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Montpellier, France, truly has it all.
As the third-largest French city near the southern Mediterranean coast, Montpellier is a stronghold for French culture, nature, and history.
In the Middle Ages, Montpellier was a tolerant refuge in Europe that turned into a major trading and economic hub.
Its architecture was developed during the Renaissance and then destroyed during the Reformation.
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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A highlight of this place is a grand gothic cathedral and chic neoclassical creme buildings. Plus, museums are stuffed with iconic paintings.
Montpellier is home to one of the oldest universities in the world and the oldest medical school still operating.
It has an incredible wine culture, it’s located 10 kilometers from the Mediterranean,
No wonder its nickname is soudouée, or the wonder child.
This exciting city used to be a cosmopolitan wunderkind in the Medieval period, with strong influences from its learned Arab, Jewish, and Christian populations.
In more modern times, Montpellier was eclipsed by its glitzy neighbors, Nice and Marseille. But, since the 1990s it has experienced one of the strongest demographic and economic climbs in the country.
Montpellier’s metropolitan area has over 800,000 residents, many of which are students.
In 2017 it was voted “Best Emerging Culture City of the Year” by the think tank LCD and is flocked by tourists excited by its grand pedestrian area, thrilling culture, and pleasing Mediterranean climate.
There’s no shortage of things to do or things to learn about Montpellier, so let’s look at some key facts before you make the big move.
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Montpellier is a popular, gorgeous city in southern France, so it’s not surprising that the cost of living isn’t exactly inexpensive.
A single person will likely spend US$866 a month, excluding rent.
Comparatively, that’s cheaper than places like Paris or New York City, but when you consider all the experiences living in Montpellier can provide, it certainly comes at a good value.
The bulk of your budget each month would be dedicated to rent. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center would set you back about US $697 per month, while a cheaper one-bedroom further away would cost around US $609.
A three-bedroom would cost around US$1,636 a month in the city center, and a cheaper three-bedroom would come to around US$1,359.
Utilities would cost around US$100 for one person, and around US$150 for a family, and your internet plan will cost you around US$33.
The cost of buying a home or apartment in Montpellier also depends of course on how close you’d like to be to the city center. The city is safe overall, so selecting which of the seven neighborhoods you’d like to live in should be primarily based on what you want in a home.
For example, expats like the Hôpitaux-Facultés suburb because it is cheaper, only 27 minutes from the city center, and is very international.
Most properties in Montpellier are houses, not apartments, and the average home price per square meter comes to around US$6,133.
For apartments, the average price per square meter in the city center comes to around US$489, and US$459 outside of the city center.
Compared to a similar-sized US city, the prices in Montpellier for food, transportation, and healthcare are certainly cheaper. A cheap meal for one in Montpellier comes to around US$14, compared to around US$20 in America.
A nice three-course French dinner for two will set you back around US$64 in Montpellier, while in America it would be around US$90.
In Montpellier, a loaf of fresh bread costs around US$1.70, a dozen eggs about US$4.18, and a pound of apples will come to around US$1.29. And, you can always search for cheaper options at a farmer’s market, as well.
Except for gas, transportation in Montpellier is low cost. The city itself is extremely walkable, so you should be able to avoid needing to buy a car or pay for gas, but the city also has good, reliable public transit.
It is easy to find a tram, train, or beach shuttle. A train swipe in Montpellier costs around US$1.72, compared to around US$2.50 in America.
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| Expense | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | US$489 | |
| Gas | US$150 | Bundled with electricity, water and garbage collection |
| Telephone | US$33 | Bundled with internet and cable |
| Groceries | US$360 | |
| Transportation | US$70 | |
| Entertainment | US$255 | |
| Total | US$1357 |
There is no shortage of things to do in Montpellier.
You can walk through the older streets of the Ecusson quarter, with cream-colored walls and twisted architecture.
Also, make sure to stop at the gothic St. Pierre cathedral, the Place de la Canourgue, the centuries-old Faculty of Medicine near an old Benedictine Cathedral, and the 12th-century fortified tower called Tour de Pins.
History fans will also love the Fabre Museum and the Pavillon Populaire, which holds temporary exhibitions about social and cultural history.
France, being the food-focused country that it is, has amazing regional cuisine, and Montpellier is no different.
The Arceaux food market, open every Tuesday and Saturday morning, is full of fun local finds like octopus pie, fresh oysters, dried cod, or creamy goat cheese, known as ‘pelardon’.
You can also always pop into a restaurant to pick up exciting options, like broiled mussels, cuttlefish pasta in a spicy sauce, or the famous French white bean stew called cassoulet. Or take a wine tour.
