Six months down the line since Donald Trump was inaugurated as US President there has been no significant sign of Americans packing their bags and fleeing to this side of the pond. With a strong economy, a week pound and a common language London must, to Americans, look more attractive than Canada, whose immigration website crashed when Trump’s victory was confirmed.
Americans living in London
Historically, London has always enjoyed a healthy relationship with Americans settling into cosy pockets of Prime Central London.
The majority migrate for work purposes, largely within the banking sector, although after the financial crisis and the crash of Lehman Bros, many left in a rush and have not returned as the financial services and banking industries revised their recruitment practices and their entire work ethic came under scrutiny.
Traditionally, Americans seek out the places where they feel most at home. Consequently, the American School in St John’s Wood has always attracted families coming from the US, who have enjoyed the choice of large family houses either for sale or rent. The family atmosphere and leafy green spaces on their doorstep with Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill, Belsize Park and Hampstead Heath all accessible and an easy journey into the City, have proven popular for many transatlantic move.
Other property hotspots for Americans are Notting Hill and Chelsea because incomers find the quirky civilized ‘Englishness’ of garden squares and a creative vibe appealing. Both areas offer a good infrastructure and facilities: excellent schools, improved transport links and good rail access to the country, great shops, restaurants, cafes and parks with a comprehensive range of property styles from good lateral apartments, traditional mansion blocks and decent family houses with gardens in both post codes.
My tip is that Bayswater will be where American investors are most likely to buy next because of all the plans underway to regenerate the area.
The American Embassy is moving to Nine Elms which is a sign of the times as Mayfair loses its embassy stronghold in favour of residential development. As long as London benefits from a fair share of American investment and talent then irrespective of what Trump attempts on his own turf, the benefits for London far outweigh the negatives.