Countryside and town – French buyers moving out of big cities.

Recent French surveys have highlighted the appetite for home owners to gain more space by moving out of big cities to be closer to green spaces – something that can be easier in a medium-sized city. A survey by OpinionWay found that 59% of the French felt the need to connect with nature during confinement. Another recent study found that 61 per cent of French people are willing to pay more for a property with outdoor space. The result is that houses on the outskirts of large cities are selling fast, but also that those buyers seeking a garden without paying a higher price are looking away from the big cities. Medium-sized cities are the winners in this trend, which has also been fuelled by the rise in remote working. When asked what type of city they would ideally live in, 50%  of residents of large cities said they would like a medium-sized city, according to Baromètre des Territoires. Medium-sized cities are often the county capitals of the départements – for example, Avignon, Brive-la-Gaillarde and Evreux – and offer good value.  Price-wise, notaries have recorded a median price per square metre of less than €1,500 in apartments in more than 130 medium-sized cities. 

Tempted by a new life in a medium-sized city? Here is our selection this month:

Very charming 4-bedroom renovated former presbytery located in a quiet historic village close to Carcassonne, offering magnificent views of the Pyrénées.

This beautiful stone property is situated only 15 minutes from Angoulême and comes with a 4-bed main house, a 1-bed gîte, a swimming pool, and 6ha of land.

N°3 – Attractive town house in Perigueux

Well-maintained townhouse located close to shops and schools in Périgueux. It includes 2 bedrooms, an office, and a large terrace.