Canada + USA · 9 places

Best places to live for French speakers in Canada and the USA

French-speaking places in North America, for anyone who wants to live in French or raise kids bilingual.

Order: Lowest cost of living first. Figures are approximate and meant for comparing places, not official statistics.

Best for French speakers in Canada

  1. #1 · Québec, Canada

    Sherbrooke

    Affordable university city in the Eastern Townships.

    January / July
    -11°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    260
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    30 min / 30 min / 1h 45m
    Typical home price
    C$380,000
    Cost of living
    78 (100 = national average)
    French-speakingLower costSkiingLake life
  2. #2 · Québec, Canada

    Baie-Saint-Paul

    Charlevoix art village with Le Massif above the river.

    January / July
    -12°C / 18°C
    Sunny days a year
    260
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    20 min / 10 min / 1h 25m
    Typical home price
    C$380,000
    Cost of living
    80 (100 = national average)
    French-speakingSkiingFood sceneHikingSmall town
  3. #3 · New Brunswick, Canada

    Moncton

    Bilingual hub near warm Northumberland Strait beaches.

    January / July
    -9°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    275
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h 40m / 25 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    C$360,000
    Cost of living
    82 (100 = national average)
    Lower costBeachFrench-speaking
  4. #4 · Québec, Canada

    Québec City

    Historic walled French city with ski hills nearby.

    January / July
    -12°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    290
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    30 min / 20 min / 20 min
    Typical home price
    C$410,000
    Cost of living
    85 (100 = national average)
    Big cityFrench-speakingSkiingFood sceneLower cost
  5. #5 · Québec, Canada

    Magog

    Lakeside resort town below Mont Orford.

    January / July
    -11°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    260
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    15 min / 2 min / 1h 30m
    Typical home price
    C$450,000
    Cost of living
    85 (100 = national average)
    French-speakingSkiingLake lifeGolfSmall town
  6. #6 · Québec, Canada

    Gatineau

    French side of the capital beside Gatineau Park.

    January / July
    -10°C / 21°C
    Sunny days a year
    300
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    15 min / 25 min / 25 min
    Typical home price
    C$470,000
    Cost of living
    88 (100 = national average)
    French-speakingSkiingHikingLake life
  7. #7 · Québec, Canada

    Montréal

    Festivals, food and French culture at big-city value.

    January / July
    -9°C / 21°C
    Sunny days a year
    200
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h / 30 min / 25 min
    Typical home price
    C$600,000
    Cost of living
    95 (100 = national average)
    French-speakingBig cityNightlifeFood sceneLive musicLower cost
  8. #8 · Québec, Canada

    Mont-Tremblant

    A ski village in the Laurentians with lakes all around.

    January / July
    -12°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    180
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    5 min / 5 min / 1h 50m
    Typical home price
    C$700,000
    Cost of living
    105 (100 = national average)
    SkiingLake lifeFrench-speakingSmall townGolf

Best for French speakers in the USA

  1. #1 · Louisiana, USA

    New Orleans

    Jazz, Creole cooking and French Quarter festivals all year.

    January / July
    12°C / 28°C
    Sunny days a year
    215
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 15 min / 25 min
    Typical home price
    US$280,000
    Cost of living
    98 (100 = national average)
    Warm wintersBig cityLive musicFood sceneNightlifeFrench-speaking
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