And, you can always walk up the Cours Gambetta or take the tram to the Mosson district to explore Montpellier’s delicious North African spots.
France is also famous for their aperitif culture. So, after dinner, follow the lively sounds out in the street and check out one of the many bars or music venues popular with the students.
Nature buffs can enjoy the eco-districts in Parc Marianne, the Jardin des Plantes (France’s oldest botanical garden), or the view of the Cévennes hills from the public gardens and esplanade at the Palace Royale du Peyrou.
Another place to visit in Montpellier is its Contemporary Art Museum near the train station (there’s also a different location in Ecusson). There you will enjoy the Garden of the Five Continents with plants from all over the world.
You can also head outside of the city for a bit, and check out the Maison de la Nature and Méjean Nature Reserve, which is a great spot to explore lagoons and go bird watching.
Water sports are also a possibility in Montpellier, France: You can snorkel and wind/wing-surf at the biodiverse lagoons of Etang de Thau– just make sure to peer through the crystal blue waters to look for seahorses.
One of the reasons Montpellier is popular with tourists is because of its close vicinity to the Mediterranean. This means there are beaches nearby: such as Palavas, the (nudist) Prévost beach, or hanging out with the wading flamingos at the Méjean lagoon.
However, beach parking can be hard to find during the summer months, so biking to the beach along the Lez River or taking a tram or taxi are the best options.
France has one of the best health care systems in the world, which comes at an affordable price for American retirees.
You become eligible for the public Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMA) after living in France for three months, and for at least six months out of the year, or you can buy private health insurance through a group like the Association of American Residents Overseas.
While in France, a public general practitioner’s visit will cost around US$27, and a specialist’s visit will cost around US$55.
Staying at a public hospital in France should cost less than US$20 a day (or even free).
In Montpellier, France, you have access to good-quality hospitals and clinics, especially because of the university’s presence there.
Prescriptions are also usually significantly cheaper in France, but make sure to look up where to go because pharmacy stocks are different than in the US.
Montpellier is a popular place in France with expats looking for retirement options. The main reason is the quality of the French-language schools.
So, even if you’re worried about not speaking French well, there are many opportunities to learn.
France is party to the Schengen agreement, which eliminates all internal border controls between the participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
For instance, retirees use the Long Stay Visa to get access to the country, which has an income requirement depending on age or marital status.
You can then apply for more visa options, including a special one if you have direct family ties to France.
Above all, if you’re planning on staying for more than 90 days in Montpellier, you need to get a visa.
France doesn’t have visas requiring investment, so you would need to start with a simple Long Stay visa before applying to get citizenship.
The visa/citizenship process in France can get very complicated and requires steps to be completed upon arrival as well. We recommend being very organized and vigilant about your application.
Once you arrive in France with all your documents in order, it is relatively easy to get to Montpellier. The closest airport is Montpellier Méditerranée Airport, with direct flights from London, Paris, or Amsterdam, and has a shuttle service into the city.
You could also always fly into Paris or another major airport, then take a train or a bus. Rental cars and taxis are also available in the region.
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Another key reason that Montpellier is popular with expats it’s because of its Mediterranean climate.
The city has cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Montpellier’s monthly temperatures go from 45°F in January to 76°F in July.
The chance of rain is greatest in Montpellier, France, during the fall and winter. But, can also happen in the summer.
However, recent climate changes have caused Montpellier weather to have heat spikes, and the old city isn’t necessarily built to withstand some of these extremely high temperatures.
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
Montpellier is quickly becoming one of the most popular cities in France to visit. It has impressive architecture and lively culture. Also, it’s close to the Mediterranean. There are endless things to do in Montpellier for those interested in history, food, music, or nature. Plus, you can enjoy its Mediterranean climate.
Montpellier, France, is known for its history and culture. The city was a cosmopolitan trade hub in the Middle Ages. The result is a place with historic sights to explore, such as the Montpellier Cathedral, the Place de la Comédie, and the University of Montpellier.
The town has a very lively culture because of its younger and immigrant populations, and its arts scene has also flourished.
Montpellier is one of the best places in France to retire. The city has excellent French language classes available, meaning that expats can more easily assimilate into the culture. Montpellier is not overpopulated, meaning retirees can enjoy an active lifestyle without feeling overwhelmed.
Many Americans like moving to Montpellier, France, because of its engaging culture, riveting history, and natural beauty. Montpellier also has a very dynamic lifestyle, full of art, and music. And for those who would prefer to enjoy some nature and the pleasant Mediterranean weather, there are many beaches and nature reserves in the surrounding area.
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