Top 10 Best Places To Live in France (Expats, Retirees, Digital Nomads)

France is the biggest country in the European Union. With so many places to choose from, where should you live? Find out the Top 10 best places to live in France. Plus, which city was voted #1 by French citizens! Want to learn a new language? Get 50% off lifetime access to 25 languages with Rosetta Stone partners.rosettastone.com/tra...
Living Abroad: 🌍
Get support for an overseas move by applying at www.travelingwithkristin.com/...
Watch next: 👀
The Best Places To Retire in 2024
• 10 Best Places to Reti... list=PLsTStwiO7jmpe0n-Fea5TmfAjSzo-zKe7&ab_channel=TravelingwithKristin
Top 10 Best Places to Retire in the World
• The Top 10 Best Places...
Best Places To Live in Portugal
• Best Places to Live in... list=PLsTStwiO7jmpe0n-Fea5TmfAjSzo-zKe7&ab_channel=TravelingwithKristin
Best Places To Live in Costa Rica
• Best Places for Expats... list=PLsTStwiO7jmpe0n-Fea5TmfAjSzo-zKe7&ab_channel=TravelingwithKristin
Best Places to Live on $1,000 per Month
• Top 10 Best Places To ... list=PLsTStwiO7jmpe0n-Fea5TmfAjSzo-zKe7&ab_channel=TravelingwithKristin
Welcome to my channel! Stay in touch with my weekly travel newsletter: bit.ly/twktravel
🎙 Subscribe to my weekly travel podcast: bit.ly/BADNplaylist
✈️ My Favorite Travel Gear
Merino Wool Clothing: bit.ly/unboundmerino_twk
Wise Account: bit.ly/travel_wise
Travel Insurance: bit.ly/worldnomads_travelins
Amazon Travel Store: bit.ly/Amazon_TravelingWithKr...
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
1:07 10th Place
3:18 9th Place
5:44 Rosetta Stone
7:07 8th Place
9:39 7th Place
12:19 6th Place
14:15 5th Place
16:51 4th Place
18:44 3rd Place
21:02 2nd Place
23:09 1st Place
25:58 Why Not Paris?
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
👱🏻‍♀️ About: Kristin Wilson is the author of Digital Nomads For Dummies, the host of Badass Digital Nomads Podcast, and known as Traveling with Kristin on KZbin. She's traveled to more than 60 countries and has been helping people move overseas since 2005.
❤️ Subscribe on KZbin: / travelingwithkristin
📸 Follow on Instagram: bit.ly/TWKinstagram
PS: This video is for entertainment purposes only and is not consulting or advice. Video descriptions may contain affiliate or refer-a-friend links for products I use and recommend. Thanks for supporting the channel! Thank you to ​⁠@RosettaStone for partnering on this video.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#top10 #bestplaces #france #rosettastone #rosettastonepartner

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Want to learn a new language? Get 50% off lifetime access to 25 languages with Rosetta Stone! partners.rosettastone.com/traveling-with-kristin

[@DeanRamser]

Salut! I wonder how the healthcare in France compares with healthcare in Italy? Specifically Multiple Schlerosis care and treatment. Or is Switzerland better than both countries? Thank you! Merci!

[@higherresolution4490]

​@@DeanRamserChoose a place with maximum Sun exposure. Supplement with 10,000 units daily vitamin D3. Eliminate all seed /vegtable oils. Eliminate ultra processed /refined foods. If you use Google to find epidemiological maps showing the incident of MS around the world, there is none 15° above nor 15° below the equator.

[@davidpaterson2309]

The reason the Dordogne is popular with British retirees (according to someone I know who lives there) is that it “looks like a larger and less populated version of the Cotswolds (ie classic English countryside), but the houses are less than half the price, the food and weather are better and the wine is cheap - very possibly the middle class English definition of heaven!”

[@bellaadamowicz8380]

Normandy looks like Cotsworlds , Dordogne is much more south, and has a different climate and flora. As to the middle classes definition of haven , well, sorry you are not middle class , sour grapes .

[@davidpaterson2309]

@@bellaadamowicz8380 Normandy looks very much like Devon (hardly surprising as it is directly across the Channel), neither of which looks much like the Cotswolds. Yes, Dordogne has a different climate - you may not have noticed that I mentioned that? You may also have taken the comment rather more seriously than was intended, my friend is English and emphatically middle class - and was indulging in the middle class English habit of self deprecating humour.

