Retire 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 a retiree who moved to 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," said one retiree in France.

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

"There are lots of cultural activities in our region as we are close to both Carcassonne and Narbonne, not too far from the coast with beautiful vineyards for miles around. Lots of easy walks and the Canal du Midi to walk along. Idylic on a fine spring or summer day, and not that bad in winter either if well wrapped up against the cold. It does get cold her in the South of France in the winter which many people do not count on. We did our research and knew we could have temperatures of -15C at times between November and March. However, it is usually a fairly dry if cold winter," explained one retiree living in Aude and Herault Departments.

"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.

"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 a person 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," remarked one retiree in Pezenas.

"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 a retiree who moved to Pezenas, France.

"The relaxed lifestyle, friendliness of the locals, having lots of places to visit in a beautiful and varied part of the country, with easy access back to the UK and to other EU countries if we wish. Although health has been an issue since we arrived, the medical treatment has been first class. We enjoy a quiet lifestyle, but there is plenty to do to tempt us out all year round," said one retiree in Aude and Herault Departments.

"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," commented one retiree living in 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," explained a retiree in Aude and Herault Departments.

"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," explained one retiree living in Pezenas.

"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," said a person in France.

"I am still waiting to find this out. I have heard of an English library that may well be of benefit to visit," remarked one retiree in Strasbourg.

"I am a member of BACO, try contacting them. British Association Cote d Opale [email protected]. George Murray is our honourable president," said a retiree who moved to 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 one retiree in living in Lyon, France.

"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," explained a retiree in Orleans.

"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.

"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 member 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," commented one retiree living in Orleans, 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," explained one retiree living in Biarritz.

"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," explained one member 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," said one retiree in Epinal.