Lac De Maison, in Poitou-Charentes, south-west France (Image: Liz Murphy/SWNS)
A couple ditched retirement in the UK to purchase an entire hamlet in France alongside their daughter’s family. Helen Diaper and her husband Terry, both 76, acquired the rural hamlet of Lac De Maison, in Poitou-Charentes, south-west France, after being persuaded to relocate by their daughter Liz Murphy, 48, and her husband David, 57.
The two families joined together to purchase six 400-year-old houses, two barns and three acres of land. Helen sold her four-bedroom property and Liz sold her £400,000 three-bed Manchester home – and together they snapped up their new village for £450,000.
They have since transformed three of the properties into holiday lets – accommodating 19 guests in total – while also renovating their own home and the grandparents’ house. Helen and Terry made the move with them and now get to see their grandchildren “every day” rather than once every two months.
The family also noted that the French tax system was “better” than that of the UK, with tax deductions available when employing a cleaner, gardener or caregiver.
Helen, a retired senior practice nurse from Nottingham, said: “It was a big surprise in many ways. I’ve always loved France and always wanted to be here, so Terry and I decided on a big adventure and to go for it.
They started in 2021 (Image: Liz Murphy/SWNS)
“Of course I could then keep an eye on Liz and make sure she doesn’t get up to anything. The grandchildren, Tom and Charlotte, are growing up beautifully.
“It’s nice to be with them and to have that experience of them, watching them grow and being involved in what they’re doing. I think the ambience of France is less stressful than in the UK.
“We are very much in a country with not much to do. But I love the laid-backness of it”.
When the couple stumbled upon the vast plot of land, Liz and David chose to sell their three-bedroom home and relocate with their two children – Tom, 14, and Charlotte, 10 – in December 2020. Previously, the couple had felt trapped in the “rat race” working “busy” nine-to-five jobs, and persuaded Helen and Terry to take the plunge and join them.
The family say their lives have improved since leaving the UK and have no plans to return (Image: Liz Murphy/SWNS)
Stepdad Terry admitted it “never occurred” to him to leave behind their “nice” life in Nottingham – but now regards it as “one last adventure”.
“We liked the idea of a French lifestyle,” the retired computer programmer said. “It’s easier going over here, it has a nice culture and everywhere is spotlessly clean.
“We didn’t really consider the financial aspect of moving because we were very keen to beat the Brexit deadline. Also at that time French properties were selling very quickly so there was that additional time pressure as well.
“Obviously we all knew that French property prices were so much cheaper than the UK and our understanding was that other costs would be roughly about the same. It’s very difficult to make a fair comparison between the cost of living in France as opposed to the UK as our circumstances have completely changed, moving from a city to the depths of the countryside.
“So, for example, we do much more driving to do our regular food shopping. However, I think that the price of foodstuffs is roughly equivalent.
“Our electricity bill is high, but that should reduce dramatically now that we have solar panels. The French tax system is better for my wife and me as pensioners. Also we can get tax deductions when we employ a cleaner, gardener, or caregiver.”
Liz and David have spent the past six years getting the gites “up and running” while also extending her parents’ home.
Liz, a business owner from Altrincham, Manchester, said: “Now we’ve had five years really with lots of renovations and building work tackling issues and problems, but now we’re able to sit back a bit – not relax but actually enjoy ourselves a bit more. It’s really nice.
Liz Murphy and her husband David with their kids (Image: Liz Murphy/SWNS)
“The kids lived in Manchester and mum and Terry in Nottingham. We’d see them once every couple of months, but now the kids get to see them every day.
“They’re as much a part of family life as me and Dave are. It is really nice as a daughter. It’s nice to have mum here, but also as they get a bit older I think for my peace of mind it’s nice knowing I’m here if anything goes wrong or there are any problems I’m straight away here. I’m not having to catch a flight to go home.”
The entire family lives mortgage-free, though Liz candidly admitted they had splashed out “more than they thought” on renovation works.
Liz said: “We spent more than we thought we were going to. But everything we are putting into it is to future-proof it for others when they want to come and live here.
Liz’s mum Helen Diaper and stepdad Terry (Image: Liz Murphy/SWNS)
“It was blood sweat and tears, but worth it in the end, a change from being in the rat race. With properties of this size and age, I don’t think renovations ever finish.”
Friends and family frequently descend on the French property during the peak Airbnb summer season, while Liz and her family make the trip back to the UK at least once annually. Yet the family remains content with their relocation and firmly convinced it was the right choice for their future.
Looking ahead, they intend to move to a more modest property to better accommodate Helen, whose health is getting “progressively worse” – while remaining together as a family unit.