Moving from Devon, UK to Nice, France: A Mediterranean Adventure
Moving from a small city in Devon, an area in the extreme southwest part of England known for its green rolling hills, rugged coastline and a quiet countryside, to a much larger, busier and hotter city of Nice, France on the Côte d’Azur could be an exciting, yet terrifying experience. Devon is a beautiful place, quaint and quiet. It’s the complete opposite of Nice, Mediterranean, warm climate and everything happening all the time. It would be a huge culture and environment shock to move from one to the other.
Why Move to Nice?
It is also a place suited to the modern-day travelling Briton because it is also exactly the kind of place that an expatriate with a Riviera address wants to live in: the pleasant little capital of the French Riviera. Its glamorous ‘baigneuses’ (sunbathers) and palm trees, its long history and lively cultural energy, its balmy seafront, its markets and beautiful Promenade des Anglais — all of these were too enticing to decline. Devon, on the other hand, offered a slower, more rural pace of life.
One of the draws of Nice is the sunshine. While Devon can be rather damp, and has bracing winters, the city enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year. You could hardly blame anyone for wanting to spend their time outside: drinking coffee at a pavement café, bathing in the sea, or exploring the hills behind the town.
Preparing for the Move: Legal and Practical Considerations
Any move from the UK to France post-Brexit will have to be well-planned and legal or administrative matters will need to be taken in hand. With the UK leaving the European Union, British citizens living in or moving to France will have to obtain a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) if they want to stay for more than 90 days, which requires certain documents to be presented (proof of lodging, of health insurance and of financial means of support).
If moving from Devon to Nice, you would look for an international mover International moves can be more complicated than local ones. If you are moving the contents of a house in the Devon countryside abroad, or just your belongings from a small home, you need to plan what will happen to them. Luckily, many companies specialise in moves between the UK and France and offer a 'door-to-door service', which includes packing, shipping and customs clearance, making your move as straightforward as possible.
Finding a Home in Nice
Housing in Nice is relatively inexpensive, ranging from tiny flats in the city centre to larger homes in quieter, more residential areas. The centerpiece of Nice is the medieval Old Town (Vieux Nice), with its narrow, cobbled streets and bustling squares. Other, quieter, more residential areas include Cimiez, with its grand villas and tree-lined streets. The Carré d’Or, or ‘Golden Square’, is a preferred area for those who want everything close at hand, since it has fine shops, restaurants and the beach on the doorstep.
Housing prices are higher in Nice than they are in Devon, particularly in the nicer parts of town close to the sea. One-bedroom apartments in the city centre rent for between €900 to €1,500 per month. For those moving with a family or seeking more space, accommodation outside the city centre or in nearby towns can be more affordable.
The Cost of Living and Lifestyle Differences
The cost of living in Nice, at least in terms of renting and buying property, eating out and transport, is higher than in Devon, but the lifestyle that accompanies living on the French Riviera means it is often worth the extra cost. Life in Nice is based around the outside, with time spent on the beach, at the markets or in one of the many restaurants that cater for outside dining, but the slower pace of Mediterranean life and the good weather encourage a focus on living day to day.
Food plays a major part in life in Nice, and the Mediterranean diet, based on fresh seafood, vegetables and olive oil, is an important part of life here. Gone are the times when you might treat yourself to a cream tea in Devon, and in its place are dishes such as salade niçoise, fresh seafood, and Provençal specialities enjoyed in places such as the Cours Saleya market, which offers a taste of the local produce.
Adjusting to Life in France
Moving to France is not easy: learning to cope with the bureaucracy is part of the deal. You need to register with the authorities, open a French bank account and obtain health insurance, as well as dealing with practicalities such as how to get a TV licence. British citizens need to learn French in order to fully engage in the local community. Although many people in Nice speak some English, especially in tourist areas, your experience of living in Nice and your day-to-day interactions will be significantly improved if you speak French.
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Conclusion
It is a big step to move from the quiet little town in the English countryside of Devon to an energetic and busy Mediterranean city of Nice. Sure, it comes with its own challenges, such as all the paperwork that goes along with emigrating, and the big difference in the cost of living, but the upsides of living in one of Europe’s most beautiful coastal cities far exceed all the inconveniences and challenges one might encounter. Nice has a very different lifestyle from that of Devon.
