Quality of Life

France is acknowledged as a pretty healthy place to live – coming in ninth place along with Canada in the The Economist’s life expectancy index – with the population reaching an average age of 80 years. Many analysts claim it’s the lifestyle: healthy eating, easy access to outdoor activities and importantly, good state health-care.

And don’t forget that the health-care is second to none. The WHO (World Health Organization)  puts France as number 1 in the world.

Health care when it matters

We can supply information to help you make the most of the health-care and facilities available, with local English-speaking professionals.

There is also information available which explains who qualifies for state health-care and there is information relevant to any foreigner moving to or living in France, whether as a retired, employed, self-employed or unemployed person;  EU citizen or not.

We help all our clients with local information concerning health and social welfare organizations.

Residents of France are entitled to an European Health Insurance Card for use when traveling elsewhere in the EU.   If you’re a holder, this means you are able to receive the same treatment at the same cost as a national of the country you are visiting.

Finally, remember that while it’s your responsibility to make sure you have all the insurance the law demands of you, you can always opt for more cover with private health insurance.  A local English-speaking health insurers list can be provided to our clients.

We do occasionally get bad weather here on the “sunny” riviera! This was a real storm over the sea – look at the palm trees swaying.

You probably know that an Indian tycoon has bought the only residence on the Iles de Lérins:-
The only residential property on the Sainte-Marguerite island off Cannes has been sold to an Indian businessman for around 40 million euros. “Le Grand Jardin” had previously been viewed by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, as well as Hugh Grant and Jemima Khan. The new owner, Vijay Mallya, owns United Breweries, Kingfisher Airlines and Force India Formula One team.

But there are properties here for everyone at every budget.

We know there is no safer country in which to buy property – both legally and for good potential capital gain. Foreign investment in Turkey, Spain, Bulgaria and the US has fallen by between 70 and 80%, but although prices have dropped ON AVERAGE by 20% throughout France in the last 2 years, in our area of the Cote d’Azur prices are stable – and in the city centres next to the sea (i.e. Cannes) prices are continuing to rise for good properties.

France has the best healthcare system in the world (WHO) which can be accessed for free by UK pensioners. I can personally attest to the wonderful french healthcare particularly for residents who hold a “Carte Vital” which gives immediate access to private treatment.

And it’s green. France is not spoiled by over development. For example, the TGV is virtually carbon neutral. It runs on electricity generated from nuclear power – as indeed does some 75% of the country’s electrical requirements.

Of course, its big advantage is not just that the french property market is significantly more stable than its neighbours but that it’s only a short hop from the UK and other European countries. Look at the facts I give about access from/to Nice airport in a previous blog.

France also has a lower crime rate than any of the other EU member states.

And then there’s the weather, the food, the wine …..

So contact me, Jackie Pressman, at French Riviera Propery Search. I know the motivated sellers so can invariably get you a discount from the quoted selling price. Also look at my references page to be sure you are in the right hands.

See you soon.

I was at a networking meeting and dinner at the BCC last night. Very interesting and everyone in a positive mood. Business here is certainly picking up all-round.

It is unusally busy here on the coast with many visitors taking advantage of this beautifully hot and sunny weather on the beaches and in the sea. It’s a pleasure to see when so much of northern Europe is now gripped by winter. A strange site to see people sunbathing whilst the Christmas decorations go up on the Croisette!

Some sellers still around on the coast so offers can be made but desirable properties going fast as buyers realise the bottom of the market has been reached and now on the upturn again.

I have been very busy with clients from Denmark, England, Spain and Holland. Real-estate agencies here are seeing clients from the north, other areas of France, and Russia. DO NOT DELAY IF YOU ARE THINKING OF BUYING HERE IN THIS LOVELY AREA OF THE COTE D’AZUR. If buying right (with my necessary advice of course) you will surely see a good capital gain. Buying in the right location for continual rentals is also a good plan but must be in the correct place at the correct price.

Mortgages still low and I just offered one at 3.3% fixed for the first year or 3.75% fixed for 5 years, interest only. This is the time to make decisions for your future happiness.