[@bellaadamowicz8380]

@@davidpaterson2309 You know that deprecating humour is not so harmless, middle class values - respect for education, law, honest work , raising a family, good manners ,been trashed in the last 80 or even 100 years . society can function thanks to those people . And the ‘ so called progressives ‘ want to destroy western societies, hence an attack at the foundation .

[@LizzieJaneBennet]

N'1: the prononciation of RENNES is "RENN" (not "Renée"). Liked the video. 👍

[@Sindor33]

You can pronouce Rennes like the word "rain"

[@bclevy]

@@Sindor33 No. I am French and spent 9 months in Rennes 30 years ago, and Ms. Bennet is correct.

[@jme104]

Kristin has never been there .

[@shaunmcdonald682]

I would love an episode on living in Paris please.

[@ethereumrise7860]

😂😂

[@Stopit77]

I like how you structured this video; it is very comprehensive with pros/cons, costs and places to live nearby. Keep it coming!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thank you so much for the feedback! I'm glad you found the video helpful. 😊👍 I'll definitely keep creating content like this.

[@StepWest-dv3wo]

@@TravelingwithKristin such a shame about you inaccuracies - so many of them...

[@paulduguay67]

Great video. Thanks! However, the stone arch crossing the river, in the Dordogne segment, is not in the Dordogne area. It is called Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, in the Ardèche department.

[@carolmartin4413]

As a retiree...the health protection is #1. The south of France is beautiful and reasonably inexpensive. Great vid!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Glad you liked, it Carol! France is a great destination for high quality healthcare.

[@YogaBlissDance]

I think its' gonna be the new "Portugal."

[@tamaramadelin4831]

Nope, too expensive! But, you are correct that the healthcare is exceptional!! I have had exceptional healthcare in Portugal as well, but as with both countries it takes patience and research...Slow, but it eventually works!

[@geoffoakland]

Biarritz has one of the highest real estate prices in all of France, more than most areas of Paris. Around 8000 euros per square meter!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Yes I mentioned the high prices! Pros and cons ;)

[@bikesfrench8524]

Tout dépend tu es dans les Pyrénées-Atlantiques donc il peut avoir une maison pour 200000 €et tu es à 20 minutes de l'océan et c'est aussi appelé la petite Californie car dans la journée tu peux aller au ski faire du parapente et faire du surf car il y a beaucoup de basque américain😅

[@geoffoakland]

@@bikesfrench8524 near St. Jean Pieds à Port or Harsparren, much less expensive 😃

[@davkatjenn]

My wife would live in Calais in a heartbeat. She loves the ocean and the cliffs near Calais and she love the proximity to Ypres where she has a favorite chocolate shop. The proximity to Bruges, Ghent and the area around Bastogne is a wonderful plus as well

[@user-fu6xh1pd9c]

A city that I discovered recently is Annecy called "la perle des Alpes". Not a big city (population around 120,000) but the landscape is absolutely amazing with the lake and mountains around., not far from Geneva international airport and companies in the outdoor business and tech as well. Flip side is the cost of living.

[@sullfolife]

This 👆🏼

[@rowenn1729]

c'est pas plutôt la Venise des Alpes ?

[@marie-christinelange131]

J'ADORE Annecy !!! L'hiver, il y fait très froid...

[@carolwashington6881]

More than 20 years ago, I was fortunate to visit Annecy. What a lovely place. My friend lived in Geneva at the time and we drove to Annecy.

[@annecaro.3956]

And French is still the language in use in Haute Savoie

[@mitchmccrimmon1009]

As usual with your videos, so well organized,, clear and informative. Excellent, many thanks!!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thank you, Mitch! So happy to read your feedback 😊

[@theresewheeler1498]

Merci beaucoup Kristine d’avoir partager ces belles villes de la France. À bientôt

[@Jay-Zloin]

*France pas "La France"

[@francisleveque2939]

J’ai pensé être mal réveillé lorsque j'ai vu une image sur la Dordogne accompagnée par l’ image du Pont d’arc ??

