adminee
From: United States
11/28/2012 09:06 EST
In your opinion, where is the best place to retire in France?
Tell us about the climate, proximity to major airports, access to healthcare, cost of living and reasons to retire there.
If you are a retiree there, what do you love about living there?
Your feedback may be shared with a journalist writing an article for a finance magazine about best places to retire abroad.
Thanks for your help!
Betsy Burlingame
ExpatExchange.com
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sxyknikrs
12/6/2012 14:08 EST
I don't know if this is helpful or not but I have been researching the Brittany region for over a year with a view to retiring there in the next year or two. What I have found convinces me this is a great area for retirees, especially active ones. Much of the area is rural with the countryside dotted with small villages and hamlets. Transport seems to be quite good with access to the TGV from major points. What I've read is that it is 2 hours to Paris. The nice thing about Brittany is that there is a huge British expat community, so English speakers are plentiful for those who are a bit tentative in the language department. Brittany is known for its seafood and is the place crepes hail from. Housing is fairly inexpensive for the most part; I have seen ads for 2 bed houses for rent for 500 euros. Brittany has lakes to fish, trails to hike and bike, beaches to sit on and history to learn about. Most villages have a doctor, and hospitals are easily accessible, however Rennes is the largest city with good medical care. Bonus is that ferries regularly cross the Channel to England and there are ones that go to Ireland as well as Jersey.
This ticked all the boxes for me, with the bonus being I can experience four separate seasons. I know a lot of retirees want the warmth and sun while I want what I am comfortable with which is a sunny bright spring, a not too hot summer, a fall with trees that change colors and a not too cold winter with just enough snow to let me know its winter. Brittany has all that.
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iracathey
From: United States
1/28/2013 20:40 EST
As an American who has owned a second home in France and will be retiring there in about a year, let me put in my vote for the Languedoc. The climate approximates North Carolina's Golden Triangle - moderate winters with no more than a dusting of snow once or twice that never lasts, the summers can be a bit hot, but the Med with its beautiful beaches is within reach. In the winter, the Pyrenees have wonderful ski runs. And the Haut Languedoc National Forest is a treasure for trail hikers. Yes, lakes and rivers and such can all be found in abundance. Housing is a bit more expensive than Brittany but that's because of the climate. As is the case in most of France, there are plenty of English speakers, mostly Brits, and the doctors and such often have spent some time training in the States or England. There are international airports in several small cities and Barcelona is not too far away for all international connections. I love the region and blog about it often.
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Ergoman
1/29/2013 00:20 EST
Thank you for your comments about the Languedoc. I'm also contemplating retirement in France, but I love the Aquitaine region, specifically the Medoc. The region doesn't have the mountains and other dramatic relief. Bordeaux is a nice-sized city, liveable, but by no means glamorous. However, there is the wine, and the beaches, a fair climate, and close proximity to Spain, among other things that attract me.
My question: since you are obviously more familiar with France than I, do you have any insights as to retirement in the Aquitaine (Bordeaux) region? Your comments are appreciated - thanks.
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iracathey
From: United States
1/29/2013 06:06 EST
Unfortunately - or not - my investigations have been confined to the Languedoc. My wife was born and raised in Texas and demands a warmer climate than is available in France except in the south. I have known many Brits who have sampled other regions of France, and we've done a bit of traveling in country, but I have to say that the place that I feel most at home is in the Languedoc.
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rachelbaron
4/1/2013 20:32 EST
im 66 retired living in tel aviv.was born in romania so speak read and write french.hate humidity but like theatre, opera,moovies and good food.
looking for a nice place in france not very expensive.
i m a widow living alone.
need some advices. updated with french bureaucracy.
tks
rachel
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iracathey
From: United States
4/8/2013 07:29 EST
Hi Rachel,
Particularly for theater and opera, you'll be looking at one of the larger cities and probably farther north than the Languedoc. Paris is probably too expensive for you but I would guess that a cities like Lyon or Dijon or Toulouse would be suitable. Their climate is not as warm as Israel or the Languedoc but you are closer to the cultural center which is, indeed, Paris.
Good luck!
Ira
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