See you soon – and travel safely. Jackie

It is tempting to believe so, and not only because of the glorious August weather, with crowds on the beaches and restaurants, in the shops from visiting cruise ships, and at fireworks nights, markets and concerts.

Consider just the following: in the 2nd quarter of 2009:

1. The French economy grew 0.3%
2. Prices for existing properties (i.e. not newly built) increased 3.9%

It is nearly impossible to fine-tune any purchase to the precise bottom of a market, but also now consider the following:

• Bank borrowing rates are near all-time lows
• French banks did not lend promiscuously, and there is no overhang of foreclosed properties to depress the market
• Ownership of homes and household debt are lower in France than in many other countries, fuelling domestic demand
• France still requires additional housing, compared with some countries which are over-built

French Riviera Property Search can advise on your personal requirements, matching your preferences and budget with available properties. We can:

• source those motivated sellers who are quietly – and privately – accepting discounts.
• negotiate the best deal for you – the buyer – our client
• effect introductions to banks from which you can choose the financing package most suitable for you
• organise the most legal and tax efficient structure for your purchase
• facilitate your access to English-speaking professionals

all at no cost to you.

Please dont overlook that values vary location to location, even street to street in some areas so specialiast advice is recommended.

But why not first talk all of this over with us. We understand the needs of buyers keen to live or invest on the French Riviera, but who are understandably confused or apprehensive about so doing. Please look at our “references” pages for comfort, then contact us at no obligation to you whatever.

We speak your language, are on-the-ground in Cannes, and will be delighted to hear from you – even in August!

A recent report shows that many companies chose the Cote d’Azur in 2008. Companies creating new posts in this area include France, Germany, USA, Hong Kong, UK, Canada, Taiwan and Sweden, with a range of businesses.

This encouraging performance confirms that the Côte d’Azur’s ability to attract companies is holding firm, even against the background of economic downturn and reduced flows of international investment. The international dimension is also important: of the 27 investment decisions, which will result in a total of 525 new posts, 63% of the companies are foreign.
As regards the new companies who have located in the region, the R&D sector hit a new record high, accounting for 44% of the new investments, which was double the 2007 level. And core activities, along with commercial real estate, came a close second.

I have recently needed medical attention here in France and, boy, am I pleased to have been here for this vital treatment. We all know that the World Health Organization has put France as the number one country in the world for medical care but I don’t think I could have realised what that meant until I needed to use the services. I cannot speak highly enough about the immediate response, top-level care and attention, hospitalisation, after-operation checkups, tests etc. – far better than could have been obtained in my native London or in New York. With the invaluable “carte vitale” issued to residents, everything is free, including a taxi to collect you at home, take you to the hospital for regular treatments, wait and bring you back! Prescription medication is also free.

So, if you propose to spend more than 3 months of each year here you should seriously consider residency. If you consult a Tax Advisor here in France you might be pleasantly surprised at the lower taxation rates you will experience.

The sky was brilliant red and pink last night, and reflecting on the sea.   We are truly blessed to be able to live in this wonderful location.  Today the air is fresh and breezy and so exhilarating.

Thinking what to write about the extraordinary light, I realised I had said something so similar at this time last year.  (I am obviously very affected by this autumn light!)  Read it again!

The photograph was taken by me and is not retouched in any way.  Wonderful isn’t it?

Several people have asked me about the specific area of Cannes real-estate … so here are some figures: Read the rest of this entry »

The Clinton administration, led by its Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, in its quest to encourage home ownership for the poorer classes of the United States, encouraged the banks to lend to less creditworthy individuals. Roots of the sub-prime fiasco stem from this policy.

The tsunami has started to engulf many nations, particularly the real-estate values of those countries which were already substantially over-valued (Economist magazine report of December 2006 warned of property over-values in United States, Spain and UK – all for different reasons, i.e. America because of encouraging high risk borrowers; Spain because of overbuilding often without proper controls and permissions; UK because of the banks’ zeal for high loan-to-value percentages for buy-to-rent properties). Hence the current worries of what will happen to the housing market in every country.

We, here on the Côte d’Azur, are concerned mainly with effects on the housing market in our region. So we must first look at France in total and then the differences in the French Riviera where we see increases in values year-on-year – so will this continue or level-off? Read the rest of this entry »