Living In Bordeaux – The Expats’ Guide

Bordeaux is perhaps one of the best-known cities in France. If you’re considering moving there in retirement – whether the city itself or the surrounding area – you probably want some specific information about its living conditions.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the important topics about retiring to Bordeaux. These cover things such as the cost of living, the best areas, and healthcare to help you make a more informed decision about this beautiful area of France.

Is Bordeaux a nice place to live?

Bordeaux has plenty to offer expats, which makes it a good place to live. First and foremost is the great food and wine, which stands out even among the different areas of France.

What’s more, it has a large and vibrant expat community that’s integrated well with the locals. As a port city, it has a more multicultural atmosphere than some inland destinations, which is what many people seek in their life abroad.

The main spoken language is French, but it’s fairly common for people to speak English. However, learning some basic conversational French will make your daily life much easier, particularly if you want the true experience of living abroad.

You’ll likely find a number of expat language classes in the city, which can cover a number of different bases.

Bordeaux has its own airport, located roughly 5 miles from the city center. This makes international connections a breeze, so you shouldn’t have any problems visiting friends or family.

Is Bordeaux a safe city?

Bordeaux has a lower crime rate than many major British cities. While its crime rate is higher than the smaller surrounding towns, it’s considerably lower than London, for example.

Bordeaux’s crime rate is 41.77, compared to London’s of 62.13. The only high-risk crime area in the city is home theft, which sits less than one point lower than London.

However, other major crime areas, such as violent crime, drug-related crime, and race- or gender-related crime are all rated moderate to low.

Overall, you shouldn’t have any concerns about the crime rate in Bordeaux as it’s fairly low. But if you do, then living in a smaller town nearby will solve this issue.

Moving to Bordeaux in retirement

As far as big cities go, Bordeaux offers plenty of opportunities for retirees. It enjoys a more temperate climate than some inland destinations thanks to its proximity to the sea, but it’s still much warmer than in more northern countries.

Its wine heritage almost doesn’t need mentioning, but this is obviously a major draw for many. The area is home to a large number of vineyards that produce some of the best wine in the world. Getting it so close to the source is definitely a big plus for many.

Importantly too, Bordeaux has an excellent healthcare system for both locals and expats. This is always a big incentive for retirees looking for security.

Property prices are quite attractive, too, so Bordeaux makes a good destination for those wanting to either invest in property abroad or find a good location to buy a retirement home in France. However, renting isn’t too expensive either if you don’t want to live there permanently.

Factor in the city’s heritage and cultural landmarks, combined with the stunning scenery, and you’ve got a very desirable retirement destination.

In short, Bordeaux would be the perfect place for those who enjoy good food and good wine, are looking for a Mediterranean lifestyle without major heat, and want a nice balance between local lifestyle and expat communities.

Pros and cons of living in Bordeaux

While Bordeaux might sound like the perfect expat destination, it’s always worth weighing up both sides before you make the jump.

Pros of living in Bordeaux

1. A hotspot for wine lovers

Wine is one of the region’s main economic drivers, and it has plenty of local heritage. The city is also home to Vinexpo, the world’s biggest wine fair.

To say the French keep the best wine for themselves is an understatement, so if you like wine, why pass up a chance to live so close to the source of some major world-renowned wines?

2. Close proximity to the coast

Living so close to the Atlantic Ocean certainly cuts through the sometimes overwhelming Mediterranean climate. It also helps to keep the winters mild but still offers a boost in temperature over the standard British climate.

3. Amazing green spaces

If you’re someone who enjoys spending time outside, whether walking, cycling, or driving, then Bordeaux has plenty to offer. The city itself is quite flat, so it is excellent for cycling, and the surrounding countryside offers lots to explore.

4. Plenty of culture to appreciate

Bordeaux is known as a City of Art and History, and its Port of the Moon is classed as a world heritage site. It has plenty of amazing buildings to take in, plus its fair share of museums and art galleries.

Bordeaux was a hotspot of 18^th-century urbanization, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a film crew taking advantage of its incredible architecture.

5. Great food

Saying that Bordeaux is a haven for foodies is a bold claim, particularly in France. However, the local specialties of duck and seafood, combined with the amazing local wine, are all proof of this statement. You’ve also got lots of local food markets, so you really won’t be short of amazing cuisine.

• Looking for more convincing advantages of living in France in retirement? Read Ten Reasons To Retire To France.

The cons of living in Bordeaux

1. It’s big on tourism

While it’s not necessarily a con, many expats don’t want to move somewhere that ends up full of Brits each summer.

However, it’s not your typical holiday park kind of tourism, as Bordeaux is regarded as a city of high culture. Plus, if it’s really a big issue, you can consider living in one of the small local towns instead.

2. Public transport isn’t great

Public transport isn’t excellent in Bordeaux, particularly compared to other big French cities. If you live outside the city, you’ll need a car, but those based quite centrally should be fine with just a bicycle.

3. Food prices are fairly high

While, in general, the cost of living is lower than in many Northern European and Northern American countries, groceries can be more expensive. This is particularly true for non-locally sourced products but is easily offset by the lower cost of house prices and utilities.

4. Everything takes a bit longer

Like much of France, everything in Bordeaux takes just that little bit longer.

The shops shut during the middle of the day, and many reopen sometime after 2, but this is never really set in stone. Just be ready to embrace a more relaxed way of life, and you’ll enjoy it in no time!

Bordeaux expat communities

Bordeaux is a good destination for expats because it already has a bustling and vibrant expat community.

There are several Facebook groups dedicated to expat networking, and these can be a great place to go for more detailed and specific information.

