You are relocating to Lyon and want to have some information on how to make the good choices on finding housing in Lyon, where to live and what kind of accommodation would suit you best….
- Are you more comfortable with an apartment in the heart of the city or a house in a nearby town?
- Do you need to be in proximity to any specific schools or universities?
- How do you want to get to work each day and how long of a commute will you have?
- Will you need parking for a car?
- Do you prefer a “French country” feel or a more modern style?
- What is your budget?
- How long will you be staying?
- Do you have a French guarantor or not?
Certainly, expats in Lyon can be found living just about anywhere.
However, there are certain places where expats tend to enjoy living most.
Within the Lyon city limits, many expats choose apartment living in the following areas:
1st, 2nd and 6th arrondissements: Central location, spacious apartments of standing, proximity to Parc de la Tête d’Or, Opera, museums, Lyon’s best shopping and restaurants, public transportation, Place Bellecour, Vieux Lyon, theaters, river walks, easy transportation to schools.
3rd and 8th arrondissements: The neighborhoods of Montchat and Montplaisir boast lovely apartments or stately homes with yards that are still within the city limits and in excellent proximity to all public transportation, hospitals, markets, the airport, parks, sporting venues, eastern suburbs and countryside.
5th arrondissement: The neighborhoods of Point du Jour and St. Just are particularly well-situated.
Outside of Lyon city limits, many expats choose to live in small towns that border the city, especially to the north, west and southwest:
To the north (west of the Saône River) are the quaint towns of the Monts d’Or (Golden Mountains), primarily St. Cyr au Mont-d’Or, Collonges au Mont-d’Or, St. Didier au Mont-d’Or, and Champagne au Mont-d’Or.
Life in these communities offer all the benefits of French “country” living, while still being in close proximity to the city and are often sought after by expats. Very well served by public transportation into the city, there are also two international schools nearby: Greenfield and Ombrosa (across the river in neighboring Caluire). Large commercial centers are an easy ten minute drive away. The Mont d’Or communities put you within an easy drive to the wine-growing Beaujolais regions to the north and beyond.
To the west and southwest, the towns of Ecully, Tassin-la-Demi-Lune, Ste. Foy Lès-Lyon and St. Genis Laval are also popular among expats. There is easy access to the city, but you are also close to the beautiful “Monts du Lyonnais” mountains to the west. The “International School in Lyon” and “Cité Scolaire Internationale” are in proximity to these communities.
It is quite difficult for a foreigner to find a place to live in France, especially if she is doing research on her own from outside the country.
If you are in need of assistance regarding housing, we can help you get started by scheduling visits to furnished or unfurnished rental properties.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information at contact@lyon-expat.com.