Chloe Turner (22) and her partner Simon Robinson (27) have a story that, for the most part, is the same as many young couples in the UK. Born and raised in Cornwall, they grew up in the same area and both spent their teens and early 20s working various jobs in the hospitality and healthcare sectors. Simon worked his way up to becoming the manager of a local pub, and the couple nurtured a dream of one day setting up their own hospitality business together. They moved in together, saved hard and in July 2018 became the proud owners of their first home as a couple. Here’s the twist – instead of buying a two-bedroom new-build on the outskirts of Truro, they had just purchased a run-down, sprawling house in Charente.
“One day in January 2018 Simon and I were sat on the sofa thinking about our careers, wondering whether we’d stay in our jobs or start our own business by buying a cheap pub or hotel,” says Chloe. “We started looking at businesses for sale in Cornwall, but after we discussed commercial mortgages with a broker we realised how stressful it would be having such a large mortgage looming over us.”
It then dawned on the couple that they could get an awful lot more for their money across the Channel. Simon already had ties to France thanks to his parents’ holiday home in Charente, which Chloe had also visited. So in summer 2018 they made a plan to start searching for properties, starting down in the Midi-Pyrénées and working their way up to Simon’s parents’ place.
They found La Roseraie on the penultimate day; a “complete shell” in the little village of Courcôme, but with all the potential to become a stunning home and gîte business. After purchasing the house for €94,000, Simon and Chloe set to work renovating their home in a project set to span the next few years.
THE FIRST STEP
Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av French Property News.
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Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av French Property News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Bond With France
With a licence to thrill James Bond fans, Chloe Govan goes househunting in the film locations immortalised by the spy who loved France
Sarlat stardust
Just 20 minutes from Sarlat-la-Caneda, this tastefully restored home reflects the glory of the Périgord Noir capital, says Ruth Wood
The money column
The ‘B’ word is back! Laura Parsons explains how to protect your money as we near the end of Brexit transition
Nature's harmony
A renovated farmhouse in Lot-et-Garonne could be perfect for those hearing the call of the wild, discovers Brigitte Nicolas
Main event
Buying a holiday home near a popular annual event could guarantee you a beautiful setting and some extra cash, finds Hannah Evans
Hauss style
Joanna Leggett learns all about Georges-Eugène Haussmann – the man who designed the Paris that we know and love
Architect's diary
It’s all in a week’s work for France-based Neil Vesma
Write on the edge
When it comes to life in west Brittany, author Wendy Mewes has been there, done that, written the guidebook
A year like no other
So much for spring cleaning — property manager Mary Hall explains how 2020 has thrown a spanner in the works for second home owners
A law unto themselves
Why is French law so different to the law in England and Wales? It all goes back to William, Henry and Napoleon, explains Alan Field
