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Expats in Italy Forum 
Expats in Italy Forum Moving to/Living in Italy Happiness *IS* Italy Small town Italy
Expats in Italy Forum Moving to/Living in Italy Happiness *IS* Italy Small town ItalyPage 1 2
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Turista |
Hi, Bill, Thank you for the link to the blog. I was just skimming it and I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the elderly females. Where do you live, Bill? I am wondering if I am going to be disappointed and find Calabria's coast so full of high mountains that it would not be possible for us to live there. I don ot want to be traveling for a long drive down a curvy mountain road to get to where I need to be. Do you know anything about flatter coastal cities in Calabria? I did not get along with Google Earth! lol I was so happy to get a response; thanks so much! MaryAnn |
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Volo Libero Cittadino |
I live at the opposite end of Italy- near Austria and Slovenia.
Try dropping the blog writer an email- the address might be on the blog. She will know about less-hilly towns along the coast down there. I've only been down there once- that was 24 years ago! |
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Turista |
Thank you, Bill. I will do that.
MaryAnn |
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Residente |
MaryAnne, I live in a little town called "Giglio di Veroli". We are in the Apennines, about one hour SE of Rome, and one hour from the beaches of Terracina and Sperlonga. (North of Naples, South of Rome, the people from this area are called "Chiochiara" (those who still wear the Roman sandals---but not STILL as in nowadays!)
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Moderator Cittadino |
MaryAnn,
Welcome to Expats. Once you get more familiar with this site you will find the answer to your car question by doing a few searches. Basically, if you bring the car over you will have to get certified for Italy and then have to worry about parts and service especially if the car was made for the US market. |
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Volo Libero Cittadino |
Gil's right, Mary Ann. You'd save money (and stress) by selling the car in the States and buying one over here.
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Cittadino |
Thanks for the plug Bill
 I have received an email from Mary Ann and will be responding shortly, but for anyone finding this thread at a later date, I'll add here that there are *many* coastal towns in Calabria that are self-sufficient, within 45 minutes of a larger "city" (remembering that our main cities are Catanzaro, Cosenza, and Reggio Calabria), and not up on hills. And anyone who has questions on Calabria can should certainly feel free to email me: bleedingespresso[dot]sognatrice[at]gmail[dot]com |
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Turista |
Hi, I am sorry, but I am still getting used to the forum. Not that computer savvy. I had a hard time remembering how to find the few people I have written to. I guess I have to keep going to the link, "Small town Italy," right? Is this Michelle whom I am writing to? Michelle, did you say that you live in Catanzaro in another email? I see this person is called, "testa dura," which I love (hard head). I used to hear my grandmother say that a lot about people. lol I am sooo encouraged to hear about the lower coastal towns. My husband wanted me to research earthquake locatins in Italy. I teach math and the science teacher went to a site whee they show regions of earthquake activity. It appeared that parts of Calabria have had a lot, however, maybe not that big? Do you know anything about if Calabria and what parts have been hit hard? Thank you. MaryAnn |
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Cittadino |
Yes, MaryAnn, this is Michelle
 Calabria *is* prone to earthquakes, and the hardest hit area has been Reggio Calabria--the city was leveled in the early 1900s. IMHO with the way the world's weather is changing so drastically, though, it's hard to tell where the greatest natural disasters can occur.... Oh, and I live in the province of Catanzaro, about 40 minutes away from the city itself. |
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Turista |
Hi there, Michelle,
How are you doing? How is your writing coming along? In my Junior High School, we have teams of teachers, one in each of the 4 main subject areas. The language arts teacher on my team is multi-talented and one of his gifts is writing. He has published books, written poems, composed and played music and now a CD to be sold all over the world. One of these days I plan on sending your link to him, but only after I have read the entire thing. I believe you also are very talented. Tell me, are you worried about the earthquake thing in Calabria? The 1990's does not seem that far back to have had one, but have they come often since then? I understand those of 6-7 are the sizes to be concerned with. I was thinking of finding a place near Scalea, which is in the northern part of Calabria. My husband is the one most concerned and asked me to look into it. Do you see any advantages to living in the northern part of Calabria versus the southern part? Are there any advantages to the east coast versus the west? Hope you do not mind the questions, Michelle. Thank you very much.  MaryAnn |
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Turista |
Michelle, I just sent a reply, but was wondering is it all possible for you to reply via my email address? gweis60@optonline.net Sooo much easier for me. Thanks. Oh, I was wondering, how is Catanzaro? clean? much crime? sites said much Mafia there. Are there cultural things to do? MaryAnn |
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Cittadino |
Have replied to you via email MaryAnn. If anyone else is interested in my answers, please feel free to email me as well
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Turista |
Hello, Michelle,
How are you doing? Michele, are you able to tell me the names of any coastal, low elevation, towns, which have tyupical older Italian housing, such as with the orange terra cotta roofs and not the flatter modern buildings which are not that old? I would like to visit them. We are going in July to the 2 coasts and I am told the east is more flat, less congested, but that hilltop villages are the type village I am describing. Also, we were thinking of opening a savings account in July at a bank and putting some money in euros, since the Amer. dollar is falling. Would that be a good idea? Are the charges that high? It was tough to find online? A realtor from Scalea services said that I should do that after buying a signing for a home, since the banks charge each quarter. But are the charges that high? Given the 1.57 USD to the euro, wouldn't it still be worth it? Thought I would ask you, since you live there permanently? Also, is it true that if you buy property in a development, that you cannot become a resident? Do you think it is worth shipping my car, a Hyundai Tiburon to Italy. Is a 2003, 2.7 engine. How did you arrange shipping your stuff to Calabria? What shipper did you use? We are trying to budget and be economical. Thanks. MaryAnn |
