Thinking of buying a house.
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Gus Morris
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Thinking of buying a house.
We've been visiting the PO for the last ten or so years and often look at this forum. Now we're thinking of buying a house and moving down for good. The question is – where ? Which is why I've joined at long last. What we know about the area is what we glean from reading the press on-line, watching local TV and exploring when we are down there.
It would be nice to live near the sea. It strikes us that the choice is very different between the Cote Vermeille and the littoral. Argeles and southwards seems better protected from the wind and have a definite micro climate The downside is that Argeles is crowded throughout the summer months, Collioure is pretty but a nightmare, Port Vendres is busy and has no beach within easy walking or cycling distance. Banyuls might be OK but Cerbere feels like the back of beyond. With the exception of Argeles most of the houses on the market seem to be perched on steep slopes. We want a level site with flat access to the beaches and commerces. North of Argeles there is no shortage of beaches and the littoral is definitely flat. Canet or St Cyprien might be a possibility. Provided we can find a house in a neighbourhood that is occupied all year. St Marie is a ghost down out of season. Ditto Barcares with the added disadvantage of the smell from the etang
The Fenouillades feel like they are a long way from anywhere and could be quite bleak in winter. While we love the mountains we don't fancy living up there. Too cold. From what we can see the Alberes is the area of choice among the ex-pats. Places easily accessible from the autoroute junction at Le Boulou. Perpignan and the coast within fairly easy reach. Away from the worst of summer hordes.
Exreme weather events seem to be on the increase so living too near a watercourse may not be a good idea.
The rest of the English speaking residents are scattered around the department. It's probably still possible to buy a place in a village and be almost the only English speaker living there.
Is this about right?
Gus
It would be nice to live near the sea. It strikes us that the choice is very different between the Cote Vermeille and the littoral. Argeles and southwards seems better protected from the wind and have a definite micro climate The downside is that Argeles is crowded throughout the summer months, Collioure is pretty but a nightmare, Port Vendres is busy and has no beach within easy walking or cycling distance. Banyuls might be OK but Cerbere feels like the back of beyond. With the exception of Argeles most of the houses on the market seem to be perched on steep slopes. We want a level site with flat access to the beaches and commerces. North of Argeles there is no shortage of beaches and the littoral is definitely flat. Canet or St Cyprien might be a possibility. Provided we can find a house in a neighbourhood that is occupied all year. St Marie is a ghost down out of season. Ditto Barcares with the added disadvantage of the smell from the etang
The Fenouillades feel like they are a long way from anywhere and could be quite bleak in winter. While we love the mountains we don't fancy living up there. Too cold. From what we can see the Alberes is the area of choice among the ex-pats. Places easily accessible from the autoroute junction at Le Boulou. Perpignan and the coast within fairly easy reach. Away from the worst of summer hordes.
Exreme weather events seem to be on the increase so living too near a watercourse may not be a good idea.
The rest of the English speaking residents are scattered around the department. It's probably still possible to buy a place in a village and be almost the only English speaker living there.
Is this about right?
Gus
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sue and paul
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St André or Palau del Vidre?
We chose St André 9 years ago and don't regret it. It's got most of the daily needs, including super medical centre ( 2 doctors, dentist, nurses, physio and popular pharmacie); Intermarché with (usually cheaper) fuel; collège and primary schools; park; boulodrome; tennis courts....all on the flat. Also St André taxes (d'habitation and foncière) seem to be less than comparable properties in surrounding villages. It's an expanding village, near enough (about 5 km) to Argelès for beach and larger shops, and only a stone's throw into the mountains.
Coming from Bakewell/Derbys we appreciate the country life.
Hope you make the move.
Bonne chance!
We chose St André 9 years ago and don't regret it. It's got most of the daily needs, including super medical centre ( 2 doctors, dentist, nurses, physio and popular pharmacie); Intermarché with (usually cheaper) fuel; collège and primary schools; park; boulodrome; tennis courts....all on the flat. Also St André taxes (d'habitation and foncière) seem to be less than comparable properties in surrounding villages. It's an expanding village, near enough (about 5 km) to Argelès for beach and larger shops, and only a stone's throw into the mountains.
Coming from Bakewell/Derbys we appreciate the country life.
Hope you make the move.
Bonne chance!
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alan
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We have a second home in Port Vendres. We don't find it that "busy" and there is always a supermarket, independent shop or restaurant open.
I can't agree that it has "no beach within easy walking or cycling distance". We tend to use the beach behind Lidl on the road to Collioure and sometimes the beach behind the cimetiere. There is also, of course, Paulilles. You can walk along the coastal path, cycle or take the 1 euro bus to get there.
We have had our house for 10 years now and have been very happy with our choice.
I can't agree that it has "no beach within easy walking or cycling distance". We tend to use the beach behind Lidl on the road to Collioure and sometimes the beach behind the cimetiere. There is also, of course, Paulilles. You can walk along the coastal path, cycle or take the 1 euro bus to get there.
We have had our house for 10 years now and have been very happy with our choice.
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Sue
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homemaker
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Gus we have a holiday home in Barcares and have been visiting out of peak season for the past 7 years. We are located in the 'village' which has market days 3 times per week and have never noticed a smell from the lake. However, having got to know the area much better over this time the town that we would buy in for a permanent stay would be Leucate, although I appreciate this is in the Aude rather than P-O. Leucate has a lovely old town with restaurants including the very good Bis35, a beautiful beach, cliff top walks and is equi-distant to Narbonne and Perpignan. Happy house hunting.
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Gus Morris
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Santiago
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From your criteria, Argeles would seem to tick the most boxes. If you want to walk to the beach it might be tough to avoid summer crowds though. Le Racou perhaps?
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