#1 2011-05-12 17:45:01
- ras0001
- New member
- From: Buffalo
- Registered: 2011-05-12
- Posts: 5
Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
I am new to the site and am seriously considering moving to Languedoc-Roussillon after retirement. I can't seem to get a straight answer on the internet about how much I need to live a frugal but comfortable life there.
Can anyone help me?
Last edited by ras0001 (2011-05-12 18:47:30)
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#2 2011-05-12 22:10:36
- nekonimise
- Member

- From: Carlow
- Registered: 2011-05-11
- Posts: 12
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
Hello Ras,
I'm only a student but I lived all my life in Languedoc Roussillon... The life cost depends on the city where you want to live, the district, the type of house/flat you look for, etc...
Maybe some details could be helpful to give you the best advice possible !
Take care,
Marion
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#3 2011-05-12 22:11:07
- Steve_Link
- New member

- From: Maineville
- Registered: 2011-05-12
- Posts: 3
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
Same here ras. Hope we get some answers.


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#4 2011-05-13 01:21:49
- ras0001
- New member
- From: Buffalo
- Registered: 2011-05-12
- Posts: 5
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
I would like to live outside of the major cities in a small house or flat (doesnt really matter). I haven't thought much about which region yet, I guess that will come after I spend some time there, but the closer to the water the better although that is not a deal breaker. I just want to know if I can survive on my (soon to be) retirement.
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#5 2011-05-13 02:42:02
- JulieH
- Contributor

- From: San Pedro, Costa Rica
- Registered: 2008-10-28
- Posts: 154
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
check out chez loulou's (old-ish) blog posts on this topic:
http://chezlouloufrance.blogspot.com/p/ … rance.html
Costa Rica blog: http://JulieAndRickInCostaRica.blogspot.com
Slow Travelin' blog: http://SlowTravelin.blogspot.com
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#6 2011-05-13 08:06:32
- nekonimise
- Member

- From: Carlow
- Registered: 2011-05-11
- Posts: 12
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
That's a pretty good article.
But once again, be careful, because depends on the village where you will live, the cost of the house is completely different. If you want to be near the water, you have the choice between a wide list of villages on the beaches or near the Canal du Midi. It's good to know that the more your house is close to the beach, the more it costs (the habitable houses and flat all the year are pretty expensive in some villages like Valras, Narbonne-Plage or Palavas, which are maybe some of the most famous beach villages of the region).
If you earn more than 1200 (approximately, which is the minimum salary in France), you can live quite confortably. But if you are used to live in a house with a big garden, to eat often in restaurants and to spend a lot of money in your everyday products (in extra of your rent, if you don't buy the house), you will certainly find the life difficult 
But villages which are more in the lands are cheaper. You can find a better house and live more confortably for less money every month. To see the beach, it doesn't take a lot of time, with the bus for exemple. The only city I could advice you not to live is Bιziers (I lived there for a long time). It's not very attractive, not very clean, not very safe... The cost of living is cheap but sometimes it's better to pay a little more and live in a better way.
Well, that's only my opinion 
Hope my little experience can help you.
Take care !
Marion
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#7 2011-05-13 14:06:43
- ras0001
- New member
- From: Buffalo
- Registered: 2011-05-12
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Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
Thank you nekonimise. That was very helpful. I will have over 2100 so I should do OK.
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#8 2011-05-13 14:35:44
- ras0001
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- From: Buffalo
- Registered: 2011-05-12
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Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
Thank you JulieH - that pretty much answers my questions.
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#9 2011-05-13 16:58:09
- nekonimise
- Member

