Why buy a property in the Occitanie region?
Why choose the Occitanie region?
When house hunting, most people start with a mental (or actual) checklist which, when all ticked would add up to their dream location. The list might go something like this; beautiful countryside; elegant towns; pretty villages; great markets; vibrant city life; fantastic restaurants; easy access to skiing and beaches; numerous sports and activities on the doorstep; thriving communities; good schools; friendly people and sunshine. In most parts of the world, this would be an impossible and unrealistic wish-list but there is a part of France that does tick all of these boxes and it is the Occitanie region of South West France. Here you can take your pick from city living to rural bliss or mountain retreat to coastal resort and just about everything in between. In addition, you have some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe and a great climate.
Type of properties in the Occitanie
This region also has some of the most interesting and best value property in France and the huge range and varied styles of houses mean that there really is something for everyone; beautiful Châteaux, smart Maison de Maître, grand (or crumbling) manor houses, lovely farmhouses, cosy cottages, smart town apartments, pretty village houses, mountain chalets or barns and renovation projects with bags of potential.
The different departments of the Occitanie
Prices vary widely; each part of the region has different property markets with corresponding styles and prices and each area also has its own hotspots within which there can also be price premiums (anything with a mountain view or within walking distance of a boulangerie will be more expensive).
In the Haute Garonne for example, generally, the closer you get to Toulouse, the more expensive the property. In the Ariège, although property is still affordable, prices are rising as more people discover the delights of this hidden, unspoiled region. However, complete renovation projects are also still to be found here, which is no longer the case in many parts of the Occitanie. The Gers offers probably the best value for money right now in the Occitanie; it is still very rural but also accessible and there is a huge variety of property styles from beautiful châteaux to sprawling farmhouses, country estates and pretty village houses. The Languedoc-Roussillon is now also part of the Occitanie region and has all the advantages of the French Riviera without the downsides. Its location, between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean makes for a perfect climate with sunshine for most of the year. Here, you can find some of the most glorious beaches in France as well as vibrant fishing villages, rolling vineyards and olive groves fringed with Cypress trees, medieval castles, snowcapped mountains and thriving market towns.
Voted number one place in the world to live
With all of this, it is perhaps unsurprising that Southwest France is often voted the number one place in the world to live by international estate agents such as Knight Frank. The region has won their accolade for the best all-round lifestyle destination based on such considerations as economic and political stability, climate, accessibility, health, quality of life, education, and the excellent range of properties.
It seems that all the boxes are ticked in the Occitanie so if you would like help finding your perfect house in the region, please get in touch: contact@thefrenchpropertyfinders.com
