1. Paris, France
To live in Paris is to be part of what so many consider to be ground zero of refined Western culture. Paris oozes culture and history, for access to the historical, architectural, and social heart of Western culture, there is no better location.
Replete with bookstores, antique shops, wine cellars, pretty parks, well-tended gardens, and old buildings, this city is a treat for all the senses. You’d be hard pressed to find more history, culture, and character per square meter anywhere else in the world.
Paris is enjoyable in all seasons and any weather. What difference if it’s raining or dry, January frigid or August hot, when you can retreat on a whim to a café for an espresso or verre de vin? Sidewalk heaters mean you can sit outside at your favorite café and enjoy the passing show year-round.
More practically speaking, Paris is also the epitome of convenience. A visit to the bank, to the dry cleaners, to the greengrocer, the cobbler, the hardware store, all of these shops and services and, really, any other you could name or need will be found within a 15-minute walk of your home. In central Paris, you don’t have to go far for anything…
Paris is an expensive city… that’s a fact. Property prices both for owning and renting are sky high for very little space.
But Paris can be more affordable than most people imagine…
Many fringe costs are much lower than in the United States, electricity and gas, for example, are much cheaper in France. Internet, cable, and phone packages are likewise cheap—less than half the cost of current Comcast rates. Excellent food is produced locally and is reasonably priced—that cheese you paid a premium for as an import in the States is just the local brand here.
Your essential costs can be reasonable, but there is a limitless supply of non-essential expenses that may be hard to resist…! Perhaps the one indulgence that is highly affordable is wine—a good bottle can be had easily for less than 8 euros, if you’re really pinching pennies, you can find not-so-good bottles for under a couple of euro.
Senior discounts are not as common as student or youth discounts in France. Nevertheless, there are notable rate reductions on the SNCF trains (generally about 25% off or more with a Senior Card) and some museums offer discounts for over 60s.
The health care in France is arguably the best in the world and, if you’re a member of French Social Security (that is, you’re paying into the system), most of the cost of this extraordinary health care is covered.
Living in Paris, you’ll have access to the best medical care in the country.
Paris arguably offers the best of both worlds for expat residents in France: The ability to toggle between an Anglophone home-away-from-home and la vrai France. Aside from the sheer numbers, the organization of the expat community is impressive. Few foreign cities have as strong and as established an Anglophone expat community as Paris.
Why Live Or Retire Here:
2. Deauville, France
Sitting prettily on Normandy’s Côte Fleurie (Flowered Coast), and the closest beach to Paris at just two hours away by car or train, Deauville has long drawn the elite of European society… artists, movie stars, royalty… from France’s capital.
Since 1975, an American Film Festival has been held in the town which explains some of its appeal but long before that this town was blessed with a style all of its own.
Home to the so-called queen of the Normandy beaches, the area was targeted for major development in the 1860s. A trainline from Paris and a casino and hippodrome were built in what was already well-regarded horse country.
Indeed, Deauville is sister cities with Lexington, Kentucky, and Kildare, Ireland, two other global horse centers, with the goal of uniting the cities in their love of thoroughbreds and the horse industry.
With these investments came grand hotels, upscale restaurants, an enormous casino, famous art galleries, a major spa, and seaside promenade and tables were installed.
By 1910, the town was rich and attracted the rich. Luxury boutiques on every corner, record sales in all industries, yachts in the harbor…
When the airport was built in 1931, the town’s reputation went international.
Today, Deauville, sometimes called “the Cannes of the North,” remains a darling to the wealthy. Services and infrastructure here are on a par with Paris—as are the prices.
Expect to pay about 1,800 euros per month for a two-bedroom apartment and budget around 3,500 euros a month for all living expenses.
Living in this region, you’d spend much of your time outdoors enjoying hiking, biking, horse riding, or on the water. This is a great location for those with interests in boating or horses with many marinas and equestrian centers.
Deauville provides the perfect compromise between a fully modern life and a life in the country…
Deauville has a temperate oceanic climate, with seasonal changes in weather conditions throughout the year. This area is known for being windy, specifically from October to April.
The warmest months are June to September, when the daily mean is about 63°F (17°C), while the coolest months are December to March, when the daily mean is about 44°F (7°C).
It gets about 128 days of rain per year, for an annual average of about 32 inches. You might also get some snow here… It gets an average of 11 snow days per year.
Entertainment options abound here. In summer, Deauville brings in not just beach lovers but also music lovers attending the local jazz festival and boaters visiting for regattas or the local sailing. In fall, the Paris-Deauville rally brings classic cars to the city, when the streets become overtaken with exquisite vintage autos.
The local polo club is a hub for local entertainment and networking, as well, with tennis and polo matches held year-round. While the French aren’t avid golfers, there are several golf courses here, all of them very well acclaimed—even a mini-golf course next to the beach.
After hours, elegant lounges, happening discos, and chic nightclubs with theme nights all await depending on your preferences.
Why Live Or Retire Here:
3. Saint-Chinian, France
In the true south of the country on the shores of the Mediterranean, this town of about 2,000 residents is a bustling market town popular with locals who come from all around the region to taste the locally grown produce and artisan goods—a truly French experience.
We’ve often called the Occitanie region (formerly Languedoc-Roussillon) that Saint-Chinian lies in “the other South of France”… the affordable side of it.
Occitanie sits between the regions of Provence-Alpes Cote d’Azur to the east, the Midi-Pyrenees to the west, the Auvergne to the north, and Spain is only a few hours’ drive to the south.