- From: Carlow
- Registered: 2011-05-11
- Posts: 12
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
ras0001 wrote:
Thank you nekonimise. That was very helpful. I will have over 2100 so I should do OK.
My father has the same and lives easily 
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#10 2011-05-13 17:17:04
- Steve_Link
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- From: Maineville
- Registered: 2011-05-12
- Posts: 3
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
nekonimise wrote:
ras0001 wrote:
Thank you nekonimise. That was very helpful. I will have over 2100 so I should do OK.
My father has the same and lives easily
Yes, very helpful. We are targeting the Montpellier area and would like to be less than one-hour commute from the sea.
Merci,
Steve
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#11 2011-05-15 22:32:24
- mpprh
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- From: sommieres
- Registered: 2011-05-11
- Posts: 6
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
[Moderated: No free ad on the forum]
I live near Sommieres. It is relatively expensive as it is within commuting distance of Montpellier, Nimes, Lunel, Ales etc. It is also under 30 km to the beach, Cevennes mountains and the edge of the Camargue. The commuter option is important as it ensures that the property is sellable even when the 2nd home market is stagnant ( remote villages with no facilities are cheap but dependent on 2nd home owners).
I have about 180 m2 including a very cluttered garage ! I have 2000m2 of land.
My house is heated exclusively with electricity. I have recently had town gas installed to the edge of the plot, but haven't taken it to the house (50m). Gas isn't that cheap today anyway. I've been intending to install a wood burner for 11 years and will one day.
So, my costs are :
Household insurance (Groupama) : 336
Internet : Currently 30 per month for unlimited fast ADSL *
Telephone : Currently 40 per month inclusive of unlimited calls worldwide *
Electricity consumption pa : 1050
Electricity rental cost pa : 100
Electricity "other" local taxes, etc pa : 500
Irrigation water - 400 tons pa (pool, garden, etc) : 325
Town water approx 30 tons pa: 135
Mutualite pa : 750
Car Insurance p.a. (comprehensive, medium size car, full NCB, bought online) 350
CT every 24 months (MoT) : 60
Car tax : zero !
Tax fonciere inc TV (varies by commune) 900
* There are new deals available, and I will have combined phone/internet costs of 40 shortly
You need to adjust for various differences :
heating (you may not be there in winter) and there are cheaper options, particularly tempo : http://bleuciel.edf.com/abonnement-et-c … _i_id=2585
Water varies by area, but can be expensive if you use domestic water on the garden.
mutualite depends on age
car depends on model and area
Tax foncieres varies enormously depending on Agglomeration (Montpellier is expensive, Lunel (mine) is cheaper and Mende probably is very cheap !).
Hope that helps
Peter
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#12 2011-05-17 03:58:46
- Steve_Link
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- From: Maineville
- Registered: 2011-05-12
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Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
Sorry, but what is Mutualite?
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#13 2011-05-17 07:57:41
- mpprh
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- From: sommieres
- Registered: 2011-05-11
- Posts: 6
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
Health insurance top up.
Peter
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#14 2011-05-19 02:26:21
- BOSTON MAMA
- Contributor
- From: Boston
- Registered: 2011-02-27
- Posts: 129
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
This was a very insightful thread. My family and I and planing on a move to France as well, unsure of Toulouse or the Langdoc region. I need a warm climate and not to damp. I was also finding it difficult to find a honest up to date information on line.
If any of you could provide some information on weather all year round and cost of living in Nimes or Narbonne.Sete
Thanks,
Jennifer
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#15 2011-05-19 14:16:50
- ras0001
- New member
- From: Buffalo
- Registered: 2011-05-12
- Posts: 5
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
Yes LouLou - I already read it and it was VERY helpful. Thank you.
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#16 2011-05-20 11:08:53
- mpprh
- New member

