If you've ever thought of
moving to France someday, you're definitely not alone. France is among the top 12
countries to live in the world. Whether you want to go
there to study abroad, raise a family, travel long
term, or retire comfortably. France is a wealthy developed country who citizens enjoy a high
quality of life, education, social services, and healthcare. Choosing to live in France
is really about choosing the French lifestyle, whether you want to live in the Majestic Alps
or the Mediterranean shores, or in one of the many cities and villages in the French countryside. Hi, I'm Kristin. I've been
helping people move overseas for the past 20 years, and in this video I'm here
to help you decide where to live in France as an expat retiree or digital nomad, saving the
number one spot on this list for the best place to
live in France according to the French locals themselves. And at the end of this video, I'll also tell you why Paris
is not included on this list. Thanks to Rosetta Stone for
making this video possible. Starting our journey, 200 miles east of Paris near the border of
Switzerland lies the hidden gem of Besançon, which many
people regard as one of the best kept secrets in
France located near the Alps. Besançon has a population
of 118,000 people. It's a city known for
its close knit community. Its museums of fine arts and archeology and beautiful surrounding landscapes. It's also a place for food,
wine, and cheese enthusiasts, although let's face it, most of France is. But if you move there, make sure to try the traditional Comte cheese and the local yellow wine. More notably, you can save a lot of money living here compared
to cities like Paris or Lyon. The cost of living in
Besançon for one person can be around 1200 US dollars per
month with a one bedroom or studio apartment
going for as low as 370 to $470 per month, and that's probably
gonna be unfurnished on a long-term lease. You can buy a two bedroom
apartment in this area for as low as 89,000 euro or a house in the countryside for 350,000. Besançon is for you if
you want to live in a city that's not filled with tourists, and if you wanna be close to
the Alps and lots of nature. It's also for you if
you're looking for a place to immerse yourself in the French culture. If you want to meet
nice, welcoming locals, or if you like the idea of
living in a university town, Besançon is not for you if you don't plan on learning French. As local foreigners have
reported that it can be hard to integrate with the community and make friends without
speaking the local language. This area also doesn't have
the best weather in France. Winters can be cold, wet, and windy, and it's also not the best place
if you plan to travel often or need to be close to
an international airport. For that, you need to
travel to Paris or Bael. Nestled in the heart of
France's Basque country, Biarritz is a luxurious seaside town, known for its laid back surf culture, and pleasant year-round
climate once the vacation spot of choice for royalty. The Biarritz of today offers a
blend of relaxing beach life with the sophistication of the city. I've traveled a lot through France and I have to say that Biarritz has something that's very magical and special about it. If I had to describe
this area in one word, it would definitely be idyllic. It feels like you're
stepping into a fairytale. Everything is so beautiful,
the coastline, the sunsets, the food is amazing, and it's definitely a place that I could see myself
returning to time and again or definitely living there. Neighborhoods to check out. Include the following,
depending on what you're looking for from somewhere that is hip and up and coming, very walkable or
more quiet and slow laid back pace of life in a
residential or suburban area. If you have a hard time finding
properties in the center of Biarritz, don't be afraid
to expand your search area to neighboring towns such as Anglet or Bayonne for added adventure. You can also visit
nearby San Sebastian, one of the culinary capitals of Spain, which is just an hour's
drive or bus ride away. Biarritz also has the honor of being the 13th, healthiest city in France
with the highest density of doctors in the country. So if healthcare is a
top priority for you, France is a wonderful
option to live, of course. But take a closer look at Biarritz. This area is ideal for you if you seek a
relaxed coastal lifestyle with an upscale twist. Whether you're a surfer, retiree or online professional,
Biarritz is a place that appeals to everyone, but keep in mind that Biarritz might not be the place for you if you're on a tight budget or if you don't plan on learning French. It's also not the best
choice if you're looking for a fast paced lifestyle as
it's known for, its laid back, beach life, and also for
having a slow bureaucracy. I don't know about you,
but the last thing I want to do when I go to a new
country is offend the locals. That's why I love Rosetta Stone, where in just 10 minutes per day, you can learn some key
words in a new language or even become fluent, whether
you're traveling for fun and vacation or looking to
move somewhere long term. Even learning just a few words of the language goes a
really long way when it comes to feeling welcome and being able to communicate
with the local people. With Rosetta Stone, you
choose what to focus on. You can customize your lesson plan to meet your needs and goals. You can use it at home on your laptop or on the go with the app. What makes Rosetta Stone unique is that you learn a new
