mcaseymaldive
12/2/2020 13:38 EST
While I would love to move to Italy full time I cannot do so at present for financial reasons. Where is the best place (or agency) to get a short term rental (I would need washer/dryer) for under three months. I would prefer Rome/Rome area as I do not drive.
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CaliforniaDreaming
12/4/2020 21:05 EST
I would try Airbnb or VRBO. I have rented apartments with Airbnb in Rome that were fully equipped and I am pretty sure the owners would love to rent their unit for 10 weeks. I would guess you would have the pick of the litter when it comes to choices since the tourist season has been cut off at the knees. Have fun at The Eternal City.
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mcaseymaldive
12/5/2020 04:06 EST
Thank you for your helpful and succinct answer.
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mamapatty
12/5/2020 19:08 EST
I have been house hunting the past few years.... with 2 trips cancelled in 2020. I have used Airbnb with great success. I have a favorite and even made friends with the owner and now deal directly with her (saving a bit on service and cleaning fees) Since it is difficult to get a good feel for the property online, you might want to do a shorter term with the option to extend if you like the location. Have fun!
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PhilG
12/6/2020 07:51 EST
You boast about using the Airbnb facility to find accommodation but then side-stepping them by dealing directly with the landlord in order to save on their nominal booking fee. Best you should stay where you are for Italy deserves people of a higher sense of morality than that which you evidently display..
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PhilG
12/6/2020 07:51 EST
You boast about using the Airbnb facility to find accommodation but then side-stepping them by dealing directly with the landlord in order to save on their nominal booking fee. Best you should stay where you are for Italy deserves people of a higher sense of morality than that which you evidently display..
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islandblues
12/6/2020 08:29 EST
unless you are an airbnb or vrbo homeowner you have no idea how controlling and bloodsucking these platforms are and your statement is poorly informed. just search the fb page “say no to vrbo” to read some of the issues we all deal with as homeowners . i have three properties with them. in the last 10 years they have made it miserable to have a rental property. for example, if a guest books 10 weeks on vrbo, they or airbnb immediately collects the full sum, taxes snd security and keeps that money until 2 weeks AFTER check out before releasing to the homeowner. EVEN if that booking us one year jn the future, the platform holds the money for thirteen months. the trend has long been #bookdirect. and now 90% of my guests find me direct. airbnb has totally disrespected the homeowner and become a greedy middleman with no skin in either the home or the vacationers trip and stands beside neither. your comment is wrong and misguided. do some research before you condemn booking direct. it’s the best way to ensure an honest and direct communication and transaction between host and guest.
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nick0126
12/6/2020 08:47 EST
depends on your goals for the visit. Are you travelling during the three months? or just hanging out around the area you live? Do you speak ANY Italian (i.e. can you find the train stations in a small town?). Rome for three months would be very pricey. If you are up fro a small town with good transportation connections, I would go that way. Likely to meet more people and have a bit of support. For the best deals, try Abruzzo but near Sulmona, Avezzano or Pescara. Super cheap and the REAL italy and close to everything in Europe. I have posted a pic of the town in Abruzzo where I live...
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nick0126
12/6/2020 08:48 EST
AirBnB much more reasonable with policy and the fees than VBRO
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nick0126
12/6/2020 08:51 EST
I think bypassing a rental company after a successful initial stay is within the bounds of a reasonable person. You accept more of the risk to save some $$, that does not seem shady but rather to be expected, and I'm sure AirBnB policy does not expressly prohibit it.
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PhilG
12/6/2020 08:54 EST
My view is that you either use Airbnb or you don't. If you do, then abide by their rules. If you choose to source your own accommodation independently of Airbnb or any other site for that matter in order to save on their booking fee, then that is your right, period. But do not enjoy the benefits of "club membership" and then refuse to pay the members' fee. That is simply wrong whether you care to admit it or not.
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PhilG
12/6/2020 08:54 EST
My view is that you either use Airbnb or you don't. If you do, then abide by their rules. If you choose to source your own accommodation independently of Airbnb or any other site for that matter in order to save on their booking fee, then that is your right, period. But do not enjoy the benefits of "club membership" and then refuse to pay the members' fee. That is simply wrong whether you care to admit it or not.
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islandblues
12/6/2020 09:08 EST
and you’ve personally. never looked at a power tool at home depot and then bought elsewhere. cheaper? or searched a hotel on booking..com but then booked through expedia? hmmm.
