I just went to post about how I’m becoming fed up of living in a show home when I realized that I hadn’t yet posted that Mr Piglet and I had decided to leave our city loft and move on to pastures greener (literally).
As some of you may have gathered from my last post when I revealed how I could easily have moved to The Grenadines, I have been restless lately and Mr Piglet and I have a common disease known as La Bougeotte. We are completely incapable of staying in one place for more than a couple of years and always looking to move on.
Since I was 14 I have counted that I have moved homes no less than 14 times in 16 years, including three international moves (two to France, one to the UK). That’s a lot of moves, most of which were motivated by ice skating but even so, Hubby and I managed to move 3 times in 4 years in the UK and it’s a miracle that we’ve managed to stay put for the last 3 ½ years in Lyon!
I sincerely thought that our current house would be our forever home but it just hasn’t turned out like that. The recession has meant that our mortgage now seems huge and staying here just doesn’t make financial sense. Couple that with the fact that I am having more and more difficulty in coping with everyday city life and my road rage outbursts are ever increasing, I have been yearning to be surrounded by green fields and trees for a while now. Finally, if you throw in the mini piglet that we’ll hopefully be having in April then we just have to get out of the city.
Life in the city has become something that I no longer enjoy; I no longer get the buzz from the late opening hours, the smell of pollution or the hustle and bustle. It just annoys the hell out of me. People look grumpy, the streets smell, there’s dog pooh everywhere and no-one smiles or says hello. Just plain, miserable city living.
I no longer go out and dine in nice restaurants or sip cocktails in hip bars, have great parties at the house that last all weekend, and cinemas have become synonymous as a place to fall asleep and have a nap whilst comedy clubs and theatres just start too late. Maybe this is all part of growing old or simply growing up? Basically everything I love doing in the city costs no longer interests me or costs too much money. Money which I don’t have (I did try to grow a money tree but it didn’t work) right now and looking into the future and how expensive babies are, money that I’m not going to have anytime soon!
So, we have decided to sell our forever home and move away to the countryside where properties are far cheaper (because no-one else wants to live there maybe?) and we can dream of possibly living a mortgage free (or almost mortgage free) lifestyle.
We would like to live in a house like this...
However, don’t feel sorry for me. I’m actually really looking forward to the new country lifestyle and have already planned many activities. Where we’re looking at, we will be close to no less than three lakes where we enjoy water sports, nearer to the mountains for skiing and still within easy reach of cities like Lyon, Chambery, Aix Les Bains and Grenoble so it’s not as if we’re going to be cut off from the world.
I can already imagine spending our weekends lazing in a garden (where I can do proper gardening), out on a boat (that we’ll be able to afford to buy one day), fishing, walking or cycling. I can also imagine myself with cash to spare at the end of the month and organizing little trips to Paris, London and Milan for shopping sprees!
But to realize this dream of moving, first of all we have to sell the city pad. This is not going to be an easy task as it’s not an easy property. Think modern factory conversion loft style, big open spaces, metal structure with polished concrete floors and a big price tag.
For Sale
We’ve only had it on the market for a few weeks and have already had a lot of interest, a very low offer and a few visits. Unfortunately however, French strikes got in the way and visits were cancelled but now we’re in business!
We’re marketing the property ourselves and have an agent onboard also; however, that was an experience in itself! After meeting a few we decided to go with one that would actually speak to me! You can read about my run-in with a chauvinistic French estate agent over on Expat Focus.
The house is totally depersonalized and all my knick knacks are hidden away discreetly at the back of cupboards. Nothing is left out, ever, and I clean every day. Cleaning has become a full time occupation for me. Dust is my enemy. The cats have been taught how to act friendly towards potential visitors and everything is neat and tidy. You would never believed that I lived here as I’m the messiest person in France (probably), however, it’s amazing how old habits die fast when you’re motivated enough!
Since yesterday we have had three visits and are currently awaiting an offer. Fingers crossed something will come through soon as I really, really would like to move before being too heavily pregnant!
