France
France 2014 Live and
At A Glance Popula'on 65.8 million Official language French (with regional languages of Provençal, Breton, Alsa'an, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, and Flemish) Currency Euro (1 euro = US$1.35) GDP per capita (PPP) US$35,784 (2013) Climate Temperate (with areas of Con'nental, Mediterranean, and Alpine) Natural hazards Minor flooding, drought Government Republic (with a president and prime minister)
Languedoc- Roussillon Lozère (Mende): sparsely populated, Gorges du Tarn. Gard (Nȋmes): Rhone river, Cevennes Mts., Camargue, Le Pont du Gard. Hérault (Montpellier): Most populated, vineyards, Agde, Sète, St Chinian, Cessenon. Aude (Carcassonne): Canal du Midi, Citadel, Cathar Country, Narbonne, sandy beaches. Pyrenees-Oriental (Perpignan): Coullioure, Argeles, strongly Catalan. The Other South of France
Cost Of Living In a Languedoc village Rent House Contents Insurance Local Taxes & TV License Transportation Heating Oil Electricity Gas (for cooking) Telephone (inc. international calls) Water Internet Cable TV Household Help (3 hours/week) Food Entertainment Travel Total Monthly Expenses US$900 25 30 40 90 65 15 40 35 inc inc 160 300 200 100 US$2,000
Property Costs Languedoc-Roussillon: Hérault department Rent from US$400 to US$1,100 per month Build for as little as US$25 per square foot Buy for US$70,000 and up
Languedoc ProperAes 8-bedroom stone house for sale 339,000/ US$450,870 This large house and two cottages sit on a beautiful plot of approx. 640 m2, with a small swimming pool located close to the beautiful national park. The stone house includes two workshops and a garage, a verandah, and a large living room. http://www.rightmove.co.uk/
Languedoc ProperAes Aude 4-bedroom villa for sale 285,000/ US$379,050 Fascinating architect-designed 1960s house which has been completely refurbished with a big open sitting room with insert fire and doors to veranda, large kitchen, terrace, garden, and more! http://www.rightmove.co.uk
South West France Aquitaine Pyrenees- AtlanAques
Cost Of Living Pyrenees-Atlantiques Rent HOA Fee Property Taxes Transportation (bus pass) Gas (for cooking) Electricity Telephone (incl. international calls) Water Internet Cable TV Household Help Food Entertainment Travel Miscellaneous Total Monthly Expenses US$1,000 0 44 10 30 87 40 42 inc inc 160 250 75 100 40 US$1,878
Property Costs Pyrenees-Atlantique Rent from US$350 a month for a one-bedroom studio apartment in Pau to US$1,200 for a three- to fourbedroom village house, US$3,000 or more for a luxury house or penthouse apartment. Buy from about US$50,000 for a studio, US$100,000 for a renovation project, US$250,000 for a three-bedroom new build, and US$1.2 million for a renovated chateau. Build from approx. US$50 per square foot.
Cost Of Living Paris Rent HOA Fee Property Taxes Transportation (monthly pass) Gas, Electricity, Water, & Garbage Telephone (incl. international calls) Internet Cable TV Household Help Food Entertainment Travel Miscellaneous US$1,800 0 34 76 Total Monthly Expenses US$3,065 145 40 inc inc 180 250 400 100 40 2014 Live and
Property Costs Paris Rent from US$900 per month for a studio to US$2,000 for Art Deco onebedroom apartment to US$6,000 or more for a penthouse. Buy: (Average prices Q4, 2011) Ile de France: 5,500 euros per square meter Paris: 8,390 euros per square meter
France Pros Rich history & culture Part of Euro-land Travel hub Health care Diverse lifestyle choices Climate options International schooling options Safe for children Respectful of seniors Beautiful countryside Delightful manners Slow, measured lifestyle
France Cons French language Difficult to start a business Bureaucracy...lots of red tape Takes time to integrate Non-negotiable in business Public schooling is rigid and staterun universities are overcrowded
Residency Visa options: Carte de Séjour Carte de Séjour mention Temporaire issued to visiteur issued to nonworking visitors, nonworking, retired valid for one year persons, valid for one (renewable indefinitely*) year (renewable indefinitely*) Carte de Résidente Carte de Séjour may apply after five Temporaire Salarié years. Valid for 10 one year work visa years. proof that adhered to requirements reqd.