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PhilG
12/6/2020 09:33 EST
Nope!
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guestuser
12/6/2020 09:59 EST
"Italy deserves people of a higher sense of morality than that which you evidently display.."
Seriously? I know Italians who don't declare all of their income to avoid paying taxes on it. Should they leave Italy because Italy deserves people with "a higher sense of morality?"
It's one thing to remind people of the rules. Quite another to act as anyone's moral authority.
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PhilG
12/6/2020 13:23 EST
Which is exactly what you are doing, right?
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guestuser
12/6/2020 14:30 EST
Nope. My opinion of what you said has nothing to do with whether or not you have "sufficient" morals.
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mcaseymaldive
12/6/2020 22:28 EST
?? My request was for information on how best to explore extended stay options in ITaly for a future trip.
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mcaseymaldive
12/6/2020 22:33 EST
Thanks for the useful perspective. I do plan to travel throughout Italy using Rome as a base, due to it's being in the middle of the country and the rail network.
Appreciate the suggestion of considering living in another area for that time. Thanks for the picture too. I will strongly consider your suggestions.
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mcaseymaldive
12/6/2020 22:34 EST
Interesting points. Thank you for the information.
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nick0126
12/7/2020 05:03 EST
unfortunately, I'm still stuck. in the states waiting for my vaccine, or I would help you with a virtual look around myself. If you decide to check out Abruzzo, I have english speaking Italians on the ground that can give you some ides of what you can get for your three month stay. BTW, Abruzzo sits between two of Ryanair's hubs, Ciampiano (Rome) and Pescara (on the Adriatic). Add a solid Regional train route and the A24/25 Autostrada that both run between Pescara and Rome and you can have some very economical travel while checking out the non-touristy places you need to see. Buon Viagio!
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miki184
12/8/2020 16:20 EST
Ha, ha, ha, you are so, so right! I taught a group of taxi drivers in a taxi cooperative and they actually told me that near the end of the year they all get together and agree on 'how much money they made' that year so that everyone's income tax declarations are more or less in the same ball park. And obviously they declare way less than they really make!
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bonitaootz
12/8/2020 22:21 EST
My husband and I always found perfect apartments, within our price range, with local real estate offices or just asking around. We did this in Nice, France, Assis, Italy, Taormina, Sicily, several cities in Spain, etc. The few times we used AIR B&B we had problems....so won't do that again. It really has not been difficult doing it our way. We just sleep at a hotel for a few nights and voila! An apartment is found fairly quickly. We were told that Americans are prized renters. So, good luck! Bonita
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bonitaootz
12/8/2020 22:24 EST
Forgot to mention, our first apartment in Spain was $180.00 U.S. per month...in Nice, France, $500.00....that is $16/night! Oh, and ask bartenders at local bars in the neighborhood you want...we found one that way in Nerja, Spapin. Good luck! Bonita
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mcaseymaldive
12/9/2020 04:43 EST
Thank you for your suggestions...
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mcaseymaldive
12/9/2020 04:43 EST
Thank you for your suggestions...
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foxwhite1
12/9/2020 09:07 EST
I have no issues with AirBnB and have used them a number of times. However, we have also had good luck finding apartments upon arriving by using a local agent. What I like about that versus AirBnb is that, first we can actually view the property as opposed to photos [which we have found are not always current] and second we can negotiate on price. Here is one property we found in Lucca by using a local agent.
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nick0126
12/10/2020 07:49 EST
just for reference, how much did this house rent for? and are there anymore pics.
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bonitaootz
12/11/2020 13:05 EST
Our first studio apt in Spain, 3 min walk to the Med, was $180.00, all included. Ok, we didn't have a real kitchen but I love challenges. Our one bedroom in Nice, France was $350.00 a month. It was noisy and just ok but close the their grand outdoor fresh market and again, the Med. Met lots of friends at an English conversation class (all French but us). We stayed a year....a great year. This was in 2001....but still, very affordable for us and our plans. Good luck....as always, travel is an adventure and we all become wiser when we travel...that is what they all say! Bonita
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CaliforniaDreaming
12/11/2020 18:37 EST
I never thought that posting the suggestion of a temporary stay using Airbnb was so controversial! Good luck on finding a nice apartment.
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mcaseymaldive
12/12/2020 18:39 EST
Seriously. Some people have such strong opinions. Thank you for your suggestion
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