There are also websites specifically for the Bordeaux expat community, and these are great places to make friends. Some run courses on things such as bread making, which can be a good way of getting involved with the local expat community.

What’s more, the locals are very friendly towards expats, so you shouldn’t limit yourself to just expat networks. If you settle down in Bordeaux, consider joining some local classes to make integrating into the community a bit easier.

How much does it cost to live in Bordeaux?

Compared to other big French cities, the cost of living in Bordeaux is quite low; it will cost you significantly less than living in Paris, for example, and you’ll have more buying power in areas such as property.

The cost of renting a city center apartment in Bordeaux is around €850 a month. Outside of the city center, this price drops to €700.

For buying property in Bordeaux, you’ll pay around €5,833 per square meter in the city center and €4,000 outside the city centre.

Utilities, including electricity, heating, and internet, are generally affordable.

Renting vs. buying a property in Bordeaux

Generally speaking, buying is a better option in Bordeaux because the prices are low enough for you to get quite a nice property for your money.

What’s more, property is always a good financial investment, particularly if you’re willing to put in a bit of work to modernize it.

However, renting can make sense if you’re unsure where in the area you’d like to settle down permanently.

You have greater legal protection in unfurnished properties that are your main residence than in furnished ones, although short-term furnished rentals are a good way to check out the main areas before you buy.

• Renting A Property In France – all you need to know about the process and tenants’ and landlords’ rights and obligations;
• A Complete Guide To Buying A Property In France – all the information you need to make your property purchase in France safe and as stress-free as possible.

Where to live near Bordeaux

While city living has plenty of advantages, it might not be specifically what you’re after. If that’s the case, then living in a nearby town offers all the benefits of a city but without living in its heart. Here are some of the best towns and villages to live in near Bordeaux.

Arcachon

Arcachon is located 55km from the city and was a popular weekend destination for 19th-century city dwellers. As a result, it has plenty of beautiful buildings, its own wealth of local amenities, and a much quieter lifestyle than the city itself.

Langon

The town of Langon is built on the banks of the Garonne and is located 50km from Bordeaux. It’s further inland than the city, so you’ll have the benefits of living in a port region but with slightly warmer climates. It’s also located among a number of vineyards, so there’s plenty of wine tasting on offer.

Saint-Emilion, Gironde

This village can trace its history back to Roman occupation and is often considered one of the most picturesque villages in all of France. It’s only 35km away from Bordeaux and is also near the Dordogne border, which gives you access to a completely different area of France.

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Gironde

This medieval walled town still boasts much of its ancient heritage and hosts one of the best markets in the region every Saturday. It’s found off the main road between Bordeaux and the Dordogne, so gives you good access to both.

Best areas in Bordeaux for retirees

La Bastide

La Bastide is the former industrial center of Bordeaux and is centrally located. However, it’s ideal for avoiding the main bustle of the city while still being close to all the amenities you might need. It’s also where you’ll find the Botanical Gardens, which are perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Chartrons

Chartrons is found just across the river from La Bastide and is full of restaurants and antique shops. It’s seen lots of renovation in recent years, so much of the property on offer is completely modernized. In fact, you’ll hardly have to leave Chartrons because everything you need is within walking distance.

Cauderan

Cauderan is found in the west of Bordeaux and is a completely residential area that’s family-orientated. It used to be home to many of the city’s wealthy inhabitants, which is evident in the architecture. On top of this, you’ll also find 28 hectares of green space, giving you plenty of opportunities to stay active.

Areas to avoid in Bordeaux

While there’s nowhere truly undesirable in Bordeaux, not all areas are suited to a retirement lifestyle. If you’re looking for somewhere to settle down, consider giving these parts a miss.

Gare Saint-Jean

Gare Saint-Jean is one of the main nightlife centers of the city and is also a big tourist hotspot. On top of this, it’s also home to the city’s main train station, meaning you likely won’t get a moment’s peace in this area.

Saint Pierre

Saint Pierre is the heart of the old town, and while this sounds inviting, it also draws in a lot of tourists. If history and culture are your things, you’d be better off living in a local neighborhood and traveling to the area.

Healthcare in Bordeaux

Like the rest of France, Bordeaux has world-leading healthcare. If you’re not a permanent French resident then you’ll benefit from private health insurance, but the region has a good range of public and private services.

The city has a number of excellent hospitals, including the Hôpital Saint-Andre and the Hôpital Pellegrin. Many have emergency departments, so you won’t have any issues if something goes wrong.

Whether you use public services, go private, or use your international health insurance, you’ll be registered at a local surgery.

The city has plenty of these, and there are no problems with waiting lists. These services also grant you eligibility for dental and other secondary healthcare services.

Hospitals have English-speaking staff, as do many of the local surgeries, which is obviously a big advantage. The main health board in Bordeaux is the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux. They cover almost all the healthcare services you could need.

• Healthcare In France For Expats – learn how to qualify and register for public healthcare and what options you have if you need private health insurance.

Living in Bordeaux – summary

Both the city and region of Bordeaux offer plenty to expats looking to retire in France. Its biggest draw is probably the excellent food and wine, which, when combined with the low cost of living, makes this an attractive retirement destination.

You shouldn’t find any real language barriers, as English is fairly common both in the city and the smaller local towns. That said, learning some French will take you far.

In all, Bordeaux is a great place to live. There are large expat communities to help you settle in, and if you do plenty of research before you go, it won’t be difficult to find the perfect location for your needs.

You might find useful:

• Living In France Guide – everything you need to know to plan your move and settle down in France;
• The Best Places to Live in France – a detailed overview of France’s most popular locations for expats.