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Turista |
Hi there, my name is MaryAnn and my husband and I wish to relocate to Italy. It is engrained in me and it is such a strong calling that I must do it. I have Italian heritage, maternal and paternal grandparents born in Sicily and am so lucky my husband will do this, if it is affordable. We were there in 2003, 2005, 2007, and in July will be seeing Calabria for the first time. I want to live near the water, near mountains, and in a small village as you are describing. I do not care for the modern Italian flattish buildings. I lvoe the peaked orange terracotta roofs and need to be in a lower elevation. It is difficult as we get old, to drive down from a hill on a scary curvy road. Where do you live, may I ask? We are from NY State. Where are you from? Do you know of small towns in Calabria that are near the coast close to what I am describing? We have the itinerary and hotels booked for 2 weeks in July, each coast. Can't wait. Thanks. MaryAnn |
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Turista |
Hi, loved your website and how wonderful to share it with others. My name is MaryAnn and I have the craving to move to Italy. It is my heritage through grandparents and need to do that, as long as I can leave my 25 year old daughter? Are you from the states? Where is your town near? the region? We are visiting Calabria in July and have it all mapped out. I would love to find a place near the sea and mountains. I am not sure if renting is best at first. Kind of just want to buy and be done, not sure. Wondering if we shoud open a bank account now or wait til we buy, you know, witht he falling dollar. Love to hear from you. MaryAnn |
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Turista |
What main city do you live near? |
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Cittadino |
Hi MaryAnn, in one of your previous posts, you mentioned not wanting to do the long, winding road up and down to get to the coast--unfortunately, this is how *all* of the hilltop villages with "traditional" housing are set up. I can give you lots of names of such villages, as they literally line the coast, one after another. Just about every town on the coast has a corresponding hilltop village, often called "Superiore" after the main name...Just near me: Soverato, Sant'Andrea, Isca, Badolato, Santa Caterina, Guardavalle, Stilo, Gerace...there are many, many, many. I recommend getting a map and starting to research some of the towns online if you want a feel for how they look before you get here.
I'm definitely not the person to ask about this as I'm no financial expert, but there is a lot of information elsewhere on the forum, and maybe someone else reading this can answer.
I've never heard of this, and don't think it's true at all (you can rent and be resident), but if someone knows differently, please speak up!
I believe others answered you about the car above (I don't have a car; no opinion), and I also didn't ship my things to Calabria. I used suitcases on the plane and then my mom has sent bits and pieces from time to time. Again, there should be more info elsewhere on the forum as plenty of people have used shipping companies when moving. I'm also sending this to your email; you can reply to me simply through that if you like. |
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Moderator Cittadino |
Hi Mary Ann,
Michelle is correct in stating that answers to a lot of your questions are available on the forum. If you spend some time using the search function at the top of all or these threads you will find answers. Brining a car over from the US has been discussed in the past few weeks and the answer to if it is worth bringing your car over is readily available. |
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Permesso di Soggiorno |
Thank you for your comments. We left 3 children and 7 (now 8) grandchildren so it is doable! We are from the San Diego area. We live in the Marche region and need about an hour to get to the beach and a little less to get to a fairly good size "town"--not to a fairly good size city. We have windy roads as does much of Italy, but not too many mountains even though we are in the mountain range! Sz BTW, we essentially brought nothing with us and are in the process of replacing everything. |
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Turista |
Hi, thanks, Suzanne, for the reply, and soo prompt! My, my, 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Wow. So,you had the yearning to be in Italy? Did you move because of jobs?
We have been wondering about shipping uot stuff and if it is worth it. Tell me,please, how did yu find the cost of furniture? like bedroom and living room? sky high compared to the states? And the bank accoutns? We are wondering if we should start putting euros in an Italian account when we visit in July since the dollar is falling and may go even lower. What do you think? I know there are charges for accounts someone told me, however, I am wondering if it still mathematically comes out worth it to change over dollars now. Are thee advantages to buying with a mortgage? Or is it better to just pay it off at the start, if one can, and has bought something reasonable? Thanks so much. MaryAnngweis60@optonline.net |
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Turista |
i just had to jump in but it took 1/2 hour to register!
so glad to find like minded expats. Have just returned from my "trial trip" to Italy to see if I could live as an Italian, solo. so many of you have helpers that will be traveling with you, congrats. I found it is a lot of work to do everything in a foreign language. my plan was to spend 3 months this year in Italy. Last year i only had 3 weeks. This was a major decision that cost me most of my business for the year but well worth it. I need to find a small town as well. Once close to a small city is ideal but i need to take the train. My bus disasters are ledgenary. this year i had an aparmtment in Sorrento. There is nothing but great things i can say about this town: views, architecture, transportation options, activities etc i enrolled in an international language school and for the first time actually learned Italian. I now promote their programs here in the USA! But i need to plan for my trip next year. So if you can all share with me suggestions for small towns to research, i would appreciate it very much. And if anyone would like information on what is available for rent or for sale in a particular city in ITaly, just let me know. I have access to this info and work with any of the 750 Remax Italia agents in Italy. I can give you names and email addresses. Next i need to file for dual citizenship. ciao. lee laurino www.hometoitaly.com Lee Laurino |
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Residente |
Welcome to the board, Lee! You may want to post your service in the business listings section though. The link of your website on your homepag |