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Pros of Living in Italy

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whidden39
  10/31/2016 04:07 EST

Is it time to build a 'pro' list? Not everyone has the same pros and there may be some surprises especially for those not already residing here. How about just one pro each to keep it within bounds and not have repetition? There are countless pros for me for Italy in general, but living in Puglia revealed the wonderful nature of the Pugliese people. They are not jaded by tourism, they are patient with those who do not speak the language, they are empathetic, helpful and generous. My neighbors have been welcoming and curious about us Americans moving in down the street. I am so fortunate to have these people in daily contact and it has aided my transition her immensely.

LisaC1
  11/5/2016 15:08 EST

katabiel,

Your rental sounds wonderful. How did you find it? We are currently gathering sources for our future rental next year.

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equitraveler
  11/5/2016 13:10 EST

I completely agree with the need to be careful about delivery, with one caveat. We have ordered appliances from Mediaworld and they call in the morning and tell you when in the afternoon they will deliver (two hour window in our experience). Of course one never knows what day they will call. For furniture companies we have had better luck; they call days ahead and come when they say they will.

Sergios
  11/5/2016 06:46 EST

Katabiel, nice catch. Word of advice about Amazon.it and all other mail orders. Delivery comes when it comes and if you are not home the cat and mouse games with the delivery service. I got around that by making friends with a nearby store keeper. I have my packages sent to him, knowing somebody will be there to sign or accept the package. Saves many days of having to sit at home waiting for a package that could come in the morning, evening or the next day, or....

katabiel
  11/5/2016 06:17 EST

My sister and I just signed a 4 year lease June 2017 through May 2021. Villa built 1500's as a summer residence for a Duke. 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, roof terrace, approx 10 acres of land ( for large veg garden) wrap around tiled terrace, walled in citrus orchard 60+ trees, with water well and private gate. Came fully furnished (we have replaced most with our things) This is for 650 euro plus energy bill. After 1 year cost of leases, energy and propane gas averaging less than 1100 euro a month. What is not to love about Puglia? We are 15 from Lecce, 25 min from Brindisi (airport) 15 min to Adriatic coast. only miss access to reading material in English. Still like feel of book in my hands. However just discovered Amazon.it and will be using it for reading material as well as zip lock bags!

LisaC1
  11/3/2016 22:03 EST

Thank you so much for all of the information you have posted, Sergios. You and everyone here have been so helpful and it is most appreciated.

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TheresaIT
  11/3/2016 12:40 EST

How beautiful. I haven't been to Sicily, as yet, but you've certainly provided an incentive!

TheresaIT
  11/3/2016 12:39 EST

Love this idea! Thank you! I look forward to reading the posts!

TheresaIT
  11/3/2016 12:38 EST

Sergios,

Thanks for the information and link, and suggestion re contacting the consulate. Just an fyi, a friend, who is Italian and has been living in the U.S. on a 3-year visa is not eligible for health insurance in Italy because she is living abroad. Very upsetting to her. Interesting enough, she has been able to get insurance through the Affordable Health Care Act in New York.

Sergios
  11/3/2016 04:55 EST

Here is another link that you all should look at

http://italiancitizenship.freeforums.org/guide-for-new-and-newly-recognized-italian-citizens-t218.html

Sergios
  11/3/2016 04:12 EST

A question came up on PM about health coverage in Italy for visiting (non resident) @Italian citizens.

I came to Italy with the understanding that I would "reacquire" my Italian citizenship. The restrictions for such entry are much fewer, on the assumption that you are, or will be an Italian. Therefore I was not asked about health insurance. As so happens, my wife is a retired teacher and has lifetime health insurance. We selected blue cross/ blue shield because they have an international plan called the blue card. Yes, we must pay first but they do reimburse you. For hospitalization they are supposed to pay directly but we have not had to test that yet.
Once my case was reviewed and all the documents checked, I was accepted as being Italian. That with my residency made me eligible for unrestricted coverage in Italy. I did go thru the permesso di sogiorno process because we entered Italy on a tourist visa (90 day) so it was important to get the extended stay. You don't need to do that if you are already recognized as being Italian. I would send an email (and letter) to the Italian consulate specifically asking them how to handle the health coverage question. I say this because I know that Italians abroad are still covered by the Italian system. So you must be too. I am not 100% certain on this but it's worth checking. Also do some internet research about it. Good luck.


http://www.italia.it/en/useful-info/rights-for-tourists/healthcare.html

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LisaC1
  11/2/2016 21:33 EST

Ciao Sergios,

The village you describe sounds exactly like what we are looking for. We used to live in a small town outside of Pisa and the local bar/market was the hub of activity. We even used to take our baby there to weigh her on the food scale! Our neighbors were great. We would go up the road to "the chicken man" as well as the other local vendors and knew many people.

We became friends with several families from my teaching English and were "adopted" by one couple who invited us every weekend to their second home in the nearby mountains where we would be with the whole family for the day.

People were so warm and welcoming and we would love to experience that life-style again.

I do have a few more questions about the healthcare issue and will send you a pm.

