Surveying the Continent in search of the ideal place to reinvent your life in the Old World this New Year?
Start here with some of Europe’s best places to call home…
France: Ground Zero For Refined Western Culture, Plus The World’s Best Health Care
France is the fairy tale land of romance, culinary excellence, delicious wine, and beautiful architecture.
France has something to offer everyone: a metropolitan capital, laid-back, rustic living in the countryside, outdoor mountain life, or glamorous, beachside living.
With a mainly temperate climate, sun-seekers will be content in the south, while those who prefer cooler weather will enjoy milder temperatures in the north.
Famous for its vineyards, France is home to some of the world’s best wines. Enjoy a glass of local wine only a few kilometers from where it was produced. Paired with world-renowned gastronomy, French wine and cuisine alone are almost worth the move.
France is also renowned for its art galleries, with Paris’ Louvre being one of the most famous museums in the world.
France is steeped in rich history, which can be seen in its beautiful architecture, charming traditions, and heavenly food culture.
From the countless churches and cathedrals, to the dozens of museums and hundreds of galleries, 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.
Montenegro: Luxury Mediterranean Lifestyle For Less, With Fascinating Culture And Dramatic Landscapes
Montenegro, a tiny country in the Balkans, is unknown to many, but in recent years it’s become an up-and-coming expat destination.
Those who have discovered this Central European destination enjoy its mild climate, beautiful scenery, low cost of living, and relaxed lifestyle.
Montenegro is particularly popular amongst adventure seekers. Its rugged geography provides excellent opportunities for snow sports during winter and stunning hiking trails in the summer.
Montenegro is a young country, only gaining complete independence from Serbia in 2006. Despite this, it has a strong economy, stable democracy, and is currently awaiting acceptance into the European Union.
Now is the time to invest in Montenegro—real estate is cheap, taxes are low, and residency is easy.
Cyprus: White-Sand Beaches, Year-Round Sunshine, And One Of The World’s Healthiest Diets
Cyprus is an exciting destination …
Ever dream of living on a quiet island in the middle of the Mediterranean, but it always seemed out of your price range? With white-sand beaches, warm water, year-round sunshine, and one of the world’s healthiest diets, Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean, could be the answer.
This lesser-known corner of Europe is a welcoming land of sunshine, ancient history, and romance.
With 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.
Offering a variety of landscapes, the island is dominated by two mountain ranges: the Troodos mountains and the Kyrenia mountains. Northern Cyprus is more famous than its southern counterpoint for its unspoiled coastline.
Despite being one-third of Cyprus’s total land area, Northern Cyprus has more beaches. It’s shaped like a long finger pointing out into the sea, providing an extended coastline.
These stunning stretches of wild coastline and dramatic mountains, combined with Cyprus’s rich history, Mediterranean climate, and friendly locals, make Cyprus an enticing retirement destination.
Italy: La Dolce Vita Is More Affordable Than You Might Think
Italy is no secret to those of us who love culture, great food and wine, and the beauty of the Old World.
This popular European destination is a haven for expats searching for a dreamy, sunshine-filled retirement.
Along with a generous stretch of coastline, Italy offers one of the most varied landscapes on Earth, including scenic mountain ranges like the Alps and the Apennines, and stunning lakes such as Lake Garda and Lake Como.
Home of the Roman Empire, Italy maintains a solid connection to its past, with hundreds of ruins still visible in many cities and towns.
The Renaissance can also be felt in modern-day Italy. Cities like Florence preserve the beautiful Renaissance architecture in buildings such as the Duomo Cathedral.
Italy’s historical and cultural side offers hours of discovery and enjoyment through art galleries, museums, and city tours.
Today, Italy’s ancient cities are booming with life. Cities such as Rome and Venice are popular tourist destinations, with many expats relocating to these cultural hubs.
But once you get away from these brand-name cities, life can be super affordable…Bonne route,
Kat Kalashian
Editor, In Focus: Europe
