"Move to France" Google searches way up!
Trump win leads to major spike in google searches for "Move to France"
Donald Trump’s reelection has resulted in another spike in US Google searches for ‘move to France’. There was a spike in 'leave the country' searches after he was first elected in 2016, but this year's searches reached an all-time high astounding observers. Americans didn't know what to expect from a Trump Presidency in 2016, but now they know.
The real estate market in France today is a 'buyer's market'. The winter season is typically slow, and the dollar is at a one-year high against the euro and expected to strengthen, which all adds up to make real estate in France even more affordable as Americans look for an escape. One minor but important note is that French Notaire fees are set to increase in June of 2025, another reason to buy before next summer if you are planning to buy property in France.
The initial impetus for moving abroad came out of the impact of Covid when people by necessity had to work remotely and learned that they no longer had to go into the office or live in a specific place. This freedom to move makes the exploration of international options more popular.
Adrian Leeds, who has a delightful blog on all you need to know about moving to France, 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.”
Moving to France - or any other nation for that matter - can be complicated. Thanks to French/US treaties, American income is not taxed in France, so longer term residents can enjoy their Social Security and other fixed income as well as US portfolio investment earnings without being taxed again in France.
French costs are as much as 50% of the cost of living in the US, especially when it comes to spending on medical care, groceries, and property taxes. This is true in many other countries, but few have the excellent medical care, culture, history, and sophistication of France.
Moving to France requires some serious homework before you invest in residential real estate there. At least that is what we recommend. Part of that due diligence and research can include initially buying a fractional home ownership share to test living in your favored region, village or town. What community will nurture your needs for a home base? Even getting to that decision requires understanding your own selection criteria.
Do you want to have a private country estate with land, gardens, a pool and several bedrooms for your family and friends who will want to come visit? Maybe you'd prefer a slightly smaller village home with less expensive maintenance costs that is near markets, services and restaurants? What are 'must have' items on your 'postcard perfect home' list: access to medical care, golf courses, a robust English speaking community, historical sites and attractions, a fencing club, cooking classes, easy access to airports, major highways and train stations?
Once you establish a home base, even if you are only able to take a limited time to visit - perhaps four or five weeks a year for now -and until you're ready to make a fulltime move, you can share the cost of that property with others and explore from your own home. It's the best way to learn more about your future life in France, including longer term visas, travel options, and basic tasks such as having a bank account or buying a car there.
We are excited about providing you with a beautiful home at a fraction of the costs in France. There are so many wonderful things to enjoy and learn there and learning keeps us young at any age. France has a vibrant and proud culture that understands the value of a slow and gentle lifestyle seasoned with delicious food and great wines.
If that sounds good to you, please subscribe to our Stubstack here for informational blogs and get on our prospect list via our website at JoiedeVivreHomes.com where we can keep you posted on the dream homes we pick for co-ownership in France.