[@jordanl.b.360]

Chuuuut Kristin, we need to censure the last part, the podium 🤫😂 Brittany is to much used as a backup place for Parisians and some other cities. We keep it as a secret, you can stay in the secret but don't tell the others 😂 This is a runnin' gag in Brittany as we get our houses bought by Parisians with higher salaries, even sometimes as their second home when they live only 1 month in. But, apart this joke, you are all welcome and we will give you a warm welcome and friendliness as usual in this region 😊 (p.s: I can correct something, Rennes is a big student city, I'm living here. During the study periods (september to july), 20 to 30% of the population are students, and most of them can speak english :) And if foreigners need help in english, it is best to ask to younger people as the english is mostly used by new generations)

[@baolnguyen442]

Another great video, lots of helpful and up-to-date info. Thanks for sharing.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Glad it was helpful! More countries coming soon :)

[@borisjovanovic035]

Wow, that's awesome video. I really appreciate your structured approach, and information about cost of living. Very inspiring!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thank you, Boris! I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the format. Stay tuned for more destinations!

[@davekneram739]

Dordogne sounds wonderful. I have visited Provence, Lyon, Montpelier, Orleans, Dijon, Auxerre, Beaune, Epernay, Troyes and Reims in the past. I could imagine living in Dijon or Beaune as well.

[@mfcq4987]

Dordogne is full of British. They call this place "Dordogneshire".

[@timmaloney6441]

"where the wine flows like . . . wine" . that one got me , Thanks Kristin

[@TravelingwithKristin]

😆

[@TheStunlaw1]

Thank you kristin for this excellent and informative video. Must have been a lot of work putting it all together. Merci!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

My pleasure! These types of videos take a long time to produce but I really enjoy making them. 😊

[@williamdoyle777]

Kirsten, thanks for a comprehensive take on France. I have been hoping you would do this. Like the survey form which is new to me. 😎Much appreciated. Willi

[@TravelingwithKristin]

My pleasure, Will. Glad it was helpful!

[@bcrocksaz]

Great video as usual, Kristin. I always learn something new.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you found the video helpful David. 😊🎥

[@stacie007]

I'm in France now on a one year visitor visa. I'm keeping to the South (Antibes and Sainte Maxime). Nice is too expensive like you mentioned. I'm leaving before my visa is up, but an important point for foreigners is that it's exceedingly difficult to obtain a long term lease. That's why I'm not doing the full year as short term housing costs (Airbnb) are too expensive.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Hey@stacie007! Thanks for sharing your experience, and I'm glad you're enjoying your time in France. It's definitely important to consider housing costs, especially with the challenges of obtaining long-term leases. Enjoy the rest of your stay! 😊🏖️

[@puccaland]

Could you please give examples of what they ask you to pay for what type of housing? By town. It's to have an idea of what they ask to tourists and what they ask to locals. Thanks.

[@majortom8047]

@@puccalandVery Demanding, eh?

[@puccaland]

@@majortom8047 Just curious.

[@bikesfrench8524]

Tu passe par des agences ces moins cher que les agences exanple le RnB est interdit sur la côte basque car les sociétés de tourisme français l'on interdits sur Biarritz Anglet et Bayonne donc tu a des location à l année donc tout ces appartement sont libres a la location à l année 😊😊😊

[@Ram_M]

Very informative overview. Lots of choices for the future. Thanks for all your hard work, you make it look effortless!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Much appreciated @Ram_M!

[@loriannmckeever3752]

Excellent information - thank you so much!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Glad you enjoyed it @loriannmckeever3752!

[@chiaraA.]

Thanks for the very informative video!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Glad it was helpful, Chiara!

[@ilovestrawberries12345]

Le guide Michelin says there are 88 Michelin star restaurants in Lyon.

[@mcrheaume7137]

Lollll Michelin don’t have 2000 employés !!!!

[@bellaadamowicz8380]

Yes, I also wrote about that , it is ridiculous number

[@gloriasaliba3395]

I can attest that Lyon is a foodies paradise, though some of the smaller local restaurants are even more superior to the Michelin stars

[@pnkfuzz]

The video I needed!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@TravelingwithKristin]

🇫🇷🥖☕️🍷🙌

[@mohammedsharif2651]

Wow! Such a great and informative video. You have invested a lot of effort in producing this video. Thank you and Bravo 🙌 ❤🙏🥂

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thank you so much for your kind words and appreciation! I'm thrilled you found the video informative. Your support means a lot @mohammedsharif2651! 🎉❤️🥂

[@socrs]

Great info. Thanks! Checked a few of my favorites for tennis courts. Yep, they have em.

