Saint-Étienne 42000, Saint-Roch - Vivaraize - Valbenoite - Centre Deux
Saint-Étienne, France
Guide Price
$114,018
€99,000 EUR · $134/sqft
PROPERTY TYPE
Condo
BEDROOMS
2
BATHROOMS
1
SIZE
850 sq ft
YEAR BUILT
1971
Description
Votre agence IMMO DE FRANCE FOREZ VELAY vous accueille téléphoniquement du lundi au samedi de 8h à 19h sans interruption. Contactez Céline LENORMAND<br>Appartement T4 à St Etienne (secteur Tréfilerie/proche Fac)<br>Appartement traversant et lumineux, situé à proximité immédiate de la Fac Tréfilerie et Centre II<br>2 chambres<br>Séjour double ouvrant sur grand balcon avec vue très dégagée<br>Cuisine indépendante<br>Salle de bains + wc séparés<br>Charges 200 €/mois (chauf +eau chaude + entretien d
Location
Open in Google MapsLiving in Saint-Étienne
A former industrial city southwest of Lyon that's become one of France's most affordable urban options, with rents well below Paris, Lyon, or Nice. It was named a UNESCO City of Design and has been reinventing itself with creative industries and a strong university presence. Very much a local French city -- English is rare, so this is for expats committed to learning the language and integrating into authentic French life.
Morning baguettes from the corner boulangerie, two-hour lunches with wine that no one apologizes for, and the slow realization that the French were right about everything involving food.
Visa
Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) — multiple categories for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and researchers. Qualified employee route requires min €39,582/yr salary. Valid up to 4 years, family included. Visitor Visa (Visa Long Séjour) suits retirees with passive income — no work allowed, must prove €1,600+/mo resources.
Learn more: Digital Nomad Visas: Where You Can Live & Work in 2026→Key Fact
France has famously complex bureaucracy (the préfecture experience is legendary) but offers world-class universal healthcare, 5 weeks mandatory vacation, and excellent public infrastructure once you are in the system.
Learn more: Health Insurance for Americans Living Abroad→France at a glance
How France scores for American expats
Cost of buying in France
Estimated fees and ongoing costs for this property
Closing Costs
7-10% of purchase price
- ·Notary fees: 7-8% (includes transfer taxes)
- ·Agent: 3-8% (usually included in listing price)
- ·No separate stamp duty
Annual Costs
Property Tax
€500-3,000+/yr taxe foncière (varies by commune)
Insurance
€200-500/yr
HOA / Condo Fees
€100-300/mo for apartments (charges de copropriété)
Good to Know
Agent Fees
Usually seller pays (included in listing price)
Foreign Buyer Note
No restrictions on foreign buyers. Non-residents pay 3% additional wealth tax on French property above €1.3M.
Legal help in France
Hire your own attorney — not the seller's. We'll match you with a vetted local lawyer.
Need a local attorney in France?
We'll connect you with an independent, English-speaking real estate attorney experienced with foreign buyers. Not the seller's lawyer — yours.
Next steps for moving to France
Interested in this property? Here's how to move forward.
Understand the buying rules
Foreign ownership laws vary wildly by country. Some welcome you, others restrict or ban foreign buyers entirely.
Sort out your visa
Owning property doesn't give you the right to live there. Research residency options before you buy.
Plan your finances
Understand currency risk, international wire transfers, and whether you can get a local mortgage.
Know your tax obligations
US citizens are taxed on worldwide income. You'll need to file US taxes from abroad and may owe local taxes too.
Set up healthcare
Medicare doesn't cover you overseas. You'll need international health insurance or a local plan.
Run the full checklist
Banking, mail forwarding, power of attorney, pet import rules — the complete pre-move checklist.
Bien'ici (bienici.com)
500,000
EUR