As we prepare for our upcoming Live And Invest in Europe Virtual Conference, I’ve been getting in touch with contacts from across the continent—some are folks I’ve known and worked with for nearly a decade now…
Speaking with them has been reminding me of some of my favorite scouting trips, on-the-ground conferences, and why we continue to tout the countries we first became enamored with so many years ago…
The short list includes…
France
My chosen home in Europe, to me, Paris, France represents the quintessential European lifestyle…
Here in my adopted home, appreciating art, architecture, music, education, and dance are a way of life…
But France isn’t Paris. It’s the largest country in Europe, and has so many diverse lifestyles to offer.
In the countryside, it’s the village and market lifestyle that reign supreme…
In the mountains, life is all about ski, fondue, and mulled wine…
On the Med, nothing comes before sun worshipping, pastis, and pétanque…
In the north, Celtic culture is more prominent than French…
On the Atlantic western coast, it’s a sailor’s life for many…
By the Pyrenees, people speak regional languages as much as French…
And along the scenic Canal du Midi, which runs the stretch of the country, from the Northern Atlantic to the Mediterranean, many live on houseboats, or, for those less sea-inclined, in the picturesque towns that border it…
France has something to offer everyone… a metropolitan capital… laid-back, rustic living in the Occitanie or Gascogne countryside… outdoor mountain life in the French Alps or Pyrenees… or glamorous, beach-side living on the Côte d’Azur.
There are countless faces to a life in France, but no matter where you settle, it’s a fairy tale land of romance, culinary excellence, delicious wine, and beautiful architecture.
From the countless churches and cathedrals, to the dozens of museums and hundreds of galleries, to the many archeological sites dating to the Romans and other passing cultures, to the universities and varied classes of all kinds you could enroll in… this country offers the culture vulture a lifetime’s worth of fodder.
Moving here takes an adjustment to a much slower pace of life. The French value quality time with family members or friends, sharing interesting conversations over an espresso or a glass of wine, any time of the day.
But there are also plenty of expat enclaves where you’ll have no trouble finding English-speakers to network with. Top among them are Paris, Dordogne (which even has a town called Little England), Brittany, Bordeaux, Nice, Toulouse, and Marseille, but there are so many thousands of expats living here, you’ll find them in the most seemingly remote corners of France.
Spain
I’ve said for years that if not in Paris, I’d be living in Barcelona. My husband and I fell in love with it when we were just kids, back in 2007. Since then, the love affair has blossomed, as the city has grown up along with us.
To me, Barcelona is like Paris on the beach. It’s got all the same attributes I love about Paris—the compact city size, the amazing public transport, the world-class museums and galleries, the architectural prowess, and the ability to easily and quickly get to other European centers.
But it’s warm all year-round… and there’s a beach within minutes’ walking or biking distance from just about anywhere in the city. The longer we live in Paris, the surer we are that we’ll get ourselves a beach home on Barcelona’s Costa Brava as soon as we can afford it.
But to speak more generally, there’s something about Spanish culture that appeals to us both so much, not least of all the family-oriented culture. Since having kids—and living in France—we’ve both come to appreciate how people treat families and kids.
In France… we’re tolerated. In Latin cultures, whether on this side of the pond or the other, we are embraced. It’s a nice feeling.
But it’s not just families that will appreciate Spain, also those who’d like to take advantage of the newly implemented Digital Nomad Visa… or retirees who have at least 28,800 euros in annual income.
Frankly, I can’t imagine who wouldn’t find something to love in Spain… to say it’s rich in history, culture, and beautiful scenery is an understatement. The second biggest country in the EU after France, Spain is a beautifully diverse nation, brimming with culture and tradition.
The incredible diversity combined with the warm temperatures, historic legacy, and friendly citizens make it an ideal alternative for those planning a new adventure overseas.
Boasting 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, Spain guarantees a sunshine-filled retirement. Temperatures are generally mild, although significant differences occur depending on the region and the season.
Spain has a reputation worldwide for its affordable living; you can live a luxury lifestyle on your social security check in some parts of Spain.
