The best magazine for property-hunting in France (Other Magazine...)

Member Name: Mioliere

Product:	Other Magazine...
Date:	29/10/08 (102 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Packed full of relevant information and many adverts for properties for sale

Disadvantages: None

I have been buying French Property News magazine ever since my husband and I decided to look for a house in France to renovate as a holiday home, with a view to eventually retiring to in the future. We found our house in November 2005 but continue to buy the magazine because it is so full of information and keeps us fully up to date on the various aspects of owning a property in France. The tax, financial and legal aspects are all covered on a regular basis, which we find really helpful whilst we're not actually living there.

The magazine features all the different regions and departments of France. For instance, November's issue has just been delivered and carries a feature on the five cheapest areas in which to buy property at the moment. They are the Limousin, the Auvergne, Burgundy, Franche-Comte and Champagne-Ardenne. There are still some great bargains to be found in these areas. The current issue also has articles about Drome in the southern Rhone-Alps, being hailed as the 'new' Provence, treasure-hunting in Picardy, skiing on the cheap in the Auvergne, and the British connection with Brittany, as well as one about the buyer's market in south west France.

Regular features include the letters page, the latest news, advertisements for new-builds as well as existing properties for sale, setting up business in France, insurance issues, help with the vocabulary of decorating terms - essential if you are renovating a property, and a questions and answers page. In this issue too, are various articles written by experts; this month they cover whether to move or stay put and improve a property, winter-letting, running a franchise, the new tax system for entrepreneurs, important advice about the French electricity system, French inheritance law and many other issues.

The magazine retails for £3.99 in shops such as WH Smith but we have a subscription that costs us just £7.50 for three issues, by quarterly direct debit; this saves us £1.49 per issue. This issue runs to 114 pages packed with information, punctuated by the most wonderful photographs of various areas and properties for sale. It has a great classified section at the back full of advertisements from tradesmen. It was in one of these adverts that we found a bilingual solicitor, based in Wales, who advises us on all aspects of French law and makes sure that everything we do is legal and complies with the French system. There are also articles written by people who have made the move which tell us of their experiences in renovating their properties, finding the right schools for their children, and whether or not they regret having taken such a big step.

At £3.99 the magazine represents great value for money; it's even more value if you take out a subscription for it.

Summary: Well worth buying