Living in Italy?

Question

I think living in Italy would be a wonderful place to live. I've never been to Italy, but I plan on going someday, and maybe even living in Italy. I was wondering would an American be able to survive living in Italy, or even Vacationing there? I know that the Euro is worth more than our U.S. Dollar, so would one be able to survive with $5,000 U.S. dollars. For food,shelter,shopping, and going to events while vacationing or living in Italy. Specifically Florence, and Milan. I would not like to live in Rome such as it's such a crowded city, with MANY tourists, and I know Florence and Milan has it's share of Tourists as well. But I think living in either Florence or Milan would be a great place to live, because it's alittle more toned down compared to Rome. So any advice that would be great!

Answer 1

I was born in Milan but I can't recommend living there. Italians in general are very insular - it's extremely hard to crack their exterior unless you are already friends or family. Then they're lovely people but don't expect to make friends easily even when you speak the language. You'll find a big network of foreigners there who'll take you in but it depends on how "authentic" you want your experience to be. As for Rome, I agree it's huge and dizzying but you're more likely to find a niche there than in a smaller town where everyone knows everyone else and gets dressed up to the nines just to walk down the street. Milan is grey and wet and FREEZING in winter and it's very industrial as well. Florence has heaps of ex-pats but in summer you can barely walk down the footpath for tourists.
Rents will be expensive everywhere but you can eat well for not much. Buy fresh produce at the markets, and pizza by the slice. But the food is fabulous so anywhere you go will be decent unless the menu is only in English.
I'd say learn as much Italian as you can or else go there and study for a bit first. I went to Cultura Italiana in Arezzo and they help you find a room and they're very nice. They also have a school in Bologna which is a lovely city. Then be prepared to tough it out for a while. Wages are pretty low and you'll be limited if you don't have the right papers. There's plenty of nannying if you don't mind that but they'll treat you like a servant, be warned! And the old men are guaranteed to hit on you.
What can I say, I love Italy but not the Italians, and I am one!

Answer 2

First VISIT Italy before you decide to LIVE here. I live about 20 miles northwest of Milan, have been here for almost five years know, and honestly cannot stand it. Erlampo has pretty much covered the Italian mentality and bureaucracy is a nightmare. Italians tend to have the "What's in it for me" attitude, and not in a good way. Milan has big time pollution/smog problems. A few times each winter there are driving bans on Sundays, even occasionally during the week, in attempts to reduce the smog and pollution. Milan is a big, dirty industrial city. If you decide to live in Milan Milan, don't expect $5k to last you very long, from typical big city rent to utilities to gas etc. Traffic in Milan is a nightmare from you know where. An example, last week my Italian husband was in Milan for work. He worked a total of 3 hours in Milan, and spent another three hours round trip commuting, and we only live 20 miles away. My husband was born and raised here and he cannot stand it, thus we are looking at moving, for sure out of Italy and hopefully out of Europe. The real Italy is not the Italy you see in the movies.
At least in Milan, if you don't speak the lingo, it will be next to impossible to find a job paying a decent wage (for Italian standards). Unless you teach English for an English school or offer private lessons under the table. IF you do find a legit job, don't expect a lot for wages, maybe $1k a month if you're lucky, then again depends on what you do. Here when trying to find a job, it's all about WHO you know compared to WHAT you know.

Answer 3

I am an American who lived in Rome for seven years (actually, I was an illegal alien there, but nobody bothered about it; I made a living as a translator). I have to say that I absolutely hated Italy and the Italians. Yes, it is a beautiful place to visit (and if you go, don't miss Sardinia, especially the Costa Smeralda - stunning!), with lots of incredibly picturesque little villages perched on hills, etc. But Italian society is extremely backward, still in the Middle Ages. People are extremely suspicious of everything and everyone, very nosy. Italians are also rude, loud, and obnoxious. The bureaucracy is a nightmare (it took us TWO YEARS to change from one phone company to another!). Italians love to say how racist Americans are, but Americans can't compare to Italians on that score! All the immigrants who sell things on the street, whether they're Africans or Asians or South Americans, are all called "marocchini" - Little Moroccans! And they're so upset about the Chinese moving in that La Repubblica, Rome's major newspaper and supposedly liberal, featured articles saying that a "Yellow River of Almond Eyes" was invading the country!
Having said all that, you may love it, as many Americans do. Go figure.

Answer 4

i am from florence.
i belive rents are cheaper in florence than in milan, plus there are over 50 american universities in florence, therefore you can feel at home but at the sametime you are in a different country.
usually you can rent a room with other students.the best place to find ads is the university. a room goes from 400 to 700 euros a month.
food shopping is cheaper compared to the US. and you can often get into clubs for free.
you can find a job even if you don't speak italian (of course they are under the table and not paid too well, but it is an income at least).most likely you can try to bar tender or promote clubs.
when the time comes you can try to contact me and i d be happy to give you names and addresses

Answer 5

I went to Milan, its a lovely city. I'm sure you will like it there. Make sure you Italian coz few people know english well. Good luck

Answer 6

I live in Rome and I love my city.
If you like little cities I suggest you SIENA (google it!), the better place to live in Italy :)))

Answer 7

Italian, but from Florence.

Answer 8

You could not live there for 5,000 dollars, but you could visit for a couple of weeks!