[@lindadorman2869]

I spent 2-3 months a year in Lyon for several years and could easily see myself living there. There is so much to see and do, and it's convenient to travel via train or air to other locations. As a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, the focus on food is a huge plus for me! Montpellier was lovely but a bit too small for my taste. However, I still want to visit Nice because living on the coast is my retirement dream location. Also, I've heard a lot about Annecy and wondered why that city didn't make your list?

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Linda! Annecy is also nice but didn't make the top 10. There are so many places to choose from in France! I used a combination of personal experience, research, and statistical data from expat and French citizen surveys and ratings lists.

[@lindylee1139]

Love this video! Dreaming of moving to France. Great info!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thanks Lindy! I hope it helps you move to France someday!

[@longlostkryptonian5797]

This was a great video! Thanks for doing it. I’m heading to Perpignan for a few weeks to tour the region for retirement options. Love being so close to Spain and Andorra while still being near the sea.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thanks for the kind words! Safe travels!

[@-homesforsale-]

Hi Kristin, loved the video, great guide with lots of useful information. If you could a similar guide for the Netherlands, that would be awesome!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Great suggestion! NL is one of my favorite countries, so I'll definitely add it to the list.

[@bikesfrench8524]

La petite Californie 😊

[@irmelieija]

I love Biarritz! I have been to Lyon, Rennes, Biarritz, Marseille, Nice, Straßburg, Paris and several other places in France. France is always worth to visit.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

It's always a pleasure to explore its diverse beauty of France. Thanks for sharing @irmelieija 🇫🇷✨

[@Lostouille]

Did she pronounce Strasbourg the german way ???? C'est une déclaration de guerre ça ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@rock3times]

France leads the world in the top 3 most visited countries of the World...the other two are Spain and Italy..

[@javierlorful]

Strasbourg ! 😡😡😡

[@Reg2B]

@@rock3timesMost ofen the first

[@jfrancobelge]

The "real" France nowadays indeed is outside Paris. In fact, as a porivincial Frenchman I feel "foreign" in Paris.

[@rock3times]

Paris is always the magnet for young French from provinces, that makes Paris the biggest cosmopolitan of France..unfortunately, migrants from outside Europe also flock to Paris for jobs, so evidently, French from provinces will be lost in Paris...

[@puccaland]

Of course with the Provincials making up 50% of the Parisian population you feel lost. What is the real France then if that's not the place the most representative of its population?

[@puccaland]

​@@rock3timesThere are few migrants in Paris and even fewer who expect getting a job there. There are only 15% foreigners in Paris and the majority come from Europe.

[@rock3times]

@@puccaland The word foreigners in Paris, must also include the large population of african and others who came to France as " travailleurs immigrés" who were there from back of 1960's.. Regardless what, go into the metro in Paris and you will feel lost among "foreigners"...

[@puccaland]

@@rock3times And your African immigrants who went to France in the 60's are either dead, or had returned to their countries and the bunch of them still in France aren't to be seen in the metro and probably aren't even foreigners for they have never been foreigners in the first place and were born French and probably benefitted from the retroactive citizenship.

[@sabrinamadison8769]

Thank you for sharing this information. :)

[@TravelingwithKristin]

You're welcome! 😊

[@webwhisper2701]

Great video, thank you 👍🏻👍🏻

[@TravelingwithKristin]

No problem 👍

[@baronsilverbaron757]

We retired to Antibes. The best place to live on the Cote d'Azur.

[@margaretames6522]

Great information!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Glad it was helpful @margaretames6522! 😊

[@philpowell3416]

Thank you. Very well done.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thank you @philpowell3416!

