I will be moving to Italy next year and wondering if 1800 euros my income from the U.S. is enough to live? It will be me and my wife with two boys 10 and 8? I will live with in-laws for a while to see how it goes? We are trying the move to live there to be closer with family, depending on how the boys do in school there. How long should we give the boys in school 6months or more to see if they can do it. They both understand and speak Italian but can not write it yet. We will be going to Alessandria in Piemonte about 1 hour from Turin and Milan. any suggestions please Im nervous for the move. job,(i will need one) life etc.

My wife and I live on less than that, but our house is paid for, so we don't have to pay rent. If you are living with relatives you should be able to get by alright.

Is your wife an Italian citizen? If so, you can get a permesso di soggiorno which permits you to work.

I live in Turin and I support myself and my son on more than that, and I would say that if you are not paying rent and you are frugal you may be able to survive on that but not with a lot of traveling and extras. If you are paying rent, however (Alessandria rents are most likely less than Turin) you may find it to be tight. Will your wife work?

yes my wife is a citizen and i have dual citizenship. Do i have to let any of the cosulates know that I'm moving there. Italian or U.S. Should I get an italian passport?

Yes, get an Italian passport. The consulate should have registered you in AIRE with your wife's comune- you might want to verify this. Once you arrive in Italy it will be easier to transfer residenza from your wife's comune than registering from scratch.

I live in Assisi in an 2 bdm 2 bath apartment - about 110 meters. I live alone.

My monthly housing/utilities cost is around 1100 Euro per month. That price includes my phone/cellphone.

Food and miscellaneous costs vary depending on my mood but then there is gas for the car, car tax, maintenance costs, housing items such as decorative things, computer things or repairs, etc.

I would like to know how everyone else is living on less than 1800 Euro a month - especially with children!

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I would like to know how everyone else is living on less than 1800 Euro a month - especially with children!

I have no idea! In addition to my stipend which is already above 1800, I also get an assegno familiare and child support from my son's dad, plus 13th and 14th month's pay. Also, regarding the OP's question, many of us here in Italy have contracts that provide for our employers paying into very favorable pension plan and paying contribuiti- similar to benefits in the U.S. There are many details to be worked out certainly, but I wouldn't go on what Italians can live on since you must remember that many of them were given homes by their family (gift, inheritance, or simply live in family homes) or maybe really are struggling financially!
I would try it out living with your wife's family but not make it anything permanent until you are here in Italy and able to evaluate your situation realistically. If your wife pulled in another 1500 euro per month you'd be fine.

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I would like to know how everyone else is living on less than 1800 Euro a month

No problem really. We both grew up in austere conditions, and never developed the habit of spending much money. Plus we pay no rent or mortgage.