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OCCITANIE: THE BEST REGION IN FRANCE TO GROW OLD IN
Some 450 French municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants have been ranked in order of best place in which to grow old, by Le Figaro.
Taking top place, Rodez in Aveyron (Occitanie) has a healthier than average number of cardiologists, at-home care workers and pharmacies. The town’s older residents are relatively active too, with a third taking part in group sporting activities and 18.2% enrolled in a sports club. Rodez also scored well on pollution levels, prevalence to serious diseases and life expectancy.
“We want to leave no one by the side of the road, especially the elderly,” said Christian Teyssèdre, mayor of Rodez.
Of further interest for Brits is the fact that Rodez has a local airport offering UK flights. When it comes to property, average prices are €2,062/m2 in the town compared to €1,558/m2 across the Aveyron department as a whole.
The Occitanie region did particularly well, with Auch in Gers, Cahors in Lot and Albi in Tarn taking second, third and fourth place. Average property prices are €1,722/m2 , €1,651/m2 and €2,182/m2 respectively.
An impressive 13 of the top 20 places were awarded to towns in southwest France (NouvelleAquitaine and Occitanie).
According to Le Figaro, this can be explained by a high life expectancy in these areas and by a greater participation in sports by older residents compared to larger urban centres in France.