[@sallypenhalli]

Kristin your comments about being a digital nomad or working in France are ill informed and will give people false hope that they can easily work as a digital nomad in France which is not the case. Its really difficult to work online for a company that is not based in France. This is because if you are resident and working in France you have to pay social contributions to France. If your American or other foreign employer wants to do that on your behalf, they can but it will be administratively difficult and very expensive for them. So generally unless you are very valuable to them they will not do it. You can pay the social charges yourself via a portage company but again it is very expensive to do and prohibitive to all those who cannot afford to lose up to 40% of their salary. The only option to do online work in France is to set up your own company using a French business structure. Even then you cant expect to be able to work for your former employer on employee like terms, its just not allowed. In the Montpellier section of the video you say this. "If you have a visa to work it may be difficult to find a job in Montpellier" This comment shows you have no understanding of how work visas in France work. You have to have the job offer before you arrive in France to get a work visa, not the other way around. Without it (and a permit from your French employer to accompany the visa application) you won't get a work visa. Further a French employer won't get a permit to employ an American unless he can prove there is nobody in France and Europe that can do the job. Im not suggesting you provide all this detailed information in your videos but you should stop saying things that make it sound like its easy to be a digital nomad in France. You will just disappoint people who thought you knew what you were talking about, not to mention the disappointment they will feel at having their dreams dashed when they actually apply for a visa to reside in France.

[@rock3times]

I think this video is for retirees on fix income... True, young and aspiring technos will not adapt well in France..

[@jminor318]

Thank you.

[@JamesEisenlohr]

Dijon seemed really nice and clean

[@geoffoakland]

Stay away from the housing estates, HLMs, in Dijon, they are full of crime.There was a huge battle there between recently arrived Chechnians and the North Africans who were already there. French Channel BFM covered the story.

[@Nubianette]

Dijon is beautiful! I’ve been several times.

[@davkatjenn]

Of the cities that you mentioned, Strasbourg has my heart.

[@Pizzageek-jc4xp]

Kristin said it's very humid in the summer but it's not at all. it can be hot but it's breezy. Mulhouse is humid, I would say,

[@tatiana.lifeinglow]

Thank you Kristin! ❤🌿🌻😊

[@TravelingwithKristin]

You are so welcome!💛

[@Celestialkarma]

Great input Thanks for sharing God bless

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@dbeker]

I know Perpignan often gets a bad rap, but I really think it's under-rated. It's fairly affordable, and seems to offer a good deal for retirees. Royan and Saintes (both in Charente Maritime) also seems like interesting bets.

[@alleneverhart4141]

Loved this video. Definitely thinking about France for retirement.

[@alluringbliss4165]

That was very informative. I just came from Paris and am interested in spending more time in France.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

So happy to hear! It’s such a beautiful country.

[@milalee3204]

Nice!

[@Nubianette]

In France, I’ve spent more time in Paris and Dijon, since I know people in these cities, and my nephews were born in Dijon. It’s very nice, but I was in Marseille last June. One of my nephews is in graduate school there. I didn’t go to Nice, but I loved how it was very multicultural. All of the Mediterranean, and coastal cultures are represented. People were very nice, and when they heard my bad French, several people would check on me, to assist. The problem, the air pollution from the cruise ship. I’m not sure if I could deal with that daily, for the whole, hot summer.

[@Nubianette]

@@skygblue6250I only know Marseille and the surrounding area had some issues last June. I don’t know how long it’s been going on. Luckily, there was a bit of rain and a wind shift during my stay. There had been an alert on my weather app before I got there.

[@CroisMoi]

I’m not sure multicultural is a good thing. I remember when the Middle easterner plowed down all those people in Nice. So I wish we could define that term better. Paris has been covered in graffiti and trash since it has been invaded by too many multi cultured people. I’ve been several times and do not plan to go back, other than to the airport. Marseille has been crime ridden for many years. That said, France is beautiful everywhere, and the people have been nice to me, so I am excited to go back.

[@jaynair2942]

Hi Kristin..Happy to see you. France is everyone's favorite country. It's difficult to select one particular place since all the places are different and so interesting there. It's upto the person which one to select among them. Though I spoilt for choice, I find Dordogne and Rennes interesting.! Valuable informations. And you're looking great in shirt.! 👍

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Hi there! Thank you so much for your kind words and for tuning in! I'm glad you found the information valuable. France truly has so much to offer, and it's wonderful to hear about your favorite places. 😊👍

[@Pizzageek-jc4xp]

Just a little correction Kristin; there are 25 Michelin starred restaurants in Lyon and 639 restaurants with stars in all of France.

