Donald Trump’s re-election has seen a huge spike in interest from Americans in moving to France.
Google searches in the US for ‘move to France’ (and 'leave the country') reached an all-time high. One relocation firm has called the level of demand "insane".
The dollar is at a one-year high on the euro, making France more affordable.
At a post-election webinar organised by the Adrian Leeds Group, which helps Americans find properties and move to France, around 1,000 people logged on.
The webinar organisers cited the benefits of a move to France, including a double tax treaty that, they claimed, might be the “best in the world”.
Read more: What would it mean for France if the euro is weaker than the US dollar?
Inundated with inquiries
Founder Adrian Leeds said “retirees moving over are not taxed at all on their pensions and dividends, and could very well spend a lot less living in France than they ever did in the US”.
Ms Leeds told The Connexion: “We had 1,700 people register for the webinar and more than half logged on.
"The interest level is insane. We’re being inundated with inquiries.
“There are a combination of factors, but the Trump win has precipitated a lot. I’d heard many people saying ‘if he wins, I’m definitely moving’.
"But it’s been building: first, there was Covid, and then people were able to work remotely and felt they no longer had to live in a specific place. Business has been doubling each year, but this will probably put us in the triple mark.”
She added: “Most expats are on the left and are well-educated and open-minded, but look at what’s been happening in the US: medical care is expensive, there’s the inability to control guns, and what’s happened to women’s rights. When people travel, they see they can have a better life elsewhere.”
The cost of living is "double" that of France, whether in property tax, medical insurance or groceries.
Read more: Letters: The cost of living is not always lower in France than in the US
Popular destinations
Ms Leeds advises those planning a move to avoid 'medical desert' areas and consider access to public transport and international airports.
While Paris retains its appeal with those happy to have a very “urban lifestyle”, Nice is increasingly popular.
It is seen as “relaxed”, property is half the price of Paris, it has mild weather and its mayor has focused on making it more beautiful. Americans are, therefore, happy to invest significant sums to have a “fabulous property” there.
Provence is also popular, but Ms Leeds urges clients to consider the transport factors, and whether they will find an existing American community.
The visa process, including appointments with VFS Global, is “simple” for Americans, she said.
Immigration lawyer Alexandre Gillioen, from Lyon, noted an increase in Americans moving after Mr Trump’s first election in 2016, and is expecting the same.
“I received an email on November 5 [election day] from an American who had contacted me before, saying clearly he wanted to come to live in France now.
"Having said that, in 2016, US citizens didn’t know what to expect and now they have a better idea, for better or worse.”
Franco-American international relations expert Romuald Sciora, said this “familiarity” factor might mean there is no sudden mass exodus.
However, in a year or two, if the atmosphere becomes more authoritarian, we might see more US researchers and intellectuals seeking “refuge” elsewhere, whether in Canada or European countries, including France, he said.
“One factor is the ‘anti-woke’ cultural revolution of the radical right, which has been championed in Florida by the new White House chief of staff Susie Wiles."
Another is if Elon Musk, appointed to work on 'efficiency', decides to cut access to healthcare to more people, or make research cuts. "I’m personally glad to have a French passport, and to be able to move to Europe easily," he said.
Read more: Letters: Strength of the dollar is key factor for Americans in France
LGBT and women's rights
Pennie Zuercher, 63, said the very right-wing politics in her home state Florida was a reason for her recent move to Nice, including the fact that LGBT and women's rights are key issues for her.
She knows several couples who are now moving, either due to the election or who "started the process out of fear of how it would turn out".
“My husband and I had been visiting France for several years and always loved the areas we saw and people we met, so felt very at home," she said.
Ms Zuercher, who retired on health grounds from work as a local government finance chief, said she had found a “less stressed lifestyle and culture”.
“The figures on my blood tests improved tremendously within the first three months of moving.
"I put it down to being more active –we rely on public transport and our feet – and the quality of the food."
