http://my.lifeinitaly.com/ Expats: Suggestions and answers to persons who would like to move to Italy. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:19:01 GMT vBulletin 30 http://my.lifeinitaly.com/images/styles/italy/misc/rss.jpg http://my.lifeinitaly.com/ http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/living-working-italy-vacation-6997.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:57:57 GMT After several weeks of working at a breakneck pace in Italy, you take a few moments to walk around outside the office and breathe some fresh Italian... After several weeks of working at a breakneck pace in Italy, you take a few moments to walk around outside the office and breathe some fresh Italian air. Lost in thought, your colleague approaches you and says to you in Italian, “You’ve been working too hard lately. You need a vacation!” You laugh and respond to him in Italian, “Are you kidding? Working in Italy IS my vacation. I haven’t taken a formal vacation in almost ten years!” Your colleague replies in Italian, “That’s too bad. We want you to stay a while, but you definitely need to consider some places where you can get away from the office. I went to Spain last year, and it was fantastic. Not as fantastic as Italy of course, but it was relaxing.” “Hmm,” you muse in Italian as you ponder the options, “Can you help me think of a work excuse to go to Spain so the company can help me pay for the trip?” ]]> Vivere in Italia: Living in Italy Villa http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/living-working-italy-vacation-6997.html http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/retiring-italy-6974.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:58:17 GMT Hello from America - My husband (68 and British) and I (52 American) are considering moving to Italy permanently in a few years. We spent one... Hello from America -

My husband (68 and British) and I (52 American) are considering moving to Italy permanently in a few years. We spent one month in a villino in Umbria 3 years ago and absolutely loved it. We made many friends and felt very welcome. Of course, that was on vacation..Now we are planning ahead to live for 1-2 years in a rented cottage or villino as a test before deciding whether to retire there permanently.

I speak Spanish fluently and have taken 2 courses (6 mon.) of Italian. I believe I could pick it up quite fast once we were there everyday:)

I have been reading the forum to gain a general idea of the cost of living and we understand the 2 biggest cost differences will be for auto gasoline and heating/electricity at the house we rent (especially from Nov - April -- which is similar to our winter on East Coast of US)

One concern is the healthcare issue. He is British, but moved away when he was 16 and consequently, has not lived or worked in England - but has kept his passport for all this time. Would he qualify for any EU coverage? I know I wouldn't and would have to get private insurance. In order to live there for an extended time do we need to carry health insurance? Also, as retirees, do we need to prove income at certain level?

To live there for 2 years, would we both need to get the permessi di soggiorno? As the wife of a Brit, would it make it easier for me?

How long can we live there before one of us has to get a driver's license?

Finally, as we are planning tentatively to move and live in Umbria 2012-2014, how far in advance should we start posting the type of accommodation which we are looking for? We want an affordable, but comfortable cottage or small (2 bdrm) villa in the countryside. We are very reputable and can furnish references from Italian citizens if necessary.

Mille grazie - any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Jane ]]> Vivere in Italia: Living in Italy marylandwoman http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/retiring-italy-6974.html http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/moving-back-italy-6915.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:36:38 GMT I was born in a small town south of Bari called Mola di Bari, but my family and I moved to Toronto Canada in 1967. I just went back on vacation to my... I was born in a small town south of Bari called Mola di Bari, but my family and I moved to Toronto Canada in 1967. I just went back on vacation to my home town for the first time in 42 years and liked what I saw. I am seriously thinking about moving back to live there for good and was just wondering if anybody else has had the same experience and have any tips or advice. ]]> Vivere in Italia: Living in Italy Saverio http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/moving-back-italy-6915.html http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/immersion-programmes-help-6712.html Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:23:41 GMT So, I've explained my situation in another thread - I'm a student and after finishing school I want to move to Italy for a year to pick up the language and culture (and all that jazz).

So, I'm still trying to piece together ideas, looking at course after course.
I'm still not sure on destination, BUT I was wondering if anyone knew anything about immersion programmes (basically live-ins with your tutor).

Now, it's an interesting concept. I would undoubtedly pick up the language, depending on how long I stay. And then the language could give me the possibility of work elsewhere in italy. My only problem is I want some other people my age! Other students. And that's what you get with other language courses, except the prospect of sitting through hours of lessons in big classes isn't appealing. But then, neither is spending 6 months alone in an italian family.

