Perfect SMALL CITY for American Expats to Live in Europe (Dijon France - $2000 budget)
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- If you're looking for a small city in a fully developed country that's also affordable, this may be the perfect location!
We spent a month in Dijon, France to see if it we might want to live there, and it may be our new favorite place!
The cost of living is surprisingly low compared to the benefits and overall quality of life. And if you love wine and mustard as much as we do, you may never want to leave!
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France is truly a beautiful country. Other countries get more hype…France delivers the good!
@@onesilike9838 there is Italia Spain, Germany, Croatia... And more. You Can find your little paradise for holidays or more.
Wow, Dijon really cuts the mustard! :)
😂
That's spicy!
@@kennethkilpatrick3758 you stole my joke!
Been waiting several months … and countries … to use that one?! 😂
I can tell you guys loved that city. You are acting more like you are on a honeymoon than you ever have.... Good for you!!
It feels that way! 😊
Nice video! We have been living in Dijon for ten years, and we love it. You have portrayed our city pretty much the way we see it every day. We have seen the city center improving gradually over the years. We see quite a lot of tourists (our house is one if the landmarks on the owl tour), and we appreciate them! We have three major shopping malls, all linked by the tramway, but we almost never go there, the center has all the shops we need. We also have some very nice hiking opportunities around, with beautiful hills, cliffs, a lake, rivers, forests, a beautiful botanical garden. A bientôt !
Loved loved loved this! I felt like I was watching the Amelia & JP version of "Emily in Paris" with the great French background music, etc. Funny story: years ago my brother and I accidentally ended up in Dijon for a few days and we LOVED it there. The people were so friendly. We also went to Beaune for a wine tasting and that was amazing as well. Great video!
Great story! Beaune was so beautiful!
@@Mir-wx5ui Thanks for your concern, but I already moved from the US to Europe a number of years ago, and I know how hard it is. Of course Emily is fiction. I was just commenting on Amelia's and JP's production values for this video, which I thought were delightful.
Burgundy is so beautiful, but this year, weather is unusually rainy ☔
Which actually ought to be a good thing, in these times of drought - and of ecological activism against the "mégabassines" built by some farmers to irrigate their fields from retained rain water a.s.o. - isn't it ?
Seeing videos from my native city warmed my heart. You still have one stereotype to fight: the accordion music ;-)
I spent 9 months living in Dijon when I was 21, working at the University.
I loved it, the food was so amazing, life was affordable and I found the people friendly.
I was so young that I didn't know how good I had it that year and would move back in a heartbeat.
My sister lives there, it's a beautiful small city. I was in Dijon with my family in June (from the US) to visit her.
I find interesting how you guys look so relaxed and content there. You seem to fit in so well. I like how you present your information. And Amelia sitting in the chair getting her hair done was hilarious!
It looks like a truly magical city...I loved the time I spent in Europe (and working in Spain). I'd go back in a heartbeat if things were different. So for the present, will enjoy your lively and entertaining videos!
My first time in France was a few months ago. There are so many beautiful regions to see. I was in Provence. But I will be back for the others.
I lived in Dijon for almost two years while doing my masters degree. Though the rainy weather did get me down sometimes, it was such a lovely and pleasant city that I wouldn’t hesitate to move back!
Beautiful, what a pretty city AND the public transportation, wonderful!! So clean too! Perfectly fits my budget. Thanks for sharing!
Wow!🤩 I think this was my favorite video yet! You both look so happy and it seemed so effortless. Like Amelia said, you got lost in Dijon. Meaning, you realized that you had to move on. What a wonderful feeling! I loved the owls 🦉😃 I joined your live abroad program and I’m really hoping to invest more time in it soon. I still work a full-time job, but this is important! Dijon looks beautiful. Europe is definitely on my radar. Hopefully as a dual citizen. But even if not, it seems like you and so many people you talk to are making it work. 🎊💗👍🥳 Thank you Amelia and JP!! 👏🫶
Thanks! You can do it! 🥳
Amazing how modern clean and efficient this city is .Compared to France à similar size city in the US looks like visiting he third world
Dijon is a gorgeous little city -- we have been there twice on scouting trips for a retirement home. It's definitely in the top five.
