Retire in France

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

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

"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.

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

"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," remarked one retiree in Aude and Herault Departments.

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

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

"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 ;-)," explained one retiree living in Lyon.

"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 a retiree who moved to Biarritz, France.

"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," said one retiree in 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," said 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)," remarked one retiree 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 retiree living 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 living in Epinal, France.