Nice day at the office, ma cherie?

Britons are quitting the stress of city living to start a new, more relaxed life on the Continent - and they all recommend it, even if it means commuting between London and France, says Ginetta Vedrickas

It's that time of year again. And while most of us are happy to hang stockings on the same old mantelpiece, an increasing number of Brits are vowing that next Christmas will find them somewhere entirely different.

Many retire abroad, but there seems to be a mass of younger people, some still working and with children, moving away. Dick Schrader, of French Property News, says there is "a very definite trend". "I tell them not to worry about their children but to worry about themselves," he says. "As soon as children get into the playground it's sink-or-swim, and they normally swim. It's the parents who struggle."

Mr Schrader links the exodus to a growing dissatisfaction with public services. "Concerns over health, transport, roads and schools have persuaded people to look elsewhere. But I've seen many who've sold up and come out with £300,000 to spend. In France they can get far better accommodation for their money so it's not always a case of downsizing."

The sheer size of France and its range of property makes it a favourite destination. "It's just so easy to get to and if people have family in the UK, as most do, then there's that feeling that they can get back in a couple of hours," Mr Schrader says. He advises anyone considering the move to do their homework thoroughly. "Rather than spending two weeks in August when everything's buzzing, go in January and if you still like it, then fine." French Property News is a good starting point to buying in France.

Greta and David Scott and their twin daughters are typical of the growing number of young families exchanging a British urban existence for a French rural lifestyle. Last summer they leased their west London house and rented a five-bedroomed house with swimming pool and a garden they call massive near Toulouse. "We were just so fed up with London which is incredibly hard to live in if you have children," Mrs Scott says. "Here the cost of living is so much cheaper that even with David commuting to London we've got a better quality of life."

The Scotts pay £700 a month but their London house rents for three times as much, giving them an additional income. They chose their area using the internet after discovering a German school in the area whose system they prefer. Mrs Scott knows of at least two other English families in the area but friends at home see the Scotts as pioneers. "They think we're terribly brave but it seemed more courageous to us to stay in London where everything requires so much energy and where even the simplest things like shopping or going for a meal are expensive and difficult."

A relocation agency found the Scotts their rented home, organised the contract and arranged for services, easing a notoriously difficult process. The couple now plan to buy. "It's hard to find a house for more than £200,000 and for that you get a serious villa." Relocation agents may prove useful for those unseen extras but estate agents catering for British clients often find themselves with additional duties.

Sue Elliott, of agency Greenacre in Lot et Garonne, says she is "more of a semi-social worker". Her tasks have included sorting out insurance problems after a dog caused a lorry to fall into a ditch to helping bury the dog, which came off worst.

Most enquiries are about plumb-ers and schools. Ms Elliott expects an upsurge in business because January is the time when many resolve to change their lives drastically by moving abroad. Her decision to leave the UK for France was made as a child "It's taken me 35 years," she says. Despite the profusion of advice available Ms Elliott still meets buyers with unrealistic expectations.

"There's a standard demand every agent gets, although property prices have gone up in England and France. People say they want somewhere for £60,000 that is comfortable but may need redecoration. It must be on top of a hill with lovely views, totally isolated yet within a couple of minutes walk from a bakery."

Oddly enough, these are rare, but properties Ms Elliott's agency have on their books include a 60-acre hazelnut farm at 373,500 euros (£231,500) and a three bedroomed farmhouse for 262,200 euros (£162,500). Ms Elliott says she is struck by the number of stressed teachers leaving their profession and the UK for France. Last Christmas, teacher Sarah Browning took early retirement and is renting a holiday gîte with her partner in Eymet while buying a £100,000 stone cottage.

The Brownings say the UK's housing boom prompted their move. "We were only testing the waters but a rich guy offered us a price we couldn't refuse," Mrs Browning says. They sold their New Forest property for £480,000 and have more than £300,000 to invest. She is looking forward to gardening and reading. "Why wait till I'm over 60 and too worn out to enjoy life?"

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