Moving to Strasbourg
Strasbourg
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Affordability 6 out of 5
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Safety 4 out of 5
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Healthcare 3 out of 5
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Traffic Flow 3 out of 5
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Property affordability 4 out of 5
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Climate 5 out of 5
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Environment quality 5 out of 5
With all the twee timbered buildings in the historic centre, youโll be forgiven for thinking youโve stumbled over the German border after moving to Strasbourg. Here, Franceย meets Germany in a unique blend.
Strasbourg is a European melting pot, which is just as well, considering Strasbourg is home to institutions such as the European Parliament, European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. It will come as no surprise that Strasbourg is often named the capital of Europe.

You wonโt find anywhere like Strasbourg elsewhere in France, and its distinctive character will bowl you over. In the historic centre, full of medieval architecture, you wonโt feel like youโre in a city. Quite the opposite, in fact, youโll have the impression of being in a small town, where everyone greets you with a warm welcome.
Whilst Strasbourg may not be typically French, fear not, Strasbourg is home to a booming gastronomy scene. Alsatian food holds its own in the competitive world of French cuisine, thanks to its Germanic influence. The city is even home to not one, but two three-starred Michelin restaurants.
And of course, letโs not forget the regionโs wine and beer, with the regionโs dry white Riesling being a national favourite. Here in Strasbourg, you can expect a booming international environment, great quality of life, and a charming city to call home.
Job market
Business is big in Strasbourg, and along with one of Franceโs biggest student populations, Strasbourg is a thriving, vibrant city. There are ample business opportunities on offer in Strasbourg, but luckily, itโs not just work and no play.
Strasbourg is the biggest financial hub in France afterย Paris, therefore, the tertiary sector accounts for just over two thirds of jobs on offer in the Alsatian capital.
Alsace is an important player in Franceโs industrial output. With corporate players such as Punch Powerglide Motors (formerly General Motors Strasbourg), Mars, and Kronenbourg having headquarters nearby, the automotive and agri-food industries are big sectors in Strasbourg.
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At the time of writing, Strasbourg had an unemployment rate of 10.4% which is line with the national average of 10%. International business is a key part of Strasbourgโs job market so internationally focused jobs, ideal for expats, are common.
However, with Germany and the EU Parliament right on its doorstep, expats with language skills, particularly French and German, will have the edge in the Strasbourg job market.
Can you still move to France after Brexit?
Absolutely โ but it's a bit harder.
You'll need to submit an application for a long-stay visa to live in France for longer than 90 days.
If youโre successful, youโll have a year after you arrive in France to apply and obtain a residence permit, which you can do at your local prefecture.
When applying, youโll need to send a photo or scan of your passport, together with one or more additional documents highlighted in these flow-charts made by the French government.
Living costs
Healthcare
Healthcare is, for the most part, funded by the state. Deductions for healthcare will be taken from your monthly salary. The amount deducted usually works out at approximately 7.5%.
This basic health insurance pays for 70% of most healthcare costs. Most employees will pay into a top-up healthcare insurance (mutuelle) to cover the remaining costs.
Food
Supermarket groceries are more expensive than the norm in Strasbourg with staple buys such as a litre of milk and a loaf of bread being around the โฌ1 mark. 1kg of local cheese and 1kg of chicken breasts costing approximately โฌ14-โฌ15, and a 1kg of fruit or vegetables is around โฌ1.50-โฌ3. On average, you can pick up a 0.5l of domestic beer โฌ1.34 a bottle, a 0.33l of imported beer for approximately โฌ1.60 and a mid-range bottle of wine for โฌ8.
If you want to treat yourself to a meal out, expect to fork out โฌ15 for an inexpensive restaurant and โฌ40 for a three course meal at a mid-range restaurant. A 0.5l glass of domestic beer will usually be around โฌ5.25. A 0.33l bottle of imported beer costs just under โฌ5.
Transport
Public transport in Strasbourg will cost you โฌ1.60 for a one-way ticket and a monthly pass is around โฌ45. If you fancy getting behind the wheel yourself, a litre of petrol will cost approximately โฌ1.22-1.30.
Utilities
Utilities for an 85m2 apartment can range from just under โฌ160 to just over โฌ190 monthly. Broadband internet with a speed of 6mbps will cost โฌ30 per month.
Transferring money to Strasbourg
If youโre thinking of moving to Strasbourg, youโll probably need to convert some of your British pounds into euros.
Thatโs why weโve teamed up with Wise, an easy-to-use online international money transfer service which uses the real exchange rate, and charges low fees.
