An American Couple's Unconventional Move: Acquiring an Affordable Apartment in France to Give Their Children a Unique Upbringing
Discover how Eric and Rixa Freeze embarked on an extraordinary journey, purchasing an affordable apartment in France to raise their children in a culturally immersive environment Balancing life between Indianapolis and the charming south of France, they share their inspiring story of frugal living, a small village community, and a remarkable transformation that created a one-of-a-kind experience for their family
Renovating an apartment in the south of France and taking on the task themselves may seem challenging and costly. However, this couple has achieved it not once, but twice, all within a tight budget.
Eric Freeze, a Canadian native, and his wife Rixa, hailing from the US, developed a deep affinity for Nice during their youth when they participated in a study abroad program in the region. However, it was only after starting their family, with four children named Zari (16), Dio (14), Inga (12), and Ivy (10), that the couple decided to actively explore the idea of acquiring a property in the city.
In 2014, they asked a realtor to look for a suitable property for the whole family in Old Nice, a historic neighborhood filled with tenements, churches, and squares.
Nice project
The Freeze family say they spend around seven months of the year in Nice and the rest of the time in the US.
font83/iStock Editorial/Getty Images
"It was always the place that we were most interested in going and trying to find a place where we could raise our children bilingually," explains Eric.
Eric, a university professor, stated that they managed to purchase a two-bedroom apartment for 235,000 euros despite the fact that it had served as a student rental in the past. Moreover, they embarked on a year-long renovation project to enhance the property. Eric mentioned that obtaining a mortgage for the purchase was somewhat miraculous, as foreign buyers face challenges in securing loans in France.
The property, although livable, required extensive renovations. Over the course of approximately a year, the couple dedicated themselves to refurbishing the house. Their efforts encompassed installing new flooring, repainting the walls, and converting the annex into a bedroom for their children.
In addition, he acquired a celebrity's residence in France and invested $300,000 to restore the pool.
During the first year, Rixa, an academic and birth-educator, recounts how they underwent renovations while raising four children, aged one to seven. The constant presence of dust and tools created a chaotic environment. Since their finances were already strained, they adopted a frugal approach to prevent accumulating more debt. Eric even took up spearfishing to reduce their expenses on food.
Meanwhile, Rixa spent most of any free time she had looking for pre-used items, including dishes, for their new place.
Frugal living
Eric and Rixa purchased this former Communist office in Old Nice in 2020, six years after buying the apartment over it.
Rixa Freeze, a resident of Nice, shares that she familiarized herself with the city primarily through walking. She would explore on foot, searching for second-hand bargains to furnish her apartment. She approximates that they allocated a budget ranging from $7,000 to $8,000 for these refurbishments.
During their property renovation, Eric initiated the task of finding a secondary apartment for the convenience of their friends and family.
Being conscious of their limited financial resources, he commenced exploring listings of deserted properties, with the aim of establishing contact with the owners in order to negotiate a reasonably priced sale.
Eric discovered a former communist office beneath their apartment that was still owned by Jeunes Communistes (JC), a branch of the French Communist Party, and proceeded to inquire about buying it. Eventually, this led to a US couple transforming the abandoned Italian house into their dream home, complete with an elevator.
The couple initially connected with the political party in 2014, but it was only in approximately 2020 that they reached an agreement to sell it to them.
"Back then, we lacked the funds to purchase it," recalls Rixa. "However, they mentioned that they hadn't completed the title work yet, which would likely require some time. Nevertheless, they expressed their interest in selling it."
According to the couple, the political party informed them that they had already found an interested investor. However, they expressed their preference for selling the property to someone who valued it beyond monetary gains. This opened up the possibility of negotiation on the price.
"He [the representative] expressed his desire for a family to possess it. He wanted it to be owned by someone who cherished it and intended to reside there," Rixa explains.
The Freezes went on to purchase the property, which had been separated into two separate sections, for 175,000 euros.
Little village
The couple completed the extensive renovations, which included putting in new windows and walls, themselves.
Rixa Freeze, who holds visitor visas and does not work in France, had established a routine with her partner. This routine entailed spending seven months of the year in France and five months at their US base near Indianapolis, Indiana.
Rixa explains that Eric made the decision to reduce his university job to part-time and accept a lower salary. This was done in order to allow them to raise their children in France and enroll them in school for more than half of the year. The purpose was to ensure that their language skills remained sharp. As a result, they now alternate between countries every year. Living in Old Nice has provided them with a village-like atmosphere, where they have formed numerous close relationships with locals throughout the years.
"We often jest that within a five-minute walk from our door, we are bound to encounter someone familiar," Rixa adds.
After the successful sale of their second apartment in 2020, the couple eagerly anticipated immersing themselves in another round of renovation work. However, little did they know that this undertaking would be much more demanding.
The US couple who bought a 48-room chateau in France
"It was just a complete shell," says Eric.
As the property was already divided into two sections, the Freezes opted to convert it into two distinct one-bedroom apartments.
Despite having additional funds for this project, the Freezes lacked the means to hire professionals for assistance.
"A majority of the tasks we desired to accomplish were simply not feasible to delegate to a skilled craftsman or professional due to their exorbitant costs," Eric explains. "Especially considering the limited amount of time and financial resources we presently have at our disposal."
