The big move to little Paris: why Brits should relocate to Bordeaux
With over 20,000 British nationals making the move to France each year, the city of Bordeaux has become a popular location for expats.
Voted the trendiest city in the world, Bordeaux has captured the hearts of many worldwide, including Brits. With nearly 40,000 British people living in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region where the town lies, it is a popular choice for those relocating to France.
Deemed little Paris, the fifth largest city in France, is very appealing to the 20,000 British nationals that emigrate to the country each year. The picturesque landscapes, climate and improved quality of life are just a few reasons Bordeaux is a leading resettlement location.
The cost of the properties in Bordeaux is also attractive as the city has a better cost of living than Paris. It is also very diverse, as nearly a fifth of the French metropolitan population was not born in the country.
Ola Detegeva Williamson, an emigration expat from Expatra, has helped many aspiring Borderlais move to the city and recommends the location to all.
She said: “Bordeaux in itself is an amazing, amazing city. It’s brilliant all around and has everything you would imagine of a really nice relaxed lifestyle.
“It has everything you would want. It has a nice climate and is still cheaper than the French Riviera.”
As much as the lifestyle is appealing, there are things to get in order before you go. For starters, you need health insurance to even apply for residence, which is only free if you receive the S1 form that retirees are entitled to. You must also sort out an overseas bank account and check your investments (including ISAs), as they might not be tax-free in France.
Applying for citizenship in France became far more complicated after Britain left the European Union. Williamson says that the number of changes that came into play recently has been “shocking”.
She said: “Brexit brought so many complexities into legalities, into taxes [and] into financial regulations.
“So, I think the amount of paperwork, the amount of advice you need to get to make sure you are not worse off is a lot. It is a lot to deal with.”
Everything must be done by the book, and it can be easy to get mixed up along the way. Williamson suggests hiring a lawyer to help you with any questions, as moving to Europe from the UK is “much harder now.”
Williamson said: “Before, it was mostly about individual locations, about amenities, or lifestyles there. Now it’s all about the legalities and paperwork.
“How can I stay longer? Can I buy a house? What will happen to my pension? Before Brexit, what we took for granted is all gone now.”
Whilst this all might sound scary and off-putting, help is readily available. Charities such as Expatra have various forums and pages offering advice to anyone planning on moving abroad.
Josh Jackman, from Move Hub, an international moving company, said that relocating can be seamless with the proper guidance.
He said: “It’s relatively easy – a huge number of Brits make the move every year, so the pathway is well-established, and officials on both sides will be ready to help you through it.
“Get your documents in order well in advance of your move, as moving to Europe is always trickier now, and get ready to adapt to French culture.”
Acclimatising to French culture might be tricky, but it will be essential to make Bordeaux feel like home. Jackman says only 90% of expats speak French, which can be a barrier for those starting their new life in France.
He said: “Learn the language as quickly as possible, and just go with the flow. If you remain open to new ways of living, explore your surroundings, and seek out new interests, you’ll be fine.
“Get all the touristy activities out of the way, then delve deeper into your area’s culture. Put yourself out there, and you’ll make plenty of friends, which is the best way to settle anywhere.”
According to Williamson, the “downsides” of your move will only come from “not being prepared”. Her guidance: rent before you buy, learn the language and bring a positive attitude.
The first two are relatively easy, yet being open-minded and not fighting a new way of life can be difficult.
Williamson said: “I am a seasoned immigrant expert; I’ve lived in several countries. I know how shocking it can be when you come to a new country, and they do things differently, and you think it’s all wrong.
“At this moment, when you have this thought, you should keep quiet and get on and accept the ways that people are doing things around you. It’s amazing, like in a year or two, you think, yeah, that’s okay. That’s how we do it here. Oh, that’s really logical.”
Sanah Ahmad, who relocated to Bordeaux for her studies, echoes Williamson’s opinion and says that sometimes there can be barriers.
She said: “As I can speak French, I never had any issues communicating. Maybe the odd word here and there, but as I can understand them, it has been fine for me.
“My friends who don’t speak French have told me it can be hard to communicate because the locals’ English is quite poor. In terms of helpfulness, the younger generation tends to be nicer and more helpful.”
Whilst Ahmad has enjoyed her time in little Paris and praises the transport system and the people, her experience has had some negative elements.
She said: “I would say there are lots of strikes that take place here; the paperwork in France can be quite annoying to fill out, and the weather is quite wet sometimes. Sometimes I felt like I was back in Glasgow due to the wind.”
Yet, Ahmad doesn’t regret moving to Bordeaux. Overall she says her experience has been “amazing”, with the city having “a good balance of everything.”
She said: “I would definitely recommend living in Bordeaux. The people are lovely, it is quieter than Paris, and it’s not too big.
“I felt at home straight away and very comfortable. I did not feel out of place at all.”
If you want to make Bordeaux your new home like Ahmad, start looking for your new home today as Williamson says, there are “twice as many requests as offers”.
