For many people who are looking to move abroad but don’t want to be too far away from their original home, France might just be the ideal choice. One of the best reasons to choose France over other European countries is the number of different places that you can move your home to.
One of these is Dordogne, a scenic valley that many expats call home when the time has come for them to relocate. So, what makes Dordogne such a great choice to call home when there are so many other great options to be found in France? Here are some of the main pros and cons to consider.
Pro - You won’t feel alone
Whilst some people may want to move away from the UK to soak up another country's culture, many find that they quickly become homesick or miss some of the people they have left behind.
For many, this means that a big pro to choosing Dordogne is that you won’t feel alone. There is a thriving expat community here for you to get to know. Second only to Paris, Dordogne has one of the highest numbers of expats, meaning that you won’t feel alone.
Con- It is quiet
If you are looking for a busy, urban lifestyle then you may not find exactly what you are looking for in Dordogne. Whilst some areas are more populated than others, those seeking an up-tempo life are going to find that hard to find.
Just to put this into context, Nice is a city that has around 1 million people living there at any one time, whilst the largest city in the area of Dordogne only has around 40,000 people calling it home.
Pro- it is beautiful
Indeed, you shouldn’t pick a place to live simply because it is beautiful, but relocating to somewhere that is home to lots of stunning scenery will make the entire process that little bit easier.
Dordogne is a valley which is surrounded by rolling countryside. This means that whether you are someone who just likes to take a good look at the world around them or someone who wants to get out there and explore it; you are going to fall in love with what surrounds you quite quickly.
Con- you will need a car to get around
Whilst there are lots of places that you can live in Europe that have a strong public transport network, there are also those that are not quite as well served. Dordogne is one of these places.
If you do want to be able to freely get from place to place in the area, then you are going to need to make sure that you have a car. This is particularly true if you choose to live in the more rural areas instead of some of the more built-up towns in the region.
Pro- you will find it easy to communicate
Many people who relocate to Europe from the UK are going to want to immerse themselves in their new home and culture, which means learning the language and speaking it as much as they can. However, this can sometimes cause barriers to communication.
Dordogne is a part of France where English is relatively commonly spoken, this is because there are lots of English-speaking people who choose to live there.
Con- don't take the ease of language for granted
Continuing from the above point, it is worth noting that you should not rely on everyone speaking English to you. Instead, you should take the time to learn as much French as you can.
This is largely because not everyone can speak English in the area, and if they do, there is still a good chance that they will choose not to.
Pro- there is value for money in property
When you are selling up your home and moving elsewhere, you are going to want to make sure that you get as much value for money as possible.
The good news is that this is possible in the area. Property prices can offer a high value for money, which is largely down to the fact that there is more open space, which attracts a lower land value compared to more built-up areas.
This means that depending on what you currently own and have to sell in the UK, there is a good chance that you will be able to find yourself a wonderful new home in Dordogne.
Con- it isn’t always easy to find a job
Now, it is important to know that we are not saying it is impossible to find work if you choose to live in Dordogne, but it is worth noting that this might not be as easy a process as you hope.
It has been said that it can be trickier for those who do not speak French fluently to find work, and this is particularly true when the tourists have gone home during the winter months.
If you are moving due to retirement, or you are in a position where you can take your work with you and continue it on a remote basis, then this may not be as much of an issue for you.
Pro- it is safe
Due to its rural nature, Dordogne has a low crime rate. The French National Crime Statistics Agency states that Dordogne has one of the lowest crime rates in France. This may be important if you are thinking about raising a family in the area and want to ensure that everyone is safe on a day-to-day basis.
The takeaway
As you can see, there are plenty of things to consider when moving to Dordogne. However, one thing is for sure: if you do decide to make it your home, then you'll be able to enjoy some of the very best that the French countryside has to offer.
If you're planning a move to another country, we're here to assist you. With extensive experience in relocations across Europe and to international destinations, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at Pinnacle Removals & Storage.