Moving, living, working, retiring abroad
The national average price of a 2,000-square-foot home in Portugal is $530,000, according to the latest My Dolce Casa real estate report. The average home price in Portugal has increased by about 6% in the past year, as the country has become one of the top homebuying destinations for Americans. In comparison, the U.S. median … Read more
If you’re looking to live abroad in retirement or for a change of lifestyle, you’re perhaps considering Italy as a place to try out. It’s certainly one of the most popular destinations for Americans to move to. With its incredible food and fairy tale beauty, you may think living in such an amazing country would be … Read more
The cost to buy a home in Italy is $378,000, on average, for a 2,000-sq-ft house, according to the latest My Dolce Casa real estate report. By comparison, the median price of a home in the US is $420,800 according to the St. Louis Fed. The national average price of real estate in Italy is … Read more
Whatever the reason for your move to Italy, you’ll want to know where you can afford to live based on your budget. In this article, we’ll cover the best places to live in Italy on a $2,700 monthly budget. In a country as old as Italy, each town, no matter how small or big, has … Read more
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 food shopping – are more expensive than in other countries, but rental prices can be … Read more
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 in the French countryside sounds pretty idyllic, but it is not without challenges. We bought … Read more
Italy has grown to be the destination of dreams to retire, study or lifestyle change for lots of Americans. Fortunately, the country is not just beautiful, with incredible food, captivating history and UNESCO-protected sites, but it is one of the most affordable places to live in Mediterranean Europe. This time, we were on the hunt … Read more
Spain has announced plans to end its golden visa program, which grants Spanish residency to foreigners who invest in real estate, starting from 2024. The decision comes as part of the government’s efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing for locals and ensure that housing is treated as a right and not just a … Read more
Great news for digital nomads who want to live in Italy! The long-awaited Italy digital nomad visa program has officially started on April 4, 2024. Here’s what you need to know: The digital nomad visa is being managed under Article 27 of Italy’s immigration code, which means it is aimed at attracting highly skilled remote … Read more
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 are five main school breaks and several public holidays during the year when schools in … Read more
Is moving to Italy on your wishlist but you worry that you may not afford it? We set out to prove that even on a small monthly income, there are plenty of nice places to live in Italy. As the monthly budget gets bigger, the location choices open up. This time, we’ll take you through … Read more
It’s the dream of many to explore the unique natural wonders, culture-rich towns, and delicious cuisine Italy offers. Is moving to this country on a budget possible in retirement, after graduating or simply on a low income? What places can I expect to find in Italy where life is nice and affordable? This time, we’ll … Read more
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 – for example New Year’s Day and May Day – and religious holidays such as Easter … Read more
The average price of a house for sale in Germany is $562,000, and the price to buy an apartment in Germany is on average $253,600 in 2024. The home price per square foot in Germany is $281, while the apartment price per square foot is $317. Home prices in Germany are higher than real estate … Read more
Many people are looking for affordable places to live in Italy. Even if your income is limited or have a monthly retirement allowance, you can still find some amazing places to live in Italy for little money. In general, the country has a much lower cost of living compared to countries in the north of … Read more
Exploring new places means learning about local customs. But have you ever thought about tipping practices? While tipping in the United States and Britain may be common, it’s not so typical in other countries. Portugal has its own unique approach to tipping. In this guide, we’ll look at the ins and outs of tipping in … Read more
So you’re planning to move to Italy just after college or have a strict retirement budget, but what are the best places to live in Italy under $1,600 per month? Housing is the largest expense no matter where you live and it shouldn’t account for more than a third of your total monthly budget or … Read more
When it comes to earning a living, the stark differences in minimum wage laws can be a deciding factor for people contemplating a move abroad. For Americans looking to work overseas, salary comparisons with European countries shed light on how much people earn in Europe versus the United States. My Dolce Casa‘s analysis of recently … Read more
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 the prices for restaurants, hotels and other services in the hospitality industry. Although leaving a … Read more
If you’ve spent even a fraction of your life in the United States, you’ll notice that tipping has been ingrained in so much of our culture. From grabbing a quick coffee to getting a haircut, we’re used to seeing the prompt, “How much would you like the tip?” But how about tipping in Italy, when … Read more