Q & AMoving/Living/WorkingBuy property in France

Question: I love your website. I have been searching the Internet for real estate in France. Does an American simply buy property and move or is there more to this process? I have a seven-year-old daughter who would be moving with me and our goal is to be moved in about a year. We spent three weeks in December 2002 traveling throughout France. I'm an Architectural Historian and work in historic building preservation. How do the schools work?

Answer:

The buying process in France is somewhat complicated and confusing. That's even for the French! It just seems to entail more headache and time than in the states. First off you are going to need to get your visa (I don't believe and American can buy property without a long term visa) and then you are going to need to spend sometime finding a place. Once you have found a place you like you are going to need to get financing. That's the process in a nutshell. These books here will offer a much more in-depth explanation than I - Books on Buying Property in France I can't see this process lasting any less than three months if all goes well.
About schools, France has a wonderful school system, if somewhat different than the state. Your daughter will have the right to go to a public school even if you are here on a long-term visa. See - Real French Life for more information about schools in France Good luck.