Thanks for the reality check, Chandi. I have always thought about living in Italy, and I'm currently researching whether I'm eligible for dual citizenship through my great-grandmother. However, if that doesn't work out, I feel like finding an Italian husband is the only other way. 😆 I'm not near retirement so would need to work.
I am aware that living in Italy is very different than vacationing here, and I've heard about the reality from lots of sources, including you. And I'm certainly aware about the political and social issues. But the US seems to be heading backwards, and I'm frustrated with hearing almost every day about a shooting...on local news, not just national. So US vs. Italy - it's almost like an election where I will just vote for the lesser of two evils.
Who knows what I will decide in the end, but thanks for the information, as always.
Ciao Michele, you're doing a great job getting yourself well-informed. I hear you about the very concerning things happening in the US. I guess you saw my first post where I addressed that.
I was advised to avoid politics if I don't want to alienate subscribers. But the reality is, every person who asks me about moving to Italy, is doing so because they're freaked out about political/social situations in the U.S. And I think it makes people even more apt to sink their teeth into the romanticized version because of the desperation they're feeling.
All very understandable. I'm so glad you're in touch!
I went for it. I am OK taking a stand. A friend advised me not to mention politics if I don't want to risk potentially alienating a few subscribers... and yeah, that can happen, but I also will not shy away from taking a stand. I was raised by a British grandmother who was born in 1900 and was a suffragette. Her legacy and the knowledge that people who remain quiet never change history, are important to me.
That being said, I don't want to spend much time in the arena of politics. I prefer things that feel more nurturing. But, when talking about the escalation of US citizens interested in moving abroad, there's a clear correlation with that and political issues in the US. And I am OK naming that. 😉
Take it from a person who spends a lot of time in Florence but not full-time, this piece is spot on. It's also realistic. Something you almost never find in those Come to Italy and live the Glamorous Life blogs and influencer posts. Since I'm about to turn 60, and make my living as a full-time thriller writer, I decided to get serious about perhaps making the full-time move to Italy. That said, I decided not to rent an apartment in the city center for two months like I usually do, but instead, the more affordable outskirts where "the real people" reside. I ended up renting what was basically a hole in the wall studio in "the New City" or what's also called, "The small island" for the equivalent of about $1,000 per month. It seemed nice when the landlord sent pics, but it was drab, the bathroom cramped, and the small cucina was equipped with a two-burner electric stove. What, no gas? Cooking, which I do a lot of, was hell. The apartment was located in a modern building that reminded me of my time in the East, former Soviet Block Europe. In fact, the entire New City consisted of these new lifeless buildings along with scattered run-down parks. While the only saving grace is the proximity to the Cascine park, you couldn't really get around with a car, or motor scooter. Or you needed to walk a mile to catch the tram. What happened to all those things I loved about Italy? The old architecture, the smells of roasted meats, the prosecco in a piazza where it recently rained and the cobbles were now glowing in the afternoon sun? It was gone, replaced with a reality of screaming kids and even louder screaming parents. It was replaced with utter boredom and isolation. I actually looked forward to heading out to the Penny or the Coop for food every day. At least I was socializing. Want to visit the pharmacy? Be prepared to wait up to an hour since the many of retired folks are in line in front of you...I couldn't wait to hop a plane back home. From now on, I'm heading back either to the city, or at the very least San Frediano.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I completely relate to what you said.
I went through Hell with rentals in both Lucca and Florence. Partly due to my budget (under 1000 euro a month) and partly because rentals in that range are particularly bad in Italy. (In my experience, compared to the 5 other countries I've lived in.)
When I was finally able to buy an apartment in Florence, it turned out to be more of a "garage" than I realized, and thus I still was living in derelict conditions for a few years until I was able to remodel it.
The kitchen and bathroom were unbelievably bad. I bet you'd get a kick out of seeing what they looked like!
A lot of grit! I was in that "garage" during a pandemic with a strict lockdown. I had almost zero furniture. Only a bed, a kitchen table with shitty tiny wooden chairs. No cosy corner. No attractive space. No couch, no TV, no Netflix... And I was barely allowed to go out. I had friends and family in California who lived on land, had big gardens, and also were still walking on the beach, and I was putting my hands over my ears saying, "don't tell me! I don't wanna hear it!"
Thanks for the reality check, Chandi. I have always thought about living in Italy, and I'm currently researching whether I'm eligible for dual citizenship through my great-grandmother. However, if that doesn't work out, I feel like finding an Italian husband is the only other way. 😆 I'm not near retirement so would need to work.