Medical Care High standard of care Short waiting time to see specialists Low cost compared to United States (US$30 per visit to family doctor, US$33 for specialist) Alternative practitioners found throughout Inexpensive prescription and OTC drugs English-speaking doctors in most large towns Health insurance obligatory Pharmacists qualified to give free recommendations
Taxes Double taxation treaty with United States You are a tax resident if: I. II. III. You live more than 183 days per year in France Your household lives in France Majority of revenue is generated in France/assets are in France No income-tax cap (until 2010 it was 50%) Wealth tax (0 1.5% or more) Since 2013, a wealth-tax cap operates, so that total taxes should not exceed 75% of income. Local taxes (taxe foncière/taxe d habitation) Social tax employees/employers/eu pensioners.
More Taxes French Income Tax Bands: Up to 5,963 Between 5,964-11,896 Between 11,897-26,420 Between 26,421-70,830 Between 70,830-150,000 Above 150,000 0% 5.5% 14% 30% 41% 45% Wealth Tax Bands: 0-800,000 800,000-1.3 million 1.3 million - 2.57 million 2.57 million - 5 million 5 million - 10 million Over 10 million 0% 0.50% 0.70% 1% 1.25% 1.50% Capital Gains: 19% Exceptional Tax: annual income between 250,000 and 500,000 must pay 3% 4% to help reduce public deficit. Exit Tax: applies to shareholdings of a single company which exceeds 1.3 million euros. Sales Tax (TVA): standard 20%
Accessibility France has daily flights into several international airports Low-cost flights to other European countries Excellent train services and connections Ferry services to UK, Northern Africa Very good, extensive road network within France and to other European countries (most freeways have tolls)
ReAree Benefits No specific retiree benefits for non-europeans But... France is a country that values seniors There s an active community of French and international retirees (French citizens may retire at 60 if they wish only 15% of 60 to 65 year olds stay in work) Inexpensive courses/clubs for retirees any nationality can join. Expat groups throughout France The lifestyle is healthier and slower than in the United States.
RecreaAon A huge variety of activities available throughout the country...every corner of France is accessible from the Mediterranean to Atlantic, Pyrenees to Alps, vineyard to canals... Sailing, hiking, riding, golf, surfing, skiing... Nightlife in all major cities Lots of high-brow culture arts, music, galleries, museums, ballet... Food and wine!
Is France For You? France would appeal to many different types: Retired couple Single woman or man Family with children But... You must: Be willing to learn French Not want a pioneering experience Be open to accepting things the way they are Be relaxed about bureaucracy Be happy to take long lunches!
Central Paris: Price movements 2013/14
Paris Limousin MidiPyrenees Languedoc
Average prices across France /m2
Small townhouse close to the Med 1-bed village home on 2 floors Price $72,000
Rooftop View, Herault, near Beziers 110m2; 3 bedrooms, garden Price $197,000
Perpignan; a few minutes from trains and planes 57m2; 1 bedroom, terrace Price $185,000
Presbytery Project 40 miles to the beach Village house with restaurant and more than 200m2 Price $120,000
Own the Marquis de Sade s Fireplace and 20m2 terrace on the ramparts of a 12th Century Cathar Chateau! A 3-floor, 4-bed townhouse in a converted chateau Price $265,000
Corbieres, Languedoc: Your own organic wine? 37-acre vineyard (Inc. equipment, caves & buildings) 25 acres of woodland 4-bed farmhouse of 180m2 Price $550,000