Retire in France

"We have a large expat, multi-national community since this is a popular retirement area," commented one retiree living in Pezenas, France.

"You will be alone as French do not accept foreigners. They make no time for them. The friends French make are made when they are in grade school. That's ok if you like quiet and time to think and read. There are also no medical generalist in Essonne Department to take on new patients. We rely on SOS Doctors. Govt is aware of the problem, but nothing is done about it," explained one retiree living in France.

"Retirement in France and its surrounds offers retirees an array of cultural experiences, much to explore and vibrant cities and towns to call home. In France, expatriate retirees enjoy rural and traditional life, with many small towns and villages offering gorgeous vintage streets and iconic architecture. In the major cities, retirees can enjoy an active and often glamorous lifestyle with parks, museums, theatres and more. For those who choose a more rural life, there are plenty of activities such as fishing, farming, bike riding and hiking. No matter the location, retirees living in France will be able to find various social activities such as lectures and cooking classes. There are also plenty of festive nightlife options too, with musical performances, street festivals and other cultural events taking place frequently," said one retiree in living in France.

"Don't move into my area, I am the only American in my village and love it. Leave your prejudices across the seas. People here respect individual differences and rights. We had a visiting American couple last year who made a few critical comments about gay people in Europe. They were promptly cold shouldered by everyone. We did learn from WW2," remarked one retiree in Pezenas.

"A resident 5-year resident, house owner, (live here 6 months in the year), dual passport holder, US and Canadian. I can say that the previous post represents a cynically worded and narrow view of Pézenas. It is a delightful village with a lovely, diverse, peaceful and respectful community which includes Americans, Canadians, Belgians, Dutch, German, British, and many others. It welcomes its diversity and its residents are friendly, generous and supportive," said a retiree who moved to France.

"First, the language. Second,the paperwork and rules. Meeting my neighbors was the easiest. I now know more people here than I did in either of my US homes," explained one retiree living in Pezenas.

"1. Navigating France’s complex retirement and pension system can be challenging. 2. Learning French if you are not already fluent can be a daunting obstacle. 3. Obtaining residency and becoming familiar with the tax laws and bureaucracy may seem overwhelming. 4. Cost of living in France can be expensive and many retirees may struggle to make ends meet with a limited pension income. 5. Accessing quality health care services after retirement can be an issue, due to the length of waiting times and its associated costs," said one retiree in living in France.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of retiring in France is the ability to immerse oneself in a unique and beautiful culture. From its renowned cuisine to its stunning landscapes and vibrant cities, France has a lot to offer those looking to spend their golden years in an enchanting country. Furthermore, the excellent healthcare system and public services make for a worry-free and comfortable lifestyle. Additionally, since French is the official language, retirees can take the opportunity to learn or practice the language, thereby fostering social connections and broadening their perspectives. Finally, the ease of access to other nearby countries, such as Spain and Great Britain, provides retirees with ample possibilities to travel and explore," said a person in France.

"France has an expansive public healthcare system that provides universal coverage to its citizens. Care is largely subsidized by the government, and citizens can access an array of healthcare services through their local public health network. Private practitioners, such as general clinicians and specialists, are also available for additional services that are not normally covered by the public system. Services available range from primary care to preventive care, from diagnostic testing to specialized treatments. Patients have the right to freedom of choice in selecting their healthcare provider," remarked one retiree in France.

"I am covered by my US insurance but medical-dental care here is so inexpensive that I rarely make the deductable. The care is excellent. Because of the large numbers of European retirees, many people are multi-lingual," said a retiree who moved to Pezenas, France.

"Our GP is absolutely wonderful. the best doctor we have ever had and we had some good ones back in the UK. The specialists we have had to see in the last 3 yrs have also all be excellent and the notion of a waiting list is virtually unheard of. If you need physiotherapy, then an appointment is usually avavailable within a couple of days, rather than weeks," said one retiree in Aude and Herault Departments.

"There is a club for English speaking women which welcomes all nationalities of woman who speak English or want to improve their English. It's called the International Women's Club. They organize coffees, book reviews, activities for children and outings for the women members like visits to other cities," said a retiree who moved to Orleans, France.

