An April article shared by The Connexion highlights how Southern France, particularly Nice, is becoming a popular destination for American citizens who are trading short-term holidays for long-term stays. Data that follows focuses on a surge of 12% Americans choosing to relocate to Nice drawn to the appealing lifestyle, the climate, and the affordability. This is surely a notable shift that reflects changing priorities among U.S expats, many of whom are trying to escape from the States’ rising crime rates, turbulent political climate, and social prejudices.
Among positive testimonials are:
- An Scott, an American, who has no regrets about moving out of the U.S with her husband. In Nice, she enjoys a beautiful atmosphere along with a better healthcare system.
- Jacob, an American doctor, who moved to Nice for a sabbatical year, but now he is ready to live there. He feels happy with the local cuisine, the welcoming culture, and the excellent airport connections.
Also, the feature delves into the political and social factors that brought a growing number of U.S citizens applying for residency in Nice.
Among experts’ testimonials are:
- Mr Leeds, who experienced a rise in inquiries from Americans applying for dual passports since President Trump’s second election.
- Rachel Hagg, a food guide, who saw her U.S clients wearing ironic hoodies as a representation of the United States’ current political situation.
The American community is protesting while abroad. U.S citizens already living in Nice and nearby cities recently marched in protest against the U.S President’s trade tariff policy, mobilized by members of Democrats Abroad. But it’s the statistics that reflect the disappointment felt by Americans, many of whom came first as tourists, then became French residents with a spike of 620,000 overnight stays by U.S people recorded in 2024 alone. Why Nice? Experts focus on the rich culture, the historical connections with the USA, and low-cost activities along with improved airline connectivity, which is making the Cote D’azur a magnet for Americans from New York, Atlanta, Washington (with a passenger capacity to hit 18 million yearly by 2030).
According to Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice since 2017, the city’s hospitality field has gone through a total change thanks to the American wave of migration. As a result, the number of hotel rooms in the Azure City has grown to 12,500 with multiple new openings, making the town a top refuge for members of the U.S community. As American tourists in France continue to rise, agencies and tour operators also received countless requests from U.S travelers wishing to be permanent residents in Europe, increasing local fears of polarization in the area.
