Nice is a popular city in southeast France near Italy, known for being a great summer vacation spot. With 340,000 people, Nice is a perfect jumping-off point for taking walks along the sunny coastline. It's also a nice place to visit any time of year, not just in the summer.
The rental market in Nice
Nice is the economic capital of the Côte d'Azur, close to both beaches and mountains. The city's glamorous reputation attracts lots of new residents, which keeps the housing market hot. Prices for both short-term and long-term rentals keep going up. Real estate investors especially love the city.
In summer, visitors flock to Nice. This is an important consideration if you're looking for accommodation during this period.
Rents are quite high in Nice. According to data from the Fédération nationale de l'immobilier (Fnaim) for the first quarter of 2024, the average price of a property for sale is €4995/m² for an apartment and €7062/m² for a house. This is 16.3% more than in 2021. The median price of a rental property is 17€/m². That's 3.6% more than last year. As a reminder, rent does not include utilities (water, electricity, gas, internet, etc.).
Looking for luxury? Some Nice neighborhoods are just as ritzy as the fanciest parts of Paris. In the Mont-Boron area, prices are through the roof. A property on Avenue Montfleury or Boulevard Princesse-Grâce-de-Monaco will set you back nearly €10,000 per square meter, and on Avenue Germaine, over €10,000 per square meter. You're paying a vast sum mainly for the location – a view of the sea or the hills, but that's the cost of enjoying the quiet luxury of Nice.
The cost of living in Nice
Nice is a really popular tourist destination, but it's also pretty expensive to live there compared to other parts of France. When you rent an apartment, you usually have to pay extra on top of the rent for things like condo fees, utilities, water, and gas. On average, condo fees in Nice are around 37 euros per month. The rate varies according to the type of property (new/old), the distribution of general charges, and the management of special charges.
On February 1st, 2024, the French Economy Ministry announced that electricity prices in France would be going up, but they promised the increase would be under 10%. Peak and off-peak rates are rising at 9.8% while basic rates are going up at 8.6%, and it affects both homes and businesses the same. In Nice, some companies saw their monthly bills jump from 800 euros to over 2,000. For regular folks, bills are increasing by about 7 to 20 euros a month, depending on the size of the home. When you factor in gas, too, people are paying anywhere from 50 to over 200 euros a month for energy, based on things like how big their place is, how well insulated it is, and how many people live there.
As for Internet subscriptions, as in Marseille, you'll find offers ranging from 7 to 40 euros.
Public transport
Public transport in Nice is managed by Lignes d'Azur. The company offers a range of monthly and annual passes for the general public (aged 26–64), under-26s, over-65s, and solidarity passes. For example, a monthly pass for under-26s costs 22.50 euros, and a monthly pass for the general public costs 45 euros.
Cost of living
When we talk about the "cost of living," we mean "food and shopping budget". To stretch your budget, shop around and compare prices at discount stores, supermarkets, and farmers' markets. Buying local or organic food at markets can also be an affordable option.
Schools and universities
The cost of attending school or university in France varies depending on whether you choose a private or public institution. Public schools are tuition-free, but expenses such as supplies, activities, meals, and field trips still need to be covered. Even with public schools, the rising annual costs of education can strain finances. On average, expenses amount to approximately 233 euros for an elementary school student, 371 euros for a middle school student, and 427 euros for a high school student.
Private school tuition varies significantly based on whether the school has a contract to offer the same education as public schools. On average, you can anticipate paying approximately 370 euros per year for primary school and 700 euros per year for junior high at a contracted private school. Without a contract, tuition costs range between 2,400 to 4,800 euros annually and can be even higher at international schools.
Nice's neighborhoods
Nice is a diverse city, and each neighborhood has a unique vibe. You'll probably pick a neighborhood based on your budget and whether you're moving there alone or with family.
Cimiez and Fabron are great for expats moving with their families, but housing in Fabron usually costs more than in Cimiez for the same size. Still, both neighborhoods are nice and green, with good schools. Fabron is also right by Parc de l'Indochine, which will get you in the mood for the coast.
The Libération neighborhood in Old Nice is also a great area to check out, especially for young couples or single people. There are tons of markets, cafes, and restaurants around, and the area comes to life at night, adding to the lively vibe of the city. Just keep in mind that Old Nice gets super crowded, so it's not the best if you're looking for somewhere quiet and low-key.
Those looking for "the Nice you see in the movies" should head for the eastern part of the city. The Mont Boron area is particularly sought-after, with its luxurious villas and cosmopolitan population.
Le Carré d'Or, on the other hand, offers middle-class residential buildings as well as high-end residences.
