ‘devis’ is a quote from a tradesman for work that you want him or her to do.
For example, if you want a bath installed, hopefully you will know of a good and reputable plumber who will visit and provide you with a quote for the works to be carried out. You discuss the quote, sign the document, then pay him or her 30% of the quotation, and then schedule a date for the work to be carried out.
The devis is a legally binding document on both sides. The work has to be carried out and paid for, or if the work is not carried out then the deposit returned.
On the farm, we usually get 2 different quotes, for each project and then make a decision based on price, reliability of the plumber and good references he or she have, from working in the area.
One thing to note if you are living abroad and not on site to oversee the artisans at work, then you need somebody you trust to make sure that they check on the work done for you, and that it is done correctly.
For example, there are stories out there of JCB’s digging holes for micro stations, (an alternative to dealing with household waste other than a Fosse Septique), only to find that the hole was dug, however no micro station was installed, but siphoned off to a mate down the road, and therefore correct work not carried out, with soft and smelly consequences.
The term for a manager on a construction site is ‘maître d’oeuvre’. If you have valuable resources invested in building your dream home in the sun, and are not planning to be there whilst it is done, I recommend that you find somebody that will make sure all your dreams and plans are faithfully, correctly carried out to the quality and standard you are expecting.
2) Access to the Internet: Living in Rural France
When I first came to the farm in France, for our wifi/internet provision we were reliant on the main French company, the company that offers the largest mobile coverage in France. However, both 3G/4G and WIFI provision have not been seamless with this company, and in this area, there is very patchy coverage.
So very much a note of caution here, today, 61% of French households have access to speeds over 30Mbs. The European average for this speed is 80%. So the provision of wifi/internet provision is a bit hit and miss. And you need to check this out when deciding on the location of your dream french home in the sun
If you are going to be living in France, you really have to check out the options for your mobile coverage and internet service because France’s superfast broadband plan has marked regional differences.
At the moment the lanes of Calvados have telegraph poles that are buckling under the extensive weight of cabling put in place, as we await the arrival of ‘fibre’. It is not yet sure which company will provide this service, as not all internet service providers have been involved in the installation and implementation. It is complicated. A lovely French saying when things are less than straightforward. ‘C’est compliqué’
So before you purchase a property be sure of your communication logistics. If being online is crucial to your business, and frankly that is for all of us these days, then you need to know you can get reliable, good quality and efficient service from an internet provider. At home I use a Starlink satellite which is excellent.
3) Test Out Where You Want To Live in France Before Moving.
If you are absolutely passionate about an isolated rural area in France where you think you want to buy your dream home in the sun, then what I recommend is that you take 2 weeks in the winter and go and live there in the darkest and coldest part of the year.
It is dark in Calvados in the mornings. It does not get light until around 09:00 am for most of December and January. We have lighter afternoons thankfully, getting dark around 17:00 hrs, but it is seriously dark in the morning and if you get up at around 06:00 hrs in the morning, this can take its toll during the winter months.
Also many restaurants just close for the winter months, and the whole aspect of a region can change from November to February.
Plug Into Some Positive Online Success In A Rural Location
Winter can be an isolating time in any location. Around here everyone just seems to hibernate. However, it can be an extremely productive time online. Winter is a time I get to do most of the work I need to do with my online business, which I can then batch out during the rest of the year. And thankfully, as I am part of a thriving digital environment, and I get to plug into some positive digital juice in the middle of winter and enjoy the company of people succeeding online.
Successful online businesses work because they sell the right product to the right customer which is fabulous.
There is nothing wrong with selling or promoting products or content you think will help people and that you believe in.
You make money. Money solves problems and makes the world around.
However harassing people who are not interested in buying is another issue
One January, in a dark winter, I found the following positive online education, to help me move forward with my online ideas. An immersive environment of driven online business owners. Their mission, to empower determined individuals with the relevant digital skills and connections to create a truly fulfilling, purposeful and impactful life.
Within this digital platform is one integrated system that provides cutting-edge experiential learning. If you successfully follow the direction and guidance, and implement the steps, results and success are inevitable.
This article is brought to you by, katekatherinew from positiveonlinesuccess.com.
