Foreigners Flocking to France (And Other Destinations)

Mallorca might be the largest island in the Balearic Islands archipelago, which are a part of Spain, but you could have fooled me. The British were an overwhelming majority of the vacationers, with Germans not too far behind. As it turns out, Pollença, where we vacationed last week, is a favorite hotspot for the Brits. One reason is because the Balearic Islands have always welcomed foreigners and in the 1960’s, British Expats came in the droves, considering it one of the prettiest islands in the Mediterranean and within easy reach of the UK.

As it turns out, Brits buy more homes in France, too, than any other foreign buyers. According to Iexpats.com, the Brits outweigh all others and in 2015 sales to international buyers increased by 29%, with the Brits buying up half of those and one-third of the total market. It was surprising to learn that the most popular part of France for the British buyer has been the Rhone-Alpes — but these are the skiers buying up ski lodges.

Post Brexit, I would have thought they’d be selling their homes and cashing in on the favorable rate of exchange by repatriating their revenue while the sterling is weak, but it’s just the opposite. Seems like those unhappy with the Brexit vote are wanting to leave their homeland permanently and France is one of their destinations. Sales are already showing gains by the British market.

ConnexionFrance.com says that 50% of British French property buyers are buying because they want to leave Britain after the Brexit vote. This is the same prediction I’ve had for Americans should Donald Trump be elected president, as I believe many Americans will be seeking greener pastures, just like the anti-Brexit Brits.

Deccachronicle.com says 28% of Americans may leave the country and that the “how can I move to Canada” Internet search surged 350% this past March when he won seven state elections. The EmpireHerald.com reported on a “Back To Africa” movement to help Blacks leave the US for the same reason. Mashable.com offers up five countries that will welcome you if Trump becomes president and ManyManyAdventures.com offers up seven. But France isn’t among any of them.

That won’t stop Francophiles, however. They will be happy with any excuse to come to France! The latest polls show Clinton ahead of Trump, so Americans can relax again for the time being. History is repeating itself — while George W. Bush was in office, we were overwhelmed by Americans purchasing in France, then when Barack Obama was elected, they were happy to stay home again and we saw our influx drop.

One main reason for this is the overwhelming number of Democrats among Expats. According to Overseas-Exile.com, only 3% of the respondents in a survey identified themselves as Republicans with 54% as Democrats. Those in the “other” category noted themselves as:

    7 — None
    5 — Independent
    1 — Anarcho-capitalist*
    1 — General leftism
    1 — Independent (very left-leaning)
    1 — None. All are corrupt.
    1 — Reform party
    1 — Somewhere between D and R
    1 — They all suck
    1 — They are all thieving war mongers. No plane hit WTC7.
    1 — To vote is to support a failed system.
    1 — Unsure
    1 — Working Family
    1 — depends
    1 — liberal libertarian

*Anarcho-capitalism is a political philosophy that advocates the elimination of the state in favor of individual sovereignty, private property, and free markets. Anarcho-capitalists believe that in the absence of statute (law by decree or legislation), society would improve itself through the discipline of the free market (or what its proponents describe as a “voluntary society”) (Wikipedia.org)

This may not fascinate you as much as it does me, but it proves that ‘birds of a feather…flock together.’ In another article by ShelterOffShore.com, there are seven personality traits of a successful Expat:

1)  You See Challenges as Opportunities
2)  You Believe it’s a Small World
3)  You Can Think Outside the Box
4)  You Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
5)  You Feel Free
6)  You Are Adaptable
7)  You Desire Change

Do you have these traits and could you see yourself living outside of your native home?

Now, the question is: Do these traits fit a Democrat or a Republican? I leave it to you to find out.

A bientôt,

Adrian Leeds
The Adrian Leeds Group

(in Pollença)

Respond to Adrian: [email protected]

P.S. August is the perfect time to be planning your fall/winter adventures in Paris and France. We are here to help with at least part of those plans. Visit Adrian Leeds Group apartments and begin searching for your home away from home today!