Orleans, France
Orleans, France
Last updated on Jan 15, 2023
Summary: Orleans, France is often described as a vibrant and lively city with a rich history and culture. Expats love the city's easy access to Paris, its vibrant nightlife, and its many parks and green spaces. The weather in Orleans is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 37°F (3°C) in the winter to an average high of 77°F (25°C) in the summer. The cost of living for an expat in Orleans is generally considered to be moderate. The average cost of a one bedroom apartment is around $800 USD per month, while a two bedroom apartment can cost up to $1,200 USD per month. The population of Orleans is approximately 140,000 people.
What do I need to know about living in Orleans?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Orleans, they said:
"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," remarked another expat who made the move to Orleans.
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What do I need to know before moving to Orleans?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Orleans, they said:
"The housing and neighborhoods south of the Loire river is more expensive but are nicer. When deciding where to live, think about the traffic you will face daily to get to and from work. All rental contracts in France allow the renter to get out with three month notice to the owner. If the owner wants to remove the tenant, he has to have a legimate reason such as non-payment of rent or he wants to move into the property himself. He can't just arbitrarily force you out even if he sells the property to another person. You can stay as long as your contract which is either 3 or 6 years. Read the book by David Hampshire entitled "Buying a Home in France"," said another expat in Orleans.
How do I find a place to live in Orleans?
We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:
"Our first place was determined because it was close to my work in Geneva, Switzerland but on the French side of the border. Colleagues at work told us it was less expensive to live in France. When I retired we moved to the Orleans area to be close to Paris without living in Paris (too much traffic, noise, polution typical of any big city in the world). We found this house to rent on a French real estate website which was large (for France), in a quiet neighborhood and close to shopping and other services. The added benefit is that our neighbors are all very, very nice and welcoming," mentioned another expat in Orleans.
What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Orleans?
"We live in a four bedroom house with 1920 sf (176 sm)of space. It has three full bathrooms but small closets. The kitchen was empty of everything except the sink so we had to buy a complete kitchen cabinet set which we will take with us if and when we move. The house has a very nice front and back yard (garden for the Europeans) but we planted all the flowers in it. The house backs up to a small town park and sits on a street that is a closed loop so only residents and delivery people drive on the street so it is very quiet," commented one expat who made the move to Orleans.
What is the average cost of housing in Orleans?
If you are thinking about moving to Orleans, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:
"I know this house would rent for twice the 1000 Euros we pay monthly in the area we lived in Florida. I know because I had to arrange housing for our foreign executives and houses this size rented for $2,500 a month. I would say that Orleans is far less expensive that Paris but if you live in the country, you will naturally pay less. However, you won't have the conveniences we have," added another expat who made the move to Orleans.
How do I meet people in Orleans?
When we asked people living in Orleans about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded:
"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," added another expat who made the move to Orleans.
William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
What should I bring when moving to Orleans?
People living in Orleans were asked what three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They wrote:
"Our TV was accidentally shipped. It doesn't work here as a TV but we use it offline to play the VCR and DVD movies. We brought everything else so don't miss anything," remarked another expat who made the move to Orleans.
Will I be able to find a job in Orleans?
When we asked people about industries and career opportunities in Orleans, they reponded:
"We are in what is called the Cosmetic Valley where many French and foreign cosmetic companies are located. This is also a big center for distribution companies where because we are close to A-10 that goes from Paris to the SW of France and A-6 that goes from Paris to the SE of France. However, there is a wide variety of companies that are located here and the unemployment rate is one of the lowest in France," said another expat in Orleans.
What is life like in Orleans?
When we asked people living in Orleans what life is like and how people spend their time, they said:
"Since we are retired, our lives do not revolve around a job or company. We socialize with our neighbors and have developed some very close friends among them. Of course, it helps if you speak French. We socialize with families with children although we don't have children ourselves. There isn't any problem with that," remarked another expat living in Orleans, France.
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Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Orleans accepting of differences?
"Religion is never a topic of discussion so I don't know what religious beliefs our friends have. I see many Muslims here and there are many Catholic and Protestant churches and I'm sure there are Jewish temples as well. No one seems to express any opinion on one group of the other so there seems to be a lot of religious tolerance," commented one expat who made the move to Orleans.
Expat Health Insurance in FranceWilliam Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
GET A QUOTE
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to Orleans?
- How do I find a place to live in Orleans?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Orleans?
- What is the average cost of housing in Orleans?
- Should I buy or rent a home in Orleans?
- What should I pack when moving to Orleans?
- What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Orleans?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Orleans?
- What are healthcare services like in Orleans?
- Is the cost of living in Orleans high?
- Will I save money living in Orleans?
- Why do people move to Orleans?
- How are healthcare services Orleans?
- What are medical services in Orleans like?
