A retired couple from the UK sold their home and, together with their daughter's family, purchased an entire hamlet in rural France for £450,000. Helen Diaper and her husband Terry, both 76, acquired Lac De Maison in Poitou-Charentes, southwest France, after their daughter Liz Murphy, 48, and her husband David, 57, persuaded them to relocate.
The two families pooled their resources to buy 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-bedroom home in Manchester. Together, they snapped up the hamlet for £450,000.
Transforming the Hamlet
Since the purchase, they have converted three of the properties into holiday lets, accommodating up to 19 guests. They also renovated their own home and the grandparents' house. Helen and Terry now see their grandchildren every day instead of once every two months, as was the case when they lived in the UK.
The family noted that the French tax system is more favorable, offering deductions for 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."
Escape from the Rat Race
Liz and David, feeling trapped in busy nine-to-five jobs, sold their home and relocated with their children, Tom (14) and Charlotte (10), in December 2020. They persuaded Helen and Terry to join them. Terry, a retired computer programmer, admitted it "never occurred" to him to leave their "nice" life in Nottingham but now regards it as "one last adventure."
"We liked the idea of a French lifestyle," Terry 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."
Renovations and Future Plans
Liz and David spent six years getting the holiday lets operational and extending Helen and Terry's 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."
The family lives mortgage-free, though Liz admitted they spent more than expected on renovations. "It was blood sweat and tears, but worth it in the end, a change from being in the rat race," she said. Friends and family frequently visit during the peak Airbnb summer season, and the family returns to the UK at least once a year.
Looking ahead, they plan to move to a more modest property to accommodate Helen's declining health while remaining together as a family unit.