[@user-sj6tn7nw6b]

I WOULD LOVE A VIDEO ON THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN PARIS!!!! MANY THANKS FOR THE GREAT CONTENT!!!!❤!!!

[@bjjack5760]

Thanks ❤

[@TravelingwithKristin]

My pleasure!

[@leighnash6140]

I would like to see all of them!

[@toddaron]

YAY! The place to where I"m retiring is not on here. Biarritz seems a great place to pass thru, tho, en route to Iberia.

[@Aetius828]

I’m french, living near Paris. This vidéo is exact, but i prefer la Rochelle, on the Atlantic coast, Angers, in the West, or Versailles, near Paris. And if you love the sea, the little city of la Baule, with à splendid beach of nine kilometers ! In Marseille, Nice and Montpellier, there is a big problèmes of security, with drugs trafics.. Welcome in France, US citizens 😊 ! We remember june 6 1944, in Normandie ! ❤

[@lesamisdelacuisineprovenca9534]

n'oublie pas que les problèmes de narco trafiquants c'est toi qui les a laissé rentrer en France en votant à Gauche !!! Et maintenant ils viennent chez toi en banlieue !!!! Dans ton 9*3 !!! Alors ta haine de Marseille elle se retourne contre toi et c'est bien fait pour toi !!!! Je jubile !

[@philv3941]

Rennes is ok, la Rochelle is perfect and missing, and yes : marseille ?? I thaught it was a joke, this city is a nightmare

[@eckoart.erin.jerome]

I'm American. I have never been to Europe, even though most of my family has traveled extensively. I consider traveling, or moving, to either France or Italy, often. I consider Spain sometimes as well. I have many ancestors from France. (also Spain) Some of my French Ancestry include the following names: D' Orleon, Bourbon, Valois, Stuart (also Scotland), Du Puy, and also The Merovingian Dynasty. (No I didn't join the little club and get a certificate!) I feel like I need to at least visit France. I feel it has a very familiar vibe for me but I had no idea where to start. Your comments; in addition to this video are very helpful to me. Thank you.

[@rowenn1729]

Paris is not safier than Marseille

[@shirabrener]

Grate video Kristin !!! sure we want one for Paris please !!!! pretty please !!! 🎀💝💌🥂

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Noted! Thanks Shira!

[@rock3times]

Paris is now very affordable if you get used to live in expensive cities like New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.While America is affected by the current inflation, the "used to be" high prices of Paris now become very affordable. One city I like is Bourges, smacked right at the center of hexagonal France. It is a medium city with good infrastructure and costs of living.It is equidistant from the majors mentioned here which located at the periphery of the hexagon . It has the central bullet train station which can zip you to any place in shortest distances. The berry province is one of the cheapest to live in France.

[@shaunas5753]

Great video, please do Italy next!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thanks Shaunas! Italy is high on my list. Coming soon!

[@Hippy2021]

I am planning to retire in France. Visiting Paris many times every year France is my pick, but not Paris for a permanent living. My only concern is health insurance, ad i am full covered with my employer and SSI but it's not covered abroad. I am considering to rent a long term 3 month to explore the area before buying a home. Transportation is excellent to go every country nearby. I took the bullet train from London to Paris took only 2 hours, very comfortable and no stress Language is not an issue for me and french culture I learned in French school since young age. French people are lovely and friendly if you can communicate in their language, they will become talkative. Very excited

[@tomarmstrong9945]

Appreciate the information. It was a good presentation. France is much more affordable for a long-term vacation location than I thought. More details on full living costs would be helpful.

[@tomarmstrong9945]

My apologies..you did provide some good details cost of living

[@michelleglidingswan4334]

Thanks for doing this video. I will be visiting France and am currently a member of Alliance Francaise to brush up on the langue. I will be visiting Rennes and Bordeaux, then off to England.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

That sounds like an exciting trip Michelle! Enjoy your time in France and safe travels to Rennes, Bordeaux, and England! 🌍✈️

[@williamdoyle777]

Kirsten, would like to hear your thoughts on Paris and the left bank. Thanks Willi

[@lorraine6947]

Thank you for the interesting video. Yes. I would love to know about the best place(s) to live in Paris and perhaps the French Riviera too.

