Meet Alex & Nicole

“Born and raised on the East Coast, I never imagined a life outside of the United States. As destiny would have it, my wife and I found our way to the beautiful Basque village of Biarritz, France. We purchased a home in the city center and began our lives here. After months of renovations, bureaucracy, and hard work we finally had established our new home abroad.”

About Alex

Before settling down in Biarritz, Alex earned a BA in International Business at California State University, San Bernardino (2005) and later earned an International MBA at EDHEC Business School in Nice, France (2014). Before moving to France for his MBA program, Alex worked in logistics, sales and commercial real estate in the United States. 

Alex has combined his experience and enthusiasm for international business and other cultures in his current position. Today, he specializes in advising expats in the Basque Country as a luxury real estate consultant at Prestant Realty where he is a partner.

In his personal life, Alex is a motorsports fanatic. He’s had a passion for racing motorcycles, race cars, and karting for the majority of his life. Most weekends Alex can be found racing in the Funyo Sprint Championship, hiking with friends in the beautiful Pyrenees or discovering the best new restaurant in Basque Country. 

“From the beach breaks of Biarritz to the mythical mountain of La Rhune, I fell in love with Basque Country upon arrival. If you take the best parts of Southern California, mix in amazing French food and Basque culture, you get a very special place I feel lucky to call home.”

About Nicole

A Southern California native, Nicole grew up surfing and skateboarding around Newport, San Clemente and Huntington Beaches and riding dirtbikes in the desert and local motocross tracks. She earned a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling (2009) as well as her professional license.

After agreeing to move abroad for Alex’s MBA program, Nicole’s only request was to be able to make a surf trip to Biarritz. In the Fall of 2013, Nicole and Alex first visited the town and knew they had to do all they could to live there.

Nicole began seeing her counseling patients online which allowed for her to live anywhere. She has recently retired from providing therapy for 15 years and has started a vertical farm, providing microgreens to the BAB area. Nicole also enjoys helping other expats make their dreams a reality through Live in Biarritz by assisting them in concierge and consulting services.

In her free time, Nicole can be found taking lefts at the Grande Plage or riding her surf-skateboard at La Barre in Anglet.