Let’s be honest. When people say “I want to live in the south of France”, what they really mean is sun, light, blue skies in February, coffee outside in March. Not yachts in Monaco or villas in Saint-Tropez. The problem ? Prices. They can go wild, fast. But the good news is this : yes, it’s still possible to live in the south, enjoy real sunshine, and not end every month eating pasta. You just need to know where to look. And where not to.

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.