French property hunters will be interested to hear that the best places to live in France, according to a recent survey, are rural areas down south.
The survey, conducted by French weekly magazine L'Express, analysed a range of official statistics and considered factors such as the quality of education
, shopping and employment.Haute-Garonne achieved the best overall rating and was judged to appeal to younger age groups and families.
The magazine also created a rating for seniors, showing the best places for those over the age of 50 to live. This category assessed the level of crime in each area, the weather, the quality of health care, the health of those who live in the area, the price of property, the quality of the environment and the range of cultural activities.
The Hautes-Alpes department came first in this category, followed by Correze and Aveyron.
Other than the top three, the rating also favoured areas that have sought to preserve their attractive rural environments, including Pyrénées Atlantiques, Tarn, Vendée, Vienne, Gers, Deux-Sèvres and Corsica.
SOURCE: www.french-property.com