- From: sommieres
- Registered: 2011-05-11
- Posts: 6
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
Some stuff to read about climate :
the-france-page.com/france/france-weather.html
I've also found this :
Annual average sunshine hours by town :
TOULON (83 - Var) 2 899
MARIGNANE (13 - Bouches-du-Rhτne) 2 835
CARPENTRAS (84 - Vaucluse) 2 774
SAINT-RAPHAEL (83 - Var) 2 748
AJACCIO (20 - Corse) 2 737
NICE (06 - Alpes-Maritimes) 2 694
MONTPELLIER (34 - Hιrault) 2 687
CALVI (20 - Corse) 2 683
NIMES (30 - Gard) 2 669
BASTIA (20 - Corse) 2 655
ANTIBES (06 - Alpes-Maritimes) 2 640
ORANGE (84 - Vaucluse) 2 595
EMBRUN (05 - Hautes-Alpes) 2 506
PERPIGNAN (66 - Pyrιnιes-Orientales) 2 506
MONTELIMAR (26 - Drτme) 2 498
LA ROCHELLE (17 - Charente-Maritime) 2 250
CARCASSONNE (11 - Aude) 2 190
MILLAU (12 - Aveyron) 2 163
BORDEAUX (33 - Gironde) 2 084
MONTAUBAN (82 - Tarn-et-Garonne) 2 080
GOURDON (46 - Lot) 2 056
TOULOUSE (31 - Haute-Garonne) 2 047
AUCH (32 - Gers) 2 040
GRENOBLE (38 - Isθre) 2 031
BOURG-SAINT-MAURICE (73 - Savoie) 2 026
COGNAC (16 - Charente) 2 025
LORIENT (56 - Morbihan) 2 024
BRIVE-LA-GAILLARDE (19 - Corrθze) 1 990
NIORT (79 - Deux-Sθvres) 1 990
AGEN (47 - Lot-et-Garonne) 1 984
BERGERAC (24 - Dordogne) 1 980
LYON (69 - Rhτne) 1 976
LIMOGES (87 - Haute-Vienne) 1 974
NANTES (44 - Loire-Atlantique) 1 956
MONT-DE-MARSAN (40 - Landes) 1 954
AURILLAC (15 - Cantal) 1 950
CHAMBERY (73 - Savoie) 1 950
ANGERS (49 - Maine-et-Loire) 1 944
SAINT-ETIENNE (42 - Loire) 1 937
BIARRITZ (64 - Pyrιnιes-Atlantiques) 1 935
POITIERS (86 - Vienne) 1 930
MACON (71 - Saτne-et-Loire) 1 925
DAX (40 - Landes) 1 920
TARBES (65 - Hautes-Pyrιnιes) 1 913
CLERMONT-FERRAND (63 - Puy-de-Dτme) 1 907
GUERET (23 - Creuse) 1 890
VICHY (03 - Allier) 1 880
BESANCON (25 - Doubs) 1 872
DINARD (35 - Ille-et-Vilaine) 1 853
NEVERS (58 - Niθvre) 1 851
RENNES (35 - Ille-et-Vilaine) 1 851
PAU (64 - Pyrιnιes-Atlantiques) 1 849
TOURS (37 - Indre-et-Loire) 1 845
BOURGES (18 - Cher) 1 832
DIJON (21 - Cτte-d'Or) 1 831
AVORD (18 - Cher) 1 830
LE MANS (72 - Sarthe) 1 825
CHATEAUDUN (28 - Eure-et-Loir) 1 818
ORLEANS (45 - Loiret) 1 805
PARIS (75 - Paris) 1 797
BRETIGNY-SUR-ORGE (91 - Essonne) 1 790
TROYES (10 - Aube) 1 788
MULHOUSE (68 - Haut-Rhin) 1 768
CAEN (14 - Calvados) 1 764
AUXERRE (89 - Yonne) 1 758
LANGRES (52 - Haute-Marne) 1 755
SAINT-GIRONS (09 - Ariθge) 1 751
BREST (29 - Finistθre) 1 749
CHARTRES (28 - Eure-et-Loir) 1 749
EVREUX (27 - Eure) 1 734
LUXEUIL-LES-BAINS (70 - Haute-Saτne) 1 733
REIMS (51 - Marne) 1 729
SAINT-DIZIER (52 - Haute-Marne) 1 725
COLMAR (68 - Haut-Rhin) 1 723
ROMORANTIN-LANTHENAY (41 - Loir-et-Cher) 1 716
TRAPPES (78 - Yvelines) 1 703
MELUN (77 - Seine-et-Marne) 1 693
ROUEN (76 - Seine-Maritime) 1 687
ALENCON (61 - Orne) 1 680
LE TOUQUET-PARIS-PLAGE (62 - Pas-de-Calais) 1 680
SAINT-QUENTIN (02 - Aisne) 1 658
NANCY (54 - Meurthe-et-Moselle) 1 652
BEAUVAIS (60 - Oise) 1 650
ABBEVILLE (80 - Somme) 1 638
METZ (57 - Moselle) 1 638
STRASBOURG (67 - Bas-Rhin) 1 637
LILLE (59 - Nord) 1 600
CHARLEVILLE-MEZIERES (08 - Ardennes) 1 551
Source: INSEE, Seloger.com, Habitants.fr
Note that Nimes (usually said to be the hottest town in mainland France) has 600+ more hours of sunshine than Toulouse.
Meteo France has some climate info here : http://climat.meteofrance.com
You can compare Montpellier (similar to Nimes) to Toulouse here :http://climat.meteofrance.com/chgt_clim … 2F31069001
http://climat.meteofrance.com/chgt_clim … 2F34154001
Peter
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#17 2011-05-27 18:28:11
- joliesec
- New member
- From: Ploermel
- Registered: 2011-05-27
- Posts: 2
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
ras0001 wrote:
I am new to the site and am seriously considering moving to Languedoc-Roussillon after retirement. I can't seem to get a straight answer on the internet about how much I need to live a frugal but comfortable life there.
Can anyone help me?
Prices are going up because of the recession but you should be able to live cheaper here than in the UK as the property taxes are much cheaper. I would definitely go for central heating though as EDF electricity is getting very expensive.
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#18 2011-07-08 12:51:09
- Dclare
- New member
- From: Carcassonne
- Registered: 2011-06-23
- Posts: 3
Re: Monthly Cost to move to Languedoc-Roussillon
Hi Robert
I am Australian and retired, have this year moved to a beautiful village about 15 kms out of Carcassonne. I bought a very small house within the village without any problems, all prior to leaving Australia. Since arrive I have purchased a small car also without incident or problems. Opened a French bank account etc. The cost of living in France, particularly in this environment (ie not Paris!) is quite inexpensive if that is the lifestyle you choose. It is a beautiful country to live in and when I can actually speak the language (working on that) I am sure it will only get better. Let me know if there is any particular information I can give/find out for you. Regards Denise.
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