language in the same way that you learn your native
one through watching and listening so it feels totally natural. Inside the app, there's even a library of live on demand videos where you can learn
conversational techniques, cultural tips, and even slang. So if you've ever been curious about how to order the check politely
at a French restaurant, then Rosetta Stone has you covered. Give it a try today using
the link below this video and get more than 50% off lifetime access, and thanks again to Rosetta Stone for making this video possible. Northeast of Lyon is the Alsace
region, one of the best places to live in France due
to its charming towns and villages, natural beauty and proximity to four
international airports all less than two hours away. One of the most popular places to live here is
undoubtedly Strasbourg border, a picturesque town on
the border with Germany where tourism is embraced
and English is widely spoken. Strasbourg is famous for
its gothic architecture, romantic canals, and laid back atmosphere. Living in Strasbourg can be
quite affordable if you are a single person or a couple, but keep in mind that if
you plan to be just passing through temporarily as a digital nomad, or if you're living there
with your family, your cost of living could easily double. The average one bedroom
apartment in the city is around seven to 800 euro
per month, plus utilities. Although prices can be much higher for short term furnished rentals, overall properties can
be difficult to find here as the city is also the official seat of the European Parliament. As you can imagine, increasing
the demand for housing Strasbourg ranks high
for safety, healthcare, happiness and equality. However, it doesn't have the
best weather in France getting very cold in the winter and hot in the summer with
high humidity year round. One very unique perk of living here however, is the unique
healthcare benefit offered for residents of the Alsace where up to 90% of doctors' visits are covered
compared to 70% countrywide. Strasbourg is for you if you want to live in a small town
community with a lot of expats and international residents where everyone seems to know each other. It could also be for you if
you're interested in being in an area with some good comfort food, and not just French culture, but also some added
influences from Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg. And if you wanna be within
striking distance to be able to travel to those
other countries as well, this is probably not the place for you. However, if you want to be
in a big city lifestyle, if you get bored easily, or if you want to be near
an international airport, If you are looking for somewhere to live where the wine flows like well, wine and the weather is mild, look
no further than Bordeaux. Bordeaux is so culturally important that the entire urban area
itself has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest in the world
at nearly 3000 square acres from the 2000 year old Port of
the Moon to the fabulous Place de la Bourse and the Saint Andre Cathedral. You'll never be far from one of the more than 350 historical sites or works of architecture
if you live in Bordeaux. But beyond a visit, this city offers residents
a high quality of life with a plethora of trendy restaurants and neighborhoods to enjoy. Just imagine doing your shopping or enjoying a coffee in croissant. Along Rue St. Catherine said to be the longest pedestrian
shopping street in Europe, the posh Chartrons neighborhood
is one of the most sought after real estate markets in
town where a one bedroom sells for upwards of 375,000 euro. Or you can rent a furnished
one bedroom from 900 to 1500 euro per month. But despite some pricey property
prices, the overall cost of living in Bordeaux is quite low, up to 47% lower than living in Paris, living in Bordeaux could be for you. If you're looking for a medium-sized city with a moderate climate that
still has a lot of culture, but without all the
hustle and bustle of Paris or the Parisian prices, while still being only a couple
hours from Paris by train, it's also a great place
to raise a family due to the high quality of
education and schools there. And also could be an interesting spot for you if you wanna be within a short drive from wine country. It's Really not that expensive. There's hotels here for $60 a
night, you can get a baguette and some cheese and just go
sit out here in a vineyard and just live people just live. This is what life is about. This is what it's all about. Bordeaux is probably not
the best place for you. However, if you want to live a
fast paced life in a big city or a coastal lifestyle at the beach, which is about an hour away, it's also not for you if you're looking to
escape the crowds of tourists, which can be quite large in the summer. In sixth place, we have Lyon, which is the third largest city in France, nestled in the heart of the Rone Valley. Lyon is a smaller and more affordable
alternative to living in Paris, which is still just two
hours north by train. Lyon is a vibrant
economic hub offering lots of job opportunities, especially in tech. It's also an important
cultural hub of the country. Home to museums, operas,
galleries, the University of Lyon and the Lumiere Theater, which is known for being the birthplace of cinema. The Lyone's way of life
is a unique blend of old and new as it's an urban
environment without sacrificing that small town vibe. Plus, it's also close to Italy,
