I moved to Lille in early 2006 and am loving it. It’s a small city built on a very human scale – easily accessible and laid back. It’s got a reputation in France for being cold and grey and dreary, but I don’t think it’s any worse than any other town near the coast round this area. The people are pretty cool, it’s affordable and the architecture is sublime. It’s a picturesque place, with loads to discover and a short distance from the UK, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg…Heaven for beer fans, and a strong student population, with lots of art and cultural activities