Is it expensive to live in Italy?

Question

My husband and i are planning to move to Rome Italy. Can you give me an idea on prices for basic needs like groceries, cars, gas, etc? Also what would be the currancy exchange over there for 100,000 American dollars to Italian dollars?

Answer 1

I lived in Rome for a year and a half in 2000/2001. It's very expensive. My apartment was in the city center, off Via Nazionale, and cost $2000 per month. The further outside the city you live, the cheaper it will cost. Cars are expensive, gas is expensive, and utilities are expensive (water, electricity, phone, etc.). Food is relatively affordable - you can get a great meal at a restaurant for a very good price. They are on the Euro now so the exchange rate is currently about $1.28 to every 1 Euro. Your $100,000 would equal about $78,000 Euros.

I'm sorry I don't remember exact prices of esstential items - I just remember being shocked so be prepared for the cost of living being high. I live in Connecticut, which has a high cost of living, so that must mean something. Send me an Email if you have other questions or would like some other realities of living in Rome. I love to talk about it.

Answer 2

I lived in Torino for two years. I didn't save a penny and I rented a room in a shared apartment (in the city center). I needed EUR 1000 each month just to get by, and significantly more if I wanted to save for travel or buy something really expensive. Rome would definitely cost more. I think you'd need AT MINIMUM EUR 1200 per person in terms of montly income. For up-to-date currency exchange info, see the link below.

Answer 3

Hi,,, dragonfly,,,, ok,,, they use the Euro not lire anymore....and Rome is expensive,,, but,, you should shop around for housing... food,,, find your local store,,, they dont shop like we do over here,,,, the food does Not have all the preservatives ours does....
so most shop for the day.... or go out and eat.... ect ect....
Dont be talking about how much money you got,,,, exchanged either dear..... keep your mouth shut..... and watch out for the pickpockets in Rome.... they are GOOD !!!! i kid you not....

cars,,, a small one 12 to 15 thousand,,, american,,,, gasoline,,,,, 5 to 6 dollars a leiter,,,,,,, they dont use gallons ,,, quarts ,,, or pints there,,,, its all metric system...... electricity,,, phone,,, (get a cell) and water,,,, tv or cable..... plan around 100 dollars or so a month.... on each or so,,,, i just round up myself.......

its not bad,,, i prefer Florence myself.... smaller,,, better people... but thats just me....have fun... check out the Hard Rock Cafe,,, they have good food also.......

good luck
Caio

Answer 4

it's relative...if you live in NYC it is not expensive... 100,000 $ are around 78.000 € (not italian dollars... and note you use " , " in italy is used" . " ).
i can give you an example: http://www.auchan.it/puntivendita2.asp?regione=lazio&luogo=roma%20casalbertone#
this is a megastore in Rome, you can glance through brochure under the write "promozioni in corso" -->click on the pic -->click on "pagina successiva" to change page...
you can have an idea of everything ( cell phones, pc, food,...)
byee

Answer 5

italy is expensive but if you choose smaller cities you live better and you can save some money. :))