"I am newly resident in Nice but have been coming and gong for years. I've met a few people by taking the initiative and striking up conversations with people I meet: shopkeepers, realtors, etc. (A great way to practice your language skills too!) While I've noticed that people here will almost never make the first move, they seem happy to chat once I've asked a question or made a comment, even if just about the weather. I like to return to the same places, especially if the person strikes me as someone I might like to know better, and once we've attained a level of familiarity I invite them for a coffee or aperitif, maybe in the context of being here alone and finding it hard to meet people. I've done this 4 times now and never been turned down. I've now got a regular Saturday lunch companion, occasional cups of tea or meals with 2 others, and one who didn't pan out. Next step is joining the hiking club and so on. Even the French who have come here from elsewhere have told me it took them 5 years to feel truly part of life here, so patience and persistence is definitely called for," said one retiree in France.

"J'adore Lyon! It's an amazing place! Not only because of the history and landscape, but I especially love it because of the people. They are very authentic French! They love their city, they love their food, they enjoy life and they appreciate good quality of life. What I noticed is that they are very family oriented, they spend time together and do many activities, they care about the city and they appreciate it. They are very welcoming and helpful....and they will help you learn French as English is not popular here as in Paris ;-)," said a retiree who moved to Lyon, France.

"Living as an expat or digital nomad in France can be a wonderful and exciting experience. The country offers a variety of cultures, cities and landscapes, with something for everyone. Expats in France will benefit from the rich history, culture, architecture and cuisine. In addition, many expats enjoy the convenient transport and communications infrastructure, which makes staying connected to family and home easy. Digital nomads can also benefit from affordable high-speed internet access, allowing for convenient and productive remote work opportunities. With rental and living costs generally lower than that of other European countries, France can be a great place to call home for expats and digital nomads alike," said one retiree in France.

"LUNCH! French take their time over lunch so if you go shopping between 12:00 & 2:30, expect the shop to be shut or under staffed," commented one retiree living in Strasbourg, France.

"I just returned from Biarritz as I met my fiance there from Ukraine. We loved it. The scale and charm of the city is what we like and of course the beaches and the ocean. We took a day trip to San Sebastian and it's enough for us to get that "Spanish" experience we might need on occasion. The aquarium is amazing, the food is awesome and the French people are very delightful, even if you are American)). Have no idea what it costs to rent a place, so need to research further. I would suspect if you live in nearby Bidart ( a bit south of Biarritz) it might cost less. Everything is walkable and the airport is fairly nearby. Grocery stores everywhere in town and the prices are great. Euros buys you more so don't worry about the exchange rate for dollars as it stands now. If we get Biden out of office, the dollar will get stronger again," commented one retiree living in Biarritz, France.

"If he has a family it is a good place to live. If he or she is single, I can't advise them since I don't know the single scene here. There is a big university here so they may be able to connect with the students there but I don't know anything about the clubs or other diversions for single people," explained one retiree living in Orleans.

"Nice town but speaking French is a big advantage as the most spoken languages are French (suprise, suprise) and German. Very few people speak much English that I have found so far," said one retiree in living in Strasbourg, France.

"Well, firstly - great to hear that there is nothing to wait for. Just start learning some French...take few documents with yourself as France seems to like red tape very much and you need papers for everything! Take some birth certificates for sure. Don't worry about the accommodation because here in Lyon you will get many estate agencies to help you out and they speak English! And mostly...read some blogs, forums, expats websites which will provide you with the up to date info," explained a retiree in Lyon.

"In France, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as public parks, beaches, and outdoor sports facilities. There are also many cultural attractions, such as museums, galleries, and theatres. For those who enjoy the outdoors, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails, as well as camping and fishing spots. For those who prefer indoor activities, there are bowling alleys, arcades, and indoor swimming pools. Additionally, France is home to a number of ski resorts, offering a variety of winter sports activities," remarked one retiree in France.

"There are several youth and culture centers (MJCs: Maisons des Jeunes et de la Culture) that offer classes and social opportunities on topics like guitar, dance, English, pottery, martial arts, etc. There is also an Olympic pool, great hiking in nearby La Bresse, and several very nice parks within the city (the city rose garden, the park that houses the castle on top of the hill)," explained one retiree living in Epinal.

"People living in France typically buy groceries from supermarkets, local markets, and specialty stores. Other shopping can be done at department stores, boutiques, and online retailers," said one retiree in living in France.

"In the downtown area there's a MonoPrix and a Intermarche, and a bit further but still within town is a large E. LeClerq with plenty of selection, There's also a covered marketplace open on Sundays in town, where all the locals prefer to buy fresh cheese, fish, meat, produce, etc. And of course there are plenty of boulangeries for fresh bread and pastries," wrote one person in Epinal.