Thursday, March 5, 2020
Moving to Italy Expats Reveal Their Secrets to Surviving and Flourishing in Italy
Moving to Italy Expats Reveal Their Secrets to Surviving and Flourishing in Italy Brooke Neuman Did you know that thereâs an estimated 50,000 Americans whoâve temporarily or permanently relocated to Italy? Whether itâs for work, warmer temperatures, or simply a new start, Americans are buying one-way tickets to Italy. And we donât blame them! The countryâs food, weather, people, and culture make it a very desirable place to live. Donât be fooled, however, by the laissez faire lifestyle. Moving to Italyâ"or any foreign country for that matterâ"is no walk in the park. Moving to Italy requires getting used to an unfamiliar language as well as different social and cultural rules. Local holidays will be different and things you consider staplesâ"such as food, television, and magazinesâ"might not be readily available. Lucky for you, weâve interviewed several experienced expats to compile a list of the best kept secrets to surviving and flourishing in Italy. âDont waste time on missing people. By which I mean dont let missing people back home take precedence over making a new life in Italy. Theres no point coming all the way to Italy and then spending every spare minute on Skype with your friends and family back home,â says Kate Bailward of Driving Like a Maniac. âGet out there and enjoy what Italy has to offer. Youll be happy, and your friends and family will be happy that youre happy win-win!â While itâs tempting to bring every last possession you have with you to Italy, itâs extremely unrealistic. Whatever you think you need, cut it in half. You donât really need 5 pairs of jeans or sneakers that all look the same. Youâll soon discover that living small is actually quite liberating and cost-effective. Plus, youâll be able to fit everything you own in your tiny apartment or flat in Italy. Rule of thumb, only take with you what you use on a weekly basis. âIf at all possible, avoid ever driving a car in Italy. Itâs not that the drivers are all murderous psychopathsâ"which of course they areâ"but the problem is that eventually you become one of them,â says Rick Zullo of Rickâs Rome. âI drove a car in Rome during my first six months in town and then wisely opted to preserve what was left of my sanity over the marginal âconvenienceâ of owning a vehicle. On the plus side, my defensive driving skills improved significantly.â âThe first thing I tell new arrivals in Rome is say yes. Say yes to every invitation or social opportunity for at least 6 months even if you think it is something you have no interest in. You never know who you will meet or what connection you will make that can help ease your transition,â says Gillian Longworth McGuire of Gillianâs Lists. Before you arrive, take the time to learn some Italian, even if itâs just a few simply phrases and words. Learning Italian will come in handy when youâre searching for a job, getting to know your new neighborhood, and meeting other locals. âYou can get by without it, but once you can hold a conversation that consists of more than just the answers to whats your name?, why are you here? and do you like Italy? youll find that your world opens up exponentially,â says Bailward. Make sure that youâve filled out all of the necessary forms. If youâre looking to live, study, or work in Italy, youâll most likely apply for a residency visa, a student visa, or a work visa. Different documentation is required for each, so be sure to check with your local consulate or the Italian Embassyâs website before you make an appointment. Thereâs nothing worse than moving to Italy only to find out that youâre missing an important document thatâs required to live there. And the last thing you want is to be tied up in international red tape or waiting in a never ending line at the U.S. embassy. Moving to Italy with a closed mind is a recipe for disaster. To truly enjoy your stay, itâs important that you let go of any preconceived notions and accept Italy as your new home. âSuspend all judgments, criticisms, and comparisons to your home country. Keep an open mind while you discover and learn about Italy. Consider the move as an adventure to enjoy,â says Melinda Gallo of melindagallo.com. Prepare yourself for hidden costs and extra unexpected expenses. For example, you may be charged an import tax on your belongings or you could be hit with a hefty medical bill. If possible, give yourself a solid financial buffer for when these types of expenses come up. How much money you bring will depend on your budget and needs. Experts suggest, however, bringing at least six-monthâs worth of expenses. Things happen. Your apartment might get robbed or you may get in an accident. Before moving to Italy, itâs important to have a plan for when these things happen. Learn how to get to the closest hospital and police station. Itâs also a good idea to register with the embassy or consulate. Registering with the embassy provides you with assistance in the event of an emergency and allows you to complete various administrative formalities, such as taxes and registering to vote, more easily. Italy is full of surprises. Turn down a small quiet street and you might discover the best trattoria in town. Your train is 90 minutes late? Tough luck, thereâs nothing you can do about it. Travel to one town over and voila! A completely different menu, says Sarah Dowling of Italy Project 365. The ticket machine on the bus isnât working? Youâll have to get off and wait for the next one. Walk into town on a Saturday afternoon and youâre sure to come across a festival, a street performance, a live concert in the piazza. Itâs a wonderfully confusing place to live. Moving to Italy should be one of the most adventurous and enjoyable times of your life. Make sure that it goes off without a hitch by following the tips above. Are you an expat living in Italy? If so, share your best tips in the comment section below. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher
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