Hello All,
I am hoping for some suggestions/advice on towns in the French Pyrenees that might be suitable as a primary home for me in early retirement.
I plan to retire in the next couple of years (age 55) and hope to live an active mountain lifestyle for as long as my health allows (hopefully 10-15 years!). I have spent a lot of time in the French Alps but the prices are too steep and I’m hoping the Pyrenees will offer a similar lifestyle at a more affordable cost.
I am looking for a year-round town rather than purpose-built resorts. Summer activities (hill walking) are much more important to me than winter (skiing). Ideally, I’d like to be no more than 30 minutes drive/bus to great walking.
I have basic, rusty French that will need a lot of work. I intend to brush this up but realistically, it will take a couple of years to be fully self-sufficient. Because of this, I feel like I need a town with some expat community for social engagement. I am single and getting out for a chat/pint or coffee etc. is increasingly important.
I also have to face the fact that as I get older, medical care will be more important so proximity/availability of good medical services is another consideration.
So, I have scoured the internet and come up with a few towns that seem like possible fits:
Bagnere de Luchon
Bagnere de Bigorre
I plan a scouting trip to check these out in late September. I have also considered Pau but despite the high profile on some retirement marketing websites, opinions seem split and I feel like it might be too far from the mountains for me.
My questions to this group:
I am hoping for some suggestions/advice on towns in the French Pyrenees that might be suitable as a primary home for me in early retirement.
I plan to retire in the next couple of years (age 55) and hope to live an active mountain lifestyle for as long as my health allows (hopefully 10-15 years!). I have spent a lot of time in the French Alps but the prices are too steep and I’m hoping the Pyrenees will offer a similar lifestyle at a more affordable cost.
I am looking for a year-round town rather than purpose-built resorts. Summer activities (hill walking) are much more important to me than winter (skiing). Ideally, I’d like to be no more than 30 minutes drive/bus to great walking.
I have basic, rusty French that will need a lot of work. I intend to brush this up but realistically, it will take a couple of years to be fully self-sufficient. Because of this, I feel like I need a town with some expat community for social engagement. I am single and getting out for a chat/pint or coffee etc. is increasingly important.
I also have to face the fact that as I get older, medical care will be more important so proximity/availability of good medical services is another consideration.
So, I have scoured the internet and come up with a few towns that seem like possible fits:
Bagnere de Luchon
Bagnere de Bigorre
I plan a scouting trip to check these out in late September. I have also considered Pau but despite the high profile on some retirement marketing websites, opinions seem split and I feel like it might be too far from the mountains for me.
My questions to this group:
- Any comments/feedback or experiences on the above two towns ?
- Any towns I missed that I should add to the list and possibly visit ?
