D
avid Lotton, a European history buff from Kansas, had never set foot outside the United States until 2004, when he traveled to France for the 60th anniversary of D-Day. Walking through the vast cemeteries commemorating the young soldiers who died during World War II left him with a profound impact. The trip sparked a desire in him to move to France, but it seemed like an impossible dream due to his financial constraints.
After the pandemic, Lotton and his wife Cynthia Ferrer, a software engineer, made several trips to France to explore different regions and find a home they could buy. They were struck by how affordable life was in France compared to the United States, with many free attractions such as medieval towns, coastline, and country roads lined with hedgerows.
The couple compromised on finding a place in Normandy near a train station, allowing them to travel to the mountains and other European spots. They also wanted an extra bedroom or two for hosting friends and family, as well as a walkable neighborhood and parking space for their car.
House hunting in France was different from what they were used to in the United States. Some properties weren't listed online, only in real estate agency windows, which added to the charm of the search. To fund the purchase, Ferrer sold her vacation condominium in Breckenridge, Colorado, and set a budget of 400,000 euros (about $465,000) for their France home.
The couple researched long-stay visas in France, which allowed them to stay for one year and was renewable. They had to show proof of assets and write a handwritten note promising not to work in France. With hindsight, the process was surprisingly seamless.
After selling their main residence in Colorado, they were all-in on finding a home in France. Among their options were three properties: a five-bedroom waterfront home in Grandcamp-Maisy with breathtaking sea views but dated bathrooms and kitchen; a four-bedroom townhome in Bayeux with exposed beams and floor-to-ceiling windows but potential noise issues from the busy street below; and a five-bedroom semidetached "tower house" in Bayeux with stained-glass windows, a quiet location, and outbuildings for Mr. Lotton's workshops.
The couple had to decide which property best suited their needs and preferences.
