Bordeaux is a city in South West France divided by River Garonne. This city is famous for its vineyards, so moving to Bordeaux will be a dream come true if you are a wine lover.
Living in Bordeaux, France, means living among heritage sites, a vibrant community, and good food. This city also offers safe and artistic neighbourhoods around the city.
Before packing your bags or booking your flight ticket, read these 9 superior life-hacks that will help you relocate to Bordeaux. We will share hacks such as how to deal with the cost of living in Bordeaux, getting around, and cool places and events in this city.
1. Get To Know What It Is Like Living In Bordeaux
There are some facts about Bordeaux that you should learn before heading to this city. Knowing these facts will help you adapt to life in Bordeaux and prepare for the relocation.
Lovely Weather
The weather in Bordeaux is influenced by the sub-oceanic and the Mediterranean climate. Winters are cold and rainy, while summers are warm and sunny.
It is pretty comfortable to do outdoor activities all year round in Bordeaux since the average temperatures are not extreme. Generally, the temperature will range from 37°F (0°C) to 82°F (27.7°C).
Family-Friendly City
Bordeaux is a perfect place to raise a family. This city has a reasonable cost of living and is moderately safe.
You will find a lot of attractions for the whole family here, such as parks, a zoo, good restaurants, and museums. Your children will be happy to learn while enjoying the beautiful view of Bordeaux.
Excellent Retirement Destination
If you want to stay active after retirement, Bordeaux is a good place to do that. This city has mild weather that is neither too cold in the winter nor too hot in the summer. This allows the senior citizens to enjoy outdoor activities all year long.
Bordeaux also has an excellent public transportation system and healthcare service. On top of that, this city also offers great food and entertainment, so seniors retiring here can expect an enjoyable retirement period.
2. Calculate Your Housing Budget According To The Average House Price And Rent
Before moving to Bordeaux, you need to learn about the average house price and monthly rent. This information will help you in making a realistic estimation of your housing costs.
The average house price in Bordeaux is €320,000 while the average monthly rent is €746.67. If you are looking for a place with lower price or rent, you should search in the outskirts of the city.
3. Secure Your Home Before Moving To Bordeaux
It is important to do some research before deciding where to live in Bordeaux. You need to consider the safety, amenities, and affordability when searching for the best neighbourhood to live in.
For your reference, below are some of the neighbourhoods in Bordeaux that are safe, walkable, and have excellent amenities.
La Bastide
This neighbourhood is vibrant with late-night and pop up bars, restaurants, film festivals, and music gigs. La Bastide also has buildings with beautiful architecture across the area.
La Bastide is a perfect place if you do not want to live in the city centre yet still want easy access to it. The commuting from La Bastide to the city centre is around 28 minutes by tram.
Les Chartrons
If you work in the city centre area but want to live on the outskirts, then Les Chartrons is the right place.
This neighbourhood is near the city centre, and the newcomers usually choose Les Chartrons to be their first home. Besides that, Les Chartrons is also known for its waterside restaurants and late-night bars.
You will also find other amenities such as tram stops, museums, a park, supermarkets, shops, and hotels. Les Chartrons also has schools and a college, perfect if you’re moving with children.
Vieux Bordeaux
Vieux Bordeaux is a trendy neighbourhood that is also a tourist destination. You will find museums and buildings with grand architecture in this area, such as Porte Cailhau and the old Eglise Saint-Pierre.
Besides city attractions, Vieux Bordeaux also offers cosy restaurants, coffee shops, and wine bars where you can hang out with friends. There are also parks, bus stops, stores, and nice hotels.
4. Find Out The Average Cost Of Living In Bordeaux
The estimated monthly expenses for a family of four and a single person are €3,160 and €869, respectively. These numbers do not include monthly rent or housing prices.
The average salary in Bordeaux is €46,000 per year. It can afford decent living expenses for a single person and a couple. However, a family of three or four need to make more to afford monthly needs and housing costs.
To deal with the living expenses in Bordeaux, you can apply these hacks to save more money:
- Find free or low-budget options for your recreation, such as visiting museums on the first Sundays of the month to get free admission.
- Buy your sandwiches at supermarkets instead of cafes for a lower price.
- Use public transport to avoid the expensive parking fee to get around the city.
5. Learn About The Industries To Help You In Your Job Hunt
Before you jump into the Bordeaux job market, it is better to learn about the local industries. This way, you will see what opportunity awaits you in this city.
