Special Pluses

• Out Chasing Stars:  “Definitely the highlight of La Rochelle is the Vieux Port, or Old Port.  Guarded by three towers, Vieux Port has an incredible medieval atmosphere.  In fact, La Rochelle is very well preserved, even though it was heavily occupied by German forces during WWII.  Walk along the promenade as a day or nighttime to enjoy the towers of La Rochelle all lit up.”
• The Travel.com: “From sailing, hoverboarding, kiteboarding, jet skiing, and just plain old boating, La Rochelle is one of the best places for water sports in France. La Rochelle is actually so famous for its water activities that this coastal hub has even earned the moniker ‘the city of sailing’.”

Special Pluses

• University town
• Easy train ride to Bordeaux with its transportation and city amenities

Special Pluses

• “The vast greenery …….it has been crowned the greenest city in Europe(green capital of Europe in 2013) and it lives up to its name completely …..It has a lot of gardens to stroll around and enjoy nature at its best ….:)” Quora
• Lou Messugo: “It has a long history and complicated identity involving whether or not it is indeed part of Brittany, but that’s not what I want to write about.  I want to focus on the fabulous and absurdly original urban regeneration on the Île de Nantes (Nantes island) symbolized by a giant mechanical elephant. This area was once a thriving ship building district but when that industry fell into decline so did the island.  However, since 2002 it has been steadily revamped as a cutting edge creative neighbourhood mainly owing to the brilliant imaginations of two men, François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice. Delarozière and Orifice both come from performance backgrounds where they are actively involved in the renewal of street theatre.”
• GoNomad: 
  • Nantes may be a place many haven’t heard of, but like me, once you’ve discovered the endearing town, it’s an immediate fall-in-love experience.
  • Impressive revitalization has changed the city, as once dreary industrial suburbs have transformed into a picturesque and charming place to visit.

Special Pluses

• Weather, weather, weather.  (There’s a reason the richest people in the world want to live here.)
• Rich culture:  all the museums and arts you could want, with the special Nicoise flavor of the food and life
• Italian influence gives Nice it’s own dialect and style (It changed hands between Italy and France over history).
• The Mediterranean  (mostly rocky/pebbly beaches here, so not for the sandy loving types)

Special Pluses

• Extraodinarily beautiful views and architecture
• A reasonable mix of newcomers and locals
• On a  train line (of sorts) which is unusual for Dordogne

Special Pluses

• ” …it’s a town that rewards strolling—the village center is off-limits to cars, so it’s easy to wander the cobblestone streets, popping in and out of the many charming shops…It has all the things that you look for in a Provençal town—shady squares, winding cobblestoned streets, fascinating historical sites, and great restaurants. Situated by vineyards and olive groves and right next to a small mountain range that is perfect for hiking and biking. It’s a paradise for outdoors lovers” “(Perfectly Provence)
• “I think the locals appreciate that it’s a real French town. Of course, it’s busy with tourists in the high season, but it is far from a tourist town. Surrounded by agricultural lands, you will occasionally see someone riding a horse or driving a tractor through town. St Rémy does a brilliant job of maintaining its traditions, like the sheep that parade through town once a year or the abrivados where French cowboys show their stuff. And while there is plenty to do in town, if you would like the beauty and solitude of a substantial nature preserve, there’s one right next door—we go there often for hiking and biking.”(Perfectly Provence)

Special Pluses

• “The pace of life in Strasbourg is pretty laid-back the romantic architecture and canals really do a lot to contribute to the relaxed and pleasant city atmosphere.””Strasbourg has a huge community of expats! It’s an incredibly international city due to the fact that the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the University of Strasbourg draw people from all over the world” (Ashley Abroad)
• Cuisine is definitely bi-cultural: a mix of Germanic and French incluences;  specialties to try include tarte flambée, choucroute and the Riesling wines
• “It’s well-known that France has some of the best healthcare in the world. In fact, it’s one of the biggest pros of living in France. But the healthcare system in Alsace, the region where Strasbourg is located, is even better. There’s a unique social security system whereby residents of Alsace receive extra coverage compared to the rest of France.”
• “Strasbourg is a popular city and attracts a lot of expats, so you would expect the cost of living to be high. But this is not the case. In fact, Strasbourg is far from being one of the most expensive cities in France. Compared to Paris, the cost of living in Strasbourg is about 15% lower…To give you an idea, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Strasbourg is €700 per month, excluding the utilities. For gas, electricity, and internet, it’s roughly €175 per month.”
• Minimal Language Barrier
• One of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe
• Less bad bureaucracy: “Luckily, the process in Strasbourg is much more efficient. I’ve been through two long-stay visa renewals, and, I can, honestly, say that it’s been a pleasure. The individuals working at the prefecture are helpful, kind, and patient. They are even, dare I say, efficient.”
• Superlative local public transport: “Strasbourg has a network of buses and trams that run throughout the city. There are even some trams to go all the way to Germany.They run every five to ten minutes and are almost always on time. Not only that but they are clean and comfortable with ample seating…Of course, you could walk, but a tram/bus ticket is only €1.90! It’s actually much easier to get around with public transportation than with a car. Public parking in Strasbourg is almost non-existent and expensive. (“Dabbling in Jet Lag”)

Special Pluses

Special Pluses

• Unbelievably good market (Wednesday and Saturdays)
• Unbelievably pretty; the central square is unforgettable
• While ‘discovered’ by many visitors and expats, it retains a very French charm

Special Pluses

• Ideal access to shopping options in or near town without losing charm at the center
• Nice mixture of nationalities, income, and lifestyle of inhabitants
• One of the few towns in France well enough served by bus to live without a car
• The fabulous weather: very few stormy days, mild winters and little or none of the winds that plague Provence
• Feels like Provence (but easier to get to, not as overrun).  Many different squares in the medieval center with cafes.