Moving from Australia - some questions...

[fcb321]

Hi, I cannot believe it has taken me this long to find this fantastic site!!

My husband, daughter and I intend moving to France in the summer of 2011. Although this seems like a long time away, I want to start the planning now, and also to gain an understanding of the costs involved. We may buy a property in France over the coming months and with that and the chaos of selling our existing home I figure early planning is the only way to go!

I apologise in advance for the number of questions, but I cannot find the answers elsewhere:

1. Have any of you brought your cats with you from Australia. If so, I would be interested in hearing if it was stressful for them and whether you used a pet transport company or brought them with you directly? Also were there any issues in getting them innoculated against rabies, as the disease is not present in Australia. Our cats will be 9years and 2.5 years.

2. My husband will be 62 when we move to France and will have retired from a salaried position in Australia. I will be 48 and due to a medical condition will be unable to work again, but will need ongoing medical treatment and pharmaceutical supplies. As a result of my pre-existing issues, I have been unable to obtain a quote for health cover which did not involve unaffordable premiums coupled with years of exclusions. In these circumstances, does anybody know if we would be eligible, as a family, to join the CMU? Any pointers to the finer points of that scheme would be appreciated.

3. I would like to import my car from Australia and although there are a lot of accounts on the web of newly arrived migrants putting their cars through the French mechanical and omission testing for registration, I cannot find any links to the criteria the cars are subjected to. Does anybody know of any links, or even what the documents are called. If I can obtain what the standards are in advance. I can get my mechanic to obtain any necessary documents from the manufacturer and see if the vehicle would comply with/without modification. I can then decide whether it is worth importing the car or not.

The fact that France is left-hand drive is not an issue as I spent many long driving holidays there in my youth and know the disadvantages. I also intend installing a forward facing mirror camera to open up the overtaking “blind spot” (pity it can’t also pass the money at the toll booths or the drive thrus!).

Thanks in advance

F

[david-giorgi]

Hello fcb321

When we moved to Annecy in 2007 we used Dogtainers and were very happy with their service since they organised all required shots etc...

Puddy was in very good spirits when she arrived at Geneva airport a few weeks after us

Dogtainers Pty Ltd
Located at the Brisbane Airport – Lomandra Drive

Postal: PO Box 1011, EAGLE FARM QLD 4009
Physical: 84-86 Lomandra Drive, BRISBANE AIRPORT

p: +61 7 3271 1155
f: +61 7 3271 4980
w: www.dogtainersqld.com.au


Puddy stayed at Dolittles Pet Retreat Brisbane airport
(recommended by Dogtainers)
While she waited for her flight

Dolittles Pet Retreat
Physical: 431 Waterford Road, ELLEN GROVE
Web: www.dolittles.com.au

ps
Expat France is a small forum and you won't always get a reply, try some larger forums
like http://france.angloinfo.com/ if your questions are getting urgent

[fcb321]

Many thanks David for the cat transport details, I have already sent off a request for information. I will try the other sites you suggested for the remaining info.

I know our current moving date is some time off, but I am always mindful that plans can change and we could end up moving much earlier. Finding the info now means it will be one less thing to worry about if our move is brought forward!

Kind regards.

FCB