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Posts by: Chrissie Stephen

Chrissie Stephen

Chrissie is a UK-born writer at My Dolce Casa, living in France. She has also worked for many years as a radio presenter. She has been living abroad since she was 20. She lived in Germany, Cyprus, Greece, and is now in France, where she and her husband run a successful gite business and she conducts civil wedding ceremonies.

Rouen France
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Best Cities in France Where You Can Buy an Apartment for Under $250,000

by Chrissie Stephen on August 31, 2024
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The trend to move to France from the United States is definitely going in an upward direction. Many Americans are living in France and enjoying the attractive lifestyle that the land of wine and cheese can offer. But to truly…

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Narbonne Beach France
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8 Great Budget-Friendly Towns to Live in France Near the Beach

by Chrissie Stephen on August 29, 2024
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Many people dream of being able to live near the sea, but find that French property prices near the coast are usually out of budget. With 2,848 miles (4,583 kilometers) of coastline, France can be very generous with the options…

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France in the Fall: Five Amazing Places to Visit in France in the Autumn

by Chrissie Stephen on August 8, 2024
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Autumn is a wonderful time to visit France for a million reasons. The mornings are pleasantly crisp and there are scattered golden leaves in parks and on pavements. In the wine-growing areas of France, it is time for the annual…

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Germany in the Fall: 10 Best Places to Admire the Autumn Colors

by Chrissie Stephen on July 28, 2024
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Germany is a popular country to visit in the autumn for its enchanting landscapes, historic towns and fairytale castles. Between September and November the weather is still very pleasant and the landscapes are transformed by the vibrant palette of foliage…

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7 Practical Reasons Americans Are Looking to Retire in Europe – Should You?

by Chrissie Stephen on July 17, 2024
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Retiring abroad is becoming surprisingly more appealing to many Americans. The State Department says that the current figure could be as high as nine million people – which equates to 12% of the country’s population of retirement age. The Social…

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Best Cities in France to Buy an Apartment for Less Than $180,000

by Chrissie Stephen on July 2, 2024
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Once you have settled in France and have found that the French way of life suits you well, you could find yourself contemplating buying your own apartment. Investing in property in France will give you both long-term financial stability and…

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Eymet-Brittany-France A picturesque European village square with historic stone buildings, colorful shutters, and a small fountain to the left. Yellow streamers are strung across the square, adding a festive touch. Cafés and shops with outdoor seating line the charming streets.
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Eight Popular Towns in France for Americans (That Aren’t Paris)

by Chrissie Stephen on June 9, 2024
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Every year more than 12,000 Americans make the move to live in France. For many, the attraction lies in the unparalleled charm of French cities and towns, the slower pace of life, the excellent food and wine, and the friendship…

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Don’t Get Lost in Translation: French Real Estate Terms Explained

by Chrissie Stephen on June 1, 2024
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Understanding all the real estate terms in France is almost like learning a new language. Whether you’re picturing yourself sipping wine in a chic Parisian apartment, relaxing in a rustic countryside cottage, or basking in the sun at a villa…

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Best Places to Live in France for Less Than $3,000 per Month

by Chrissie Stephen on May 25, 2024
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Is it expensive to live in France? Yes, it may be a pricier than other Mediterranean countries, but you can still find some great locations to live on a smaller budget. In fact, we found nine amazing places where you…

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Best Places to Live in France Under $2,700

by Chrissie Stephen on April 29, 2024
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For many people tempted to move abroad, one of the most pressing questions is whether they will be able to afford living in France. It is true that some aspects of the cost of living in France – such as…

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Living in the French Countryside: 10 Best Places to Buy a Country House in France

by Chrissie Stephen on April 21, 2024
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All of France is charming, but its countryside is in a league of its own. Both admired and envied all over the world, it has inspired design styles, architectural styles and the works of numerous artists through the ages. Living…

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Moving to France with Kids: Education and School Holidays in France

by Chrissie Stephen on April 7, 2024
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Moving to France with school age children does not need to be a challenge if you do your homework about the French education system. The school year in France runs from September to the end June, early July and there…

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Public Holidays in France and How the French Celebrate Them

by Chrissie Stephen on March 24, 2024
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France celebrates eleven public holidays each year, which is the second highest number of annual holidays in Europe after Austria. Additionally, two other holidays are observed in certain regions in France. The French public holidays include both civil holidays –…

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Tipping in France: When, Whom and How Much You Should Tip

by Chrissie Stephen on March 10, 2024
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Tipping is not as common in France as it is in many other countries, including the US or the UK. In fact, tipping in France is very relaxed for all concerned. This is because service charges are usually included in…

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Can you get a mortgage in France as a U.S. citizen?

by Chrissie Stephen on March 4, 2024
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France is one of the most popular places in the world with Americans to live either for a short time or permanently. The American Embassy in Paris estimates that there are about 150,000 Americans currently living in France. Given that…

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How to Land a Good Job in France as an English-Speaking Foreigner

by Chrissie Stephen on February 3, 2024
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Getting a good job in France as an English-speaker from a non-EU country can be quite a challenge, because French and European citizens typically have priority in employment. The good news is that the French job market is very strong.…

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An Insider’s Guide to Living in Paris

by Chrissie Stephen on January 6, 2024
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How you view Paris as a tourist and living in Paris a resident are two very different things. Paris is the most visited city in the world, welcoming more than 40 million tourists every year. During the summer months there…

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France Changes Immigration Laws Impacting UK Retirees, Second-Home Owners

by Chrissie Stephen on January 6, 2024
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In 2024, France will be implementing significant changes in its immigration laws and border rules, affecting individuals traveling from the UK, whether for short visits or long-term stays, reports The Connexion. These modifications come as France aligns itself with the…

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Your complete guide to renting an apartment in Paris

by Chrissie Stephen on January 6, 2024
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“To be a Parisian is not about being born in Paris, it is about being reborn there.” (Sacha Guitry) Paris is a vibrant and much-loved capital city, a popular place to live in for many expats planning a new life…

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Discover Another Side of Greece in January

by Chrissie Stephen on December 22, 2023
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If you’re planning a quick escape to sunny Greece in January or simply looking for a warm place in Europe to escape freezing winter temperatures in your own country, this guide sums up what is happening throughout Greece this time…

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