Has anyone else realized a dream of moving from city to country or vice versa, or experienced moving home whilst pregnant? How was it for you?
Hi Piglet. Wow, you keep coming with the big news! I wish you all the luck with your move – sounds like a good plan to me! I’m sorry I didn’t get to visit you in Lyon….but come to think of it, I’d much rather a country escape destination anyway. I already live in a city! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. Bon courage!
Merci Sion! Lyon will still be a close enough to day trip or even spend an afternoon there but far enough away for me to have peace and quiet!!
Hopefully you’ll get to come to the new place (once we sell!) before we get itchy feet again!
Come to think of it, maybe a blogger get together weekend could be organised?
Loved your post. I lived in France for 4 years (hubby is French) but we lived outside of Paris..in a quiet town..which I loved. I am a New Yorker and have grown very tired of all that city life once had to offer me, when I was younger and thrived on going out every night, taking trains and taxi’s home at ungodly hours, etc.
Now, with a young child I too yearn for the quiet. A garden and all you have described. We moved back to NY four years ago because we couldn’t get childcare for my daughter, who was an infant at the time. I lost a few job ops because of that. But, we are hoping and dreaming of moving back to France soon, so my little one can be near her Mamie and her cousins.
I already let my husband know that Paris was not part of the equation……..so we are still trying to figure that out. We chose to be near Nantes….a decent sized city…near the Loire with it’s rivers and Chateaux….near the ocean..and only two hours from Paris….but hoping to find a quiet town not too far from Nantes.
I look forward to catching up on your old posts and reading all your future posts.
Good luck with the future baby piglet…
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Barbara. Your’s is certainly an interesting experience! Funnily enough, Hubby and I moved away from France for 4 years to the UK as I had better job prospects there. Whilst we didn’t have a child in tow every day we spent there was working towards coming back to France.
It sounds as if you’ve made a good decision on area, I have heard that Nantes ia fantastic place and that everyone who goes to the area or has lived there is instantly under its charm.
I hope that you get to move back and look forward to hearing more about it in the future!
I moved out of Paris after 10 years in the city. We moved way out to a little village of 900 people. I have to tell you that for the first few years I was in total shock! But you’ll have Baby Piglet to care for and probably tons of other activities. Just try to keep yourself busy.
A house in the country is a lot of work but also a marvelous place. I hope you won’t regret it.
Good luck selling!!!
Thanks Dedene! I hope we won’t regret it as well – France can be an expensive place to buy the wrong property!
We’re pretty sure we want to leave the city and I’m sure I’ll be in shock too, but the city will still be accessible to me if I need it.
Did you regret the move for the first few years then? How did you cope wth the shock?
I only regret moving when I go back to Paris. But no, really I don’t. I coped by getting really involved in the associations out here.
“we just have to get out of the city.”
Wheeeeee! I am so glad! It means exciting Piglet in the Countryside posts, and I also hope that it means I can visit you, ’cause LORD KNOWS I am at times super sick of living in one of the city of cities: Paris. I’d like to experience the French countryside.
Here are :::good vibes::: that your current home sells quickly and that you can find something wonderful to move into.
I moved while pregnant — about 20-some weeks, in fact. It’s not a big deal because everyone else gets to do the heavy lifting and you have a good excuse not to.
I’ve moved with an infant, too, for that matter, one that was about eight months old. This, too, was not too terrible. (I moved to a new house in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then moved with the baby from Tulsa to Dallas, TX, then with a toddler — almost 2 years old — from Dallas to Denver, CO. It can ALL be done. I know you can do it, too.)
Keep us posted for sure, Piglet, and best as you make these wonderful changes!
mmmm, Karin I think I will certainly prove a source of amusement living in the countryside! As PIP points out there will be lots of smells and strange noises… I can see I am going to be somewhat out of my comfort zone but thankfully I suffer from a permanent blocked nose so the experience shouldn’t be too terrible!
