Expat Advice: Moving to Saint Raphael, France

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Share Your Experiences Moving Overseas

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Saint Raphael

Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.

Three things I wish I had brought: I basically brought a little of everything. I wish I'd brought a portable DVD player, and blank CDs and DVDs (they're much more expensive here!).

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What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

Try to get an "in" with a local, or use the classifieds. You can stay cheaply in a hotel until you find a place, and you could easily come here and start looking in classifieds. It would be good to speak some French since the locals only know a few phrases, for the most part.

What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?

I live in an apartment that I share with someone else. Most of the few expats I know in my town also rent appartments, as buying is very expensive in this coastal town.

How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?

I had an inside contact, so it was somewhat easy. If you aren't so lucky, I recommend a couple of websites: www.seloger.net and www.seloger.com and www.logic-immo.com. Local classified sections can be helpful, too. Var Matin and Nice Matin newspapers, etc.

Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?

Housing costs are lower here than in my home country, but high for France. For a studio, expect to pay about 400 euros, for a one to two bedroom, about 500-700 euros a month.

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