Retire in France

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

"We have had to accept that despite wanting to assimilate into the French community, this is difficult because of our limited language skills. We go to lessons 2xpw. but it is taking a long time to improve. At 69 & 74 we are unable to learn as quickly or retain information as easily as people much younger. However, there is an expat community which we dip into now and again, and may have to dip into more if we wish to socialise more. Until our French language skills have increased greatly, we will be limited to fairly stilted conversations with our French neighbours and other villagers. But, we will persevere," said one retiree in Aude and Herault Departments.

"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," commented one retiree living in Pezenas, France.

"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," explained one retiree living in 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," said a retiree who moved to Pezenas, France.

"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 France.

"First, the people. Next, the cultural opportunities available (there are weekly free or inexpensive concerts). I live near Roman roads, Greek temples, beautiful churches and old wine villages," said one retiree in Pezenas.

"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 a retiree who moved to Aude and Herault Departments, 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," said one retiree in France.

"I have been nicely surprised on how big the community of expats is in France. We are lucky to have: meetup.com/cities/fr/lyon/ - smaller groups of expats who organizes meetings close to their interests onlylyon.com - very useful for info and events happening in Lyon internations.org/start, which actively organizes events for expats," commented one retiree living in Lyon, France.

"Expats living in France often join clubs and activities that are specific to their interests. Depending on their location, expats can join French language groups, hiking groups, cultural immersion groups, book clubs, business groups, wine tasting groups, and more. Other ways that expats meet people when living in France include attending community events, finding volunteer opportunities, and connecting with local networks and expat communities," explained one retiree living in 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 living in France.

"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," explained a retiree in Orleans.

"I am a member of BACO, try contacting them. British Association Cote d Opale [email protected]. George Murray is our honourable president," explained one retiree living 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," explained one retiree living in Strasbourg.

"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," said one retiree in Biarritz.

"Expats looking to retire in France should be aware that the country has a high cost of living and wages may not match those from their home country. Additionally, due to the language barrier, learning French is essential for effective communication. Retirees should also familiarize themselves with the various visa and residency requirements before embarking on the move. It is also helpful to research and know the cultural norms and customs in France as this will help them better integrate into the French lifestyle. Lastly, expats should consider the healthcare options they will have access to in the French system, and obtain coverage to avoid any medical expenses that are not covered," commented one retiree living in 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.

"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," said one retiree in living in Lyon, France.

"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," wrote one person 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.

"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," 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.