There are of course a myriad of different reasons that people move to France and we’ve been able to move people at all stages of their lives. For some, the move is for retirement and for others it can be a relocation due to work or even to start up their own business. Traditionally, it has been city locations that were more associated with work relocations, but of course the pandemic has caused very significant shifts in behaviour, with movement out of the central city locations into more rural areas and the rise of remote working. If you are planning to move to France, and specifically to a rural area, but need to factor in the need to work remotely, there are a few things that you’ll need to take into account.
Bear in mind the importance of being digitally connected right from the very start of the relocation process. When you’re viewing properties in rural areas, an important consideration will be the strength of the internet signal and the possibility of installing WiFi. Don’t overlook this as a key consideration in choosing your ideal property. It can be easy to become carried away and think that the practicalities can be remedied later but it is essential to factor in that if the internet can’t be accessed via the conventional routes, then you’re going to have problems. It maybe that, for example, you can access the internet via satellite but this will incur a cost and would need scoping out. Speak to the property agent and find out what arrangements the existing owners have and do some research in to the local area.
Once you have shortlisted a property, it is of course important to ascertain which suppliers provide the best network coverage in the area. It’s worth asking around or reading reviews to find out about other’s experiences. Also bear in mind that it will take time for the installation to be completed, so if you need to be digitally connected from the get-go, you may need to make alternative arrangements in the first instance. It maybe that you need to rely on mobile phone data or dongles to begin with.
With the pandemic provoking a reliance on digital communication, the French government and telecoms providers have had to make plans to improve the technology infrastructure. In November of last year, France pledged to provide even the most rural areas with internet connection and in January of this year, the provision of ‘Fibre to the Premises’ (or ‘Fibre to the Home’) has been scaled up in an effort to roll out fibre connections to rural areas. This is where data is carried through beams of light, which is faster and more reliable than the ADSL lines used for broadband. An interactive map of where Fibre to the Premises is available can also be seen here. According to telecoms watchdog Arcep, over 6 out of 10 French homes and businesses can now opt for full fibre-optic internet. The French governments new target is to reach complete nationwide full fibre coverage by 2025.
For expert advice on the process of moving household goods (and vehicles) to and from France, our advisors are on hand and can be contacted on 01902 714555 or via sales@burkebros.co.uk and our website has a host of information on our moving to France services and useful tips in our blog.
Click one of our contacts below to chat on WhatsApp
