You are an American expat! On the whole, Rome is fabulous, but when it comes to day-to-day life, it might become tedious very soon and you will be looking for something more liveable. Not even close. You can bike everywhere and move faster than if driving. Calabria is the toe of Italy's boot and another of Italy's best kept secrets. Its like having a war in my brain every day. Now Health International's insurance plans offer you access to world-class healthcare facilities and treatment wherever and whenever you need it. My saying that the language is hard is purely objective. Amalfi, Tuscany, etc those place are beautiful indeed but you can find 'real Italy' where there are fewer tourists but real Italians. For example I love croissants, the real ones. That same income spent in less expensive areas will give you a higher standard of living. I still think Tuscany has a lot to offer and the prices have dropped considerably. I am bringing my cat and theres tons of anxiety around that. Some areas of Italy can be very expensive, but there are many on our list that are affordable. I am trying to be more comfortable with who I am, to realize it is okay to struggle as long as I ask for help when I need it. We've compiled a list of the 12 best places to live in Italy based upon expats' recommendations. I learned that I probably wont dance anymore, it just doesnt spark joy so why stress myself out over it? Oh great, I had to find a doctor in Italy and that couldnt possibly be an additional stressor. Preferred starting date is 01 August 2023. So independent (even if you moved with someone else). Expats in Apulia are mainly dotted around Ostuni and the Itria Valley, within driving distance of Brindisi and Bari airports. By choosing to live in Palermo, you will enjoy a true Mediterranean lifestyle, as well as an unbeatable culinary and cultural heritage mixed with spectacular architecture and lively streets. Those expats who have chosen southern Italy as their home say it has an energy and authenticity of culture that makes it so enticing. It is almost overwhelming how much history there is in Italy. The two main reasons why Americans migrate to Europe is employment and relationships considering Europe's close ties to the US. What to do?!?! You cannot get bored in Brescia, it has everything one needs for an active urban life. You might be surprised, but as one of our readers pointed out in the comments, sometimes you can find better internet quality in a small fishing village than in a big northern city. The city is well connected, both internationally and within Italy. Milan has a very developed network of car-sharing. There is also a lot of cultural activities, many which are either free or low cost," said one expat in Bologna. "As far as standard of living, if you have little money and live in an expensive area, central Rome, Milan, Florence, then you will have a low standard of living. We work in San Francisco and live just minutes south of the City. There is, however, one consideration that might put Pisa at the top of the list the cost of living. There are buses, trolley buses and trams servicing the city and the suburbs. "Yes indeed, not forgetting the advantageous costs of living and particularly low restaurant prices, together with very affordable housing costs. There's also the coast with the famous Cinque Terre and ferries for visiting Corsica, Elba and Sardinia not too far away. Fresh pasta is divine. I live in Tuscany, and it is BEAUTIFUL!! August 30, 2021. We know what coastal living can do to your house (fog and rust) so don't want to deal with that in Italy. Paperwork is obviously the first and most important . Rents in rural areas can be 150-300 per month for a two bedroom but utilities are very high and vary based on location. Its a vicious cycle. A significant percentage of the crowds do not care about others and they drop trash wherever they want and make noise whenever they want. "It's easy to write off Fasano but this small city also has many charming contrade (some right on the Adriatic ) and others like Laureto and Selva that are in higher elevations with outstanding valley or sea views and cool summer evenings. The number of international visitors to this picturesque Italian region has now surpassed 90 million a year and keeps growing. Italy is also an excellent location for expats with families, not least due to numerous expat communities in the larger Italian cities that include English language schools, libraries and churches. "Le Marche: I have been visiting for years and love it. Puglia (Apulia, as Italians say) is home to a number of coastal cities such as Monopoli (49,000), Brindisi (87,000) and the capital city of Bari (325,000). Your email address will not be published. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges between 3974 (scale 11) to 6181 (scale 12) dependent on relevant experience. The USA is just a baby compared to Europe and so it is such a unique feeling to touch the stones that people used to build their homes a thousand years ago. Oh, the joy of being an American expat in Italy. The Adige Valley Cycle Path passes right through Trento. I dont even know where to start! InterNations has been developed to give expatriates in different places around the world all the help and advice they need to settle in a new country and make it easy for them to make new friends and contacts in their new location. Here it's nothing but a bread role used to serve ice cream. If you dont want the 24/7 chaos of city life, but still want to be within easy reach of Milan, try looking at some nearby towns: Monza 10 minutes by train, Varese 54 minutes by train. Tuscany is one of the most charming regions in Italy. Anyway, its okay to not be okay. I really appreciate you taking the time to share the raw details. Everyone knows that Italy is famous for its food. I give you insight. Most towns have a traditional festival or market so there's always something to do. Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment! The Law: Wherever you're coming from, Italian law will be . Although we think of Italy as a wholly blissful country, there are big variations in lifestyle and environment. View community ranking In the Top 10% of largest communities on Reddit As Theodore Beale stirs tensions on the ground in America from the safety of his home thousands of miles away in Italy, one journalist has had enough, and decides to track down the hypocritical cowardly expat and confront him about his Blogspot and the Darkstream.