Sandra(49)

Marseille isn't Paris, isn't Lyon, isn't Nice. It's raw, loud, chaotic and absolutely beautiful. I discovered the city during a conference on social economy and fell in love immediately. The diversity, the energy, the Vieux-Port at sunset — it reminded me of the Maastricht of my youth, but bigger, wilder and with the Mediterranean thrown in. Six months later I moved.

I founded a SCOP — a Société Coopérative et Participative. This is a unique French legal form for cooperative enterprises where employees are shareholders. My SCOP offers language coaching and cultural integration programs for migrants in Marseille. The setup went through the confédération des SCOP: they guide you free of charge through the legal process. Registration with RCS and URSSAF cost €1,800. The special thing: a SCOP pays lower corporate tax (15% up to €42,500 profit) and employees share in the profits.

Marseille is more affordable than you'd think. I rent a 70m² apartment in the 6th arrondissement — the Préfecture area — for €780 per month. The city has a bad reputation, but reality is more nuanced. Yes, there are neighborhoods you'd better avoid. But most arrondissements are safe, lively and full of character. Cours Julien is my favorite: street art, restaurants, second-hand bookshops and a Saturday marché.

Healthcare in Marseille is excellent. The Hôpital de la Timone is one of France's largest teaching hospitals. My médecin traitant is nearby and waiting times are shorter than in Maastricht. CPAM registration went smoothly: I had my carte vitale within four weeks. My mutuelle costs €65 per month and covers everything including kiné (physiotherapy) and ophthalmologue (eye doctor).

The social economy is strong in Marseille. There's a network of SCOPs, associations and foundations that embraced me as a partner. The Chambre Régionale de l'Économie Sociale et Solidaire (CRESS) organizes networking events and offers subsidy advice. My SCOP receives grants from the département, région and the European Social Fund. The bureaucracy around subsidies is heavy — 50-page dossiers — but it's worth it.

My advice to social entrepreneurs: Marseille is the ideal city. Costs are lower than Paris, needs are greater and the ecosystem for social economy is stronger than anywhere in France. The city is in transition: investments are being made in infrastructure, culture and social projects. Learn French, connect with CRESS and don't be afraid of the chaos. Marseille isn't for everyone, but for those who embrace it, it's an inexhaustible source of inspiration and impact.