But the lifestyle takes some getting used to. Shops, post offices and municipal buildings close from noon until 2:30 or 3 making errands difficult outside of morning and evening hours. In the summer, tourists clog the roads, making travel difficult. Most buy a moped and avoid the car traffic during peak months. Mounds of paperwork are required for any transaction and some of the rules seem bizarre. For example, official documents -- such as marriage licenses and birth certificates -- can’t be more than three months old. Additionally, housing prices are high and taxes can eat away at business profits. 

With that said, the positives of living here far outweigh the negatives. 

Housing Market - The housing market in Antibes and Juan-les-Pins has steadily increased by about 10 percent annually, making it an expensive corner of the world to find a home. Real estate agents throw their hands in the air when asked if it will continue to increase or if it has leveled off.

“Antibes is a special market, it’s a small village with all the advantages of a big town and people are willing to pay for that,” said Martine Roufiac, a real estate agent with Catherine Mamet in Antibes (real estate agents are called Agent immobilier in France). “We are between Cannes and Nice, very close to an international airport, we have sandy beaches, we have pebbled beaches, we have the Cap d’Antibes…There are activities in Antibes all year round and people find that attractive.”

In France, apartment size is not counted in terms of the number of bedrooms, but by the number of “pieces.” A three-piece apartment consists of two bedrooms and a living room. The kitchen and bathroom (usually separate from the toilet) are not counted as pieces.

In Antibes, a new, two-bedroom (three piece), 65 square meter apartment within walking distance of a beach, with two balconies, a swimming pool, garage and storage room costs between 260,000 and 300,000 euros. Sometimes tennis courts are available at these apartments. Two-bedroom apartments are available in older buildings for less. If you are willing to forgo the pool and accept a façade that is a little worn the price goes down to around 230,000 euros. The price is about the same in Juan-les-Pins.

Houses are significantly more expensive. A charming three or four bedroom, house in Antibes or in Juan-les-Pins costs between 450,000 and 2 million, depending on its location. On the exclusive Cap d’Antibes the price is unlimited. Of course many of the houses there have extras such as private beaches, a 10-car garage, a disco and a movie a theater.

Antibes Juan-les-Pins is located near an international university and the largest technical park in Europe, which provides a steady demand for rental units. The market for both long and short-term rentals is excellent. Some Juan-les-Pins landlords with seafront apartments get as much as 4,000 euros a week during the peak weeks of July and August. This rental market has been helped in a large part by the expansion of cheap airlines into the area. Bargain airline Easy Jet flies from London to Nice 35 times a day during the summer.

It is not difficult for foreigners to purchase property in France – it is difficult for everyone. There is a lot of paperwork and dozens of forms that must be filled in triplicate. But it is comforting to know that French laws protect buyers from fraud. Buyers are more protected than sellers in France. For example, after signing for a piece of property, called a Compromis de Vente, the buyer has seven days to cancel the contract without penalty. 

It is also possible to sign an agreement contingent on obtaining a bank loan. The terms of the expected loan are included in the contract in what is called clause suspensive. If the loan falls through for any reason, or the buyer does not like the terms of the bank’s loan, the contract can be broken without penalty. A notary (notaire) is required for all transactions. The listed price of a property includes the real estate agent’s fee, which is about 7 percent of the total price. It does not include the notary fee. The notary fee is normally 7 percent of the price, minus the agent’s fee. 

Ideally the notary acts as an independent agent, checks for liens on the property and makes sure any outstanding mortgages are paid before the seller gets paid. The notary is also expected to check for any planned developments that could negatively impact the value of the property, such as construction of a major highway or a large commercial project. Of course, it is always good to also investigate this yourself.

A deposit of 10 percent is usually required when the papers are signed and the deal is near completion.

Local property taxes (taxe fonciere) are minimal. In Antibes, the average taxe fonciere is around 600 euros a year. If you live in the property you are also required to pay an occupancy tax (taxe d'habitation). This is around the same amount as the taxe fonciere, but it may be a little higher or lower depending on your financial situation. If you don’t live on the property then the tenant pays the tax. It is adjusted upward or downward depending on salary and number of children under the age of 18.

Cost of Living - Like everywhere, moving to France involves some start-up costs. In order to obtain a long-term visa the French government requires applicants to prove they have enough money to support themselves while in France. Plan on being able to show that you have around 1,000 euros per adult per month to live for a year. This can be done by showing a pension, a bank account with a substantial amount of money or by presenting proof of employment. 

Those who do not have a European union residence must apply for a carte de sejour, or residence card. The card costs Americans about 220 euros. Applying for the carte de sejour is not difficult, but it is time consuming. Often officials will issue cards valid for three months and will require you return for another three-month extension. Other times they will issue a one-year card without comment. It all depends on who is at the counter when you arrive and what kind of day they have had. It’s best not to argue, but to smile, remain calm and patient and to thank them before you leave. The patient and persistent resident will eventually receive a 10-year carte de sejour. Apply at the nearest prefecture, or local government office.

The south of France is not cheap, but it isn’t exorbitantly expensive, either. If you adapt to the culture and lifestyle you will find that living is less expensive than if you try to make the culture and lifestyle adapt to you. For example, often a 12-ounce can of coke is more expensive than a bottle of decent wine. A McDonalds’ takeout meal can cost more than a pizza or pasta dish in a restaurant.

On average, if you buy produce at the market, shop in large supermarkets, look for bargains and avoid small 7-11-type stores it isn’t difficult for a couple to eat well on 300 euros a month. 

The same is true for restaurants. There is a wide-range of food and service available, most are reasonably priced. In Juan-les-Pins, for example, a modest meal at a casual restaurant the beach (with your feet literally in the sand) can cost anywhere from 9 euros to 100, depending on what you order. A 9-euro order might include muscles in a red or white sauce a salad and fries or a pizza; twenty euros will buy a steak or fresh grilled fish. Wine is cheap in France, sometimes cheaper than water.