The US election has Americans looking to move to Quebec and their searches have doubled
It appears that American interest in Canadian real estate is on the rise as our southern neighbours gear up for today's 2024 U.S. presidential election, and so many of them are considering moving to Quebec.
A new report from Royal LePage reveals that U.S. residents have shown a marked surge in curiosity about moving to Canada. Visits to the company's website from Americans spiked by more than double back in June, right when the election season kicked off. That surge hasn't let up and is seeing renewed attention as election day arrives.
The real estate company's new report reveals compelling details about what's driving this surge of interest in Canada's housing market and which Canadian provinces are getting the most attention as we await the U.S. election results.
The report highlights that mid-June saw a 104% jump in U.S.-based traffic to royallepage.ca compared to the previous week, with a 67% year-over-year increase. The trend continued to build momentum, particularly following the first presidential debate, which fueled even more interest among potential American homebuyers.
Key findings
- Massive surge in traffic: July marked a peak for American visitors, with a notable spike on July 15, the day former president Donald Trump was once again confirmed as the Republican nominee.
- Interest from specific states: Historically red state South Carolina led U.S. traffic, with blue-leaning states also contributing significantly.
- Most-searched provinces: Ontario attracted 38% of U.S. visits, with British Columbia and Quebec following at 17% and 16%, respectively.
- Potential for permanent moves: While Americans typically browse vacation properties, the report suggests that the polarized political climate could push some to consider full-time relocation.
Phil Soper, president and CEO of Royal LePage, explained why Canada continues to draw attention from U.S. citizens. "Canada's relative political and social stability, high quality of life, and access to education and universal healthcare, make it a highly attractive country for newcomers from Europe, Asia and around the world," he said, noting that this appeal isn't new but has heightened with today's political uncertainties.
"Consistently ranking as one of the best countries in the world to live in, Canada continues to be a significant destination for international relocation."
Even if most searches don't translate to relocations, it's clear that the idea of buying a home in Canada is resonating more than ever with Americans as election results come into focus.
Or as Soper aptly put it, "Nothing like political and economic uncertainty to get people searching for greener grass!"
This article has been updated since it was originally published on October 30, 2024.
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A graph of the Canadian National Rent Index, showing rising costs and a plateau in prices over the last few months.
Average asking rent in the top 25 small and mid-sized markets as of October 2023.
A table of the average listed rent by province in November 2023.
An overhead view of Quebec City sprawl. 
A graph comparing the average asking rent for roommate rentals in major Canadian cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
View of the kitchen and dining room in the townhouse for sale.
View of the dining room in the townhouse.
The spacey living room i the townhouse for sale.
One of the bedrooms in the townhouse.
The bathroom in the house for sale.
The backyard at the townhouse.
The kitchen, complete with a beautiful white island and matching counters in the house for sale.Saguy Elbaz | Sotheby's International Realty
The wooden dining table and chairs in the stone-walled dining area in the house.Saguy Elbaz | Sotheby's International Realty
White furniture in the stone-walled round living room.Saguy Elbaz | Sotheby's International Realty
Wooden stairs in a stone-walled spinal staircase.Saguy Elbaz | Sotheby's International Realty
A white bed in a stone-walled bedroom. Right: A mirror, a tub, and a glass-walled shower in one of the bathrooms.Saguy Elbaz | Sotheby's International Realty
A white bed and a fireplace in one of the bedrooms. Right: A bathroom with a stone and glass-walled shower, a sink and a toilet.Saguy Elbaz | Sotheby's International Realty
The exterior of the house for sale, including the terrasse.Saguy Elbaz | Sotheby's International Realty
Martin Rouleau | Engel & Völkers
Martin Rouleau | Engel & Völkers
Martin Rouleau | Engel & Völkers
Martin Rouleau | Engel & Völkers
Martin Rouleau | Engel & Völkers
