Douglas Hines – Manager of the Poitou-Charente region
Some life changes happen gradually; others begin with one clear decision. For Douglas, this British real estate professional, the move to France came from a desire shared by many: to step away from a stressful routine and build a different kind of life. What began as the purchase of a holiday home eventually became a permanent move, a family project, and the foundation for a new career in Charente.
Today, after many years in the region, he knows both the local property market and the experience of starting over in a new country. That dual perspective makes his story especially compelling. He is not only someone who helps others buy into a new life in France; he is someone who has done it himself.
We spoke with him about leaving the UK, discovering Charente, adapting to French life, and building a career that now helps other international buyers do the same.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first came to live in France?
I’m originally from the UK, and I moved to France in 2006. Before that, I was working in corporate sales for Dell Computers, managing a sales team in the UK. At the end of 2005, we bought a holiday home in France, already thinking that one day it might become something more permanent. We had a young daughter at the time, and when we came back to the UK, we started asking ourselves whether we could get more out of life by making the move for real.
That is exactly what we did. We sold our house very quickly and moved to France as a family. The property we had bought came with a gîte, so our first plan was to renovate it and create a gîte business. That became our first chapter here and our way into a very different rhythm of life.
That first chapter, however, was only the beginning. A quieter life may have been the goal, but for someone used to sales, projects, and ambition, a complete step away from work was never going to last for long.
How did real estate become part of your story in France?
After a while, my wife could see I was getting bored. I’d come from a sales background and I needed to be active, to be working with people again. I joined a local agency with someone who knew my professional background, and from there things developed naturally. We later merged with a larger agency in Ruffec, where I stayed for many years, building up experience in the local market and working with buyers and sellers from different backgrounds.
Over time, my role evolved. I moved into more senior responsibilities and eventually managed a large team in the area. Later, I met Jean-Stéphane through an inter-agency deal, and I was very impressed by his vision. What really interested me was the idea that selling property is not only about selling houses; it is about offering a full solution and accompanying people through an important life project. That is what led me to join Selection Habitat as Regional Director for Poitou-Charentes.
His answer says a lot about the way he sees his work today. There is a clear thread running from his corporate background to his role in France: communication, trust, and the idea that a property purchase is often the start of a larger personal change.
What was it about Charente that made you want to stay?
It’s the overall quality of life. Coming from the UK, and especially from the pace of life around London, Charente felt completely different. It’s calmer, more family-oriented, and the environment is much more relaxed. The climate is fantastic, the area is beautiful, and you still have very good communication links. You can get to the coast easily, Bordeaux is not far, Poitiers is close, and even Paris is very accessible by train.
It’s also an area where you have space to breathe. You can enjoy countryside life without feeling cut off, and that balance is very important. For families especially, I think it’s a wonderful place to live. My daughters really benefited from growing up here and from the French education system, which was a major part of our experience.
Beyond the lifestyle itself, Charente also offers a very different financial reality from southern England. He points out that housing can be dramatically more affordable, with the result that many buyers can own a larger home without the same pressure they would face in Britain. The area also has a strong international presence, with British, Belgian, Dutch, and American buyers all part of the local market, so newcomers are not arriving into a vacuum. Add in lower day-to-day costs in some areas, a more manageable pace of life, and a healthcare system he sees as more personal and responsive, and it becomes easier to understand why the region continues to attract international buyers.
The way he speaks about the region is not purely professional. It is the language of someone who chose this place personally and then built a life around that decision.
How was it integrating into the French way of life?
It definitely took time, because the lifestyle is different. We had to get used to a slower pace, different habits, and things like French opening hours. In the UK, everything always feels open and immediate, whereas here you had to adapt to a different rhythm. But once you understand that, you also begin to see the value in it. Life feels less rushed, and people often seem more focused on family and everyday quality of life.[1]
For us, that change was ultimately a positive one. The French system, especially for family life and education, worked very well for us. The children adapted quickly, and over time we did too. What first feels unfamiliar can become one of the reasons you stay.
Do you think your British background helps you connect with international clients?
Yes, definitely. Buying a property is one of the biggest decisions people make, and if there is any misunderstanding, especially across languages and systems, it can become very stressful. Having been through that process myself, I understand what international buyers are worried about. I know what questions they have, what can seem confusing, and how important it is to explain things clearly.
That British background helps create trust, especially for buyers coming from abroad who may not yet feel confident in French. It removes some of the communication barriers immediately, and I think that makes a real difference. You are not just helping someone buy a property; you are helping them navigate a completely new environment.
That point is perhaps what gives his profile its strongest human dimension. His experience is not only professional knowledge; it is lived knowledge.
What was your own experience of learning French?
The biggest thing is simply to get involved and not be afraid of trying. I learned through work, because I joined French businesses and had to use the language every day. That forces you to adapt quickly. I wouldn’t claim to be perfectly fluent, and of course people can hear my English accent, but I can do my job, speak with clients, speak with notaires, and handle daily life without any problem.
I think many people hold themselves back because they are afraid of making mistakes. But in reality, people usually appreciate the effort. You improve by using the language, not by waiting until you speak it perfectly.
What advice would you give to people who are thinking about moving to France?
Do your research. It sounds simple, but it really matters. You need to understand the area where you want to live, spend time there if possible, and think carefully about what kind of life you want. It is a big move, so you need to take it seriously.
It is also important to work with the right people an agency with international experience, multilingual support, and a good understanding of both the local market and the buyer’s perspective. And if you have children, schools and day to day life should be part of your thinking from the start. All of those practical things matter just as much as finding the right property.
His story is more than an expat success story, and more than a professional profile. It is the story of a man who made a decisive change, embraced a different culture, and built a life in Charente that now allows him to guide others through the same leap.
That is perhaps what makes his portrait so compelling: behind the professional title is someone who understands that moving to France is never just a property decision. It is, above all, a life decision.