Sergios
  11/2/2016 13:16 EST

Yes Lisa
As others have mentioned for where they live, it is close enough to the bread store, butcher shop, green grocer, several restaurants and bars and the beach that the car sits unused for most of the week. But what is better is that the people in the Town, the locals, not the weekend hoards, have accepted us as their own. We are part of the "inner group" just because we are here. The fried artichoke-cart man yesterday greeted us like family after not having seen us for 6 months because we were traveling europe for the summer. We bought from him maybe twice or three times before we left in the spring. Also, the street dogs greeted us like family when we came back.

LisaC1
  11/1/2016 14:57 EST

Thanks very much Sergios. It sounds like you have found a lovely place!

lifelover
  11/1/2016 14:18 EST

Sergios,
That sounds fabulous! You cannot rent anything in NYC for $700.....Well maybe you can be someones 4th roommate!

lifelover
  11/1/2016 14:16 EST

Hi Codybrandy
We drove through Liguria two summers ago to have a look, very very pretty.

Sergios
  11/1/2016 09:32 EST

Yes. No. Both. I found the villa on casa.it and realized that it was 300 meters from where we were already living. We walked up to the villa and the agencies phone number was listed. So we called. As far as short term lease, keep in mind that a one year lease is referred to as a transitory lease and cannot be used to get residency. That was the lease the landlord wanted to give us but instead we negotiated a 3/2 lease that gives us and her of upto 5 years with the same rent. We can leave anytime but must give a 6 month notice. If you are buying a house, it will take time anyway. If you don't need residency then never mind.
The agency collected one months rent plus IVA but they prepared the contract which in Italy is a comprehensive document that you would not want to do yourself. With the contract you can go to the commune and get residency.

LisaC1
  11/1/2016 08:23 EST

Sergios,

Did you go through an agency? We will be looking to rent in Le Marche and were wondering what the best resources were to find a furnished rental. We do not want to sign a long-term lease, as we are hoping on finding a house to buy or land to build on.

codybrandy
  11/1/2016 03:03 EST

Hello Ben, I'm not sure which part of Liguria you are interested in and most is quite hilly but the town of Brugnato (SP) has a lot going for it. It is flat, has many especially good restaurants, lovely centro storico, 5 min. from the A12, 20 min. from the 5Terre, big shopping is in La Spezia and Sarzana (another very nice flat town) c. 35min., good smaller grocery store (Doro). Brugnato has a very good vet. and driving school. We live in the hills about 15 min away and it is our go-to town. Due to the floods of 2011 they have spent millions refurbishing the water control systems and there are many new and remodeled homes and apartments. They have a Festa della Birra in the Summer, and a lovely Festa Fiorita in the Spring. There is a terrific kayaking center at the river Vara. Pisa airport is c. 1 hr south and Genoa airport is c. 1 hr north. Good Luck...we love the Val di Vara.

bentleje
  10/31/2016 19:26 EST

In Liguria is there an area that is easy to get around on foot that is flat and close to resturant etc that has affordable fully furnished rentals?

Sergios
  10/31/2016 09:29 EST

I, just today, signed a five year contract for a villa in Mondello Sicily with three bedrooms, two Balconies a roof terrace, a garden, five minute walk to the beach, private parking, a spectacular sea view and it's fully furnished did I mention it's 700€ a month? What can 700 get you in New York?

codybrandy
  10/31/2016 08:59 EST

Sooo true Linda, I'm flying Pisa to London for E36 and right now Ryanair has a 19E fair!! Hard to believe...I go often now and don't even bring a change of clothes...my purse, computer and passport.

lindanoto
  10/31/2016 07:45 EST

Pros:
not having to work 3 jobs to support a mediocre lifestyle. A little goes a long way here and your free time is the most valuable thing.
Living debt free is not a dream and relatively easy to achieve .
Not battling snow and cold ( depending where you choose to live) .
Not having to spend half your day in your automobile.

I think the answers you get on this are very different depending on how long and how permanent the person's stay is. Someone who has been here a relatively short time ( like 3 years or less) has a totally different opinion than that of someone 10,20, 30 years on. Also big difference if you are here, really here year in year out , all year.
This brings me to ( for myself) the biggest pro:
You can afford to fly /drive/train off to so many different countries in so little time and for so little money . My Italian husband was not impressed that every corner in ever town in every State in the USA looked the same. Here you drive an hour away and it is a whole different world, even within Italy

codybrandy
  10/31/2016 06:37 EST

You are right: PRO lists. My pro list would start with the people and the weather. In Liguria we have mountains on one side, sea on the other take your pick for a day trip. We have 2 great airports never farther than 1 1/2hrs away (Pisa and Genoa). We seem to be terrific dog people and can take poochie to restaurants, malls (we ask permesso 1st of course) etc. Our La Spezia Questura (for resident cards etc) is kind and helpful, Our weather is amazing...not too hot, not too cold. Yes, we have the 5Terre but we have Rapallo, Chiavari and Comogli which are 5Xbetter. And, it's just plain cheaper to live well here (than Boston anyway) Just love a good Vino Sfuso and the olive oil pressed only 2 miles away...omg.

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