For many families, the dream of owning a home in the south of France remains just that-a dream. But for Eric and Rixa Freeze, originally from Canada and the U.S., this dream has not only been realized but achieved twice, all on a modest budget.
The Freeze family, who spend around seven months each year in Nice and the rest in the U.S., has always felt a strong connection to the historic French city. Married since 1998, they decided to seriously consider buying property in Nice after having their four children: Zari, 16, Dio, 14, Inga, 12, and Ivy, 10. They were drawn to Old Nice, a neighborhood teeming with history and culture, looking for a place where they could raise their children bilingually.
The First Big Purchase and DIY Renovation
In 2014, they bought a two-bedroom apartment for 235,000 euros, a former student rental, and undertook its renovation. Dieser Prozess, while chaotic, especially with vier jungen Kindern, was a learning experience. With a tight budget, Eric took up spearfishing to save on food costs, while Rixa scoured second-hand markets to furnish their new home. The couple estimates that they spent around $7,000 to $8,000 on the renovation.
By 2020, the Freeze family had decided to expand their foothold in Nice. Eric began scouring listings for abandoned properties. He stumbled upon a former office space still owned by the Jeunes Communistes, a branch of the French Communist Party, situated below their apartment. Although negotiations took several years, the Freeze family eventually bought the property for 175,000 euros.
Both Eric and Rixa undertook the massive renovation task themselves, transforming the space into two separate one-bedroom apartments. This time, however, they had more "financial flexibility," allowing them to buy better materials. They spent around $88,000 on these renovations, also getting help from Rixa's woodworker father for certain elements like staircases.
A Balancing Act Between Two Worlds
The family toggles between their U.S. home in Indianapolis, Indiana, and their residence in France. Eric even renegotiated his university job down to part-time, enabling the family to spend more than half the year in Nice to maintain the children's language skills. The Freeze family enjoys the close-knit community in Old Nice, where they've made many strong friendships.
For the Freezes, life in Nice offers a drastically different lifestyle compared to the U.S., emphasizing values they hold dear. The area's walkability and proximity to fresh markets, schools, and the beach enhance their quality of life.
Rixa sees the social benefits of their French life, especially for their children. In contrast to the American culture of prearranged playdates, kids in Nice naturally encounter their friends in public spaces, creating a more spontaneous social life.
While Gentrification in Old Nice is a growing concern, the Freeze family remains optimistic. They've become a part of a community that values genuine relationships over economic gains - a crucial aspect that made their property acquisitions possible in the first place.
As Eric Freeze, who has authored a memoir titled "French Dive" about their experiences, points out, their journey shows that creating a new life abroad doesn't necessarily require a vast fortune, just the right kind of research and community connections.
Their story is a testament to what can be achieved with ingenuity, community support, and a bit of adventurous spirit. It also highlights the possibility that a life abroad, even in a place as seemingly unreachable as the French Riviera, may not be so out of reach for the average middle-class family.
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