To help you with your job hunt, below are some of the key industry sectors in Bordeaux:
- tourism,
- wine, agriculture, and food industry,
- health,
- aeronautics, space and defence,
- information technology, and
- optic and laser.
Start your job hunt by visiting online job portals or the local companies’ websites. Make a job-hunting plan which includes your daily application and interview targets.
Please remember to secure your income source before relocating. Financial security is important, especially when you’re moving to a new city.
6. Familiarise Yourself With The Public Transport System
The transportation system in Bordeaux is extensive and modern. It covers a large route network, making it possible for you to conveniently go around the city.
Public transport in Bordeaux includes buses, trams, trains, and water taxis. Additionally, you can rent a bicycle or a scooter if you want more freedom.
If you want to go to other cities by train, there is Gare Saint-Jean, the main train station located in central Bordeaux. It connects this city with Bayonne, Poitiers, Nantes, La Rochelle, and Toulouse.
Driving a car in Bordeaux can be a bit of a hassle, especially in the city centre area. The parking in this area is quite expensive. Therefore, it is better to take public transport when going around the city.
On top of that, Bordeaux is very walkable. The layout of this city is pretty compact, which makes all amenities within walking distance of one another.
7. Fill Up Your Bucket List With These Beautiful Places In Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a beautiful city with plenty of places designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Living in Bordeaux means you cannot miss your chance to visit the beautiful buildings and historical sites.
Here are some of the places that you want to fill your bucket list with:
- Cathédrale Saint-André,
- Palais de la Bourse,
- Basilique Saint-Michel,
- Esplanade des Quinconces,
- Jardin Public,
- La Cité du Vin (a cultural centre dedicated to wine), and
- Palais Gallien.
8. Mingle With The locals In These Festivals
Through festivals, you can learn more about the local culture and customs. One of the main advantages of participating in a festival is getting closer to the people.
Therefore, mark your calendar to join in the following festivals in Bordeaux:
- Bordeaux Fête le Vin (wine festival),
- Journee Medievale a Saint Macaire (a mediaeval festival in the old town of Saint Macaire),
- Fermes en Fete, Langon, and
- Bordeaux Christmas Market.
There are still more events and festivals you will find in Bordeaux. While enjoying the festivals, you may also make new friends here.
9. Explore The Local Dishes To Adapt To Bordeaux Easier
Food can be your way to feel at home in Bordeaux. Additionally, food also has the power to connect people. That’s why we recommend that you spare some time to explore the local dishes with your new friends and colleagues.
You will find many delicious dishes that will suit your taste buds. For your reference, here is a list of local dishes you must try in Bordeaux:
- grilled duck breast (le magret de canard grillé),
- duck foie gras,
- cream puff (Dunes blanches),
- Bazas rib-eye steak with bordelaise sauce, and
- Damien Boulan oysters.
The people of Bordeaux are known to be wine lovers. Make sure you give the Bordeaux wine a taste to make your culinary journey even better.
Conclusion About Moving To Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a city with lovely weather and beautiful architecture. You will enjoy having various activities all year round, including winter and summer.
This city is also a perfect place for families and retirees. It has a reasonable cost of living, an excellent public transport system, many recreational options, and a great food scene.
On top of that, Bordeaux offers opportunities in various industries. This allows people from any industry background and experience to pursue careers in Bordeaux.
To make your relocation to Bordeaux stress-free, engage Sanelo to ship your belongings to this city. Our team will help you through the relocation process to ensure it fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Bordeaux
Is Bordeaux A Nice Place To Live?
Bordeaux is a nice place for locals and expats. This city offers many recreational areas, good food and wine, and the weather is friendly even in the winter.
For expats, there are a lot of international communities to help each other adapt to Bordeaux.
Are People From Bordeaux Nice?
Generally, people in Bordeaux are friendly and welcoming. That’s why this city is an excellent place for expats and retirees.
Is Bordeaux Cheaper Than Paris?
Bordeaux is around 32% cheaper than Paris. Therefore, this city is perfect for retirement since it offers a more affordable cost of living as well as excellent amenities for senior citizens.
How Do I Contact Sanelo To Ship My Belongings To Bordeaux?
Please visit our official website to start a quote with us. It’s best to contact us three or two months before your moving date to give our team sufficient time to schedule a slot for the shipment of your belongings.
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