There are soooo many considerations.
We are renting before even considering buying - just in case it all goes tits up and because we want to save up a bit first.
You need to consider cost of living versus income - is your dh going to work here or in UK? Average wage is lower here and costs are only a little less overall than UK.
School is very different to UK but also very good in my expereince and as far as I have been told. My three are all in French school and had virtually no French beforehand. They are 6, 5 and 3. They are coping fine and headteacher says they will be speaking French within a matter of months.
Adults always find language the hardest if there is little or no prior knowledge. My french is reasonable, OH's is fair. We both cope fine. I managed my miscarriage and subsequent hospitalistion here solely in French along with hand gestures and a mini dictionary - you will be fine!
The countryside can feel very isolated and there is nothing like the accessibility of things to do with family here. My OH doesn't drive. I think you will find that tough unless you like to exist quite solitarily. You will invariably have access within a walk to a Tabac, Boulangerie, La Poste and school plus possibly a bar. But, every village is different. Here in Fenioux we have a tabac, library, post office and school plus bakery. That's it unless we drive for a good 10 mins.
We are in Deux Sevres.
Schools are the best bit for us, you can even deposit them there from 7am until 7pm if you are so inclined! We don't but the childcare here is great and inexpensive.
Beware, the whole Tax, benefits, self employment registration, residency thing is a complete and ucker freaking nightmare.
And if anyone ever tells you otherwise, you CAN get Child Benefit when you are living overseas so long as you continue to pay tax and national insurance in the UK.!!