Switzerland, and the Alps. Lyon is for you if you're
looking for a large and multicultural city
with lots of things to do. It's also good for you
if you are a foodie, as Lyon is considered the
gastronomic capital of France. With more than 2000
Michelin star restaurants, the city scores very high on
the nomad list rankings when it comes to things like
quality of life, food, fun, safety, and walkability. It also ranks really highly for healthcare and also the availability of coworking spaces and places to work. It's also been ranked the
number two city in the world for work-life balance. Lyon may not be for you, however, if you're on a tight budget as it's the second most expensive city to live in France after Paris. That being said, you can still
find a one bedroom apartment there to rent from 500
to 900 euro per month with furnished options
in a more luxurious area, going from 1400 to 1500 per month. If you envision yourself
living in an idyllic place between the mountains and the sea, the Provence region
of France could be for you. Whether you want to live in a
provincial village such as Roussillon or the historical city of
Avignon, the bustling coastal city of Marseille, perhaps you can probably find what you want in this region. The city of Nice, which is the capital of the French Riviera, is one
of the top picks for places to live in this area. It's a place where you can
feel like you're living on holiday year round, and the temperatures rarely
go outside the sixties to seventies degrees Fahrenheit. Nice is not cheap. However, with the average cost of living of over $1,700 per month,
putting it in the top 26% of cities in the world, but living in Provence
in general is probably for you if you want a
Mediterranean lifestyle with some of the best year-round weather
that France has to offer. It's also for you if you like the idea of shopping at outdoor
markets and eating fresh local and artisanal foods, as well as being able to explore the coastline by train. Provence is also an
excellent destination if you're looking for a large international
community with plenty of meetups and things to do
from wine tasting to hiking and other activities. The tram, bus and train
systems are also quite good in this region. If you want to explore
other towns and villages or pop over into Monaco and Italy, Nice and Provence are not for you. However, if you prefer
cooler weather year round or if you're looking for a lot
of local job opportunities, as this can be difficult outside
of the big cities like Nice and Marseille, it's also not the
most low cost area of France with a monthly cost of living that's 20 to 30% higher than Leon or to lose, but it's still more affordable than Paris Housing prices can be high in this region, especially along the coast. But if you're flexible on your location, you can find furnished studio and one bedroom apartments on
Airbnb throughout Provence for as low as $700 per month
depending on where you live. However, especially in the
more rural areas you may want to buy a car. Located in southwestern France
is Toulouse France's fourth largest city, which has been ranked as one of the top five best places
to live in France by locals, especially for students and families with mild
winters, warm summers, and a low cost of living. Toulouse has become a popular place
for expats in recent years, also called the Pink City for its pinkish red brick buildings. Toulouse is famous for its
beautiful canals, sunsets, history, and scenery. If you work in tech,
you'll especially want to consider Toulouse as a place to live, as it's been called the
Silicon Valley of France, home to many startups and
even aerospace companies. There's also an annual startup weekend there for entrepreneurs. Every year I went to Toulouse once to stay with a friend who's from there, and I found it to be a very dynamic, but also laid back city
full of friendly people and lots of things to do. Living in Toulouse could be
for you if you're looking for a place with good weather and a big city atmosphere
that is still close to the mountains and nature. It's also the eighth
healthiest city in France with the lowest mortality
rate from serious illnesses. So a really healthy
lifestyle is possible there. It might not be for you, however, if you don't
plan on learning French or if you want to be in a more
essential part of the country with more transportation
options, if you think that to lose might be for you, then
take a closer look at some of the towns and villages on
the next screen for more ideas of places you can live
throughout the area. A place filled with idyllic
landscapes and historic chateau. The Dordogne region east of Bordeaux, has been attracting foreigners
and expats for decades. Home to some of the most
beautiful villages in France. Living in the Dordogne is like
stepping into a storybook. The area offers a tranquil lifestyle, steeped in history and culture. It's a paradise if you
love the great outdoors with its abundant rivers and forests offering
endless activities from canoeing to truffle hunting. It's also one of the
safest parts of France with the lowest crime rate. One of the main benefits
to living in the Dordogne, however, is the affordable
property prices. You can get a three bedroom
house in the countryside for 243,000 euro or even less if you're
gonna buy a fixer upper. Or you can rent a furnished
house in the area from 600 to 800 euro per month, which is around 650 to 850 US dollars. Despite the Dordogne's rural feel,