Despite the growing popularity of this part of France, there is still plenty of affordable real estate to choose from. And with a budget of $200k or so, you’ll find properties with more outdoor space—and trust us, you’ll want every chance to enjoy al fresco living in this pleasant Mediterranean climate.
Occitanie boasts so much to see and do, from Europe’s largest nudist beach, skiing in the Pyrenees, canoeing and cycling to the UNESCO sites of the medieval Cathar citadel at Carcassonne, the Canal du Midi, fantastic markets, theater and shows in the Roman capital Montpellier, and near-endless village festivals.
Though it may be small, Saint-Chinian has everything you need for daily life—local produce shops, restaurants, bars, doctor’s office, dentist, pharmacy, a health shop, wine cellars—yet it is still a small, charming little town, barely more than a village, typical of the region and packed with history and lots to see and do.
What else do expats cite as the reasons they chose this part of the world for retirement? Better weather tops the list for the mainly British and northern European expat population seeking bluer skies, but also the opportunity for more outdoor living… good-quality, fresh food… fantastic and accessible art, history, and culture…dependable and high-quality health care… beautiful and varied countryside… good infrastructure yet little to no traffic…. And, above all, a slower pace of life that comes inherent with this tranquil, peaceful town.
This part of France enjoys four seasons and 300 days of sunshine a year on average. The climate is Mediterranean—that is, hot and dry in the summer, wet in the winter, and cool and clear in the spring and fall. Temperatures range between about 30°F and 95°F, with humidity typically around 65%.
Living in Saint-Chinian, you’ll have access to some of the best medical care in the world. There are two general medical doctors (family doctors) in Saint-Chinian, a physiotherapist, registered nurses (their services are used for many things including post operative recovery), a homeopath, and an osteopath. Specialist medical care is in Beziers, an easy 35-minute drive away, where there are several highly rated clinics and post-operative recovery centers, such as Polyclinique Saint Privat and the Val d’Orb.
The Occitanie region of France is relatively crime-free, as is little Saint-Chinian. There’s virtually no police presence (except the occasional traffic police), no graffiti or vandalism, and a general feeling of times gone by. If you remember to lock your doors and set the alarm, the biggest danger you’re likely to face here is a minor car accident… or a cheese overdose.
Why Live Or Retire Here:
4. Gascony, France
Nestled in the sedate southwestern corner of France, between Bordeaux and the Pyrenees, this peaceful region is one of the least known destinations in France.
The picturesque villages, many of which have earned the title of Le Plus Belles Villes de France (the prettiest towns of France), resemble those of fairy tales.
Some of our favorite towns here include Fourcès, known for its weekly produce market and annual flower fair… Lupiac, hometown of the legendary d’Artagnan of the Musketeers…
La Romieu, said to have been saved from the plague by a young girl’s illegal cat, now reveres felines for this reason…
Lectoure, one of the larger towns offering shopping, restaurants, and art galleries… and Auch, the department’s capital, more cosmopolitan and the closest thing to a city in the region…
This part of France can be easily affordable, especially if you live like a local and make use of the local markets, which sell affordable local goods and produce. A monthly budget of $2,000 will suffice here.
Gascony gets four distinct seasons, including cool, wet winters and warm, relatively wet summers. Mild Atlantic winds have a nullifying effect on the temperature, so extremes are rare. That said, you may see a bit of snow here during winter—about three or four days per year.
You’ll need to learn French to live here and integrate well, but because the country has been welcoming British, Irish, and Dutch tourists for so long, many in the service industry of cities or larger towns speak some English.
Gascony is a sprawling region encompassing several towns and villages of different sizes… You’d be perfectly safe in any of these. It’s highly unlikely that crime would affect your life living in Gascony.
Why Live Or Retire Here:
5. La Rochelle, France
La Rochelle is a medieval port town in southwestern France, just north of Bordeaux and about a three-hour train ride from Paris. A favorite holiday spot for the French, it’s said to have the third-highest quality of life in France.
La Rochelle is known for seafood and sunny weather. The day-to-day life here is vibrant and active. Most days see folks of all ages enjoying the salty sea air—grocery shopping at the historic market, playing cards or board games in the park, taking a bike ride, hitting the beach, or simply enjoying a crisp glass of local white wine next to the harbor. Oysters are the first (and often second and third) item on every menu.
The town is completely accessible by foot or bike, and much of the historical center is pedestrianized. Bike lanes and buses crisscross the city, and boats, buses, and trains take you to any place near or far, making a car unnecessary for most residents.
This laid-back city offers a wealth of history, an active arts scene, and fabulous shopping prospects, and it’s not an expensive place to live. A monthly budget of $2,500 to $3,000 will suffice here… but keep in mind, this is a top-tier city that was rated the third-best in France for quality of life. It’s a coastal city with mild weather, meaning you’ll always be close to the sea…
Rent, variable by location and property size, ranges from $850 to $1,600 per month. Dining out at French restaurants serving fresh seafood can run you $40 to $75 for two. Groceries, including fresh produce, are fantastically affordable.
Two things that will come cheaper in France than the U.S. or Canada are transportation and health care. Both are well-organized with solid infrastructure and come at almost negligible costs.
Outdoor recreation opportunities abound in La Rochelle. The beaches are a major draw, offering boating, fishing, and even surfing. No matter the time of year, the beaches are in use. If it’s too cold for a dip, the coast is the perfect spot for a stroll
