High-Quality Health Care

The French healthcare system has been cited as one of the best in the world. Yet surprisingly, this high-quality care is provided at significantly less cost than you’ll find in the United States. Medications are also much less expensive. It is important to note, though, that while the care costs less, you will need to purchase private health insurance to cover most of the expense. The good news is that the cost for such insurance is extremely affordable in France.

Private health insurance averages about $1,500 per person a year.

Of course, premiums may vary, depending on your age and general health. If money is a concern, you can look into reducing costs by buying insurance as a member of a larger group or association, which can reduce the premiums by as much as 50 percent.

The Rental Market

If you’ve always dreamed of living in a large Parisian flat, you will need to have a good nest egg or a large pension to cover the expense, which can be substantial.

In Paris, it can cost from $2,000 to $3,000 a month to rent a downtown apartment or a condo.

Furnished places and top locations can set you back even more. But not everything in France is as costly. If you look to the countryside, you’ll find that not only the rental prices but also the cost of living overall will be much more reasonable.

Rents in other areas start at about $700 a month and go up from there.

A lot depends on how big a place you select and where it is located. Keep in mind that most rental prices in France include the cost of insurance and utilities.

Property Prices

If, after renting for a while, you decide you are ready to invest in your own property, you will be pleased to know that the price to own a home in France can often be lower than in other European countries and even lower than in many regions in the United States. There are also no restrictions on Americans purchasing property in France, making it an appealing option.

A home in a rural area in need of work may start at $60,000, while an apartment can range from $100,000 to $150,000.