I am aware that living in Italy is very different than vacationing here, and I've heard about the reality from lots of sources, including you. And I'm certainly aware about the political and social issues. But the US seems to be heading backwards, and I'm frustrated with hearing almost every day about a shooting...on local news, not just national. So US vs. Italy - it's almost like an election where I will just vote for the lesser of two evils.
Who knows what I will decide in the end, but thanks for the information, as always.
Ciao Michele, you're doing a great job getting yourself well-informed. I hear you about the very concerning things happening in the US. I guess you saw my first post where I addressed that.
I was advised to avoid politics if I don't want to alienate subscribers. But the reality is, every person who asks me about moving to Italy, is doing so because they're freaked out about political/social situations in the U.S. And I think it makes people even more apt to sink their teeth into the romanticized version because of the desperation they're feeling.
All very understandable. I'm so glad you're in touch!
Yes, I did see that post. And I totally understand why you don't want to delve too much into that topic. 👍🏻
I went for it. I am OK taking a stand. A friend advised me not to mention politics if I don't want to risk potentially alienating a few subscribers... and yeah, that can happen, but I also will not shy away from taking a stand. I was raised by a British grandmother who was born in 1900 and was a suffragette. Her legacy and the knowledge that people who remain quiet never change history, are important to me.
That being said, I don't want to spend much time in the arena of politics. I prefer things that feel more nurturing. But, when talking about the escalation of US citizens interested in moving abroad, there's a clear correlation with that and political issues in the US. And I am OK naming that. 😉
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Take it from a person who spends a lot of time in Florence but not full-time, this piece is spot on. It's also realistic. Something you almost never find in those Come to Italy and live the Glamorous Life blogs and influencer posts. Since I'm about to turn 60, and make my living as a full-time thriller writer, I decided to get serious about perhaps making the full-time move to Italy. That said, I decided not to rent an apartment in the city center for two months like I usually do, but instead, the more affordable outskirts where "the real people" reside. I ended up renting what was basically a hole in the wall studio in "the New City" or what's also called, "The small island" for the equivalent of about $1,000 per month. It seemed nice when the landlord sent pics, but it was drab, the bathroom cramped, and the small cucina was equipped with a two-burner electric stove. What, no gas? Cooking, which I do a lot of, was hell. The apartment was located in a modern building that reminded me of my time in the East, former Soviet Block Europe. In fact, the entire New City consisted of these new lifeless buildings along with scattered run-down parks. While the only saving grace is the proximity to the Cascine park, you couldn't really get around with a car, or motor scooter. Or you needed to walk a mile to catch the tram. What happened to all those things I loved about Italy? The old architecture, the smells of roasted meats, the prosecco in a piazza where it recently rained and the cobbles were now glowing in the afternoon sun? It was gone, replaced with a reality of screaming kids and even louder screaming parents. It was replaced with utter boredom and isolation. I actually looked forward to heading out to the Penny or the Coop for food every day. At least I was socializing. Want to visit the pharmacy? Be prepared to wait up to an hour since the many of retired folks are in line in front of you...I couldn't wait to hop a plane back home. From now on, I'm heading back either to the city, or at the very least San Frediano.
Hey Vincent,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I completely relate to what you said.
I went through Hell with rentals in both Lucca and Florence. Partly due to my budget (under 1000 euro a month) and partly because rentals in that range are particularly bad in Italy. (In my experience, compared to the 5 other countries I've lived in.)
When I was finally able to buy an apartment in Florence, it turned out to be more of a "garage" than I realized, and thus I still was living in derelict conditions for a few years until I was able to remodel it.
The kitchen and bathroom were unbelievably bad. I bet you'd get a kick out of seeing what they looked like!
http://paradiseofexiles.com/remodeling-a-bathroom-in-italy/
http://paradiseofexiles.com/the-kitchen-remodel/
Omg how did you live in that place without killing yourself? Lol
A lot of grit! I was in that "garage" during a pandemic with a strict lockdown. I had almost zero furniture. Only a bed, a kitchen table with shitty tiny wooden chairs. No cosy corner. No attractive space. No couch, no TV, no Netflix... And I was barely allowed to go out. I had friends and family in California who lived on land, had big gardens, and also were still walking on the beach, and I was putting my hands over my ears saying, "don't tell me! I don't wanna hear it!"
And your still alive. Amazing. :)
LOL. And then the dust... trying to live in there while remodeling. If I almost perished it was from that.