Where to move to in France

By the time the question 'Where to move to in France' arises, a person usually has already decided that they want to live in this beautiful European country.

The country is among the top three leaders of the European Union. A stable economy and high average wages ensure financial stability. In 2023, the average salary after taxes is 2,580 euros, with an annual figure of 39,800 euros. The unemployment rate recorded in the summer of 2023 was just 7%, one of the lowest in the European Union. In the spring of 2023, the minimum wage was increased, indicating a shortage of labor and attempts to attract specialists from other countries.

Investing in French real estate is highly appealing and very profitable, as the country is visited by about 90 million tourists each year! Moreover, purchasing property and investing in the economy offers the possibility of simplified residency permit acquisition.

Prestigious educational institutions attract young people and families with children who are looking towards the future and its prospects.

Don't forget about the highly developed healthcare system. France ranks in the top 10 countries in the world with the best healthcare. Add this to the mild climate, ecology, cultural and historical attractiveness of the country, and we see why millions of people have traveled and will continue to travel to France.

Each migrant has their own criteria for choosing a region or city to live in, so there is no clear and universal answer to the question 'Where to move to in France'. There are general and approximate rankings based on various parameters. Mainland France consists of 18 regions, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Every year, the French magazine Le Journal du Dimanche releases a ranking of the best cities to live in. Criterias such as infrastructure, transport accessibility, parks, and green areas, etc., are taken into account. Interestingly, Paris is among the outsiders in this ranking! And in the top twenty, there are traditionally cities from the Western regions of France — Normandy, Brittany, New Aquitaine, Pays de la Loire.

Let's consider popular cities among migrants from the perspective of key factors that people most often pay attention to: employment, education, housing prices, climate, and location.

A beautiful green historical city with many attractions from different eras. Population — over 210,000 people. It has an airport, metro, convenient rail, and bus services.

Employment. Developed IT sector, telecommunications, agro-industrial, and digital sectors. The city hosts offices of well-known companies — Google, Ericsson, Atos, Neosoft, and others. Programmers and IT specialists have high chances of finding employment. The average salary is around 2,000 euros.

Education. The L’Etudiant magazine's 2022/2023 ranking awarded Rennes the first place among the best student cities in France. Consider this when deciding where to move to in France. The city leads due to the quality of life, developed culture, and a wide range of higher education offerings. According to the magazine's survey, 99.23% of students recommend Rennes as an ideal place for study. The most famous universities are Rennes I and Rennes II.

Housing Prices. The average price for purchasing real estate starts from 2,600 euros per square meter. Rent starts from 300 euros. There are many budget-friendly rental options, as there are many students among the renters.

Climate and Location. Moderate comfortable maritime climate. The summer air temperature is around +24°C, and in winter it ranges from 2-10°C. Rennes is located in a picturesque hilly area at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers.

Not only an attractive historical city with landmarks and cultural heritage but also a center of science and development, lively, industrial, and modern. Population — over 290,000 people. It has an international airport and rail service.

Employment. The country's average unemployment rate. Specialists in the IT sector and engineers are in high demand. The average salary is 1,900 euros.

Education. The city is popular among students. Students receive financial assistance for housing rent. Nantes ranks 4th in the L’Etudiant 2023 ranking for cultural and economic development. Students recommend the city for study in 98.15% of cases.

Housing Prices. The cost of purchasing apartments in 2023 starts from 3,907 euros per square meter, houses from 4,758 euros per square meter, rent from 14 euros per square meter.

Climate and Location. One of the most comfortable cities in France in terms of climate. Warm summer, winter temperatures from 0 to 5°C, low precipitation, moderate humidity. Several rivers flow through the city, forming beautiful islands. Many forest park green areas for walking, which are carefully maintained.

One of the main centers of the global wine industry. It combines a beautiful historical center, port, and modern districts. Ranked 2nd in the country after Paris in the number of historical monuments. Population — over 240,000 people. It has an airport and rail service.

Employment. The average salary is about 1,600 euros. The city has developed various types of industries: defense, aerospace, shipbuilding, pharmaceutical. Therefore, engineering and technical specialists are in demand. Bordeaux hosts Ford and MICHELIN factories.

Education. In the 2023 ranking, Bordeaux is in 8th place, attracting students with its rich cultural heritage.

Housing Prices. The cost of apartments starts from 4,742 euros per square meter, private houses from 5,507 euros per square meter, rent from 16.5 euros per square meter.

Climate and Location. Mild moderate climate, average summer temperature about 21°C, winter around 8°C. Bordeaux has many parks, gardens, forest belts, and walking areas, all carefully and neatly maintained. The city is perfect for those who love ecology.

The most beautiful historical city, also known as "La ville rose" or "The Pink City". This is due to the color of the terracotta brick used in many buildings in the historic part. Toulouse is also a major industrial center. If you are considering where to move to in France to live in a historical part of the city with modern conveniences, then Toulouse is definitely worth considering. The population is about 500,000 inhabitants.

Employment. The average salary is about 2,000 euros. Engineering specialties are in high demand, and a graduate in this field can expect to earn 3,000 euros per month or more. Toulouse hosts enterprises in the aerospace industry, electronic sector, and biochemical sphere.

Education. Toulouse is beloved by both foreign and French students. In the 2023 rankings, the city's universities are in 6th place. Toulouse has three major universities, a School of Fine Arts, and a Polytechnic Institute. Many students plan to stay in the city after their studies.