Thanks to world-class infrastructure, excellent health care, and beautiful weather, this leisurely living doesn’t require any compromises.
And you won’t have to worry about being an expat alone here… Spain has been the most popular expat haven in Europe going decades back, with major communities based in Barcelona, Madrid, the Costa del Sol, Valencia, and Seville.
North Cyprus
Cyprus, one of the sunniest and by far the most affordable havens on the Mediterranean, is hot right now.
My husband and I invested in pre-construction real estate here a few years ago, the construction of which will be complete by the end of this year. This was the first and only real estate investment we’ve ever made, and we expect to more than double our money.
Real estate aside, though, this island has so much to recommend it…
If you’ve dreamed of a life on the Med but assumed it was beyond your means, Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean, could be the answer, and while the south is objectively affordable, Northern Cyprus comes at an even greater discount because it’s outside of the eurozone. The local currency is the Turkish lira, so whether you’re coming here with euros or U.S. dollars, the currency exchange works in your favor.
With white-sand beaches, warm water, year-round sunshine, and one of the world’s healthiest diets, this lesser-known corner of Europe is a welcoming land of sunshine, ancient history, and romance.
When it comes to beaches, these are some of the best in Europe. Blue flags are awarded to beaches and marinas with high levels of quality, safety, environmental education, and environmental management. In 2023, 77 of Cyprus’ official 123 swimming beaches were awarded Blue Flags, along with two marinas.
As to the diet, the Mediterranean diet is the scientifically proven healthiest diet in the world, and it’s the delicious way of eating here in Cyprus. You won’t go hungry or want for flavor eating here, though you might lose weight without trying…
The local diet is great for joint health, stronger bones, a healthier heart, and longer life. It reduces the risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, memory loss, depression, and breast cancer. And it’s associated with fewer signs of Alzheimer’s disease in the brains of older adults.
The diet is based on simple, plant-based cooking, lots of leafy greens, with the majority of each meal focused on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds, with a few nuts and lots of extra-virgin olive oil.
Red meat, eggs, dairy, and poultry are eaten in smaller quantities and not nearly as often as fish and seafood.
The most traditional dessert here is candied fruits and nuts. To enjoy them like a local, you should drop one in your glass of water, swirl it a few times, then fish the candy out to eat and drain the glass of its sugary water.
But the Mediterranean diet is as much of a way of eating as it is the foods themselves…
Social interaction during meals and daily exercise are also cornerstones of the Mediterranean way of life.
Eating with friends and family and socializing over meals is the norm in Europe—no one eats alone, at their desk or on the go here, which promotes mindful eating.
Plus, walking and biking are a part of daily life, meaning you get lots of exercise without going to the gym.
A lot of Greek mythology is played out on and around the island of Cyprus, earning it the nickname “The Playground Of The Gods.” And for such a small island, it has an impressive number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cypriots are also said to be the oldest wine producers in the world, making Commandaria for over 5,500 years in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains.
Plus, Cyprus has world-class golf courses with sweeping views over the ocean and hiking trails through its mountains and forests. And, surprisingly, you can even ski here a few months a year.
As a former Crown colony, English is widely spoken across Cyprus—an estimated 80% of locals speak English (those who don’t would be those of older generations). Having a language in common with the locals breaks down barriers. In short, it makes it easier to settle here.
Northern Cyprus may be an off-the-radar choice for North Americans, but that doesn’t mean it’s an unheard-of retire-overseas destination.
A strong expat community made up of mostly Brits and people from other parts of Europe has established itself here. With foreigners making up over 110,000 of the 1.2-million-person population, many of them British, you won’t have a hard time finding English-speakers, be they local or expat.
Boasting real estate and day-to-day living expenses at a fraction of the cost of mainland Europe, Cyprus is quickly becoming a popular retirement destination for expats from around the globe.
More next week on our other favorite destinations in Europe—Italy, Greece, Montenegro, and Portugal…
Bonne route,
Kat Kalashian
Editor, In Focus: Europe
