They bought a house in France for $20,000 without seeing it. Here's what happened

A couple from the United States fulfilled their dream of moving to France by purchasing a small rundown home in the village of Lonlay l’Abbaye in Normandy. They bought the house unseen, but arranged for an inspector to view it beforehand. The couple oversaw the renovation work from their home in California, with local builders sending them progress updates. Due to the pandemic, renovations were paused for around two years, but they were able to resume once restrictions were lifted. Despite the challenges, they are proud of the transformation and estimate they spent around 70,000 euros on the renovations. They have found life in France more affordable and enjoy the healthier lifestyle. The couple has even learned French to better connect with their new community, although they acknowledge some cultural differences between the French and Americans. Overall, they are happy with their decision to move to France.