2007-07-23 09:33:50 · 7 answers · asked by nadine 3 in Travel ➔ Italy ➔ Other - Italy
The rainbow flags you see around Italy are not anti-American at all... they are a call for peace & not war. With this out of the way...
Padua has a very good university so if you are going to study there you'll find one of the best and with a good variety of degrees courses to choose from.
Is it safe.... the area around the train station is notorious for being dangerous at night. Steer clear. One of the most degraded neighborhoods has recently been cleared out - it was famous for squatters, drug dealers and housing illegals. Padua is a small town and because of the university it's a party town... and it's a safe enough place to live and study for a gal with a good head on her shoulders.
If you are there you should try to learn Italian... leave Vicenza and the Army Base alone. Although they are doing a great job and many an American is respected (yea, even by the young locals... and not just the older folks) you'll never get what you've come abroad for. You must do you best to learn the language and moreover learn about a new culture. This will make you a better citizen of your home country and of the world.
Dear Jennifer W,
Go to Padova only for the IKEA???? Geezzz, don't you know that there is a major Christian Catholic shrine there (see the sites below). Did you know that Padova was a setting for one of Shakespeare's major plays? Read a little about Padova before going back again so you'll understand what's going on around you a bit better.
Did you know that Vincenza was settled at some 300 years BC?
2007-07-23 23:32:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with our friend genius. Padova is a very nice (and safe) city...if I'm not mistaken, it was rated the best quality of life for Italian cities (by and for Italians). Also, the surrounding area has some really interesting cities to visit, such as Venice (of course), Ravenna, Ferrara, Bassano al Grappa, Verona, and even Vicenza (it's definitely worth seeing).
Opposing a war, especially one in which Italy has participated, is not necessarily anti-American. And I think you will find that most people who disagree strenuously with the war (or support it wholeheartedly, for that matter) will still accept you (or reject you) as an individual. So don't even worry about that.
2007-07-26 09:55:52 · answer #2 · answered by A J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lol i never thought i'd hear anyone else talk about that area. my husband is in the army and we are stationed in vicenza italy. we are in vicenza near the us military base which is about 20 minutes (via autostrada) from padova. i dont know about padova in general. they have an ikea which is the only reason i ever went there, but it is pretty built up and seemed nice enough. i really dont know that much italian language, and for that reason im glad we're nearer to the military base. the economy thrives on americans therefore the businesses nearby are more tolerant of americans and speak some english. the us military is expanding the army base in the area though and in general isnt particularly what i would call american friendly. surprisingly the older generation is more friendly than the younger. the rainbow flags you see flying are not gay pride, they're basically anti-american. however there's not much crime in the area that i've heard of (then again i dont watch italian news) the most problems that we've had as military families are gypsies, who like to break in when no one is home and steal things (they've been known to watch apt buildings for weeks to determine if people are home or not) and the rare peaceful protest gone a little crazy. yea, those italians really dont want that new military post to go in so they schedule peaceful protests. (and it's already been approved and the land is already sold to our gov't so i think they've slowed down if not stopped) honestly i think the most dangerons aspect of italy in general is people in cars... they're crazy drivers!! oh, there may be pick pockets. i've heard of them in rome. what else...
ok so all in all i dont know much about padova, but the next town over is nice and you'll be able to find plenty of english speaking people there. most of the men are deployed right now and the girls all enjoy getting out and about so i would say vicenza is more reliable in general. plus you'll get a lot of updated information through military wives... if you have any questions email me! if i cant answer them i can put you in touch with someone who can! good luck!
2007-07-23 09:51:32 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer W 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Living In Vicenza Italy
2016-11-07 09:22:13 · answer #4 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is a safe place as any to stay. People are generally friendly and hospital, and there are lots of tourists going to visit the St. Anthony cathedral ("Il Santo").
It is also a lovely place to stay, only half an hour by train from Venice and very near to the wonderful Palladian villas.
2007-07-24 00:37:28 · answer #5 · answered by Ale M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I suppose so. Never been there, but Italy is a safe place in general (apart from pickpockets etc.), but Northern italy in particular is very safe.
2007-07-23 18:43:01 · answer #6 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i just want to reply to Jennifer about italian drivers...
i'm italian and my boyfriend is american and he agrees with me that americans cannot drive!
we are not crazy drivers, you just have to understand the rules, because where i live (near an american base), most of the accidents are caused by americans who don't know italian laws about driving!
2007-07-27 07:00:12 · answer #7 · answered by romy m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