David and Liz Murphy. (Image: Liz Murphy / SWNS)
Liz Murphy, 47, and her husband David, 56, took the plunge four years ago, purchasing the idyllic Lac De Maison in Poitou-Charentes, southwest France.
Teaming up with Liz’s mother Helen Diaper, and stepfather Terry, both 75, they acquired a collection of six 400 year old houses, two barns, and three acres of land. The family has since transformed three properties into holiday lets that can accommodate 19 guests, while also refurbishing their own home and parents’ house.
They’re now embracing sustainability by installing solar panels.
Formerly working in radio, the couple admits they don’t earn as much as they did back in the UK, but insist their quality of life has significantly improved. Liz, a mother of two from Altrincham, Manchester, said: “Our quality of life is so much better, and we haven’t got the pressures we had in the UK.
“In France, we’re free. So although we’re making less money than we did in the UK, it’s massively outweighed by our quality of life.”
David and Liz with kids Tom and Charlotte (Image: Liz Terry / SWNS)
The decision to relocate was a family affair, as Liz explained: “My mum and stepdad decided to sell their house and come with us.
” made us reassess, and David and I said if they’d like to come with us, we’d really love that. They both said ‘why not one last adventure? Let’s do it.'”
Liz expressed joy at having her parents nearby: “It’s been lovely – having them so close by for the kids has been really great. It’s great to have on-site babysitters.”
The couple previously felt trapped in the “rat race” of their “busy” nine-to-five jobs. However, being furloughed in 2020 gave them the opportunity to realise their dreams of leaving Manchester, England, and owning a property in France.
Liz Murphy’s parents Helen and Terry (Image: Liz Murphy / SWNS)
They chose France due to their fond holiday memories and its proximity for visitors without breaking the bank. Upon discovering a large plot of land, they decided to sell their three-bedroom house and relocate with their two children – Tom, 14, and Charlotte, 10 – in December 2020.
They also persuaded Helen and Terry to join them from Nottingham. Now, the renovation work is well underway with three holiday homes operational.
The couple are currently installing 60 solar panels to increase their self-sufficiency. “We’re trying to get ourselves off grid,” said Liz.
“We were thinking of renovating the ruin next to our house that a WW1 hero used to live in, but we’ve had really bad wet weather in the past year, and some of the walls collapsed in a landslide.”
The historic rural hamlet of Lac De Maison, in Poitou-Charentes, south west France, (Image: Liz Murphy / SWNS)
Despite these challenges, the couple remain committed to their decision and do not view the ongoing projects as problematic.
Liz admitted: “We spent more than we thought we were going to.
“But everything we are putting into it is to future proof it for others when they want to come and live here.
“Everything was a bit tired.
“It was blood sweat and tears but worth it in the end.
“A change for being in the rat race.
Building work taking place at Lac De Maison (Image: Liz Murphy / SWNS)
“With properties of this size and age, I don’t think renovations ever finish.”
The couple’s children have seamlessly adapted to their new life in France, even attending local schools.
“They’ve been here for four years now – they’re both fluent in French, and I think my daughter especially feels more French than English,” Liz shared.
The family also relishes having Liz’s parents just a stone’s throw away. “It’s lovely – they are so integral to our lives.
“It’s lovely to just cross over the driveway to see them.
“They are so much more involved in kids’ lives”.
Building work taking place at Lac De Maison (Image: Liz Murphy / SWNS)
“We see each other everyday.
“It really nice for the special bond with the grandchildren.
“We go over for a drink or we have meal at ours or over at theirs.
“It’s nice to know they are there.”
The slower pace of life in France, a stark contrast to their previous hectic lifestyle in Manchester, has strengthened the family’s bond. “It’s a lovely, chilled, relaxing vibe, and it’s brought us all closer together,” Liz reflected.
Inside one of the houses renovated by the Murphys (Image: Liz Murphy / SWNS)
The family has expanded their brood with some furry friends – initially adopting three goats, four chickens and two Shetland ponies.
Liz added: “We don’t have the ponies anymore, but they live a life of luxury down the road, and instead we’ve inherited three cats, and we’re possibly getting a dog soon.”
During the bustling Airbnb summer season, family and friends often visit them in France, while Liz and her family make a point to return to the UK at least once a year.
Inside one of the houses renovated by the Murphys (Image: Liz Murphy / SWNS)
The family is content with their relocation and steadfast in their belief that it was the correct choice for their future.
But Liz commented: “I miss my friends and family, we all do. But other than that, I miss Walkers prawn cocktail crisps and Twining’s earl grey tea bags.
“We loved the UK, but we don’t regret moving here and don’t have plans to move back.”