I don't care for Paris. It's another huge, crowded, expensive, polluted city full of congestion and crime. Small town France however is utterly charming. Particularly southern and southwestern France. Take a canal cruise if you can. It's marvelous.
That's really exagerrated. I am from Paris and it's not a city full of congestion and crime nor it is that polluted. It's actually a really green city with a lot of bike paths and a lot pedestrianized roads. I don't know when you've been to Paris nor where you were in Paris, but that 's not very nice to tell things that are not true.
I think you two should set up at least a semi-permanent base in Dijon -- Amelia, you had a huge smile on your face this entire video 😊😂❤😊😂❤😊😂❤😊😂
You both seem much happier in Europe than Ecuador. Wonderful video du jour!
Maybe it was my imagination, but you guys seemed more relaxed and at home in Dijon than you have in many other places. Thanks for this video; it opened my eyes to living in France. I assumed that it would be just too expensive to consider, but you showed that it is quite affordable. I guess I have to brush up my high school French!
Well done! I loved your show I never been to Dijon but I’ve been to Beaune I love that place! I would love to go back it’s been over 10 years since the last time I’ve been to France. And that trip I went over to.Colmar too because I prefer the smallest cities and towns! But I felt the people I met spoken English a little or a lot! So I was very lucky! But I was always polite to ask them if they spoke English in French!
Adding Dijon to my list of cities to visit for retirement possibilities. Thanks for the awesome video
Voila , this has a Disneyland feeling to it . I could really see myself living there . I'm already walking around doing a Maurice Chevalier impersonation . Thanks
Really insightful video. Have never considered Dijon but it looks really attractive as you present it here. France outside of Paris is definitely on our list.
look reims, ( i live in reims) dole , troyes and lyon
best food in france (with italy) ^^
Merci for this video. Years ago I lived in Geneva (NOT affordable) and visited Dijon often. My American expat cousin lives in Dole, near Dijon, and likes it even more. ❤from a big fan , Joanie 🐻 at Lake Tahoe
Hi Joanie! I lived in Tahoe for years! I'm in Reno currently, looking to move to Washington...but every time this lovely couple come out with a video like this I want to return to Europe!
@@feliciasampson8032 Hello Felicia. Since you’re in Reno you’ll know the name of my home, Truckee. I say Tahoe cuz few know about Truckee. Raised my boys at South Shore but it’s changed a lot. Traffic at the Lake is insane now. Outside our little downtown area Truckee is peaceful and the residents are wonderful. Enjoy your next adventure!
@@jaydee45for some reason my last two responses to you vanished! I used to live in Truckee, and Donner Lake. Took my dog to Martis daily. Love the area. Spent the last part of my life in SLT in Montgomery Estates. Have so many fond memories of powder days, hiking and paddling, etc., it's crazy and $$$ now.
That's cool, I live about 10mins away from Dole, I even worked there a couple times, glad your cousin likes it here.
I live in Dole !
We've been to Dijon a couple of times on our travels through France. It's beautiful and well worth a visit. The owl trails a great way to make sure you see everything. This is such an imformative video
Looks wonderful! And a $2000 budget sounds wonderful as well.
I want to go there, now! I just got back from Montpellier France last month and I loved it so much! Great trams there, too and a nice University town! Very modern architecture, too!
Thanks for the great overview. Dijon sounds like a lovely city. I'm feeling sorry that I slept through high school French class. Now, if Dijon only had a twin sister in southern France with a warmer and sunnier climate 🌞
Your videos and information about cities around the world are priceless. We are shopping for a new country to live in, as I have always dreamed of retiring in Europe. Whenever I want to research a certain location, your videos are my go-to site. The information is very helpful, especially the cost of living, transportation and availability of housing. Your on the ground reporting makes each place you only see a name of on a map of, come alive. Thank you so much for your presentations, and always with a smile..
Thanks!
Hi ! I am French living close to Dijon. Here is my opinion :
Indeed, compared to Lyon, Marseille, or Toulouse... cost of life in Dijon is very cheap. Even if renting flat process is complex in France, Dijon a has cheap price per month (today as I can see, it is around 400 euros per month).