[@PauMaz]

Send me somewhere in the south of France. Got to love the Mediterranean climate. Nice would be nice.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

I hear you! 🙌

[@MaryanaMaskar]

Thank you so much, this is very useful! Please make one for Germany :)

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thanks for the suggestion, Maryana! I would love to make a video like this about Germany as well. Stay tuned for more :)

[@scottman895]

All of these communities look quite nice! I still have yet to visit France (I don't count layovers at the airport in Paris), but I would love to visit it someday!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

You should definitely visit France, Scott! One of my favorite countries!

[@justinpjacobson]

Great video! I appreciate the research that went into it. Just curios - did Grenoble come up as a possibility? That's a city (and an area) that interests me, and I wonder how it would fare according to your criteria.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Hi Justin, I don’t recall Grenoble coming up in my research but it could probably make the top 20. It was extremely difficult to narrow this list down to 10 places!

[@DB0702]

Thank you for this fantastic video. I learned a lot from the details you provided from so many French options for a near future solo female retiree. I would love if you made a similar video for Germany and England. I would love to have long term slow travel/ stay in Berlin and London. Thanks again, best wishes.❤❤❤

[@TravelingwithKristin]

You're very welcome @DB0702! I'm thrilled to hear that you found the video helpful. Thank you for the suggestion. Best wishes to you too! ❤️❤️❤️

[@stockkiller9587]

Not sure why you mention Bordeaux is a small town as a cons it is actually quite a large town with lots of arts and culture. It is also very close to the sea with Arcachon one hour by train, Lacanau one hour by car.

[@timtarby-donald]

I’m lucky to currently have a holiday home in my wife’s hometown in the Dordogne and plans are afoot for us to retire to France in a few years. Would love that to be in Provence or in Bordeaux but both are outside our budget so we are searching in the Lot et Garonne region. Thanks for the informative video.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Very lucky! That's a lovely place to retire. How much did you buy your house for if you don't mind sharing?

[@timtarby-donald]

@@TravelingwithKristin we will have had it 20 years in December and it still isn’t fully renovated yet (time & money constraints!) but we originally bought it for the equivalent of £30k ! It’s a three storey townhouse in Nontron, le Perigord Vert 20 minutes from the beautiful Brantôme which features in your video.

[@theresewheeler1498]

Love Bordeaux, Toulouse , Toulon and Nice

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Me too! I haven't been to Toulon yet, but really loved the other three cities you mentioned.

[@tamaramadelin4831]

Don't waste your time in Toulon! I love Nice and Bordeaux is nice to visit. Toulouse is ok, but I prefer provence!!

[@bellaadamowicz8380]

Why no mention of beautiful Normandy ? The country side is fabulous, very charming , with the villages frozen in times , many of course beautiful Doville Trouville , , Cherbourg , Rouen . Proximity to Paris , Britain .

[@jodiehebert8285]

Have you been to Toulon? There is a IL correspondent there. Numbeo notes the COL as similar to Besancon.

[@richardcoughlin8931]

If were looking to move to France for an extended period time I would pick the Dordogne. Beautiful countryside and picturesque villages plus easy access to Bordeaux. I visited there many years ago and hoped that I would be able to return someday. I’m also a fan of the Bruno Chief of Police series by Martin Walker.

[@aquajosh]

Merci Krissy Biscuits!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Vous êtes les bienvenus!

[@CroisMoi]

This is a great video. I just watched your living for $1000 a month video, and thought that I would rather pay a little more and live in France. Then this video was suggested. France is a work of art. They take simple things and make it into art.

[@LauraLouLou]

Edit: on second watch, there are maps! It was so much info, I guess I zoned, lol. Such a useful and helpful video! I do wish you would have flashed a map up of each city. Still, thank you so much!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Glad you caught the maps on the second watch! 😄 Thanks for the feedback, and I'm thrilled you found the video helpful overall. Your support means a lot @LauraLouLou! 🗺️✨

[@ricardocarlosrodriguezacos8493]

Very good video, where in Paris do you recommend to establish a base for active retirement wanting to travel to a lot other places, I like Paris because is in the center of Europe besides I like big cities.

[@marsmerkabah5026]

Nice and Montpellier

[@tessajones9393]

My favourite show is Chateau DIY. I love watching people from around the world, selling up, and buying a Chateau on the cheap and use for B&B or weddings. It's my dream. Property prices in Australia is a joke.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

I’ll check that show out! Thanks for the tip

[@marisapollock4703]

Ironically, rentals, especially short term ones, are often a factor in rising housing costs.

