8. France

Retirees will find that French culture takes a firm stance on fine living, writes IL correspondent Tuula Rampont. While many may talk about the benefits of a balanced life—taking time for yourself and your loved ones, focusing on your health and well-being, and appreciating the beauty of everyday things—France has elevated these ideals to an art form. The French concept of art de vivre, the art of living, is ingrained in society. It includes a keen appreciation for the pleasure of food and wine, and the rituals that go into the sharing of a gourmet meal.

With all this decadence, and flair for the good life, France can appear deceptively expensive and out of reach for many budget-conscious retirees. Happily, that’s not the case. While you will pay similar prices for certain foodstuffs as you would in the U.S., and although some daily costs are lower, the real cost-cutting comes from real estate prices. Housing costs are, on average, around 34% less than that of the U.S. Of course, if you’re looking at big-ticket places like Paris and certain resort towns on the French Riviera, you’ll pay the same prices as you would in the heart of Manhattan or Silicon Valley. Outside of these high-end addresses, the rest of the country is surprisingly affordable.

A thriving American expat community currently exists around the medieval hamlet of Sarlat-la-Caneda—a culturally rich and dynamic town, with one of the prettiest farmers’ markets in all of France.

Not only are the regions of Normandy, Brittany, Lorraine, and Alsace, culturally and historically intriguing, they also offer the best value for money in all of the country. While prices have increased over the last two to three years, it’s still possible to find one- and two-bedroom homes starting at $200,000, or less.

One of the main reasons to choose to move to France is the country’s exceptional healthcare regime. France operates under a universal healthcare system in which everyone is entitled to receive medical services. There are no age restrictions, pre-existing condition limitations, or networks to join. You can see any doctor, anywhere, at basically any time they are available. A standard visit costs €25, and when you enter the healthcare system, you are reimbursed 70% of that fee—which makes the charge roughly $9.

Expats only need to obtain a long-stay visa, and they can access the healthcare system after three months of living in the country. France must be a primary residence for six months of the year.

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