The public transport has always been good in Dijon, all parts are deserved and cheap tickets (1,70 euros for 1 hour), I find traways lines was not necessary but... it was Mayor's decision.
Beside, there are plenty of pubs, restaurants, museums.
I recommand also to visit Dole and Besançon (you can go by direct train for 6 euros one-way ticket).
Personnally, I would have prefer to live in the South of France, but that is personal ^^
tu as pleins de villes interessante en france
j habite reims et c'est egalement une ville historique avec des ruines gallo romaine
et des cave de champagne partout et probablement la plus belle cathedrale au monde (petre un peu chauvin la ^^) mon meilleur ami habite besancon
a troyes tu as des maison superbes comme a dole
la france est le plus beau pays du monde
Dijon certainly looks like a beautiful city, thank you for the video. The lack of an expat community is actually a plus for my wife and I, as everywhere we have looked into we try to keep our distance from the bigger expat areas.
I’m American and have lived here in Dijon for over 15 years - you’re right, it’s a great place to live! Affordable, easy to get around, great services and amenities, lovely people, all the things you mentioned in your video 😊 Glad you enjoyed your time here 😊
Thanks for sharing!
I went to Burgundy and was surprised how friendly the people are.
Il est important de savoir parler au moins deux langues. Je parle français, also English y Espanol tambien. Bon voyage en France!
Je suis d'accord.
We just arrived here because of your review of Dijon and you nailed it. We have been all over South America and much of Europe now and this is my favorite place. It’s like being in a movie as you walk around the streets. The market with all the fresh fruit and vegetables is amazing. Made me think of Cuenca :-). Anyhow, thanks for this review. I don’t think we would have come here without seeing your UA-cam first. Thank you!
Awesome! Glad you’re enjoying Dijon! It’s amazing! 🇫🇷
Wonderful video! It's a nice change from the large French cities - while I hear that they have their charm, I am equally often hearing about the high prices in cities like Paris.
Condo prices are DIRT CHEAP you mentioned compared to the U.S. Wish you could have shown a few.
Love the idea of France, especially the food culture. I think I'd want to be more in the south in the winter though. Maybe Toulouse.
We LOVED Toulouse! It's beautiful, and the vibe was relaxed. Definitely a top contender for expats to consider!
Thanks for this! Heading to Corsica then Liguria next week. Looking forward to it immensely!
Great video! We loved the tiny insights like the Amazon delivery. The retro commercials were such a hit with us too… still joking about them 😂🤣 Keep up the great work❤️🔥
Glad you enjoyed it!
Quite a revelation, always focussed on Nice for retirement but it became very expensive. Thank you very much, and warm greetings from Amsterdam.
Beautiful video! The town was certainly impressive for many reasons. Thank you!
thank you, You look so happy there. Dijon looks like a wonderful mix between smaller, quieter ways of living but still diverse, Thanks for sharing.
Funny, I have been living 3 hours by train from Dijon for the past 35 years... always wanted to go, and just never got around to it. OK, now I must go!
Great! 😊
Great video, watching your travels to get ideas where to go when I retire.
The Pophair person did a really good job. Your hair is beautiful.
Thanks, JP & Amelia, for showcasing another beautiful city. I know you put in so much work in making these videos for us. The joys that you share are truly evident in this video of Dijon. Very positive feelings for the city even though their mustard isn't my favorito.
It is so friggin pretty there. I guess if I wanted the easy life and was ready to retire I'd move there but I guess I'm a masochist and want to go somewhere I can work study and struggle a little. Better than being bored and lonely in a gorgeous place.
My favorite of your videos!
It looks like a great way to have a home base while slow traveling Europe
Mon dieu! Your new haircut is beautiful!!! The woman at Pophair is brilliant!
13:10 This single statement made me head to Google fights after the video and start investigating flight cost in various months. You mentioned Lyon and that’s another location I’ve been really curious about. Great video!!!
Terrific video! Really enjoyed seeing this wonderful new-to-me smaller city in France. Very well done! I can see my 4 years of high school French paying off nicely (after an intense brush-up😂). Thank you for preparing this - safe travels.
