Why Everyone is Leaving The South of France to Go Here

Comments · 105

• VI

  @vivienhodgson3299 · 1 month ago

  We never even considered the weather when we decided to move to France. &nbsp;We found a house, basically a &apos;fixer upper&apos; in a village in central France, and moved in after my husband retired, and I took the opportunity for voluntary redundancy. &nbsp;At first, we had to live with a toilet at the bottom of the garden, over the cess pit, and the kitchen sink the only source of water in the house, but my husband is a trained architect, and we soon had an extension built for a bathroom and toilet, and the large upstairs loft converted into a bedroom area.<br>In thirty years, we have never really had any serious problems with the weather. &nbsp;We always seem to miss the worst of whatever&apos;s happening. &nbsp;In winter, there can be snow within a few miles, but we rarely see any, and in summer, we rarely get as much heat, though this summer has definitely been something of a trial! &nbsp;Even the terrific hurricane at the turn of the century that tore down a swathe of trees the length and breadth of France was just a ferocious wind that broke off a few branches here.<br>As for health care, that can be a bit of a problem, as central France is said to have the fewest number of general practitioners, and other specialists, for some reason. &nbsp; Nevertheless, we have never had any real difficulties, which is just as well, as my hubby is now in his nineties, doing pretty well for his age, but still needing some medical attention. &nbsp;I think we hit lucky.

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• PR

  @prunelle19 · 1 month ago (edited)

  I&apos;m 77 years old and live in a small village near Saint Brieuc not far from the coast.<br>This summer was not too bad, just a few days over 30°.<br>My stone house has thick walls and, in the ground level, the température stays under 23°, even on the hottest day.<br>Winters are mild also, very few days near freezing.<br>Perfect spot for me.

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• TY

  @Tycobb10 · 1 month ago

  For the retired, the access to critical healthcare is as important as cost.

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• AL

  @aliceverheij · 1 month ago (edited)

  I live as a retiree in Brittany since February 2023. The Summers were varied. We had a rainy, a dry but cold, a warm an sunny and this year a flaming hot Summer. It has become impossible to predict how Summer will evolve. This year has been horror till this week. Now it&apos;s really nice. I love where I live in the Côtes d&apos;Armor with a house with thick walls that keep the worst heat out. We have long wet Winters, something to take into account. But rural life here is just good. Access to health care is ok, not fantastic but ok. When you have transport. I live near Mur de Bretagne, kind of a sweet spot in Brittany.

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• DA

  @davelevalley6511 · 1 month ago

  Morbihan here and I made the right choice almost 35 years ago and have never regretted it. First of all, a couple of downsides &nbsp;finding a GP or a dentist is becoming increasingly difficult these days.<br>One NEEDS a car (or two).<br>Having said that,<br>grocerries can now be bought online and delivered in to your door.<br>As an added here, there is a groundswell of people looking to relocate here from many other regions of France, &nbsp;notably the south.

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• TW

  @twofarg0ne763 · 1 month ago

  I&apos;m 77 and live in the south - Aix-en-Provence. Yes, it&apos;s hot, but my body deals with heat far better than the cold. When I first got to France I lived in Colmar for a year. I love Colmar to death: it&apos;s probably one of my favor cities in France, except in winter. I just couldn&apos;t deal with the cold. So for me, I&apos;ll stay where I&apos;m at.

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• WI

  @willmoore7582 · 1 month ago (edited)

  I lived in the heart of Cotes d&apos;Armor for 10 years but have recently relocated to the south of France because the climate in Brittany is one of dampness, which I believe started affecting the bones in a damaged left hand/wrist. A rock will have moss cover it within a year there, which whilst being aesthetically pleasing is a different matter relating to ALL things (firewood beneath a tarp etc.) which are outdoors in the garden.

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• MI

  @michellem3879 · 1 month ago (edited)

  I&apos;m a lifelong Virginian where we can get all four seasons in a three days some years. &nbsp;And in the summer, its not unusual to have heatwaves like you&apos;ve experienced the past few years. &nbsp;Weather will play a factor in which region I choose. &nbsp;BUT its not just temps I&apos;ll be looking it, its average humidity. &nbsp;While high temps lingering around 98F for a week or two is uncomfortable everywhere, when you add on 98% humidity, its downright miserable and making your room darker does nothing to remove that heaviness. &nbsp;And &nbsp;humid rainy day in fall, winter, and spring can be just as bad - humidity and cooler temps can put the cold deep in your bones. &nbsp;And allergies - Central Virginia where I live is in the top 20 worst places for allergies and as I&apos;ve gotten older, I&apos;ve become more sensitive to those triggers so I&apos;ve added that as something to consider when looking for a good area in France.

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• EL

  @eleveneleven572 · 1 month ago

  In truth the amount of rain earlier this year was incredible....followed by a massive drought.

  2

• TI

  @timmills8521 · 1 month ago (edited)

  Morbihan on the south is superb, places like Vannes or Lorient are fantastic, closer to the coast is great if budget allows, the south of Brittany is milder and dryer than the north,<br>very First World with great infrastructure..<br>One thing really needs considering as stated here, France is a big country, don&apos;t get too isolated as you get older, healthcare and all other everyday services should be a big factor in any decision.

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• ED

  @EdwardThomas-f8l · 1 month ago

  Morbihan works for me and i,m 84😂

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• AN

  @andwhy67 · 1 month ago (edited)

  I live in the Aude(11) just north of Carcassonne, a couple of hours from Andorra, an hour from the Med. I’ve lived here since 2011 and love it. Summers in the past have been hot and bearable but this year has been on days unbearable, we have a large garden and pool and a quick dip in the pool and 20 mins sat by the side and it’s too much and back indoors with the aircon on.<br>Winters here aren’t freezing and on days can be bearable to a point where i walk the dogs without a coat!<br>The medical services as far as i’m concerned have served us well, yes it can be difficult to find a doctor or dentist if you’ve just moved here but in general we can’t fault it!<br>We see people arrive here for a holiday over two weeks, they go to the markets and restaurants, they move here and think they’re living their dream and then reality hits, wet winters, everything is shut and the place is deserted and many disappear never to be seen again! <br>Would i move anywhere else, no i like it where i am!

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