#vox day Whats It Like Living In Tuscany As An Expat? In the winter season (from November until Easter) the coast is very quiet and sees hardly any visitors. If you are retiring, health care should be up on your list. Italy has much to offer with a rich culture, iconic cities, and an elegant and relaxed pace of life. "Liguria is beautiful and touristed on the coast, but mostly with Italian families and still with a lot of charm," wrote one expat. Italy is also a founding member of the EU, which means that citizens of any other EU country have the right to live and work here. Why is Italy a good country for expats? Yeah, it may have sucked getting here, the culture shock may be overwhelming at first, or after the excitement wears off, but you have done something amazing. Amalfi is the biggest town on the Amalfi Coast. An annual public transport pass will cost you around 330. Places to live in Piedmont: Turin (886,000), Chieri (37,000), Alba (31,500). So travel around, ask local expats, and dont rush into buying a property. It truly is a joy. Check the available internet connection in your chosen location to make sure its what you need. When I was last in Brazil I started to compare the cost of living, lifestyle, food, and culture of Brazil vs Italy another country I have been covering on the Karl Pierre on LinkedIn: Expat Living Italy vs Brazil Just looking for some pointers and thing I could possibly nail down before sending all of my stuff over and looking for a place to live. Expat Community. They include Liguria, Puglia, Rome, Le Marche, Abruzzo, Sicily and more. Palermo is the capital of Sicily and one of the biggest cities in the country. } The south of Sardinia is especially sweet because it is dominated by a vast green plain called Campidano. However, as we all know, its a flood risk, its overwhelmed with tourists and its expensive. There is also a wide range of international and public schools, perfect for integrating kids into the Italian culture, as well as being known for having a high quality of life. Bolzano not very Italian but charming, 7. Geographically, Rome is in the centre of Italy, and although defining Rome as either north or south causes a lot of arguments among Italians, its neither. However, it takes much more to be able to rent or buy a property in Rome. There's traffic, but it's not unbearable. Plus expats choosing the south of Itlay can benefit from a 7% flat tax rate for 9 years. It has an excellent educational system, a top-level health service and a naturalistic heritage of extraordinary beauty. Another expat said, "it would be a great place to retire. Even when you are hiking out in nature you can come across ruins of cultures from the past. He knows me, he knows I am not a monster, but his reassurance didnt work for me. *Note: I am not a doctor or mental health professional of any kind. Climate. "We have a place that we rent in the town of Pineto. Fish is fresh and moderately priced and is available on the docks and in dedicated fish shops. Safest Places to Live in Italy for Expats. We took it twice this past weekend. Bolzano also has a reputation as being one of Italys safest cities and property prices are much lower than in Milan, meaning you will get more for your money in this charming town. The mountains surrounding Como are stunning. The Le Marche region (pronounced mar-kay) is made up of five different provinces, Pesaro e Urbino, Ancona, Macerata, Fermo, and Ascoli Piceno. Brescia is basically an industrial hub with everything youd expect to come with this. Modules Covered: - Introduction to Digital Marketing. Have you been to San Fruttuoso yet? The best thing about Milans car-sharing services is that many of them will accept international and non-EU driving licences. Both to the east and west of the city there are beautiful beaches and lovely coastal locations that will take you away from the city life while still offering proximity to all of Cagliaris amenities. Milan - much more than a fashion capital 2. We know most of the villages in the province of Fermo quite well, but it will be much different actually living there year round. You will be given a Schengen short-stay C-Visa upon arrival. That place is something completely different. Brescia has a beautiful promenade, lots of shops and boutiques, clubs and discos, and bars and cafes where Pirlo (a typical Italian aperitivo made with white wine, Campari and seltzer) is a must before dinner. The coast is quite regular with a lot more sandy beaches. And no, its nothing like The Olive Garden. There is a large food market most days and a bigger mixed market on Saturdays, I would recommend having a porchetta panini at the saturday market - delicious. Most locals will gladly help you correct any mistakes. You have the peace of mind of knowing you have a home for at least 4 years. From getting to Italy to eating inside a restaurant. Statistically, as reported in 2012, North-Africans (Tunisians and Moroccans) and Albanians top the list of foreign men married to Italian women, with Romanians and Ukrainians topping the list of foreign brides in Italy. Hi, there is quite a large expat community in Cortona but I think a lot of the answers you are looking for depends on the time of year. - Search Engine Optimization. Thats totally fine, it makes sense, but it can be difficult if you are still learning. Its quite big on financial services and there is a pretty sizable expat population living and working there. To our surprise, we achieved this goal! You may find that you can only reach your house from the road by climbing hundreds of steps up the hill. Best Places To Live In Italy 1. Bolzano is brilliant for families or retirement. There are many Feste, market days and out here in the hills rafting and canoeing and hiking and biking are the biggest sports," explained another expat in Liguria. Here I have listed some things that I have learned about living as an American expat in Italy, and just some things we have had to get used to. You may have heard rumors of the bureaucracy in Italy, how it is slow, nonsensical, and just plain hit-your-head-against-the-wall frustrating. Best Places to Live in Italy. The United States is big, and it has a lot of regions filled with different micro cultures. Nowadays, Milan is a city with a huge cultural heritage, but its also an important centre for finance, fashion, and technology. If you feel like it, shoot me an email with ideas. And then I am a million miles behind when I jump back to the conversation. Padua close to Venice and less expensive, 9. We will be moving to southern Marche in September and renting initially for a year, while we continue our house search and also to decide where exactly we would like to live.