Should I buy or rent a home in France?
If you have not spent a lot of time in France, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision...
"We had bought our home in 2004 and spent all our holidays (winter and Summer) at the house making a few changes and keeping the garden in check. Like any purchase in a foreign country there are different rules and regulations so it is as well to ensure you have a reliable agent and notaire to guide the process. If French is not your first language, or you are not fluent,or your notaire is not bi-lingual, then it is a requirement to have an authorised translator at the signings," wrote a member who made the move to Aude and Herault Departments, France.
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"I bought a 400 year old village house after living a year in an apartment in Montpellier. The process is difficult due to the searching and then the closing takes months," explained one expat living in Pezenas, France.
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Other Questions:
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- Is there a lot of crime in France?
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- What do I need to know when buying property in France?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in France?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
Should I buy or rent a home in France?
If you live in France, newcomers to France would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
