Moving to the Côte d'Azur: where to start
Moving to the Côte d'Azur rarely fails for lack of information: it fails on the order things are done in. Here is the sequence we recommend, from the first visit to the keys — and the trusted people at each step.
The order that works
Residence status drives everything else: tax, schooling, bank accounts, mortgage. Deal with it first, even when the property crush comes earlier.
- 1. Residence status and visa
- 2. Area and neighborhood, based on real daily life
- 3. School, if you have children — places go early
- 4. Budget, banking, tax
- 5. Purchase or rental, notaire, renovation
- 6. Healthcare, insurance, everyday life
How much time to plan for
Expect several months between the decision and the move: visa and school are prepared upfront, the property search needs visits on the ground, and the notarial deed follows its own timeline after the preliminary contract.
The mistakes we see most
- Choosing a neighborhood for the view rather than for the daily commute.
- Signing before pricing the works with a serious craftsman.
- Handling tax after the purchase rather than before.
- Underestimating international school admission timelines.
L'essentiel en français
Guide d'installation sur la Côte d'Azur : dans quel ordre traiter le visa, le logement, la fiscalité, l'école des enfants, la santé et les artisans — et à qui s'adresser à chaque étape entre Cannes, Nice, Antibes et Menton.
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