[@bellaadamowicz8380]

@@marisapollock4703what is ironic about that ? Properties in Australia are not expensive because of the b&b

[@raffaelloschirinzi2072]

Rennes number 1 ? Strange ranking because Rennes is one of the 10 least safe cities in France (refer crime index)

[@bengoloitachi2565]

Youre right

[@ChrisP-wp3wg]

Interesting point of view from the us as I personally live in Montpellier. FYI Provence is a pretty extended area and you may be very unlucky depending on where exactly you live. Indeed some cities within Provence maybe very unsafe. Voila

[@theresewheeler1498]

Yes my family lives in strasbourg forever .

[@TravelingwithKristin]

How nice!

[@pawlieblog7967]

Have you been to Limoges? Poitiers? What about Reims and Amiens, or Beziers and Carcassonne for alternate Mediterranean lifestyle?

[@kenrehill8775]

You missed the aveyron, but as I live here, I’m not unhappy about that.

[@davidpaterson2309]

It doesn’t get much more “profonde” than that!

[@michaelcorner3861]

Montpelier is my favorite place in France! Thanks.

[@Lostouille]

Ma ville ✋🏻

[@MJ-wrty]

Did you go to the beach there? How far from the city was it? Was it nice?

[@MJ-wrty]

​@@Lostouille c'est pres de la mer oui?

[@Lostouille]

@@MJ-wrty exact. Une 20aine de km de la côte Grande Motte /Palavas/ Carnon

[@MJ-wrty]

@@Lostouille Merci! Qu’est que tu pense de Biarritz et La Côte d’azur

[@mango4ttwo635]

Nice, humid. phew!

[@superpieton]

Instead of Biarritz I would have recommended Bayonne. Cheaper life cost, and just beside Biarritz (and Anglet, the three cities form the "BAB" metropole) so, benefiting from the exact same weather and environment.

[@gloriasaliba3395]

Excellent and informative video, thank you from Sydney Australia. I adore France and can't wait to return and one day live there for 6 months of the year - anyone interested in a house swap. I have a beautiful apartment in a harbourside area also in close proximity to the city and arts centre

[@lesamisdelacuisineprovenca9534]

Brittany.... I do hope you like rain !!!!

[@MJ-wrty]

Nice video, but you are pronouncing Rennes incorrectly

[@Sindor33]

Dordogne for the win!

[@kenrehill8775]

A survey that came out at the end of last year, listed a dozen places in the top 20 that you haven’t mentioned.

[@CarpeDiemTravelerMel]

I’ve been considering retiring in or around Lille in the northeastern part of France. Curious to know your thoughts?

[@yamloveswine]

Thank you, Kristin. I need to get my ducks aligned...🥰 I live in USA and plan to move to France [no idea when]. There is some kind of fear of moving.... I loved your video and thank you for all this useful information 👍🥰👍✨️

[@bengoloitachi2565]

Insecurity is high in France

[@user-qu3fd6sn3s]

You mean it's not safe? ​@@bengoloitachi2565

[@HollyWake-Shinoff]

Thank you for such an informative video. I would appreciate a video on Paris and what areas you find that are safe, affordable, etc. I keep hearing that even Paris is cheaper to rent a place than in the big cities in the U.S.

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Thank you for your feedback @HollyWake-Shinoff! I'm glad you found the video informative. I'll definitely consider making one. Stay tuned for more content! 😊🇫🇷

[@rock3times]

Now these days, the rents in New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco are making the prices in Paris smelling like roses... Just come back from Paris...

[@svetcovladich9996]

Hi, Kristin. Very informative. It includes places for all tastes and budgets. Could you add some immigration/residence permit info for those who are non EU citizens looking to move to France? Thanks! Excellent job as usual!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Hi there! Thank you for your feedback and suggestion! Talked about that in my podcast here: www.badassdigitalnomads.com/living-like-a-local-in-france-italy-language-lifestyle-cost-of-living-and-more/ I'm glad you found the video informative overall! 😊🌍

[@YogaBlissDance]

PLEASE DO SIMILAR for ITALY.