Category: Blog

The Search Is On

We’re coming to the end of our three-year sojourn in France, and it looks like my wife’s company may ask her to return at some point in the future. We had a chat about what that would mean, and we both agreed that if it does happen, we’d like to live somewhere a bit less… busy, let’s say, than Paris.

To that end, we’ve been visiting smaller cities within “occasional commuting distance” of Paris: places where her office is still accessible but the pace of life is more manageable. So far, we’ve done day trips to eight cities by train, scoping out the feel of the town, the shopping, the amenities, the neighborhoods, and the general vibe.

Here are some thoughts on the places we’ve visited:

Le Mans

Population: ~200k | Train to Paris: ~55 min | Cost of Living: Low | Green space: Good

Affordable and well-connected to Paris with some intact Roman walls and medieval streets, but parts of the city felt a little rough. I did a bit of digging and found that crime is a bit higher here than most other places on this list.

Medieval houses in Le Mans, France

Tours

Population: ~300k | Train to Paris: ~1 hr | Cost of Living: Moderate | Green space: Very good

A lively university city with a growing expat presence. Walkable, attractive, and with more sunshine than Paris. Seems to have a solid mix of livability and culture without feeling overwhelming.

Tours Hôtel de Ville

Angers

Population: ~300k | Train to Paris: ~1.5 hrs | Cost of Living: Moderate | Green space: Excellent

Pleasant city center dominated by the Château d’Angers. Feels clean, green, and family-friendly. Parks like Parc Balzac and Lac de Maine provide plenty of natural green space. Bonus point: Angers has a Ligue Magnus hockey team, which would give me an excuse to get out of the house once in a while.

Gardens below the walls of the Château d’Angers

Orléans

Population: ~280k | Train to Paris: ~1 hr | Cost of Living: Moderate | Green space: Good

A city that clearly takes pride in its history: Jeanne d’Arc, the Hundred Years War, and more. The city core is attractive, though some surrounding areas are more built up and less inviting. It doesn’t seem to have a strong English-speaking or international community.

Medieval French banners above Rue Jeanne d’Arc in Orléans, France

Chartres

Population: ~135k | Train to Paris: ~1 hr 15 min | Cost of Living: Low | Green space: Good

A quiet town best known for its incredible Gothic cathedral, which towers over everything else, both literally and culturally. Vibe is more like a commuter town or stop on the tourist trail than a place with much daily buzz.

Chartres Cathedral, Chartres France.

Poitiers

Population: ~130k | Train to Paris: ~1.5 hrs | Cost of Living: Low | Green space: Very good

A university town with medieval architecture and a modest cultural scene. It’s said to have a vibrant student life, but it was fairly quiet when we visited. The architecture gives it character, but parts of the city felt a bit industrial and gritty. I didn’t take many photos there because there really wasn’t much to look at since the château was closed off behind fences for restoration.

Parc de Blossac, Poitiers, France

Amiens

Population: ~190k | Train to Paris: ~1 hr 15 min | Cost of Living: Low | Green space: Good

A calm city with beautiful canals and remarkable floating gardens (hortillonnages – French link). Its cathedral is one of the largest in France. Much of the historic city was destroyed in the World Wars, so despite its long history it’s fairly modern looking. A new TGV link to CDG airport is reportedly in the works. Also, another bonus point since they also have a Ligue Magnus hockey team, which is more than Paris can say, so… go figure.

Amiens Cathedral, Amiens France.

Lille

Population: ~1 million | Train to Paris: ~1 hr | Cost of Living: Moderate | Green space: Good

A much bigger city, close to the Belgian border. Probably the most high-energy and urban of the places we visited. We happened to be there during a spring festival weekend, and the public spaces in the city were packed. Affordable by Paris standards, but not especially quiet. Feels more like “Paris-lite” than a small-city retreat.

Grand Place, a large central square in Lille, France

Closing Thoughts

We haven’t made any decisions yet, but some favorites are starting to emerge. Each of these places has its own strengths, quirks, and trade-offs. The challenge now is figuring out not just where we could live, but where we think we would enjoy spending the next few years.

From Vatican City To Monaco

Okay, I’ll admit it—I have a pretty quirky item on my bucket list. While you guys are out there dreaming of skydiving or tackling Mount Everest, I’m working on something a little more low-key: visiting every microstate in Europe. You know, those tiny little independent countries that most travelers skip over. They may be small but each one has so much history that it’s hard not to be fascinated.

Take Vatican City, for example. I visited this one a few years ago, right in the heart of Rome. It’s the smallest independent state in the world, both in area and population, and yet it feels monumental. Walking through its halls and seeing artistic masterpieces that I’d only ever read about was surreal. It was like wandering through centuries of art and spiritual history all at once—a place that just gets you if you love art, history, or just a sense of the sacred.

Fast forward to now, and I’ve just come back from a day in Monaco—my second microstate checked off the list!

Talk about a contrast, though. Monaco’s all about the glitz and the glamour, from Monte Carlo’s’ casinos and those Mediterranean sea views everywhere you look. It’s like a tiny slice of luxury nestled into a space no bigger than a city park. From the famous Casino de Monte Carlo to the Japanese Gardens, everywhere you look had something new to offer, a blend of opulence and elegance with a dash of Mediterranean magic.

I know you believe me, but I’ve got some proof anyway… photos from my day in Monaco. It may be small, but it’s got a style that’s larger than life, so enjoy this virtual stroll through one of the world’s tiniest (but most dazzling) countries. It may be little, but trust me when I say it leaves a big impression.

Casino de Monte Carlo
Monaco Parks
Monaco selfie
Prince’s Palace
That’s about half of the entire country

Ah, air travel.

Airports, the gateways to the world, often feel more like choke points of frustration. They’re this odd mix—where speed collides with delay, and motion collides with moments of total stillness. Crowds pack the space, as travelers from all corners of the world hustle for a bit of elbow room, creating this palpable tension you can practically feel in the air. And then, of course, everything costs a fortune. The second you step past those sliding doors, it’s like the normal rules of supply and demand economics vanish. That bottle of water or quick snack you’d normally pick up without thinking suddenly feels like an investment.

People walking through an airport terminal.
Source

What’s even more absurd is the rush that’s always undercut by endless waiting. You see it in those long lines curling through terminals—for security, for boarding, even just for a cup of coffee. It’s that enforced idleness that seems to make people more impatient, rushing around just to stand still again. And honestly, what’s the rush? Your flight’s going to be delayed anyway, I can all but guarantee it. When something actually runs on time, that’s the surprise. All of this frustration just adds to the stress, leaving everyone feeling a little more worn out and on edge.

Add that exhaustion into the mix, and it’s no wonder people get snippy. Politeness tends to take a back seat when nerves are frayed, and you can feel it in the short, clipped conversations all around. In the end, airports may be engineering marvels and global hubs, but let’s face it—they’re not exactly places anyone enjoys hanging around.

Why am I talking about this right now, you ask? No reason at all, really.

Oh, hang on, they’re announcing how much longer my flight’s going to be delayed. This’ll be nice. I always appreciate a good work of fiction.