If you're on a budget and looking for more affordable accommodation, concentrate your search on Louisa Park and Boulevard Carnot, which are very popular with expatriates yet offer more accessible prices.
Finally, suppose you prefer to live in a quieter area, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. In that case, the Western Hills will provide a more serene but still vibrant haven with several residential neighborhoods.
Rental prices in Nice
In general, a 15 m² rental in Nice will cost around 400 to 600 euros per month. A 25 m² studio will cost an average of 550 to 700 euros per month, and a 30 m² one-bedroom apartment will cost an average of 600 to 800 euros per month.
Note also that the average rent for a rental in Nice is estimated at 19 euros in Q1 2024.
As far as houses are concerned, offers are fairly scarce in Nice, and the market is evolving rapidly. On average, a four-bedroom apartment costs around 2,000 euros a month, while a villa costs over 7,000 euros per month.
Finding accommodation in Nice
To start, search online for typical rental prices in different Nice neighborhoods. Once you find an area you like, contact local real estate agents who know the market and property details. They can help you find houses or apartments that match your needs, like your budget, preferred neighborhood, and size. Giving them this info will allow them to suggest rentals that are a good fit for you.
Beware, however, of agency fees. You'll have to pay these when you complete the sale or sign the rental contract. They will be indicated on your contract.
There are many agencies throughout the city:
Be sure to check out websites like Le Bon Coin, Se Loger, or Paru Vendu — they have a huge selection of housing listings, both from private owners and agencies. Local newspapers like Nice Matin are also good places to look. If you're already in town, take some time to walk around different neighborhoods to get a better sense of what's available and refine your search.
Finding student accommodation in Nice
The number of students in Nice has been stuck at 5% for over 5 years, and 2023 is no different. Nice dropped to 24th in this year's ranking of student cities, down from 18th in 2021, which was already on the decline. Students like the city's appeal and culture but feel there aren't enough good job opportunities.
However, foreign students are well represented in Nice. The Université Côte d'Azur welcomes 30,000 students, 20% of whom are international (at the start of the 2023–2024 academic year).
For student housing, you've got options like renting a room in a dorm, staying with a host family, sharing an apartment with other students, or getting your own studio or apartment. These are all pretty affordable ways to live close to campus and experience student life.
To obtain accommodation in a hall of residence, you'll need to go through the public organization CROUS: Centre régional des œuvres universitaires et scolaires. All students, foreign or otherwise, can apply for student accommodation via the Mon logement Crous platform.
Please note:
Places in CROUS residences are in high demand. We therefore advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Many students prefer to share accommodation because it's both economical and convivial. You can search for a room in shared accommodation on La Carte des Colocs, ImmoJeunes (where you'll also find many other types of accommodation), Whoomies, or Appartager. For a more extensive search on all types of accommodation available in Nice, you can consult Le Bon Coin, Studapart, Fac Habitat, Location Étudiant, or Loc Services.
In terms of prices for student accommodation, the average budget for renting a studio in Nice is around 550 euros.
Short-stay accommodation in Nice
If you're planning a short stay, a trip under 3 months, or even an internship in Nice, you'll be glad to know that the Côte d'Azur city is one of the best cities for welcoming visitors from around the world. Nice has tons of great places to stay, from cozy family-run hotels to fancy luxury resorts overlooking the sea. You can even find unique spots like boat hotels, B&Bs, villas, hostels, and guest houses.
To easily find a place to stay that fits what you're looking for, check out Booking.com or Airbnb. But beware: Airbnb is becoming less popular in France, especially in Nice. The city doesn't want to be known as the "second biggest Airbnb city" in France after Paris. In 2022, the city council put limits on the number of vacation rentals allowed, but in February 2024, the court overturned those rules. The mayor, Christian Estrosi, is appealing the decision. Meanwhile, the French government has proposed an "anti-Airbnb" bill. On January 29, 2024, the National Assembly passed the text on first reading.
Another option is to rent in a gîte or chambre d'hôtes. The Gîtes de France website offers a wide range of accommodation options for a short stay in Nice, from the most attractive to the most expensive.
Buying accommodation in Nice
If you've decided to move to France and want to live in Nice for good, you should consider buying a property. It's a great investment. Don't worry — foreigners are allowed to buy property in France, so you're all good there.
However, there are some things to keep in mind, especially if you're from a country outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA). You'll need a long-stay visa and a French residence permit. Your bank will ask you to provide supporting documents like your birth certificate, family records, and info about your bank accounts back home. You'll have to get these documents translated into French. The same rules apply to EU and EEA citizens, except you won't need a visa or residence permit since you're a European citizen.
Either way, they'll look more closely at applications from non-residents since they're seen as higher risk, but permanent residents are treated pretty much the same as local buyers.
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