By TheDailyNewsHub
An increasing number of Americans are choosing to make Paris their permanent home, driven by a combination of lifestyle considerations, work-life balance, living costs and growing dissatisfaction with the political climate in the United States.
Recent reporting indicates that the new wave of American arrivals is different from the traditional image of wealthy Americans purchasing occasional-use apartments in the French capital. More Americans are now relocating to Paris with the intention of building their lives there permanently.
French government figures cited in the report show that 15,388 Americans applied for French residency permits in 2025, representing a 17.3 per cent increase from the previous year.
For some, the decision is about quality of life rather than simply escaping the United States.
American expatriates interviewed about their experiences have pointed to Europe’s approach to work, healthcare, public transport and everyday life as attractions. Some have also cited the desire to live in an environment where work is less dominant and personal time is more highly valued.
Political frustrations are another factor.
Some Americans have openly cited dissatisfaction with the political climate in the United States, including the polarisation surrounding Donald Trump’s presidency, as one of the reasons they decided to establish themselves abroad. A 2025 survey by The Local of Americans living in France found that politics, particularly the Trump administration, was mentioned by almost half of respondents as one factor behind their move.
The trend is also occurring beyond Paris. Americans are increasingly considering cities such as Lyon, Bordeaux and Toulouse, where housing and everyday expenses can be lower than in the French capital.
For some Americans, however, Paris itself can still compare favourably with expensive U.S. metropolitan areas. A September 2026 Working Abroad Index by European neobank bunq estimated that a professional moving from Seattle to Paris could reduce annual costs measured by its index by about $12,000. The study also found that Paris could be less expensive than several major U.S. cities.
The experience of Marty and Angie Yabrow illustrates the changing nature of the trend. After considering their options following Marty’s retirement, the couple sold their home in Atlanta and moved to Paris in January 2025. They concluded that retiring in France made financial sense for them, particularly because of healthcare considerations.
Other Americans have made the move much earlier in their careers.
Some have relocated for employment, education, relationships or remote-work opportunities, while others say they were looking for a different pace of life. A number of American expatriates have described France as offering a stronger sense of community and a healthier separation between professional and personal life.
The movement nevertheless comes with significant challenges.
Americans moving permanently to France must navigate immigration requirements, taxation, employment rules, housing shortages and the French language. Paris remains one of Europe’s expensive cities, meaning that the claim that France is simply “cheaper” than America does not apply to everyone.
There is also a growing concern among some Parisians that wealthy foreign buyers, including Americans, are contributing to pressure on the city’s housing market. American buyers have become significant participants in the French property market, with some reportedly purchasing homes at prices above what local buyers can afford.
The broader movement reflects a changing attitude among some Americans towards what constitutes a desirable quality of life.
For those making the decision, the attraction is not necessarily about abandoning America altogether. Instead, Paris and other European destinations offer an alternative combination of healthcare, public services, cultural life, work arrangements and distance from the political tensions that have increasingly shaped American public life.
While the available figures do not establish a mass exodus of Americans from the United States, they do point to a measurable increase in Americans seeking long-term lives in France, with Paris emerging as one of the most visible destinations.
For an increasing number of Americans, the dream of a better life is no longer necessarily tied to the American city where they were born. For some, it is beginning with a move across the Atlantic.