lil, sorry, but have just found another link which may be useful, basically seems to cover everything for the expat in france and elsewhere: www.expatica.com first go there, then click on french flag enjoy!

Wow, www.messageparis.org is right on the ball - aimed at english parents like me who don't know where to start!! what did we do before the web?

Er, work?!

Im in Barcelona, working, with small baby - Ive got lots of english friends here who have small children or are expecting, but dont know if any of them use this site. Is anyone else reading this in my area? Id like to meet up with other mums in Spain.
Having said that, we are relocating to England in the summer, after 6 years in the sun- aargh! so will probably be writing again in a few months looking for advice on living in England, travelling etc.

Hi Marina! Yes I did have my baby in Cologne and actually USED the knotted "rope" hanging from the ceiling..mind you it was hanging over a water bath and it really helped!!!
I think this topic doesn't belong in this thread so I'll stop there!
Looking forward to hearing from you friend!

New to mumsnet and feeling very alone on the Costa del Sol (been making a few posts along these lines lately) so I thought I'd post here too. Spain is very baby-friendly generally - my 6 week old has already been out to restaurants in her pram, but as this is retired ex-pat country I'm having trouble finding like-minded people. I do now know all about the Spanish medical system though if anyone needs advice!

Lucy123, if I could only move to Spain! Maybe there are some websites for British mothers abroad? If not you could set one up, I'm sure you're not the only one there.

Pob and Lil, found your discussion helpful, as dh and I are considering moving to france in a couple years time. Slightly different situation as he would have to pursue work over there, rather than be moved by a company, also it would be long term and not in Paris. Any suggestions re: large towns/small cities with good work possibilities (graphic design) also, what is education standard like. I have and idea it is better on the whole than english. An illusion? Any useful websites other than ones listed? Thanks!

Jennifersofia, I lived in France for a year as a student and thus had a certain amount of bureaucracy handled for me by the universities. It was still a paperwork nightmare, although with two of you it should be a lot easier.
My experience of France is that northern France generally and Normandy in particular is more friendly to the British and less different to our way of life than say, somewhere like Provence, or the Loire. The French is also much more easy to follow - "correct" and not heavily accented. If you have ever been to the Auvergne (which was lovely but REMOTE) you will know what I mean...
Lucky you to have a family profession that is transportable and likely to be an asset in France - where good design is more generally appreciated. Normandy is also economically prosperous for the most part and therefore professional incomers are not going to be seen as "taking away work from locals".
The education system in France is generally good but like anywhere it is patchy. If you choose to live any distance outside a medium-sized town you may find your children are expected to board weekly at their secondary school, although this is falling from favour these days. Private education at primary and secondary level is almost always religiously-based (ie, for Catholics who don't like the rigidly secular state approach) and heavily subsidised by the Church or sponsoring body. State secondaries are usually big - and I expect you know this, parents jostle to get their children into a lycee (grammar school) - the CES (colleges d'enseignement secondaire) are frequently seen as second class. But, for me, the really great thing about the French educational system is that it seems they have vocational and technical educations to offer at a very high standard. If your children turn out to be handy rather than academic, the education they are offered will probably be relevant, excellent, and not sneered at as "manual". The French seem to value their craftsmen and women.
Gosh, can you tell I often mull over such a prospect myself? I'm green with envy and hope you make a go of it. There are magazines called French Living etc, whose articles are a bit fantasyland, but the small ads in these have lots of books, websites and specialist advisers on offer.

Marina, thanks for the advice, it was esp. helpful about the aspect of education if the children are technically oriented...the research goes on!

Jennifersophia, it seems Brittany is filled with British people - 16 houses in my mil's tiny village slap bang in the middle are now owned by Brits (incredibly cheap!), and there were organised celebrations for the queens jubilee nearby. Unfortunately I don't have any details at the mo, but last week the high schools in Rennes were hailed as having the best Bac results in the country. And Bretons tend to like the British for their Celtic links...they may be upset if you can't speak to them in French though. Did you see the C4 thing 'No going back?', with the couple who set up the carp fishing place? I guess the important thing is finding a market for your dp's and your work...have you researched that?
Best wishes for your decision-making!

I saw the 'No Going Back' programme and it made me really jealous, not helped by some friends and neighbours who moved to Brittany at New Year, they bought an old but renovated cottage with attached barn, outbuildings and land for less than a 3 bedroomed terraced house would cost over here. They are loving it but the children have found it hard to adapt to new schools, new language and losing their old friends but they have no intention of coming back to the UK for anything but a visit.

PamT, its interesting what you say about feeling jealous of your friends who moved to France. We also live abroad, because of d.h's work and because we love it, but we are renting. We left U.K. almost 6 years ago, after a bad experience property-wize, where we missed the price boom and ended up with negative equity. We had to sell our flat, as the rental income p.m. was about 150 pounds less than the mortgage repayments. Although we are now living in a fantastic house in the country, it is not ours and we will probably move again in about 18 months.

We are in the opposite position to U.K. owners in that we are horrified by the property price increases in U.K. We have no capital and could not afford to buy there now - things have escallated so quickly. Luckily, our long term aim is to eventually settle in France, with a bit of land, and by our reckoning, we could still do that in the future (unless there is a huge boom there too!!), but just to point out that although leaving U.K. can work financially for some, it can also be a bit of a nightmare in some ways for others!!!

Lucy123 i dont know if you are still watching this. I am shortly moving to Costa del sol, Estepona, I don't know if thats anywhere near you. I would be grateful for any advice, tips etc. I have a daughter who is 2 years 8 months and am particularly interested in info on nurseries. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

what a great thread I'm over in Grand Cayman and an expat, my son is almost 2 and just found out this week am pregnant again so feeling a little alone as my best friend has just moved back to UK

I live in New Zealand, but I'm from the North of England originally. The only NZ site with discussion boards is run by a baby food company, and I think they get rid of all the bf and delaying solids messages! Go Mumsnet!

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oh my goodness, bloss, has it been 2 years! where does the time go...

Please tell me you haven't been back for two whole years... It seems like yesterday.

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Hi Everyone
Have only skim read posts (more time tomorrow hopefully!! so am sure have missed lots but....). We are in NZ Bobthebaby where are you? I meet quite often with Ghosty and Britabroad who are both also in the Auckland region. I love Mumsnet for many reason, was put onto it after m/c by friend in UK but keep posting for all sorts of reasons. There really is nothing like it, especially internationally. SJS I will be in Hong Kong in about 10 days time on my way to and from London, am not often there but do pass through. (Have friends in Singapore so go home that route) but I may be picking your brains about things to do with a 3.5 year old, as am travelling alone!!. Keep in touch.
Sibble

Hi Sibble,
I'm down in Christchurch, freezing at the moment!