Living together
by Michael
(Aquitaine)
I retired early to SW France 8 years ago. The village has a bakery, Post office and library.
There is an active group for retirees for meals, games afternoons, coach outings etc. The house, a former watermill is a 15 minute walk up to the village and 10 minutes back downhill.
Excellent neighbours and some Brits in the area for further contact. The nearby town has all services, 50 mtr pool and spa jacuzzi. You can eat well from 12 euros.
I am looking for others to share the wooded setting (.6 h), pool and easy walking.
My thoughts are to offer accommodation to rent or lease. The most important element in this scheme would be to find agreeable, active companions willing to help each other out but without any obligation to do so.
I am thinking that a younger, early retired friend, francophone and living close by, might act as manager and be the first line of contact for practical issues on the property, French administrative matters and healthcare.
The site has various places to eat out of doors. It is kept broadly in order with some strimming and grass cutting by tractor mower. A willingness to participate in the grounds maintenance would be helpful and is a pleasant pass time.
I would like to clear the old mill lodge. It is dry and might take water again. With others to share the costs we could install a pool cover and heating for year round swimming.
Shopping trips might share transport, we could taxi each other to the airport, Biarritz 1 hour, Bordeaux, 2 hours, Lourdes/Tarbes 90 mins.
I am now thinking of making 2 flats in parts of the property with the possibility of 2 more. These would be different but offering about 70 m2
This is a country setting. Bordeaux is a lovely city for a day or two but the house is away from the city lights. We have 3 municipal cinemas within 15 minutes and see some English language releases with French subtitles. Shared meals are the main way of socialising. There is a 'granny flat' available to visit and try out the site, the area and the fellow resident(s)
Guidelines. I can offer references and would need references from interested people. At least a little French would be needed. My healthcare costs are met from my British National Insurance contributions administered by the French regional fund (about 60% ) and the rest from an obligatory supplementary, 'mutuelle' for which l pay nearly 100 euros per month.
Tolerant, independent-minded people, able to rub along with others and enjoy the simple pleasures of a beautiful setting could be happy here.
