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Best cities to move to in France

Whether you prefer the bright lights of a big city, or a peaceful country retreat, rest assured that if you choose to move to France, you’ll find the ideal area that suits your needs and requirements.

Paris

  • Pint of beer: 7 EUR (£6.30)
  • Cappuccino: 3.67 EUR (£3.30)
  • Meal in a restaurant: 15 EUR (£13.50)
  • Monthly public transport pass: 75 EUR (£67.50)
  • Population: 2,161,000

Any expat in Paris will tell you that living there is entirely different from visiting as a tourist. However, its history and charm shines through, making Paris a rather popular choice for expats settling in France.

The City of Lights is full of opportunities, and is a major hub for fashion, arts, finance and science; as well as being home to many international organisation headquarters, including UNESCO, and the International Chamber of Commerce.

When it comes to finding a place to live, you’ll need to choose an arrondissement. The 11th and 17th arrondissements are popular amongst professionals, whereas the 12th, 15th and 16th arrondissements are more family-oriented. If you’re looking for an expat feel, then the 14th arrondissement is the ideal place.

Marseille

  • Pint of beer: 5.50 EUR (£4.95)
  • Cappuccino: 2.66 EUR (£2.39)
  • Meal in a restaurant: 13 EUR (£11.70)
  • Monthly public transport pass: 48 EUR (£43.20)
  • Population: 861,635

If you love the bright lights of Paris but yearn for sunnier climates, then Marseille is the ideal alternative. Part big-city, part sleepy fishing port, Marseille has undergone a huge transformation over the years.

Hugely popular with expats in France because of the large expanse of R&D positions, despite having a higher than average unemployment rate of 12%, there are still many opportunities here.

When it comes to choosing where to live, Longchamp in the fourth arrondissement is popular amongst families, whereas Cours Julien is a favourite with professionals.

On your weekends, you’ll be able to while away the time at the Old Port, hopping between the different cafes and restaurants; or if you’d prefer to go somewhere further afield, head to Calanques National Park to discover beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Strasbourg

  • Average house price: 250,000 EUR (£225,551)
  • Pint of beer: 5.25 EUR (£4.73)
  • Cappuccino: 2.69 EUR (£2.42)
  • Meal in a restaurant: 10 EUR (£9.05)
  • Monthly public transport pass: 50.90 EUR (£45.81)
  • Population: 277,270

Look at the twee timbered buildings and you might think you’re in a quaint German town, but that’s what makes Strasbourg so unique: nowhere else will you find a place that embraces its fusion of France and Germany.

France’s second largest financial hub after Paris, it accounts for two thirds of total jobs in the city; with The University of Strasbourg a large employer too.

You’ll likely spend most of your time off in Strasbourg’s beautiful Old Town, complete with an imposing Gothic cathedral; or sampling the flavoursome Alsatian cuisine, such as tarte flambee.

Other News

Tax changes for second home owners in France after Brexit

Paris Street, FranceIf you’ve moved overseas or have a second home in France, you may be used to calling several places home. After all, living in France won’t always mean completely cutting ties with your country of origin as you may still have family living there or own other property.

But when you own property abroad, it’s crucial to stay up to date with any tax legislation and law reforms in that country, or you could be in for a nasty shock. That’s why it’s so important to take charge of your wealth management to make the most of your second property in France.

Read More

Spanish Tax Office’s Gibraltar crackdown

50 Euro NoteSpanish newspaper ABC has reported that tax authorities in the country are cracking down on expats who fraudulently claim Gibraltar residency for the purposes of wealth management.

Apparently the measures have already led to the collection of €20 million from 160 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) claiming residency in Gibraltar when in fact they lived in nearby Andalucía. This meant that, on average, €125,000 was collected from each HNWI.

Jorge Ramírez, a representative of the Tax Agency in Andalucía, told the newspaper, “A tracking system was used to collect verifiable documentary evidence, and we found some Gibraltarians whose primary financial interests were actually entirely situated in Spain.”

Read More

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