I'm so lost, and I'm just going round in circles really. Could anyone give me support or advice. I don't want to get into a situation where I'm speaking a lot of English either - I've made that mistake before and I'm not about to do it again!

Thank you! ]]> Vivere in Italia: Living in Italy Zay http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/immersion-programmes-help-6712.html http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/swiss-school-business-rome-6613.html Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:58:41 GMT Ciao! I'm moving to Italy in 2 months with my husband. We'll be there a few years, and I'm looking to go to school while I'm there for Marketing. Does anyone have any info on the Swiss School of Business? Anyone go there? Any input is welcome! ]]> Vivere in Italia: Living in Italy smillner http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/swiss-school-business-rome-6613.html http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/student-looking-live-italy-6485.html Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:39:57 GMT Hi everyone, I'm new here. I need some advice. I'm 17 years old, and I live in the UK, and am thinking about my future. I lived in Spain for 7 years, and have just recently moved back to the UK. I lived in Marbella, if any of you are familiar with it, it is about the most touristy area you can get. The long and short of it is, I went to an English speaking school, and although I speak Spanish, it's not perfect, and I'm very aware of the fact the the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it, and cut off all connections with English, however tough it may be to start with. In my opinion, languages are your way in the world, and I want to learn more.

Ok, where I'm leading with this, if you've read this far is, after finishing A Levels I want to move to Italy. Not permanently, for a year. But in that year I want to learn Italian. I know that I need to go somewhere were little to no English is spoken. Can anyone recommend any good places? If anyone is familiar with Spain, maybe an Italian equivalent to Salamanca? Maybe not a little village in the middle of nowhere.

Also, if anyone could help me by putting my in the know about jobs in Italy. Obviously I'd need a job, but I wouldn't know where to start, what to apply for etc. I am obviously learning italian while I am still in the UK, so I can function, but I'm not sure it will be enough to be employable, really.

If anyone can suggest anything, jobs, courses, places to live, where to go, what to do, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you :) ]]> Vivere in Italia: Living in Italy Zay http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/student-looking-live-italy-6485.html http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/looking-friends-umbria-6461.html Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:11:50 GMT Hi, I've just moved to Italy and it would be great to meet some other expats out here in Umbria to hang out with! Anyone living near the Assisi/Perugia area? ]]> Vivere in Italia: Living in Italy ashmc http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/looking-friends-umbria-6461.html http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/working-going-school-italy-6315.html Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:12:00 GMT Ok before i ask my question i thought i would let everyone know my situation incase it helps with answering my questions. Ok so when I was born my... Ok before i ask my question i thought i would let everyone know my situation incase it helps with answering my questions. Ok so when I was born my biological dad was not present so he was not added to my birth certificate. Unfortunately he died when i was very young and my family never got a chance to add him to my birth certificate. This is important because his dad was from Italy. As if this wasnt bad enough after he died my mom and I didnt stay in touch with his family and we have no way of getting in touch with any of them. Because of all of this I think im probably not eligible for the birth right citizenship. My dream for my whole life has been to live there so I figured I would just move there and go to school and work and then after 10 years of living in italy I would then be able to get my citizenship. Ok so now for my question.
I wanted to know if there was a way for me to live in italy and go to school and work at the same time without citizenship? From what I have read on the internet it doesnt seem like you can do both but I was just wondering if anyone on here knew anything different. ]]> Vivere in Italia: Living in Italy Belikerobert http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/working-going-school-italy-6315.html http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/perugia-6233.html Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:11:49 GMT Hi everyone,

I'm planning to apply to the Università per stranieri di Perugia next year and hope to get some opinions about Perugia. I've heard it's generally cheaper than other nearby cities like Rome, Florence and Siena. I've also gotten differing opinions as to whether it's generally safe.

Can anyone tell me how it is living there? What are the costs like, whether it's easy to get around on foot? (I read that it's a pretty mountainous/high altitude area). Also, what's pet care like?

Much appreciated if anyone can help!

Thanks in advance!

EDIT:

other questions I have are:
- spending on groceries
- safety
- studio apartment rates (possible to get a place below 500 euros?)
- english-speaking? (even just a little)
- any other relevant concerns ]]> Vivere in Italia: Living in Italy kitten http://my.lifeinitaly.com/f3/perugia-6233.html