What are the best places to live as a mountain biker _outside_ the UK?

Preferably with access to at least a decent-sized town for meeting people, and coffee shops/co-working spaces? I’m a remote worker and that stuff’s pretty important.

Loads in the US I know, but can’t get a longer-term visa there.

I love NZ, but I’m nearly 35 so now limited to 6-month tourist visa.

I can get a work permit for Canada, but my recent ex is in Vancouver, so thinking of steering clear of there for the moment. Anywhere else is fair game though.

I have a UK passport so anywhere in the EU is on the cards, limited only by language skills (slightly-better-than-schoolboy French, but that’s the lot).

Any inspiration, STW hive mind? 🙂

Bourg Saint Maurice or Seez in France. Prices aren’t too bad either. I haven’t lived there, but the riding is freakin awesome.

Grenoble, France is where I would go. A city with an airport and TGV links, 1 hour’s drive into the real alps with slightly smaller mountains on your door step, lots of nice places to eat and drink and I’ve always found it a really good place to spend your time.

I’d also be tempted with Queenstown or Wanaka in NZ though I accept visa requirements my scupper that idea.

Salzburg City?
Pretty enough, huge ski areas in Winter, Leogang, Schladming, Wagrain in Summer, all 1 hr from the city.
Cost of living very reasonable.

I love Munich also, the job opportunities might be better there but I think accommodation can be pricey.

Bourg St Maurice or Sospel.

Weather in Sospel seems pretty good year round, although there’s easy access to snow sports not much further north. Menton/Nice etc about an hour away to the south.

We’re toying with the idea of heading to Macon, Burgundy, in a couple of years for a while.

Nice market town. 3 hours from Morzine.
2 hours from Geneva Airport
1 hour from Lyon Airport/Gare SNCF/TGV

On the autoroute network.