12 Reasons not to live in Sainte Colombe in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and 12 reasons to live there.
Every place has good and bad points.
To help people who are researching different areas to live in France here is our 24 point guide on the good, the bad, and the downright ugly, in the Sainte Colombe area in the Novelle-Aquitane France.
First let’s go to the bad;
1. Air Pollution;
The place is smack in the centre of arable agriculture and chemical sprays are in the air in three forms;
Fungicide to kill plant fungus.
Herbicide to kill unwanted plants.
Insecticide to kill insects and bugs.
These are powerful things and sprayed on a regular basis. This is not stuff you want to be around on a week by week basis so be well aware of that when you are in this area. It is invisible, in the air, no smell, and toxic with all sorts of long term side effects on human health.
2. Flooding;
This area and the commune of Sainte Colombe is subject to flooding and has seen some of the worst flooding in France in recent years. It can look calm and peaceful but following heavy rain in the area and the surrounding region Sainte Colombe can go swiftly under water. Property insurance can be hard to get if at all and often there is no compensation on policies due to the known risk.
Click on links page to see further information published on the flooding in this area.
3.Nothing to do;
A pleasant enough place but the fact is there is virtually nothing whatsoever to do in Sainte Colombe. A handful of shops and bars open when they feel like it but for entertainment you need to think about playing board games or taking up knitting.
4. Weather;
The weather in Sainte Colombe like the rest of the Nouvelle-Aquitane region is unpredictable at best. It can be beautiful sunshine and in hours it can change to snow, biblical storms, and howling hurricane force winds that can rip off roves and destroy property. The proximity of mountains appears to be the culprit. On one side there is warmer air and on the other and high up in the mountains much colder freezing temperatures which can play havoc with the weather and cause extreme fluctuations.
5. Setting up in business;
In line with France in general business is frowned upon by the authorities who will treat any new business as a target for the attention of the Government. They have not yet got out of the habit of thinking anyone setting up a small business must be very wealthy and therefore they have to be bled dry before they start so be aware. In these small areas and communes like Sainte Colombe the attitude is still rife and a French person setting up will do his best to avoid what he can and to some degree will manage the authorities well but if you are a foreigner forget it. They will be all over you like a rash and chase you to the end of time or until you leave the area.
6. Buying property;
You can buy it easily enough but just try selling it again. Great place to buy a home if you intend to spend the rest of your life there because that is what will happen if you do buy a home there.
Sainte Colombe in the Landes region is a bit out of the way and has very little to offer in the way of amenities, shopping, etc. If you like that feeling of being completely isolated and miles from anything then fine. Otherwise think again and look elsewhere. If it comes to selling property here you need to think in terms of many years and a low price to sell it on again to get out. This is not an area where you buy property for investment purposes.
7. Declining population;
In 1703 the population of Sainte Colombe in the Landes was a healthy 808 and growing.
In 1876 the population had shrunk to 702.
By 1954 only 436 people lived there.
In 1975 it dropped to just 373.
Source; WIKI.
It took a strong effort by local Government to entice people to live there with cheap housing and job creation but despite the effort and cost the population has struggled to get to 650 today and is again looking to fall way back. Lack of facilities, low employment, poor wages are just some of the contributing factors along with an ageing population that is not being readily or easily replaced.
8. Unemployment;
Big unemployment issues in Sainte Colombe. No work to speak of and what little there is is poorly paid and menial.
9. Poor telephone and internet services;
Complaints abound about the service drop outs in this area. The proximity to mountains, regular storms and other weather issues seem to create some of the problems along with a generally slow service turnout to fix things which can take weeks or even months in some case. A classic tale of the big companies not being too bothered about small out of the way places. You have been warned !
10. Very remote;
In the middle of nowhere is how most describe the place. A popular passing and resting place for gypsies who are often seen parked in local spots on their way to and from other places. They are largely left alone here hence its popularity with them.
11. Dog barking;
Like many other rural areas in France dog barking can be a nuisance and whilst there are some laws supposed to protect the ears and nerves of residents when it comes down to it it all depends on who knows who and how long they have lived there. In Sainte Colombe Nouvelle Aquitaine the issue of dog barking has been a problem and is more noticeable at night than during the day although on a warm sunny afternoon that peaceful time in the garden can become an agitated nightmare when barking is persistent. Dogs come and go and some are worse than others but it is all a question of what your nerves can stand.
12. Wind turbines;
Like many areas this region is one of those that is looking to erect wind turbines. It has done so in the past which means the region is ear marked so to speak. All the impact assessments are already in place and it is just a question of time and decisions as to when and where to erect them. Then can produce a dreadful low regular thumbing noise from the massive blades which is a sound that carries for many miles. There is also the flicker effect which can also travel great distances. To be safe from these large industrial wind machines you will need to be around 1 to 3 miles distant so as not to be affected. Given the plans are for the entire area and region one needs to tread with care as one day there are no plans and the next they can appear if an area such as this has already been designated.
Click on links page to see further information published on the wind turbines and future wind turbine proposals all around this area.
OK now let us take a peek at all the good things;
1. It is a remote area;
For those that want to get away from everything and lead the life of being solitary this is the place to be. Walk around the commune and the streets in relative safety day and night. Not much chance of a crime against the person as there is virtually nobody on the street after 6pm and very few before.
It is remote and well away from just about everything.
2. It is near some attractive mountains;
The mountains are never far away and for those that like looking at that view there are plenty of those views. Walkers who are young and strong enough can go up into the mountains but take care as the weather can change. Ideal for the outdoors type who likes to walk and climb and cycle.
3. You can drive over the border to Spain in about an hour or so;
Spain is not too far away if you fancy a visit. Depending on the weather and roads it can take between two and three hours drive. The pass through can be tricky during winter so be prepared for that as it can go from quite warm and pleasant to 10 below zero and very icy in 30 minutes as soon as you get close to those mountains.
4. It is a very quiet place.
Very quiet. So quiet you could write a book without being disturbed for days. Even weeks. The sort of place where when your time comes no one would ever know about it until your bills mounted up. So yes it is quiet. You will never see anyone anywhere. Ever.
5. Good place to walk a dog.
There is no one around anywhere so you can take the dog for what would be the most peaceful walks of its life. It will not encounter another dog or cat or human so walking a dog around here is just about perfect if your dog in a bit anti social and wants to be entirely alone.
6. Not much crime.
Hardly any due to the shortage of people. If anyone so much as breathes too loud the rest of the area gets to know about it so being a criminal here is not really a good option as everyone will know who you are. Jokes aside yes there is crime but low key theft and the odd argument over a game of boule is about it.
7. Enjoyment of wildlife.
There are a lot of things to look out for here and to see if you are a very patient person.
8. Shopping.
There are a few basic amenities. Not much so not a shoppers paradise but enough to get you out of a fix if you can afford the inflated prices.
9. Relaxed living.
The people around these parts are not fashion freaks and you will not see high heels, smart suits, or snappy casual dressers. You will see sensible shoes, lots of old hats, scruffy trousers and jackets and jumpers and tops well past their time. To say the living is casual would be the understatement of the century. The entire world of fashion has completely passed by here. They never noticed a single shift in mood or fashion in the last three hundred years so if you like the living easy wearing whatever you want to throw on this is the place because no one will take the slightest bit of notice of you or what you are wearing.
10. Cars, houses, furniture and fittings.
