What to expect when moving to Italy

hippysunshine wrote:

I hear a lot of bad things aboit Naples. There is a lot of conflicting information going around but no solid truths or facts that help one with a decision like moving to Italy. Also, i'm mot American so i'll be safe from that

Naples is  a wonderful place...one of the best..as is Palermo.  Don't listen to the false innuendos about Naples.. I lived near there for 4 years.  It is one of the most charming, cultured cities in Europe.  The people in the North love to disparage Naples..it is the age old hatred by the North (Polentoni)
against the South.  My advice would be to visit Naples, , Campania, Puglia and Sicily...and stay clear of North Italy.  The people in the South are the friendliest, most welcoming people you'll meet.  The Polentoni , especially in Piemonte,  are cold, unfriendly, selfish, arrogant  zombies.  The North is infested with refugees..who are mostly criminals and street beggars...and the authorities  close their eyes to the problem.    I've seen it all ..first-hand.   As a British subject  you'll have all of the privileges and benefits,,,which are denied to Canadians, Americans, Australians, etc.

Tony164 wrote:

Real Italy for me has always been the south - La vera Italia! The northerners have always looked down in scorn at the south and considered themselves superior, sadly they are deluded, the south of Italy is just the best place to live in the entire peninsular, the northerners know it too!

Absolutely right.  The North  (the Polentoni)  is not worthy of calling itself a part of Italy.  The North massacred the Southern people...read the history of that disgrace  they call  "unification".

hippysunshine wrote:

See now what you are saying about Naples is not what previous people have said about Naples. Hmmm. In fact I have been told the very opposite. And Ross Kemp sure as hell didn't male it look attractive ha.

Also, I have visited the North and never found them to be what you describe and loved the times I have spent there.

In general. Forget the North / South divide. Is Italy a good and safe place to live in? Work, crime, living situations, the lot. I'm not after which area is better than which at this current time, Im after info on what it is really like to live in Italy.

In  addition to my previous post,  which seems to have disappeared...but I hope that you saw it..( the post in which I described the crime situation, etc.)...I wanted to  add something,  As to the cost of everyday living...for example...a visit to the ophthamologist in the South.. Naples...Palermo etc....a general check-up costs ....about 20-40 euros..depending on which ophthamologist.  In the North..Torino area..the same check-up  costs 110 to 130.  A dentist in the South...costs a fraction of what you'll pay in the North.  Same situation exists with a visit to an internist.

hippysunshine wrote:

Also. I have visited the North very often and never found it to be a problem...? Why is the North so bad?

Visiting as a tourist for a few days is one thing....daily living is quite different.  You really cannot compare the 2 experiences.

hippysunshine wrote:

See now what you are saying about Naples is not what previous people have said about Naples. Hmmm. In fact I have been told the very opposite. And Ross Kemp sure as hell didn't male it look attractive ha.

Also, I have visited the North and never found them to be what you describe and loved the times I have spent there.

In general. Forget the North / South divide. Is Italy a good and safe place to live in? Work, crime, living situations, the lot. I'm not after which area is better than which at this current time, Im after info on what it is really like to live in Italy.

Did you happen to see my response from this morning..in which I described in the detail the crime situation,  the living conditions,  cost-of-living...etc?   I cannot find my post.

hippysunshine wrote:

If it's not tollerated down South, why is nobody doing anything about the North? That's so sad
What is the general crime like down South? In particular crimes against women.

I will be moving over with my partner but he works abroad a lot so I will be there on my own (hopefully with new friends) about 4 months of the year, so I need to make sure I move somewhere I feel safe.

Brexit is not good for me and my hopes of moving to Italy, but as long as it's still doable I will get there. I'm not planning to move for about 5 years so currently just trying to get a feel for the country a bit more. Find out about real Italy instead of the holiday side.

I know I have a lot of research to do but have heaps of time to do it in so these conversations really help to get some inside knowledge.

These are subjects which are better to be discussed in private.  If there is some way to have a private conversation on here, let me know.  I'll be happy to help you as best I can.

ginalouisa wrote:

I was wondering about the central area? Like Abruzzo. Any info on that?

The downside is that there is not much work in that area.   It's an agricultural  zone..and sadly...even the kids of the farmers want to get away because they're not interested in continuing life on farms.  Some of them turn the farms into what's called "Agriturismo"...tourist places.     This is true of a lot of the South  and it's really unfortunate.  History is repeating itself.   A hundred or more years ago , the Southern Italians left and emigrated to  the Northeastern U.S....to find work.  Today the same thing is occurring, although now they're looking  for work in  Germany, the U.K. etc.

hippysunshine wrote:

I added you as a contact if here is good for you?

Hi,  yes..got it..  I accepted.

romaniac wrote:

Everybody, let's please focus on the topic "What to expect when moving to Italy" and try to share factual and useful information with each other.  While sharing experiences is good and can be helpful, let's try to avoid throwing around subjective disparaging comments regarding other nationalities, regions and persons, which can be offensive to others following along. 

Thanks
Romaniac
Expat.com Experts Team

You are correct, of course.  Unfortunately, in many aspects of life, travel etc.,    the facts and reality and the truth  are not always the sugar-coated fantasies that we wish them to be.  It's sad if the truth "offends"  people...but it is what it is.  I sincerely wish that someone had told me the factual info about Italy before I ever came...in which case I never would have set foot in the country  except for Naples and Sicily..which are the only "true" Italian places.

aenrix wrote:

I have just moved in Italy a month ago with my partner. Anyone living in Bolzano South Tyrol? Trying to look for new friends here. People here are much colder from what I heard.

You are right...it's nearly impossible to make friends in the North...not only in Bolzano..but also Piemonte and many other places.     People are closed, unfriendly and cold.   The South (Naples, Puglia, Sicily ..)  are  far superior and one can make friends and acquaintances quickly and easily.  The differences in people between the North and the South are shocking.     It's a huge mistake to live in the North.  I'm speaking from personal experience as well as the experiences of others.

avasaralarao wrote:

I see this discussion started in 2017 and still going on, are there any changes in general in Italy towards good ?
Friends, asking same question, but perspective is different, please try to answer.
I experienced life in Cyprus and Florida, USA, two different worlds and mixed experiences. I am a IT Consulting professional, planning to come and live in Italy. Hope you all must be knowing some things about India. Lot of people, congested, bad infra, redtape in many places..and crime too. in a sense for a educated and working professional no delighted feeling in life, in a way everyone is in Rat race. There are many positive points too.
I am planning to come and live in Italy because of my profession, medical education for my child and comparatively to have better and healthy life.

What are the chances ? Hope crime is not that high ... as a tourist I traveled in Swiss, Luxembourg, Belgium and NL and found very nice places. How is Italy for my perspective ?
Please help with information.
Cheers,
Sashi

I saw your question about Italy.   To summarize...my answer would be FORGET IT.  It is NOT "La Dolce Vita " that the rest of the world believes so innocently.  At least forget the North.  The best places  in the country are Naples, Sicily and Puglia.  Forget anything north of Naples. ..especially forget Piemonte..it is a disgrace.