Of course, the city will still be close enough if I miss it too much!
I think we’ll have an expat blogger get together once we’re settled, would be lovely!
Wow, they were some big moves! You are very brave, I am worried and it’s only 40 km’s away! We have decided that we will definitely have movers that’s for sure…
Oh Piglet, when I come to Lyon to visit my friend, we really must meet! I think we are kindred spirits.. or else it’s just the fact that you are now also pregnant in this sometimes godforsaken country makes me feel like we’ve got a connection.. lol.
Anyway, moving house while preggo — here’s my advice (in case you want it?) don’t choose something that needs structrual renovations (decorative ones are okay — painting isn’t that harmful because you can now buy 95% natural paints for the about the same price as regular paints– you still can’t paint, but the fumes are more or less harmless to you and baby, especially if you wear a mask). We chose our house when I was only a month pregnant, and we signed at four months, moved at five months, and have been doing renovations (structural first, then decorative) ever since.
Make sure Mr Piglet has lots of time on his hands — you will find that you’re basically an invalid.. and for me, that was incredibly frustrating so I overdid it and landed myself on sick leave for a week. I hate having to ask my other half to hang up shelves, carry things up the stairs, etc.. i’m usually the DIY’er in our relationship!
I would not recommend moving while pregnant if it’s avoidable, but I think that you’ll like being in the countryside with a little one. We would have gladly moved to the country if it weren’t so expensive, but it’s cheaper to stay in the city in our area.
Good luck with the sale — your apartment sounds amazing!
Hi Amber, I remember from a previous comment that we were to have cocktails and b**ch about the Belle-Grand Mothers! Obviously no cocktails now nut when you do come to Lyon I would love to get together.
Advice most welcome, I’ve gotten myself into it and don’t really have much of a choice but tips on how to cope are going to be essential!
In fact I’m so glad I asked as I didn’t realise the whole painting thing was not so good! I just spent a whole weekend painting
Mr Piglet is still resting his right hand after his operation but he should be fit in a few months and now we’ve roped some friends in to help. Thankfully we have helped a lot of people out over the years and now have many favours to call in.
I note reference stuctural and decorational renovations – this is something I’ve discussed with Mr Piglet. I have absolutely no desire to have to undertake structural renovations in the house unless it is in a part where we don’t live (ie. the loft or a barn or something). Getting it spruced up is fine but no major building work and only one room at a time.
Is your house pretty much finished now?
Parts of the countryside around Lyon are majorly expensive but we’re not looking to move to a chic area and will be living with the cows. it’s a very farm folk area but I love the rolling hills, lakes and the proximity of the mountains.
Thanks for all your advice. I will no doubt be contacting you for more as I progress in this adventure!
OMG moving house when pregnant! I did that while pregnant with number 1. Everyone told us not to – it’s stressful at the best of times and worse when you’re incapable of doing much etc.
But we did it anyway, and it was incredibly stressful but then my ex-h left a lot of it to me and French businesses didn’t like dealing with me and had me running all over the place, getting contractions.
The upshot was, we moved on the first day of my maternity leave. I had a rdv with the gyne and I was in such a state she ordered me immediate TOTAL rest or the baby would be born prematurely.
Total rest is exactly that – no cooking, no cleaning, no boxes, no nothing. I loved it, having had so much stress and crap to deal with. Even my ex-h had to let me rest. As a doc he took it very seriously and I was serene by the time the baby was born.
It did mean though, that we lived in boxes for AGES and his parents had to come and help out (nightmare!).
So, my advice, as you asked,
is don’t move when you’re pregnant unless you have a husband with loads of free time to do everything, and movers, and you do nothing except give orders.
Your apartment looks stunning but I’m with you all the way on country living. I grew out of the city too.
its funny how when you’re told not to do something you just go ahead and do it!
