Montpellier, France

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Sep 24, 2021

Summary: Expats, digital nomads and retirees discuss what it is like to live in Montpellier, France: Cost of living, Finding a home, Meeting People and more.

What do I need to know before moving to Montpellier?

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When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Montpellier, they said:

"Rent first until you know the area. Furnished rentals are the best for short-term, otherwise you are expected to take a 3-year lease. Check out my information site on moving to France,at www.moving-to-france-made-easy.com," explained one expat.

What is the average cost of housing in Montpellier?

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If you are thinking about moving to Montpellier, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:

"They are somewhat cheaper than San Antonio, Texas, where we moved from. They have, however, gone up by at least 25% since we bought in the summer of 2000," said another expat in Montpellier.

What to Bring When Moving to Montpellier (and what to leave behind)

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When we asked expats living in France what they wish they had brought when moving to France and what they wish they had left at home, they replied:

"I wish I had brought ALL of my sewing things, ALL of our books, and my basket collection. I wish I had left some of our furniture behind because the houses here are much smaller than in the states. I wish I had left a lot of our clothes at home because the closets are much smaller here, and people wear the same clothes more often here. I also wish I had left some of my jewelry at home. I just don't wear it here," said another person in Montpellier.

What do expats in Montpellier appreciate most about the local culture?

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"More relaxed way of life, much better food and weather, load more cultural things to enjoy than there are in a UK city of similar size, Just prefer French and French people to the UK and British people," explained one expat.

What are the schools in Montpellier like?

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"If you want an intimate, enriching environment for your children, with small classes and high teacher engagement, this is a good school. If you are looking for an elite school which puts its reputation first, you would be disappointed here," added another expat with kids at Ecole Bilingue Eridan in Montpellier.