Hi, I thought I would just introduce myself. I am planning on staying in Northern Italy on a fellowhip for a year. I'm bringing my family - two toddlers and my husband (who will be a stay home dad for me!). We speak English, Japanese and know basic French but are totally new to Italian. I know we will all love it there, but my main concerns for now are practical things like banking, medical care, housing, kid-related things. Looking forward to finding out a lot about Italy. Thanks!

I have been living in the US for the past 20 years so I might not be the best to answer this one also because when I go to Italy, guess what, I speak Italian. English has been mandatory in school for the last 30 years so I suppose that all the youngest generation speak English at least at a basic level. When I go to Italy I go to Rome and Umbria where the US concentration is quite high. My mother lives near Gianicolo in Rome and there 1 every 10 person is from the US. I would not worry too much about the language barrier, however maybe somebody most experienced than me can give you a more accurate answer.
Paolo

Good luck to you all! Where will you be?
Banking is pretty easy. Pick a bank (there are hundreds) that seems efficient, friendly and is conveniently located to you. Bring your American check book, and you can start a “conto corrente” which is a checking account so you can easily pay rent, etc. It does take a couple of weeks for the account to become active, then you can transfer funds directly from America to your Italian bank (bank transfers are called “bonfice”)
As for day to day expenses, I like to use credit cards and also use the ATM machines for cash.
In Italy, most people still use cash for everything, but most places, unless you’re in a small town accept credit cards.
Bills like the telephone, electricity, etc. here are usually paid every 2 months. You get a bill in the mail, then you take it to the post office and pay it there.

Medical care: As a US citizen living in Italy for a year, you will need to keep your medical insurance from the States. Doctors are in every town, and hospitals are everywhere.. Don’t expect the hospitals to look like a fancy hotel as so many American hospitals are, but the care overall seems quite good. Ask the other families in your neighborhood which pediatrician they like best.

Hopefully the institution you have your fellowship with will help you with your housing and your Visa?
Ciao!
Elizabetta
www.elizabetta.net
www.intdesignco.com

I am an American living in Northern Italy. Congrats on your opportunity to stay there for a fellowship. Which town will you be located in?

I absolutely love it here and hope you will have the same experience. I suggest opening a bank account here at one of the larger international banks. Medical care should not be a problem. While I suggest you contact your insurance policy in the US, I have used the hospitals two times without insurance since staying here for minor emergancy care and the bills were very inexpensive (less than 20 euros each time). The hospital I have experience with is on par with public city hospitals in the US. Although it was more disorganized, it was clean, efficient and I was very satisfied with the physicians I met with. In fact, I felt it was a better experience than American medical care.

Meeting people is not difficult because Italians love Americans and are excited at the possibility to practice their English. If you speak slowly you will find that many people will prefer to converse with you in English which is nice when you first arrive and haven't conquered Italian yet. Living in Nothern Italy is a dream once you accept the red tape and inefficiency of Italy compared to the USA: the food, the wine, the architecture will take your breath away. You can easily explore the region and visit most of the major cities on the weekends or hit the mountains for some skiing. If you have any questions please send me a message. I would love to help you any way I can.

Thank you all! I am relieved to hear positive things about banking and medical care.
We will probably be living in the Trento Area. Hope we can get by in English at least at the beginning... I have a place for the first month then have to find a larger place for my family. Is there any dos and don'ts in finding one (contract issue, utility, etc.) Also was there anything you brought from the U.S. and find it useful or you wish you have brought?

If you need a better place or anything else I suggest you to contact this adds newspaper in trento www.bazar.it Via Ghiaie, 15
Tel. 0461/362122 - Fax 0461/362150 - Dal lunedì al venerdì 8.00-12.00 - 14.30-18.30 you can say hello Serena for me by "Federico in America"

good luck

Hi saga ,
You've got some great help and advice here so all I want to say is ... Welcome to the Forum!

Good luck with your time in Italy - I'm sure you will enjoy your stay in such a beautiful, wonderful country!

Carissimi auguri! :)

Steve

We have just been to the Italian Consulate in NYC and are getting our visas soon! There still are so many little things to take care of, but looks like we are almost set to go!

Thank you 'saporedisale' for the info in Trento. We will sure be checking it out since we'll have a tiny place (40 sq. feet, I was told - or is it common?) at the beginning.

Greetings,

My mother and daughter are gathering information for a potential move to Italy. We are quite new to this idea and have only begun to research. I would be happy to hear suggestions such as ideal locations (if there is such a thing) and potential rentals. My daughter will need to attend school (junior-high) as we are planning to live there for one year. How might I find information regarding schools in Italy for American students?

I spent the summer in Paris and the south of France so I'm slightly familiar with some European culture but I really know very little about how I might live and work in Italy. It is my dream and my mother's 'last wish'.

Thank you in advance,

CiCi