Nice is More than Nice: One Hundred Fifty Reasons Nice is Our Future

Yep, I’m in Nice again and it’s busier than anytime I’ve ever seen it. Of course this IS the height of the vacation season, so it’s not surprising. One thing for sure, there isn’t much availability in the hotels or rental apartments, as even getting a table at a restaurant is a challenge much less walking down the Cours Saleya without bumping into anyone.

Meanwhile, Nice has been undergoing a major face lift that may be a bit unpleasant for the residents (and tourists) while it’s taking place, but the end result is sure to make improvements that will benefit 150 times over. This is the 150th anniversary of the annexation of the County of Nice to France and with it comes 150 local projects to transform Nice of yesterday to Nice of today and tomorrow.
The old (and ugly) “Gare Routière” was torn down along with the “Parking du Paillon” leaving almost 500 cars struggling to find new spots, but that’s a small price to pay for what’s in store. Planned for the end of 2013 is a six-level parking garage for 455 spots between rue Saint-François de Paule and he Quai des Etats-Unis and by 2014, another 482 parking places are being added at the Quai de la Douane at the Port. Plus “Smart Parking” is now installed allowing drivers to find available spaces using the GPS on their smart phones.
The barriers are up around the Jardins Albert 1er closing off the park until the Fall of 2013 when the “Coulée Verte” is scheduled to open. A breath of fresh air, the new Coulée Verte is designed to “preserve the landscape and environment, reintroduce nature into the city and enhance public spaces — the priority objectives set by the city of Nice itself. It’s an urban park of 12 hectares where the old bus station and parking garage once were. The demolition has helped rediscover the landscape by opening a view to the hills and the facades of the old town and city of the nineteenth century. It’s an enormous project including 8000 square meters that will be freed to become the scene of major festive events, games, art and culture. This first phase is to create a plaza of approximately 4,200 square meters on the current Traverse de la Bourgada and re-establish the plaza in front of the Eglise du Voeu of about 2,500 square meters.
To read more about the full details of
the project (in French), visit the city site at: La Coulée Verte or download the pdf brochure.
These are but a few of the 150 projects the city has on its horizon that are literally transforming Nice into a beautiful and major cultural center for the entire Riviera, such as:
* Les Moulins: urban renewal project
* Le projet de la ligne Ouest-Est: proposed east-west line linking the airport and the port administration center in less than 30 minutes
* La Future Promenade des Anglais: The image of the Baie des Anges is about to be transformed…
* Development of the Tunnel Victorine: a one-way tunnel between the exit west of Mathis and the M6202
* Grand Arénas: a new international business center in one of the most strategic sectors of Eco-Valley
* La Gare du Sud: a new living space
* Allianz Riviera: a new stadium
* Presentation of the proposed development of the gare Nice-Thiers and its neighborhood: a complete redefinition of the site
And more! Visit Les Grands Projets Collective to learn more.
The point to all this is that Nice is one of France’s best investments. There is a real future taking place here. And you can participate in it by having your little ‘piece’ just like I have. “Le Matisse” and the other apartment owned by “our family of investors,” “La Côte du Paradis” (Parler Nice Apartments), are both renting very well. Plus the ability to take advantage of the sunshine in Nice in my own apartment has become a monthly habit that is now necessary to my well-being. It’s one of those ‘good’ habits there is no reason to break! Especially with all that is in store for us here on the Blue Coast.
A bientôt,
Adrian Leeds
Editor, French Property Insider
(in Nice)
Email: [email protected]

 
 
 
P.S. There is the real possibility of a future for an American community who enjoys a luxurious and cultural lifestyle that Nice offers…or if it didn’t, certainly will in the very near future. If you are interested in participating in this adventure, contact us. We are scouting properties and building the resources necessary to purchase property, renovate and rent it successfully — property that without a doubt will bring much reward. For more information, email [email protected].