Glad you enjoyed it!
been watching your videos off and on for the last 2 years because I love South America. You both look so happy and healthy....and now in Europe! Cool! :) Looking forward to more videos from this part of the world!
Thanks so much!
Love it!
But I say if you move somewhere you need to assimilate and try to live in the language of where you are all the time.
Moving somewhere and then hanging out in expat areas or when you go out it is with expats...just don't move there. Vacation. Less you are ready to adopt the language fully, you are only a tourist.
I lived in Lille for about 15 months. I wouldn't suggest that area but I could live in Dijon. It's charming. Many benefits without the crowd.
Oof, looks like the perfect city. Like Toulouse but connected to Paris. Check out Toulouse! You guys are looking super sharp! What a life.
Thank you! Will do!
@@AmeliaAndJP Toulouse worth the trip indeed, a city created more than 2,000 years ago packed with history.
Great lifestyle, sunny weather, great surroundings : 1 hr from Pyrenees mountains and Mediterranean sea, 1h30 from atlantic ocean, 1hr30 from Spain, great countryside around.
And still very dynamic and active: one of largest students community in France, elite sport clubs in all major sports (rugby, soccer, handball, volleyball, …), hosting Airbus headquarters, …
Dijon is so beautiful. Thank you for taking us along on the "owl tour" with you! 💙🤍❤
Thanks for the videos and the tips. You gave us some French food for thought with this one. We may just consider Dijon for our future travels based on this video. Bon Voyage! 🥂
Aw, you guys are so cute. Dijon looks lovely.
Love that you are exploring France - must visit Bordeaux - incredible city! With a night trip to Arcachon for summer times. What is the visa situation for France? I watched Nomad Capitalists latest vlog on Mexico and he did mention that France is not on his list - not sure why - maybe he is more focused on business reasons. I would love to live in Dijon or Bordeaux or South of France is also incredibly beautiful! Wonder what cities/areas are better/warmer in winter season or no windy mistral season..Great vlog! So excited for more France and Europe content etc!
Since I'm in the comments tonight, I'll throw out an opinion. Andrew over at Nomad Capitalist has on many occasions, over the years that I've watched him, referred to his "libertarian" beliefs. So I think his reasons are both political and VERY much about taxes. The whole theme of his business & channel is relocation to where you can have the least government intrusion and taxes. And when it comes to taxes, France is in a class by itself--and I'm moving there in a few months!
@@BobKnight-mm2ze ah so you mean despite their high taxes, you are still moving there?
How beautiful~! Glad you mentioned the mustard ~ ha, that's the first thing I thought of. Gorgeous footage. There seems to be something for everyone. Thank you! 🩵
Albi is also a great place for American Expats, much more sun in Albi than in Dijon that is for sure. Nice Houses still sell in Albi for less than €200,000 euros.
Albi isn't far from Toulouse, you can do almost all shopping on Foot in Albi. Albi has nearly all the necessary public services anyone could want.
Welcome Guys ;) hope all the best to you !
This is a great video, very interesting and informative. Thanks🙂
Great presentation guys.
Awesome video. I was thinking Dijon sounds like a great place to consider, that is until you mentioned the lack of sunshine. I've got to have sunshine.
Amelia looking great in bright colors ❤🎉
You can get to the capital of Switzerland from there in 3 hours. Please do a video of Bern !
Good video and vibe. Thank you for showing a less known French city. It is my country but I don’t know this city. Yes this year is a rainy summer but it became very unusual. When I was younger it was not unusual except in the south of France.
Why not visit some of the cities in southwestern France? It's nice and less expensive I believe. Lots of sunshine in the SW.
Nice sum up of Djon ……thanks for sharing….Alex🇬🇷
Dijon looks beautiful and seems to have lots to do!
absolutely fantastic! Great vlog on a great city. Love you guys, safe travels!!!
Thanks so much!
Thank you both ❤❤❤ love it we are looking everyday for a town like this ….. I thought Nimes was my favourite city but this is is looking wonderful
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video! I'll look into Dijon
Thank you so much for all you do. It is really helpful to figure out so many decisions about travelling through Europe once I can finally retire. You guys are awesome!
