With the ever increasing number of English speaking people re-locating to France, I know from the clients I come into contact with on a daily basis that people go through all kinds of torment wondering if they too can have a part of what appears to be an idyllic lifestyle. My answer to their concerns is an irrevocable 'YES.' The lifestyle is there, but not just for the taking, as with everything worth having there is always a cost.

As I sit out on our terrace in the sunlight and look out at the majestic, snow capped Pyrenees and across the valley to where the deer timidly venture from the wood; listening to the birds chirping away as they flit back and forth to their nests whilst in the distances an ancient tractor goes trundling by, content in the knowledge that whilst I can see all this I am completely unobserved by any neighbours; I repeat the lifestyle is there and 'yes' to my mind it is idyllic.

Over the last two decades with transport becoming more efficient plus regular budget flights and the increasing unity of the E.E.C. there has been an increase in the number of people coming to realise that they too can benefit from living in a warmer, sunnier climate and the pull of the more leisurely and seemingly laid back lifestyle of the continent has seen an increase in the number of people moving from the UK to re establish themselves here in France and elsewhere.

Then why do so many people who have moved to France full of hope and expectations end up within a handful of years heading back across the channel? Many totally demoralised and blaming the country itself, the people -- but rarely understanding exactly what went wrong.

Others can be heard saying, 'Well at least I gave it a try, it wasn’t meant to be but at least now I have tried and have no regrets.' Never realising that ‘trying’ means you are not likely to succeed; you either do something or you do not. Trying does not promote the attitude necessary for a successful outcome, what is necessary is complete and total commitment plus the realisation that this may well involve hard work on your part and definitely the ability to laugh at oneself and still remain committed to persevere.

Sadly for a small minority it truly is circumstances beyond their control often involving family issues and for them it is a heartbreaking wrench to turn their backs on their dreams.

Some people after selling a home in the UK believe that in moving to France to purchase a property they can eek out an existence living on the residual money from the sale. Unfortunately without proper financial guidance, that is, unless that money is working for them, providing some form of residual income, it is just not going to happen. In fact very often when people move to France with their lump sum from their sale the first few months they see as continued vacation and they venture forth exploring their new environment, eating out more than they have ever done before and spending more than they ever believed possible.

A few mistakenly believe that a move is going to wipe out the trials and tribulations of their existing lives; they believe that because they are not happy in their own country that moving will be akin to waving a magic wand, although, the sad reality is that in moving their difficulties come with them and unless they are going to honestly address these conflicts and make changes within themselves then moving country will not, in any way, make it easier to deal with.

Whilst it is true that many people move and indeed are welcomed with open arms and become involved in every way with the local commune, one generally finds that these are the same people who were actually happy with their own environment and they are always the ones who take responsibility for making the first move. They do not sit at home expecting people to come to them; they involve the local people, local trades’ people and artisans, become involved with the community and make the effort to learn the language.

We are often asked about the language, does this make a difference? Absolutely, if one really wishes to live the French dream in France, to be accepted, to become integrated into the community, this is perhaps the most essential ingredient and it is up to the person relocating to make the effort to learn the language. Fortunately this does not mean you have to wait until you can speak the language to re-locate. Indeed it is far easier to master the language when living in the country itself. There are courses, individual lessons, and people within the community all there willing to help and support.

Unfortunately, there are many people who take what should be a superb opportunity but for many and varied reasons do not reach out and take what is there for the taking, a truly enriching experience.

Those who benefit most from re-locating and do truly experience the idyllic lifestyle are those who work to learn the language, who integrate with the local community who through their commitment to participate do not just take but actually give something in return.