Second thing, before dreaming too much : location matters more than the region name. Being 30 km away from the coast can cut rent by 30–40%. Sometimes more. That’s why cities like Perpignan keep popping up in real conversations, not just glossy magazines. If you want a concrete feel for daily life there, this site explains it well : https://www.vivre-a-perpignan.com. Sun, sea nearby, Spain next door… and prices that don’t make you choke.

Perpignan : the obvious one (but not boring)

Perpignan gets ignored a lot. Maybe because it’s not “trendy”. Honestly ? That’s kind of its strength. Over 300 days of sunshine a year. Real heat in summer, mild winters where a jacket is enough. Rents are still reasonable : you can find decent apartments around 550–700 € if you’re flexible on the neighborhood. That surprised me, not gonna lie.

It’s not perfect. Some areas feel rougher, you need to choose carefully. But the center has life, markets, cafés, noise, smells of grilled food. And the sea is 15 minutes away. Mountains ? 30 minutes. Spain ? A short drive. For sun lovers on a budget, it’s hard to beat.

Narbonne and Béziers : underrated and practical

Narbonne is calmer. Less flashy, more “real life”. You walk, you breathe, you hear the wind. Prices are higher than Perpignan but still manageable if you’re not looking for beachfront. Béziers, on the other hand, is cheaper, sometimes even cheaper than Perpignan. It has a rough reputation, yes. But parts of it are improving, slowly. Maybe too slowly for some people.

If you’re okay with a city that’s still figuring itself out, Béziers can make sense. Especially if budget is tight. And the sun ? Same as Montpellier, just without the hype tax.

Alès, Nîmes outskirts, and the “step back” strategy

Here’s a trick people forget : step slightly inland. Alès, for example, is not on the coast, but the weather is still very southern. Hot summers, bright light, cicadas. Rents drop noticeably. Same logic around Nîmes, but not in the historic center. Look at the outskirts, small surrounding towns.

Is it glamorous ? No. Is it sunny and affordable ? Yes. And sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

What about Provence and the Côte d’Azur ?

Let’s be clear. Provence is beautiful. Lavender, stone villages, sunsets. But cheap ? Not really. Unless you go very rural, very inland, or accept tiny spaces. The Côte d’Azur… honestly, unless you have a solid income, it’s tough. Even “cheap” towns aren’t cheap anymore. Sun comes at a premium there.

So if your priority is sun and budget, maybe skip the postcards.

So… where should you live, really ?

Ask yourself this : do you need the sea every day, or just often ? Do you care about nightlife, or are you happy with quiet evenings ? Can you handle a city that’s not perfect, but generous with light and warmth ?

If sunshine is non-negotiable and money is limited, places like Perpignan, Béziers, Narbonne, or inland southern towns make a lot of sense. Not Instagram-perfect. But livable. Human. Warm, in every sense.

And frankly, waking up with blue skies in January ? That alone changes a lot.

If you’re really thinking about moving here, take five minutes to picture daily life, not just the harbor at sunset. For a broader local view, I’ve found this site useful : https://www.vivre-a-toulon.com. It gives a grounded sense of what living here feels like, beyond the clichés.

Why some people absolutely love living in Toulon

Let’s start with the obvious. The sea. It’s not just “nearby”, it’s right there. You can finish work and be swimming at Mourillon in 15 minutes. In summer, sure, it’s busy. But go early morning, the water is flat, the light is soft, and honestly… it’s hard to beat.

The climate is another big win. Winters are mild, bright, dry. If you’re done with grey skies and cold rain, Toulon feels like a reset. Even January has that southern smell – salt, pine, warm stone. It does something to your mood, really.

Cost of living ? Compared to Nice or Marseille’s trendiest areas, Toulon is still more affordable. Not cheap-cheap, but reasonable. Renting a decent apartment is still possible without selling a kidney, especially if you’re flexible on neighborhoods.

This city works well for these profiles

If you work remotely, Toulon can be a great base. Fiber is there, cafés are calm outside tourist season, and you get quality of life without paying Riviera prices. I’ve met freelancers who swear by it. Morning swim, laptop until 4, sunset walk. Not bad, right ?

If you’re retired or close to it, the pace makes sense. Public transport is okay, healthcare is accessible, markets are lively without being overwhelming. Places like Le Mourillon or parts of La Serinette feel comfortable, almost village-like.

If you love the outdoors, you’ll never be bored. Hiking on Mont Faron, kayaking along the coast, cycling inland. You don’t need a long weekend to escape – it’s all on your doorstep.

But let’s be clear : Toulon is not for everyone

Now the other side. Toulon has rough edges. Some neighborhoods are noisy, dense, and honestly a bit chaotic. The city center can feel neglected in places, especially compared to polished coastal towns. If you’re sensitive to that, it might bother you more than you expect.

If you’re looking for a buzzing nightlife, you may feel limited. Yes, there are bars, a few good spots, concerts. But it’s not Lyon or Berlin. Past midnight, many streets go quiet. Some people love that. Others get bored fast.

If you depend on high-end job markets (finance, big tech, corporate HQs), Toulon won’t magically create opportunities. Employment is heavily tied to the naval base, public sector, services. Remote work helps, but locally, options are narrower.

And traffic… let’s not pretend otherwise. Rush hours can be painful. The road network funnels everyone the same way, and one accident can ruin your evening plans.

Neighborhood choice matters more than you think

This is crucial. Living in Toulon is not one experience, it’s many. Le Mourillon feels almost like another town – beachy, family-oriented, expensive-ish. Haute Ville is central but uneven. Pont du Las, Sainte-Musse, La Rode… each has its vibe, pros and cons.

Choosing the wrong area can make you hate the city. Choosing the right one can make you wonder why you didn’t move sooner. No exaggeration.

So… should you move to Toulon in 2025?

Here’s my honest take. Toulon is a great idea if you value sun, sea, and a slower rhythm more than prestige or constant stimulation. If you’re okay with imperfections. If you want real life, not a glossy brochure.

But if you expect a flawless city, endless career opportunities, or a hyper-dynamic cultural scene, you’ll probably be disappointed. And that’s okay. Not every city is for everyone.

So ask yourself this : do you want a place that feels lived-in, sometimes messy, but deeply human ? Or are you chasing something sharper, louder, more polished ? Toulon won’t pretend to be what it’s not. And honestly, that’s part of its charm.