Strasbourg is considered a wealthy and high-cost city, frequently ranked among the top, most livable French cities with a high quality of life. As a major political hub and economic center in the Alsace region, it features a high cost of living, with property prices and, in some cases, daily expenses comparable to the inner suburbs of Paris.
Strasbourg is moderately expensive, more affordable than Paris but pricier than some other French cities, with costs varying by season and location; accommodation and dining can be high, especially downtown or during holidays, but strategic choices (like eating local, using public transport, booking ahead) make it manageable on a budget, while living costs are relatively reasonable outside the city center.
Dynamics. Île-de-France (the Paris Region) has a much higher GDP per capita than the rest of France, due to its position as one of the "command centres" for the global economy, as well as its relatively low share of retirees.
Strasbourg is immersed in Franco-German culture and although violently disputed throughout history, has been a cultural bridge between France and Germany for centuries, especially through the University of Strasbourg, currently the second-largest in France, and the coexistence of Catholic and Protestant culture.
In 2024, the top three most expensive cities in France are all seaside resorts on the Côte d'Azur: Ramatuelle (average price of €16,083 per m²), Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (€15,819 per m²), and Saint-Tropez (€14,400 per m²). This ranking, published by FNAIM in July, places all three in the coveted top positions.
Is Strasbourg France’s Most Charming City? 🇫🇷 | 48 Hours in Alsace
Where do most Brits live in France?
Besides Paris, many British expatriates tend to be concentrated in the regions of southern France, Brittany, and recently the island of Corsica. Dordogne has a large British immigrant community.
Strasbourg is one of the most multilingual cities in France. French is the official language, but German is taught in schools, Alsatian (a regional Germanic dialect) is still spoken by elders, and English is widely used in EU institutions.
Today around 16,000 Jews reside in Strasbourg but their history is similar to the rest of France and Europe with several expulsions, accusations, forced-baptisms and deaths. Alsace became part of France in 1648, but Jews still did not have civil rights until after the French Revolution.
Since 2012, GDP per capita in Île-de-France has grown 0.55 percentage points per year faster than in Hauts-de- France, the region with the lowest GDP per capita.
The "Billionaires' Bay", whose real name is Anse de l'Argent-Faux, is located at the foot of Villa Eilenroc, at Cap d'Antibes. Initially only accessible by boat, it has been open to pedestrians since 2011 through a small path.
Angers. Angers is a safe city to settle in France, actively developing and welcoming many visitors. The region has topped the list of the most attractive places to live for 3 years in a row in the rating of the Association of Towns and Villages.
Today, both French and German can live and work in Strasbourg. So too can its cultural richness be enjoyed by all. It belongs both to the French and to the Germans. It's a city in many ways French, in some ways German, and in every way European.
However, it's important to understand that while the French are protective of their traditions, they are not inherently unfriendly towards foreigners. Many expats who move to France find that once they make an effort to learn the language and understand local customs, they are warmly welcomed into their communities.
The French people, especially the native speakers of langues d'oïl from northern and central France, are primarily descended from Romans (or Gallo-Romans, western European Celtic and Italic peoples), Gauls (including the Belgae), as well as Germanic peoples such as the Franks, the Visigoths, the Suebi and the ...
Broadly speaking, they head for the swathe of western France from Normandy and Brittany down through Nouvelle-Aquitaine to the Spanish border, as well as along and inland from the Mediterranean coast in Occitanie and Provence-Cote d'Azur, and in the Alps. Here are a few of the areas Brits can't get enough of.
Little England in the Seven Valleys, Pas-de-Calais. Deep in the heart of rural France, in the Seven Valleys area of Pas-de-Calais in the north is a sizeable community of English speaking expats. This part of France is very popular with British, Dutch and Belgian holidaymakers, second-homers and émigrés.
How long do you have to live in France to get free healthcare?
All legal residents who have resided in France for three months are eligible for France's public healthcare system. However, there are some additional conditions to watch out for before you join the French healthcare system. Expats must be living there in a “stable and regular” manner.
If there's one city that consistently earns a reputation for friendliness, it's Montpellier. This youthful, sun-soaked city in Occitanie combines Mediterranean flair with a forward-thinking spirit.
