I got asked by several coworkers what they should consider (after I had settled). The thing is it's going to vary for obvious reasons, but I put staying active/walking at the top.
We were initially drawn to several very different situations but upon reflection concluded they were not for us. Every where we traveled we'd talk about what it might be like to retire there. Had I not met my wife, I suspect I'd be on 25 acres in the Boonies somewhere near the mountains. I now realize that would have been pretty bad for me, probably.
My wife grew up in downtown Paris, about as "cosmopolitan" a place as exists anywhere, so she likes the city vibe a lot. I'm still a bit surprised how much she claims to like it here. This isn't Paris, duh. She did not want to retire in France, which is a complicated story I've learned. Living in France isn't like visiting Fance.
I can see myself in Provence like Oddball drinking some wine, eating some cheese, soaking some rays ...
We have a tentative plan to visit Provence for a month somewhere. One of my oddball "hobbies" now is playing baseball two weeks out of the year. And trying to get in shape for same the other 50 weeks.
Anyway, it's worth thought, all of it.