Dordogne, anyone live there?

[sunnymum44]

Hi, we are looking to move to the Dordogne, France and I can't seem to find any threads in living overseas about living in the area and experiences of actually moving there. Which surprises me as I was under the impression that bucket loads of Brits have moved there, not just retired folks but Brits with younger families too. So, was hoping someone who has made the move would mind posting some info about their experiences, particularly those with school age children and letting me know the reality of living in France, particularly the Dordogne area.

For info, we are Brits, one of us speaks reasonable French and have 2 school age children. Looking at Eymet or Riberac as possible areas due to the number of English speakers there already (well apparently!), and ease of fitting in for us and the children having better chance of settling in to school and hopefully easier work opportunities. Would like to buy a gite complex or self build.
Huge thanks in advance.

[sommewhereelse]

I suspect it's because there are so many Brits in the Dordogne that there aren't many on here.
You'll probably get all the local information you need on the angloinfo web site.
You may need to start a new thread here about life in France with children without Dordogne in the title to get a bigger response on here.

[sunnymum44]

Ahhhh, thank you, really appreciate that. Was wondering why no one responded!

[Soapysuds64]

We lived in Pau for 5 years, not tooooooo far from dordogne. Not as many Brits as the dordogne, but a larger proportion were younger with families, not least because there is more work (Total, Turbomeca both employ expats, also there is a university). There are Ryan air flights, Anglican Church, the schools are welcoming to English kids (because of links with total), and there is an international school, if they really don't get on in the French system. Dordogne is beautiful, Eymet is charming, but not a lot going on..... Especially as the kids get a bit older!

[Soapysuds64]

Btw, rent for a while, don't buy/build straight away!! Seen too many expats buy and try and sell (at a loss two or three years later....)

[sunnymum44]

Thank you Soapy! Really useful stuff to know. Funnily enough we have just come to the realisation in last couple of days that renting first is a really good idea. Very aware that French property market is extremely slow - but to the advantage of us buyers hopefully.... Can I please ask why you were there 5 years and what made you leave?

[Soapysuds64]

Dh works for total, so we could only stay for 5 years max. There are plenty who go for good, but move back after 2 or 3 years. I am not very familiar with the dordogne, although I have three half brothers/sister who live there so have visited a bit...... It is very rural, which means not much to do, a long way from the city.....ok for smaller kids, but not so good as they get older. There are plenty of brits, and some of those will be young families....although if you really want to settle, you will have to work bloody hard with your French and avoid them as much as possible, otherwise you will just become part of the expat Brit community.

My view is that living as a Brit in the dordogne is not the same as living in France..... Have a think about which lifestyle you want!

The French education system is very rigid which can be frustrating - you pretty much go to your local school, although there are some private (but very cheap) schools as well if you don't like what you have in your village.

Living in France is not as cheap as it is made out - and fluctuations in the euro can cause big headaches.

[SquidgyMummy]

Hi OP, I pm'd you a few weeks ago, re: the Dordogne, did you get it? otherwise can resend!