I can imagine that it must have been exhausting having to organise everything. Thankfully I know that I can count on my OH to organise everything, he’s managed the sale of the property and the business for me as much as possible so I’m fairly happy it will go smoothly. I think more worrying is that I am a control freak and I won’t want to take a back seat…
Total rest sounds like fun at first, getting to watch as much day time TV as you want and read as much as yuo want, but I can imagine it must get very boring after a while, no? at least you had time to de-stress before giving birth!
Thanks for your nice comments reference our apartment. It is stunning and will truly miss it, but it’s a young person or single person type pad, not a family home. I have lots of great pictures so I will frame them when we leave. One day I will maybe get something like this again but right now it is not right for where we are in our lives (not to mention the mortgage costs a fortune).
Hi Piglet,
I have to admit I would absolutely hate to live in the city but you have to bear in mind when moving to the country…that it can smell of manure! There are also cockerels to consider crowing from first light…etc etc
The country has its own challenges
Sarah is right and it’s extremely stressful moving house when you are pregnant. We moved house and away from our network of friends to a new area when I was 32 weeks pregnant with twins. The most frustrating thing was, I could not do anything and had to rely on others which made me grumpy and irritable!
yes the smells and the noises, I think they will take some getting used to!
It must have been hard moving away from your friends – did you move far?
Thankfully our friends will still be in easy reach if we need them and vice versa, it’s quite common in Lyon for people to live outside and lots of people commute into the city so people are used to driving to see their friends.
Moved house but thankfully not pregnant! Selling the condo was stress-free as it was a seller’s market. 24 hours on the market and it was gone. I did the same as you: de-cluttered and de-personalized.
Good luck to you and hubby in the process. I hope you find your dream place in the countryside!
Decluttering and depersonalisation is a strange experience, the house no longer looks like mine! It’s amazing what a difference it makes though!
Wow, 1 day must be the quickest sale ever!! You’re very lucky!
Thanks Tanya, we hope we find our dream place too, we just need to define what it is!
Oh honey, been there done that … ummm.. how many times now ?
We lived in NYC.
We bought a house in a bedroom community where we fell in love with a house of huge charm and character and ended up getting an offer we could not refuse.
Really, we sold that house in a month !
With no idea of where to go next.
We moved to Florida because it was January and it seemed like a good idea. We grew to hate it quickly.
One year, 4 month later, we left Florida and moved to Portland Oregon.
I loved it there, husband grew to hate the weather so we visited Buenos Aires for our anniversary- 4 years ago.
We moved here 5 months later.
We are still happy, still love it and the only thing I miss ( aside from family/friends/English movies & books and peanut butter) is hopping into the car and taking off with Pup to a new place, if only for a day.
So unless things change in the next year, we might be looking elsewhere again …
I wish you all kinds of luck.
I never found anything more difficult because I was pregnant.. having a baby or small child around is not as easy but when they are still inside you, it was always a breeze.
And you can just point to things and other people will do your bidding
My, my, my! I think you’d win an award for most moves if one existed!
I think it’s great to move places and if it wasn’t for family ties I would move around a lot more, probably to the otherside of the world, to Southern America and also Thailand.
Are house buying fees very expensive in the US? How about where you are now?
In France the buyer pays the estate agent fees and also notary fees which are like a stamp duty tax you pay each time you buy. For existing properties they are approximately 6.5% of the purchase price so it can be quite expensive to keep buying and selling!
I like the idea of pointing at things and having someone look after them!
Wow more big news! Look forward to following your quest for the dream house! Seems like many of the expats we chat with on Twitter / Facebook and blogs live rurally whether its in France, Spain or Portugal Also many of them are running gites and B&B etc as their way of living the dream. If you get to do it mortgage free will be fabulous indeed. Happy house hunting!
Don’t forget, we deliver to the remotest spots so you’ll always be OK for some nice bedding and new clobber!
Hi, thanks for stopping by. I’ve been in the city now for years and it’s driving me MAD!!
I can’t imagine running a gite though although the extra bedrooms in the country will be lovely for friends and family!
I’ll definitely be needing a shopping service, everything seems so far away from where we’ll be!