For retirees scanning Europe for a slower pace, good food, manageable costs, and decent healthcare, the old favourites (Lisbon, Provence, the Algarve) are no longer the only options. Over the past few years a new crop of smaller cities — Bergerac in the Dordogne, Bragança in northern Portugal, and Oviedo in Asturias — have quietly risen on expat radars. Each offers a different mix of affordability, culture and everyday life that suits a variety of retirement styles: laid-back rural, bargain-friendly provincial, or small-city Spanish comfort. Here’s why they’ve become popular and what to expect living in each place.

Why these three?

A few common threads explain the trend:
• Affordability versus quality of life. After decades of big-city price pressure, retirees are looking for places that stretch pensions while still offering good services and culture. Northern Portugal and the Dordogne are repeatedly singled out for low rents and reasonable living costs.
• Services for everyday life. Each city has hospitals or good clinics, local markets, and transport links (regional airports, trains or decent road connections), so you can age in a place that feels self-sufficient.
• Lifestyle diversity. Some want vineyard-fringed countryside and quiet cafés (Bergerac), others want a small medieval city that’s cheap to live in (Bragança), while some prefer a compact, walkable city with Spanish culture and very low crime (Oviedo). Together they represent the range of what modern European retirement can be.

Bergerac, Dordogne, France — the vineyard town for slow-living and gastronomy

Why it’s catching on: Bergerac sits on the Dordogne’s gentler side: picture half-timbered streets, weekly markets, vineyards and riverbanks rather than the tourist crush of Bordeaux or Saint-Émilion. Real estate and rental prices in much of the Dordogne remain lower than in France’s big tourist hotspots, and that affordability combined with a quality local lifestyle draws retirees who want culture, good food and countryside without total isolation. The area also has a well-established community of internationals, especially Brits and Dutch, which makes the transition smoother.

What life is like:
• Day-to-day: you’ll shop markets (cheeses, foie gras, seasonal produce), dine in small bistros, and have vineyards or walking trails within easy reach. The pace is slow; many people cycle or walk into town.
• Healthcare: the Dordogne region has public hospitals and clinics; for specialty care you can access larger hospitals in regional centres. Expats often combine local GPs with private health insurance for extra comfort.
• Practicalities: English is less commonly spoken than in coastal expat hubs, so some French is useful for bureaucracy and social integration.
• Transport: Bergerac has a small airport (seasonal connections) and decent road links to Bordeaux and other regional centres.
• Good fit for: food-loving retirees who want village charm, nearby nature, and a community feel without living in a remote hamlet.

Bragança, Portugal — medieval walls, mountain backdrop, exceptional value

Why it’s catching on: In recent affordable-living roundups and expat lists Bragança has repeatedly been highlighted as one of the most budget-friendly European cities for retirees — furnished apartments, low rents and cheap local services make it possible to live comfortably on a modest pension. It’s also a genuine Portuguese city with a castle, a citadel, local festivals and proximity to natural parks. For people who value safety, quiet streets and low costs over hot-spot tourism, Bragança checks many boxes.

What life is like:
• Expect: a compact historic centre (the old citadel), small neighbourhood cafés, municipal markets and the steady rhythms of provincial Portugal. The pace of life is relaxed; social life often centres on the main square, churches, or seniors’ clubs.
• Costs and housing: stories of very affordable furnished apartments and low monthly living budgets have circulated in international media — of course, actual prices depend on the exact location and standards, but Bragança is generally among Portugal’s lower-cost cities.
• Healthcare and services: Bragança has medical centres and a hospital; for more specialised treatments residents can travel to larger northern urban centres. English is less common than in Lisbon/Algarve, so learning Portuguese is recommended for deeper integration.
• Good fit for: retirees on a tighter budget who still want an authentic Portuguese life — medieval streets, neighborhood cafés, and lots of outdoor options nearby.

Oviedo, Spain — small-city comfort, clean streets and cultural life

Why it’s catching on: Oviedo, capital of Asturias, shows how a smaller Spanish city can be an attractive retirement base: it combines cultural life (museums, churches, festivals), excellent food traditions (Asturian cider and cuisine), strong local services, and a reputation for safety and cleanliness. Expat writers and relocation guides praise Oviedo’s walkability and the quality of everyday services — the city frequently ranks highly on “cleanest” and “most liveable” lists in Spain.

What life is like:
• Urban but calm: Oviedo feels like a proper city with theatres, parks and tapas streets, yet it’s not overwhelming — everything is on a human scale. Many residents stroll, and the old town is full of cafés, hospitals and shops.
• Healthcare and public services: Asturias offers good public healthcare and Oviedo has well-equipped hospitals and clinics. Safety and civic pride are often mentioned by residents as big pluses.
• Climate: the north of Spain is greener and wetter than the Mediterranean south — expect mild summers, greener landscapes, and more rain in winter. Language: Spanish (Castilian) is dominant; English is spoken in tourist and some expat circles but learning Spanish opens social life quickly.
• Good fit for: retirees who want a full-service small city with culture, excellent food, and top-tier public services in a safe environment.

Practical tips for anyone considering these cities

• Try before you commit: rent for a few months in high season and low season to test hospitals, transport and social life.
• Healthcare: enroll in local healthcare systems where possible and consider private top-ups for quick specialist access. Each region’s system works differently — research the local hospital network.
• Language: even basic French, Portuguese or Spanish will make daily life and bureaucracy much easier. Local clubs and markets are the fastest route to friendships.
• Budgeting: “affordable” is relative — Bragança is among the cheapest; Bergerac and Oviedo are affordable vs capitals but will be pricier than rural hamlets. Look at actual rental listings and local grocery prices for realistic budgeting.

Bottom line

If you’re ready to trade big-city bustle for authenticity, good food and a longer-lasting pension, these three places are worth visiting. Bergerac offers French countryside charm and gastronomy; Bragança gives authentic Portuguese life at a very low price; Oviedo offers small-city Spanish culture with excellent services. Each answers a slightly different retirement wish — try one, or try all three on short stays, and you’ll quickly know which pace suits your next chapter.