IN TODAY'S ISSUE #10
(See past issues here)
📍 Hidden Gem: Nancy — Where Art Nouveau elegance meets modern French life.
🏡 Affordable Find: Buy a chic 2-bed apartment in Nancy for €180,000, or rent a 1-bed for €977/mo (fully furnished!).
📜 Tax Treaty Tip: How to live income tax free in France AND pay zero tax in the United States.
🎓 Workshops + Webinars: Which of these 5 topics do you want me to host next?
📺 France Must-Watch: An American visits Nancy and shares why it's so highly rated for lifestyle. Must watch!
👋 Personal Update
The results are in!
From my recent Retirement Retreat survey, here are the top three destinations you are dreaming about:
- Southwest France (72%)
- The French Riviera / Nice (68.5%)
- The Loire Valley (59.3%)
I’m working with my friend Ben Small and a travel planner on possible itineraries. Plus, during my upcoming trip to Tours and the Loire Valley, I’ll be furiously making notes to bring these retreats to life.
Want to join me on a retreat in France?
To tell me you're interested (and share your survey answers) click the button.👇
I can't wait to visit France with you! 🥳
Let’s get into it –
📍HIDDEN GEM - Nancy
Nestled in northeastern France, Nancy is a city where Belle Époque elegance and Art Nouveau architecture dazzle at every turn.
Once the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, Nancy still feels regal—with a down-to-earth French lifestyle woven in.
The city is best known for Place Stanislas (pic above), a UNESCO World Heritage site often considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
Beyond its grand boulevards, you’ll find leafy parks, boutique cafés, and vibrant cultural life—perfect for retirees who want a balance of beauty, activity, and comfort.
FYI, Nancy was recently voted the #1 large city in France for quality-of-life!
Nancy is well-connected: just 90 minutes by train to Paris, with excellent local bus-trams and walkable neighborhoods.
The vibe? More affordable and relaxed than Paris, but with just as much history and charm.
And here’s the kicker: Nancy offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other French cities—making it a hidden gem for buyers who want culture, accessibility, and affordability in one package.
📍 Fast Facts: NANCY
🚉 Train Station: Gare de Nancy — 1h30 to Paris
✈️ Nearest Airport: Metz-Nancy-Lorraine (40 min drive)
🏥 Nearest Hospital: CHRU de Nancy — in town
🛍️ Amenities: 🛒 Grocery 🥖 Bakery 🍷 Bars/Restaurants 🌳 Parks 🎭 Opera House & Museums
👣 Walkability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Compact, flat city center; daily needs within strolling distance
🧺 Weekly Market: Yes, several—including Marché Central (daily except Mondays)
🌦️ Climate: Oceanic–continental mix: warm summers, cool winters, and four distinct seasons
*Anything underlined is clickable 🔗
🏠 AFFORDABLE FINDS
✨ Trendy 2-Bedroom with Terrace in Nancy – €180,000 ($210,999)
This 60m² apartment has two bright bedrooms, an open kitchen-living space, a 15m² terrace for summer evenings, and even a cellar for storage.
Located near Parc Sainte-Marie and the Nancy Thermal spa complex, it’s a lively yet peaceful spot—close to the city center and train station.
✨ Cozy Furnished Apartment Rental, Nancy – €977/month ($1,146)
Fully furnished and move-in ready, this warm, light-filled apartment comes with modern comforts (WiFi, laundry, dishwasher), a parking spot, and tram access right outside your door.
Just a 15-minute walk to the train station—perfect for those wanting to test-drive life in Nancy before buying.
📜 TAX TREATY Tips
Can you avoid income taxes in France AND the U.S.?
The answer is "yes!"
(Note: I'm not a CPA or tax attorney. This is not tax advice.)
SCENARIO: A Couple Living Only On Social Security
- One spouse get's $3,200/mo
- Other spouse gets $2,800/mo.
- Equals $72,000 (€61,000) for the year
Plenty to live a nice life in France.
→ U.S. Social Security benefits are not taxable in France.
Treaty basis & quote:
Article 18(1)(b) (1996/1994 Convention): "pensions and other payments made under the social security legislation of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned State."
Since U.S. Social Security is legislated by the U.S., it's only taxable in the U.S., not in France.
In the U.S. they would pay $0 U.S. federal income tax after the standard deduction (MFJ, $30,000). The tiny “taxable Social Security” amount ($2,000) that appears in the U.S. formula is fully wiped out by the standard deduction.
TAX RESULT:
❌ No tax in France (via treaty exclusion)
❌ No tax in the U.S. after the standard deduction.
✅ Tax-free living in retirement! 🥳
PS - If you like this kind of analysis, let me know what other scenarios you'd like to see..
⁉️ DID YOU KNOW?
Nancy is considered the birthplace of Art Nouveau in France. The École de Nancy movement (late 19th century) left behind stunning glasswork, furniture, and architecture—many of which you can still admire at the Musée de l'École de Nancy.
🎓 Workshops + Webinars
I need your help!
Which of these 5 topics would you love a live session on?
- The Visa Process from A to Z (VLS-TS "retirement" visa)
- How to buy property in France as a American
- The Best Train-Connected Towns for Retirees
- How to Pay Little to No Income Tax In France as an American
- Meet [Expat Name]: An American in France (series of expat interviews with Q & A)
👇 Click the button to give me your vote! 🗳️
📺 France Must-Watch
Enjoy this video I found!👇
🎥 Could this be the perfect French city? Nancy, France
Suzi spent a weekend exploring Nancy, France - recently ranked the #1 large city in France for quality of life - to see if it lives up to the hype.
In this video, she takes you through everything that matters for actually living here:
- public transportation (including their unique electric trolley-bus system)
- real estate costs (surprisingly affordable!)
- healthcare access at the CHRU Nancy
- walkability in the historic center
- air quality rankings
- and the vibrant student culture with over 60,000 university students
👉 Watch it here
🇫🇷 One Step Closer to France
That’s it for this week. Whether you’re dreaming, planning, or already packing—we’re in this together.
Until next time,
Tommy
PS - Want to visit France with me next year? Click here to tell me you're interested.