I am Chilean-American and my dad is Argentinian. All my family is in Chile, so if you ever need any tips on Chile, let me know. I would be really happy to help. Best
Thanks!
The framed text on the screen stays on screen for too short a time. Hard to read and keep up with the video. The video is otherwise very entertaing and informative. Thank you for charing this with us.
Looks interesting, but I'm an individual who suffers from a fear of being inland and away from the Sea. However, I did hitchhike through France several times in my youth but if I were to return to Europe the Balearic islands would be my first stop. as I lived there before on Formentera.
We would go back in a heartbeat... :)
Thanks, I had no idea Dijon was a city.
@@rreegan6956 And I relish the thought of the city getting on people's radar. Had to do it....
Loved the video. On location. Thanks so much
I'm very happy for you guy's enjoyed life
3:05 Be careful, you have to touch the owl with your left hand, the hand of your heart, otherwise you'll attract misfortune ! From a Dijon resident who loves this city. 😉
Love it JP and Amelia
Hmm, I wonder where you read France was dirty? We’ve been coming here for 20 years and have always found France impeccable compared to the average US city - however! Some cities in France, or at least some neighborhoods, have problems with keeping sidewalks clean. Certain cultures in France just will not pick up after their dog!
Love these guys. Albania is our new favorite place, oh wait...I can appreciate that!
Intriguing location option! For more on the lack of smoking...my good buddy, Chat GPT says, "France implemented a comprehensive smoking ban in restaurants, cafes, and bars on January 1, 2008. The ban extended previous restrictions that had already prohibited smoking in workplaces, schools, and hospitals since February 1, 2007."
You give good information. Merci beaucoup.
A little advice for strangers who want to live in France for retirement : make the effort to learn the language. As you get old you will probably need healthcare and maybe even a stay in a hospital. Not every nurses nor doctor speaks good English, especially in little cities. Plus, french people find it super rude to live here for years without even trying to learn the language. It is super ok if you are not a fluent bilingual, but show that you made the effort 😉
Can’t wait to see where you go next, hopefully somewhere in France!
Wonderful video! Considering an add to our bucket list, other than the language barrier. Really enjoyed this video & town!
Nice video. Looks like a great place to visit, and maybe more. Thanks!
You two are a very cute couple. Thx for all the great info!
Thanks! 😊
Love your videos. You compliment each other well. Loved you London video....very nice. And PJ like your flat cap. Don't know whether you know, but the flat cap is very very English. In some respects you looked like an archetypal Englishman in London. Writing here because the London excursion was turned off?? Thanks for the videos 😊
Thanks! 😊
The cost of living is low for Americans with an American salary, it is very low for a Swiss person like me with a family at charge and only one salary, it is ok for French people with a French salary of upper middle class (~4000 a month), but if you move there don’t expect to live there like you do on vacations.
If you have a salary of 3000 a month it’s quite tight, unless both of you work then you have a very good life. In your case it’s okay you don’t have kids to take care of and both of you can work, but for a French family with kids where only the father works and the mother stays at home for the kids, a 3000 salary (which is upper middle class) barely gets you go through the month.
Our audience mostly lives in the US and is most retired.
love you guys. unconventionals!!!
By French/European standards Dijon is a big city 🤗
I must be the only one that knew about the city before I discovered the mustard. Maybe because I did grew up in Europe before moving to US.
There isn’t the concentrated expat community like in Paris, but that is one of its appeals. However, there are plenty of English-speakers. You can start at the English-language bookstore. There are English language meetups arranged every couple of weeks on Facebook. The difference between Dijon expats in Paris or villages in the touristy Provence region is that many English speakers first arrive for work or something like that. They are quickly absorbed into their professional community and if they have children they have a school and kid-based social circle.
Also, you forgot to mention the prolific number of Michelin restaurants AND the Cité de Gastronomie that showcase its UNESCO special culture designation.
We actually did mention and show a couple Michelin restaurants 👍
Will you be watching the Tour de France, which starts at the end of June?