About JohnWare

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Some Forum Posts:

Italy: Contratti transitorio:

It’s very easy. In fact, I just renewed my lease in Bologna and got one from my agent. Whether you are going through an internet service or an agencia immobilare, they are required to give you a signed copy of your contratti once you’ve put down a “marker” - ususally first month’s rent or a security deposit. DO NOT give anyone - even your potential landlord - any money unless they show you the contratti form first.

Italy: Suggestions for car make/model?:

I’m currently driving a small SUV (Suvette? lol) that is a four-wheel drive. It isn’t an SUV like you are probably visualizing - it’s more like a Jeep Wrangler, but smaller. And you can’t go wrong with a Jeep. Ford, Jeep, Peugeot & Fiat are the TOP 4 vehicles in Italy that have adequate spare parts inventories. That should be your #1 or #1A concern.

Italy: Living in USA & Italy - Cell Phone:

A lot of people will tell you to get an Italian phone. They’re cheap and they work well all over Europe. And I won’t tell you different. However, if you’re only going to make a few calls a week, just stay with your US phone, get the “international package” most of the large carriers sell for trips, and let it go at that. What you really have to be careful with is your data use. If you are a big user of data, download a lot of stuff, make sure you use your phone over wifi, not cellular or GPS. And, all over Italy, there are plenty of Wifi hotspots - hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars…even some large streets.

Italy: In Italy at Last:

Tutto bene! Glad you’re finally over here. I’ve been living in Puglia for the last 5 yrs or so, and have had to go back and forth at least once a year to the States. I’ve brought several pets back to Italy and never have been asked for papers. I usually fly from NYC to Pisa (direct flight) and it’s like flying into any small city airport in the US. You have your TSA people biding time until they have to go home. Same in Pisa. Funny, in all my years here, I’ve never been asked for my codice fiscale. For anything. Of course, I’m in Lecce, probably the best city in Italy. Best of luck to you in Puglia!

Italy: What to do in case of illness or death?:

Hi. Glad to answer. As one who has previously been sick (4 times) and died (just once) in Italy, I feel I have a “leg up” on the rest of the commenters. The health insurance thing is a good thing to have. If you’re a dual citizen, many of the large global companies can cover you in both countries, ofttimes for about they could cover you in one. If you’re a traveler, you should look into this. Now, I don’t want anyone to die but death is a distinct possibiliity. When I first perused my options, I thought, “Heck, I’m dead. Let someone take the initiative - for once - and make a freakin’ decision! Then I thought about my family and came to the conclusion, “Hey, why be selfish? They could use a trip over here…it would be good for them, get them out of their comfort zone, so to speak.” To see the look on their faces when they had to pick my body up and make the arrangements! Priceless.

Italy: Living Lucca:

I lived in Lucca for six months a few years back. I found it pretty ideal for a few reasons: one, it is of a size that you can make friends really fast. It is rather touristy, but not to the extreme. Most cars are not allowed in the city, so the tourist traffic is mostly on foot. Secondly, it’s a great walking city. The perimeter wall around the city has a wide path for walking or riding bikes. Next, it’s close to the main autostrada between Florence and Pisa so if you need to get anywhere, you’re in great shape. And finally, if you’re into history and culture, it can’t be beat. Plenty of museums, galleries, et al for even the most sophisticated traveler. I too would suggest getting a short-term (90 days or less) rental - there are plenty to choose from. I paid $2000 a month for a luxury apartment just off the main square and it was worth every penny. Good luck!

Italy: College Tuition Cost:

Hi, my daughter spent a year over in Rome and I just finished my doctorate in Padua. You didn't say whether she'll be an exchange student from a US college or registering over there, but the costs are relatively equal to American schools. An expat undergrad tuition will run you anywhere between $2700 to $10K, depending on the school. Living expenses in Rome would be about $3000 per month for both of you in a decent apartment in Rome, food, transportation and other essentials.

Italy: Italy or Spain-decisions, decisions:

Hey guys…I lived in SoCal for 30 years but then I got smart and moved to Italy. I had lived in Spain for a couple of years during the Dubya era and, for my money, Italy is best. Corruption is not an absolute thing; in fact, it’s fairly subjective. But when you get down to brass tacks, the Italian corruption doesn’t affect expats or citizens as much as those in Spain. For reasons too numerous to get into here, Spain’s govt and monetary system incl. national banks are, in a word, horrendous. Italy’s is more internalized and affects their relationship with the rest of the EU. I can go into more detail if you send me a private message (I’ve studied this). I could give you the usual pap about weighing your options, likes, dislikes, and such, but Italy affords the traveler and expat more opportunities for exploration, movement within the country, and eventually settling down. The only thing that is a real pain is a driver’s license acquisition, but I still have my US one anyway. The last thing I will tell you is that, when I talk to expats all over EU is that many of them get all giddy about being over here and want to “relinguish” their assorted documentations, even to the point of renouncing their citizenship in some cases. This is dumb. Here is what I do: Even though I have a home here in Florence, I love my ability to travel and keep my options open. It is so cheap to travel here in Europe that I feel I want to get up and go whenever I want. I used to go the “Permesso di Soggiorno” route - that is, get “permission” to live here in Italy for a year, then I would have to renew thru an embassy and that was a pain. Spain has sort of the same thing. So, I leave the country every 90 days or so - I have business elsewhere, anyway, so it’s no big deal. I just make sure one of my stops isn’t another Schengen country.

Date Joined:

8/8/2014

Total Posts:

10

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