it's very easily possible to get to nearby airports in
places like Bergerac, Bordeaux, and Paris directly by public transport. Living in the Dordogne is perfect for you if you're
seeking a peaceful escape and also a local community that
values a slow pace of life. If you love high quality food, wine, and shopping at local markets,
this is also a great place for you, especially if
you're interested in art and history due to its high British expat and retiree population,
the Dordogne is really one of the few places in
France where you can get by without speaking French, but it's not for everyone, of course. So if you're looking for a
really fast-paced city lifestyle or a coastal beach lifestyle, this wouldn't be the place for you. But if you're looking for somewhere nice and quiet in the middle of nature, picturesque French villages,
take a closer look at the Dordogne. Montpellier is a dynamic and youthful city in the south of France thinks in large part to its large student population with three local universities. Montpellier has one of the
youngest populations in France with more than half of
residents under the age of 40. Its safety, quality of life,
and good infrastructure and amenities have also
made it the number one place for digital nomads to live in France. According to Nomad list,
Montpellier is a good option for you if you're looking for
somewhere slightly smaller than cities like me and Marseille,
but with similar weather. This city strikes a perfect
balance between historic and contemporary with
medieval streets leading to modern tramways and bustling squares. Known for its sunny Mediterranean climate. Montpellier is a short distance
from the coast while being surrounded by vineyards and
the classic French countryside. It's an ideal location for people who seek the cultural
offerings of a city along with easy access to nature. Montpellier is also good for
you if you're looking for local job opportunities. So if you have a work permit
in France, you've got a lot of industries there from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics
tech and transportation. But this city is not for you if you want to avoid tourist season and crowds, and despite the large
population, it can be difficult to make friends there as
few people speak English. It's also on the pricier
side when it comes to cost of living in France. You can find an unfurnished
two bedroom apartment in Montpellier for as low as 634 euro per month, or a short term furnished Airbnb for 1400 to 1700 per month. First place on our list is Rennes, which was voted the happiest
place to live in France by French people in a nationwide survey. So you've got locals vouching
for it, as well as foreigners as an expat newspaper called the local. France has also ranked it as
the best place for foreigners to live in France in a
survey for its amenities, cheap housing and small city feel. It was also ranked as the most
livable city in the region and is among the top 3% of
cities to live in the world. Rennes is located in the Britannia or Britney region of Northern
France, which is known for having one of the best
climates in the country, although it can still get
a bit cold in the winter, and even though it can get cold in winter, temperatures rarely drop
below freezing there. Now, summers are also mild
with average temperatures between 57 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. That's in the peak of summer, and luckily sunny days
are possible year round, which is not always the case for France. Rennes is also really well connected to other major cities in
France with multiple trains to Paris daily, and it's also a great place
to immerse yourself in nature with its rugged coastline,
ancient forests, and diverse landscapes. So this region will appeal
to you if you're looking for that rugged nature, but also if you're seeking
a strong sense of community, as many expats like to
call this area home. So if you want a close
connection to nature or a big group of friends, consider Rennes. Now, this lifestyle in Brittany
in general is closely tied to the sea with its many
picturesque fishing villages and also popularity of water
sports such as sailing. So if you wanna be on the coastline, this could also be for you. Rennes and Brittany are perfect
for families, students, retirees, or anyone who's looking to immerse themselves in a
culturally unique part of France and also feels a world
away from the hustle and bustle of normal city life. On the downside, however, the language barrier
can be an issue here if you don't speak French, and it's also not the best
location if you wanna be near an international airport. But if you move to Brittany or Rennes in particular, you'll surely agree with French citizens that
it's a great place to be. As I mentioned, Paris was
not included on this list because it consistently ranks
low when it comes to cost of living, quality of life,
and also the availability and affordability of housing. And actually on the Annual
Expat Insider Survey, Paris ranks at the bottom of
their list of the top 49 cities to live in the world. Because of this, I left it off the list, but of course, this is a huge city that is a very popular place to live. So if you want me to do
a video on the best place to live in Paris, let me know
in the comments below, which of these places would you
like to live in France. Let me know in the comments below and check out these videos here
for even more amazing places to travel and live around the world.