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Property information
In the city centre and the nearby suburbs, finding a two bedroom apartment or larger can be hard to come by, therefore most Strasbourg residents live in small apartments or venture further afield to live in houses.
The average monthly rent for a one bedroom and three bedroom apartment in the city centre come in at around โฌ550 and โฌ1,025 respectively. In the suburbs, the monthly rental prices fall to โฌ433.33 for a one bedroom apartment and โฌ866.67 for a three bedroom apartment.
Property prices are high in Strasbourg, despite having steadily fallen since the late 00s. Buying an apartment in Strasbourgโs city centre averages โฌ3,200-4,000 per square metre. Outside of the city centre, the average property selling price per square metre ranges โฌ2,500-3,000.
Neighbourhoods
There are many faces to Strasbourg: the bourgeois and high-end neighbourhoods of LโOrangerie and Robertsau, the trendsetting, modern quarters, the up-and-coming, emerging areas and the 60s high-rise estates. Knowing which neighbourhood is best for you is the key to your house search in Strasbourg.
- Family-Friendly: Conveniently located close the EU parliament,ย Robertsauย offers perfect family homes close to work. The suburban neighbourhood ofย Otswaldย is another good choice, being home to a thriving family community. Itโs got good public transport links, reputable schools, parks and leisure centres for all the family.
- Upmarket: The most prestigious neighbourhood in all of Strasbourg has to beย LโOrangerie. With Strasbourgโs biggest park, Parc de lโOrangerie on its doorstep, you can see why property there is in hot demand. Another high-end option isย Tribunalย which offers modern, newly built accommodation, with all the mod-cons โ a rarity for Strasbourg.
- Hip and Trendy:ย Kruteneauย is the life and soul of Strasbourgโs nocturnal goings-on with students and professionals alike living here. For those who wish to free themselves from city life,ย Koenigshoffenย is a fine example. The neighbourhoodโs quiet and tranquil streets are full of historic homes with lots of character. Koenigshoffen is also home to a community project with a shared garden and urban parks.
- Up-and-Coming: Since the introduction of the TGV (high speed train line) to Strasbourg, theย Quartier de la Gareย has been on the up. The neighbourhood is a vibrant one, but for those who seek peace and quiet, there are a few calm spots. Whilstย Cronenbourgโsย reputation may precede it, itโs slowly but surely being rejuvenated, and now is time to take advantage of the neighbourhoodโs revival.
Schools and education
There are approximately 70 primary schools and 30 secondary schools in Strasbourg. Children beginย รฉcole รฉlรฉmentaireย at the age of 6, before attendingย collรจgeย from the age of 11-15/16.
Students then have the option to attendย lycรฉeย or a vocational education college. The ages for compulsory education are ages 6-16. There are a few international schooling options available such as the Robert Schuman International School and the Strasbourg European School.
Universities
The Universitรฉ de Strasbourg is the second biggest university in France, with over 43,000 students and 4,000 researchers. Universitรฉ de Strasbourg ranks as one of the top 250 universities in the world with notable alumni such as German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Arsenal football manager Arsรจne Wenger, and former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori.
Ranking against the world
With Strasbourg having close ties with Germany, Strasbourg is not the stereotypical French city, in comparison with the likes of Paris and Lyon. However, that is part of Strasbourgโs charm, especially when you consider that the cityโs aesthetic beauty.
Alsace is the second biggest industrial region in France, with market leaders in the automobile and agri-food industries based near to Strasbourg.
Thanks to European institutions such as the EU Parliament and the Council of Europe, there is a thriving expat community in Strasbourg. The blend of French and German culture make Strasbourg an exciting place to live and work. Living costs, whilst cheaper than those of Paris, are still higher than the norm in France.
A day in the life
Start your day by getting your sweat on at Parc de lโOrangerie. Known as the lungs of the city, you can walk, run, or cycle around the park. If youโve got the kids in tow, you could even visit the zoo and farm there. If you just want a breath of fresh air, you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings by getting on one of the lake boats.
Now you can make up for your saintly behaviour by enjoying a leisurely brunch. All along the Grand Rue in Petite-France or in the achingly Krutenau are a variety of brunch options. Afterwards, wander around the medieval city centre and allow yourself to get lost. There are so many nooks and crannies to be found, youโll discover something new each time.
If itโs winter time, warm up with a cup of vin chaud at one of Strasbourgโs world-renowned Christmas markets. If itโs summer, then youโll have to make do with a glass of local Alsatian wine or a pint of beer! You can sample some of great beer at a Strasbourg institute, LโAcadรฉmie de la Biรจre, or if that doesnโt take your fancy, you can find a tranquil spot to sit, have a quiet drink and people-watch.