Housing Prices. Buying an apartment costs from 3,637 euros per square meter, houses from 4,122 per square meter, rent from 14.1 euros per square meter.

Climate and Location. The climate is quite comfortable. As it is in the south, the average summer temperature is around +25°C. In winter, it rarely goes below -5°C. The city has many green zones and parks.

The ideal city for lovers of antiquity. Angers is home to architectural masterpieces from the Renaissance era and popular tourist attractions in its surroundings — the Loire Castles. The population is around 160,000 people.

Employment. Most job opportunities are offered by small and medium-sized enterprises. Workers of all specialties are in demand, including those in the public sector and education.

Education. Angers has 7 universities that prepare students in various specialties, both technical and artistic. In the 2023 student city rankings, Angers holds an honorable 2nd place. Students appreciate the favorable atmosphere and proximity to nature.

Housing Prices. The average cost of buying a property is around 4,200 euros per square meter, with rent at about 500 euros per month.

Climate and Location. Moderate climate, warm summer, and mild winter. The city is located in the Loire Valley at the confluence of the Maine and Loire rivers.

One of the largest southern centers of the country with beautiful nature, proximity to sea beaches, and rich historical heritage. The population is over 270,000 people. There is an international airport, railway, and bus service. If you are considering where to move to in France to live closer to the sea, Montpellier is an excellent choice.

Employment. The average salary is about 1,500 euros. Workers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries have a high likelihood of finding employment here.

Education. The city has 3 universities. The University of Montpellier is the oldest medical school in Europe. The city ranks 9th in the 2023 student city rankings, attracting students with its Mediterranean climate.

Housing Prices. Buying an apartment costs from 3,449 euros per square meter, houses from 4,641 euros per square meter, rent from 15.1 euros per square meter.

Climate and Location. Montpellier is located in the Lez river valley, near the Mediterranean coast, Provence, and the Camargue nature reserve.

A fairy-tale beautiful historical city on the UNESCO heritage list. The city's architecture is influenced by neighboring Germany, on whose border it is located. Strasbourg hosts the European Parliament. The population is over 277,000 inhabitants. A major tourist center.

Employment. In November 2023, employers in Strasbourg offer about 4,500 vacancies in various fields. The most are available in small and medium enterprises. The average salary is about 3,500 euros.

Education. In the 2023 ranking of student cities in France, Strasbourg is in 10th place. Students note the "pleasant atmosphere" of the city.

Housing Prices. Buying an apartment costs from 3,966 euros per square meter, houses from 3,654 euros per square meter, rent from 14.5 euros per square meter.

Climate and Location. Strasbourg is located on the banks of the river Ill, in the Alsace valleys, between the Vosges mountains and the Black Forest mountainous area. The climate is moderate, continental. Summers are warm, but winters are cool, with frequent frosts and snowfalls. The mountains protect the city from strong winds.

A relatively young city, initially formed as a port. Population — from 59,000 people. All types of transport are available, with the easiest access by direct train from Paris. A major port.

Employment. As of November 2023, Lorient employers offer about 750 vacancies in various fields. Most job opportunities are in small companies. The average salary is around 1,500 euros.

Education. The city has 2 universities offering 84 educational programs.

Housing Prices. The average cost of housing is about 4,000 euros per square meter.

Climate and Location. Located at the confluence of the Scorff and Blavet rivers. The climate is moderate maritime, with cool summers and mild winters.

A beautiful historic and university city located in the southern Alps. Population — about 61,000 people. There is an airport. If you're considering where to move to in France for living in the mountains, then Chambéry is definitely worth considering.

Employment. In November 2023, Chambéry employers offer about 750 vacancies, most in small companies. The average salary is around 1,500 euros.

Education. Chambéry is home to the popular Savoie University. It educates about 12,000 students in various specialties. The university is in a beautiful natural setting on the slopes of the hills.

Housing Prices. The average cost of housing is about 4,000 euros per square meter.

Climate and Location. Chambéry is located in the valley of the southern Alps, near Lake Bourget. The splendid nature, mountain landscapes, and clean air attract both tourists and migrants.

A historical religious, cultural, and artisan center of France. It has the status of a "city of art and history". It boasts rich traditions in the production of luxury goods and art, famous for its enamels. Population — over 280,000 inhabitants. The city has two railway stations.

Employment. As of November 2023, Limoges employers offer 2,030 vacancies in various fields, most in medium-sized companies. The average salary is around 1,600 euros.

Education. Limoges hosts 6 universities, offering 100 educational programs in different profiles.

Housing Prices. The average cost of housing is about 4,200 euros per square meter.

Climate and Location. Moderately warm climate with a lot of precipitation. The average annual temperature is 11.5°C. The city is located on the Vienne river, 150 km from the Atlantic coast.

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France has many amazing and beautiful places. Of course, when you are contemplating where to move to in France, you will compare various factors. It all depends on your specific situation: whether you have a family, children, need a university, what your job specialty is, what salary you expect, in what natural environment you want to live, and so on.

In any case, the country offers a wide choice of places where you can comfortably live on a permanent basis, starting from the mild climate, wonderful ecology and nature, to a stable economy. You will surely find something that suits you. You can live either in a large industrial center or in a small cozy historical town; either on the seacoast or surrounded by mountains. And if you like a particular city or region more, you can always change your place of residence, especially if you are renting.

Let France become your second home!

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