Volcanic Réunion

Why choose Réunion?

-Stunning volcanic landscapes

-A lush green island

-Endless hiking opportunities (never too easy...)

-The exotic blend of a mixed culture

-A laid-back vibe, no stress!

-Delicious cuisine

The downsides of the island:

-Traffic jams

-Excessive urbanization in the lowlands

-The cost of housing (sharp increase since COVID)

Just Maïdo, the road to the volcano... the food, the rum. The kindness, Manapany.... Reunion is a delight

Yeah, you almost feel like settling down in Réunion after visiting![:p]

But not in the middle of the traffic jams between St Denis and St Pierre!

Hi there, Wow! Climbing Piton de la Fournaise, no less! And with perfect weather at the summit. Great visibility at Trou de Fer too—definitely not something everyone gets to experience. You were so lucky! [;)] During our last trip to Réunion (my daughter lives there), we pretty much did the same hikes, more or less...

A cousin moved there 30 years ago to work as an architect. His Réunionese wife handles sales, and he does the work. People don’t trust a *métro* (someone from mainland France). Some colleagues were transferred there and nicknamed "the French" even though they were born on the island... It’s not always easy...

My daughter, who’s married to a Réunionese man, has been living there for over 10 years. They bought a house in the hills above St Paul. She loves it and has no plans to move back to mainland France! 😊

Yeah, it’s pretty much the same everywhere. A Parisian relocated to the middle of nowhere in the French countryside will stay that way for a long time.

But I still think it’s easier for someone from mainland France to settle in Réunion than in Guadeloupe, for example.

I only had one issue... the temperature and humidity... just 10 days was enough... I really suffered....

I’d seen a documentary about Iceland where a French guy had been working there for 25 years, married a local woman… his wife and their 3 daughters had no issues. He was still seen as the French guy and realized that after 20 years there, he wasn’t invited to certain parties...

I only had one issue...the temperature and humidity...just 10 days...I really suffered...

You should go during the austral winter. That way, you avoid the excessive heat of the continent (July/August), and the temperature is cooler there.