So, What Would It Be Like to Retire in Paris?
Category: Adventurous retirement
June 4, 2025 — While many of us have entertained the idea of retirement in a foreign land, the thought usually passes. It either seems too hard, too far away, or too strange. So I was delighted to meet Don and Denise on our recent trip to Paris. This interesting and affable couple has taken the very unusual (and in my mind, brave) step to retire in that beautiful city. Even better, they generously agreed to answer some questions to help others considering such a big move, or who would just like to live vicariously from their adventures.
Don and Denise Retire to Paris – Their Story
When did you retire, and where were you living then?
My wife Denise retired in 2022. I had begun to reduce my workload prior to that and chose to concentrate on selected clients and pursue another endeavor that was transportable. We lived in Rocky River, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.
What made you consider retiring abroad? Had you always thought about that, or was it a recent development?
Whenever we were out of the country I usually asked myself “could I live here?” But we became truly serious about retiring abroad a few years prior to Covid. In early 2018 we spent a week in Paris. We were standing at the Place des Vosges after another great lunch and it began to snow. It was magical, very beautiful and very unlike what we were used to in Northeast Ohio. That was the exact moment we determined to relocate.
What other places did you consider, and what tipped you to Paris?
France was a natural for us for a number of reasons, although Italy has great appeal. We had first come to Paris and the Loire thirty years prior on our honeymoon. We liked it so much we continued to vacation here and I lost count how many times we returned during the interim….maybe 20, always to a different part of France.
Comments on "So, What Would It Be Like to Retire in Paris?"
Admin says:
We have often been asked this question: "What foreign city could you imagine retire to?" My brother-in-law Russ could image Bordeaux in France. I could possible see Madrid or Dublin. How about you?
Heidi says:
Helpful article. I would be interested in some other practical topics. Like, do you own a car. Where do you shop, is there anything you can’t get that you miss.
Danno says:
The admin BIL is correct.....Bordeaux gives you most everything as Paris but at a lesser cost and the weather is better. Reach out to the below link if interested and Andrew will provide you all the info you want. His long-time girlfriend is from Michigan so she can also help with your assimilation from an American perspective.
https://www.anenglishmaninbordeaux.com/