We are from the US, in our 50's and thinking about moving to EU (Italy?) long term - any info/advice welcome!

Question

We hope to find a relatively warm, sunny climate where the people are friendly, accepting and easy-going, and where we have fewer worries about becoming victims of violent crime. It would be wonderful to live among people who are less concerned with making money and noise, violating nature and having no regard for their neighbors. Imagine a life in a serene natural setting among people who measure success in terms of health, happiness and well-being.

We've exhausted the US and have pretty much come to the conclusion that we need to expand our search! We've never been to europe but are currently planning an open-ended trip there to explore the people and cultures.

We think maybe summers in Scandinavia and winters in southern Italy?

Any advice from Europeans or expat Americans would be greatly appreciated! What are European attitudes toward American immigrants? Are we looking for something that doesn't really exist in the world anymore (if ever?)

Answer 1

Oook, first of all: good luck :)

Then: what do you mean with warm weather? I live in the north in a city (Trieste) where the wind blows very hard in autumn and winter and we can get even -5°C but i understend most of the cityes at our latitude in USA are much, much colder.

Italians can be divided into two large groups: Southers which are hot blooded, very noisy, very caothic, always discussing, very friendly and opend to strangers and Northers which are more cold blooded, less noisy, very strict , always discussing, less friendly and open.. the difference have to be tryed to see how much to you care about it.. Personally i like my city, we're less strict and more cold blooded than the rest of northeners here around but still are much less caothic then the southeners thanks to the asburgic heritage.

Advice for a long term moving? Try first. Get yourself a holyday OUT of the normal touristic circle, rent an apartment or stay in a residence, anything but cook yourself, don't be served. Try, talk, discovery and see how it is. Do you like the sea? Do you prefer the country or the mountains? Try smaller cityes but yet big enough.

IMHO i would definitely live here, in Trieste..

Answer 2

Even if it doesn't work out in the long term it's worth a go isn't it?
If someone settles in a new country the main reason why people leave after a year or two is their failure to integrate. For example they don't bother to learn the language and make local friends. For example many Brits have moved to France only to return within two years. Those that have been successful adopt being "French"
Another issue is a little morbid but if one of you dies will the surving partner wish to return to the US to be with family etc. In such case, depending on where you settle in Europe, the sale of property, inheritance of assets can be complecated and may pose problems. ie many Brits who bought property in France or Spain a few years ago cannot release enough cash to re-puchase back in the UK and are effectively stuck.
I hope I'm not putting you off! Then there is the question of US tax. I'm not an expert but your IRS follows citizens everywhere it seems.
Having said all that what a great idea! I am in my mid fifties. My wife and I moved a few years ago and we made the right decision (for now).
Very good luck.

Answer 3

Sally, having lived in Italy and worked in Scandanavia I have some thoughts for you: first, winters in most of Italy are generally cool, cold and can be pretty dreary, especially in the North. Even Rome, which is centrally located has cold winters.
You would have to go all the way the the southern tip of the boot, to Apulia to catch a warmer winter. Down there the most urban city is Lecce, which is quite nice.
As for Scandanavia, while the summers there certainly have a lot of sunshine in terms of hours, there are few days above 80.
I assume you folks are independently wealthy because as Americans, it is very difficult to find work overseas unless a company transfers you there.

Enjoy if you get there.

Answer 4

If you would have said, we are going thru a mid-life crisis and want to do something daring and fun and move to Italy--I would have said go for it and have so much fun. But after reading your details, it is so hard to believe that you could not find one place in the US to live and be happy. I bet you are the kind of folks that are never happy with anything. Good luck, but happiness comes from within and you need new insides!

Answer 5

The sooner you leave the better off you will be. You are not only sick of America, America is sick of you. Do not bother becoming a citizen of the EU because you will then learn to hate it when they do not respond in the exact way you think they should to a terrorist attack. You will become a self loathing European and will want to return and that would be horrible for the rest of us here. If it exist or not look for it, please. If people abroad hate you and treat you poorly remember to love them and take whatever they do to you with love and wish peace on them. Never defend yourself, only try to understand why they hate you. You'll do fine.

Answer 6

I have no idea why anyone would want to do this.

You'd be leaving a country where you have freedom, 21st century technologies, ice & refrigeration, clean running tap water, sanitation, good health care & a multitude of other wonderful amenities that you're not going to find in any other country in the world. You would be down sizing your entire life completely & drastically.

I also heard that even though you may be living & working in another country fairly permanently, as a US citizen you may still owe income taxes to the US on your income from the other country. You may want to check that out before you go.

Answer 7

Italy is a wonderful place, lived there most of my life and Italians are the warmest and friendlist people I've ever known.

Answer 8

Good luck over there.