Big job
They spent around a year on the work for each of the apartments, which included adding in a new mezzanine area.
Rixa Freeze courteously gutted both apartments by extracting the plaster from the rock walls and dismantling the preexisting flooring. Moreover, the couple decisively removed the cables, rewired the apartments, and proceeded to diligently install modern plumbing systems.
New insulated windows and dry walls were installed, while the plaster walls were resurfaced. Additionally, a new mezzanine was installed in each of the apartments. The couple dedicated meticulous effort to the restoration of an intricate renaissance-era wood ceiling found in one of the apartments after removing the plaster ceiling.
"We discovered several remnants of the original ceiling," Rixa elaborates. "Utilizing these preserved segments of molding, we commissioned the creation of new wooden moldings and expertly reinstated the entire ceiling to its former grandeur."
With meticulous care, Rixa personally undertook the task of hand painting and stenciling the ceiling, employing a pattern obtained from a second-hand Renaissance-era desk they had acquired."
The couple had more "financial flexibility" for this renovation, which meant that they didnt have to tighten their belts quite so much.
They rebuilt and hand painted an original wood Renaissance-era ceiling that had previously been covered.
Courtesy Rixa Freeze
"Furthermore, we were able to invest in higher-quality materials and allocate additional funds towards the project this time," Rixa remarks. Rixa's father, a skilled woodworker residing in the US, kindly offered his assistance for a few months, specifically in tackling the construction of the staircases.
She jokes, "We can convince my dad to visit us by suggesting that we renovate every day."
The combined expense of renovating both apartments, affectionately named "Le Chateau" and "Le Catamaran," amounted to approximately $88,000.
The couple, who have previously renovated multiple houses in the US, finished the project in April. Since then, they have been able to accommodate their families and occasionally rent it out to other travelers. According to the Freezes, their life in Nice differs greatly from their life in the US, and the opportunity to spend several months in the French city is greatly benefiting their family.
Eric says, "Living here aligns better with our family values compared to living in the US. In this location, owning a car is unnecessary. We are just a two-minute walk away from the beach, fresh markets, and our kids' schools."
"The kids can come home from school at lunchtime, so they come home and eat. We see them a lot more regularly."
Complete transformation
The Freeze's have transformed the former office into two separate one-bedroom apartments.
Courtesy Margarite Fisher
He also points out that Old Nice is a place that "preceded cars" so it has much more of a neighborhood feel and lots of shared outdoor space.
"It is designed with people in mind," he explains. "I believe it truly fosters relationships and encourages shared living spaces in a way that is uncommon in the US, where cars often dominate. Many people in the US live in suburbs, leading to greater distance between individuals."
Rixa has found the social aspect of Old Nice to be extremely beneficial, especially for their children who go to school in both France and the US.
"To play with a friend in the US, scheduling a playdate and coordinating a meeting time with your child's friend is necessary," she explains. "Due to everyone's busy schedules, chance encounters are uncommon.
"However, in France, you can simply step outside and head to the beach or the closest park, and your child will easily find playmates. It is almost assured that they will discover someone to play with just by venturing out."
The second apartment, which they've named 'Le Catamaran', is smaller than the
Courtesy Rixa Freeze
While theyre aware of other expats who have struggled to adapt to living in France, they say their experience has been very much positive.
Eric describes the area as a warm and inclusive environment for his family. After numerous visits to Old Nice spanning several years, both Eric and Rixa have observed a significant transformation in the neighborhood's dynamics. As its fame has escalated and the influx of inhabitants has risen, the area has experienced noticeable changes.
"It's quite fascinating how much it has transformed," comments Rixa. "The ongoing gentrification is undeniably enchanting. However, it is also slightly regrettable as it displaces families."
Eric mentions their close friends residing in rent-controlled accommodations and expresses apprehension about potential future changes.
"They say, 'If there's a change, we won't be able to continue living here.' And that would be dreadful," he remarks, noting that the designation of Old Nice as a UNESCO site has offered some solace.
Although their long-term plan involves settling down in Nice, the couple currently finds the back-and-forth movement between the US and Nice suitable for their family.
"One of the benefits it has brought us is that it has strengthened the interdependence within our family," Eric states.
"It is a fantastic opportunity for our children to travel back to France or the US and reunite with their previously established friendships."
Unique experience
Eric and Rixa with their four children, Zari, Dio, Inga and Ivy.
Courtesy Armando Nevarez
Their family serves as their main peer group, resulting in a strong sense of familial solidarity due to the extraordinary and unconventional nature of their experience. Currently, they have no desire to approach it differently, although this may alter in the future based on their children's requirements.
Eric, author of the memoir "French Dive," which chronicles his family's life in Nice, acknowledges that starting a fresh chapter abroad may appear unattainable for those without substantial financial means. However, he emphasizes that this is not always the reality. "Anyone can pursue it if they truly desire," he asserts. "Even without a significant amount of disposable income, the portrayal of travel experiences and uprooting one's life abroad can sometimes create the impression of inaccessibility for the typical middle-class homeowner."
"But it is [accessible] if you do the right research, and try to connect people with people in an authentic way. Thats very much been our story and experience."
