Retirement can be a joyous occasion for most but be a bit frightening for others. You have worked your whole life and work is all you know. Now you have “paid your dues” and it is time to have fun! What can you do? Where can you go? If you are ready for a change of scenery and would like to experience a new culture, Italy might be the answer.
The Italian “charm” is irresistible. In Italy you feel a warm, appealing, fresh ambiance wherever you go. Italians are known for their polite personalities and they create the “book of manners.” The Italian people are not satisfied with being “average”; they strive to be the best. Once you experience the captivating culture and landscape you will find ways to stay longer. And the food, when you get a taste of the authentic Italian cuisine then you will be hooked. Living in Italy is not cheap. If you decide to stay there for an extended period of time, it can get a bit expensive.
Italians are gracious and forgiving of foreigners and their mistakes. They welcome outsiders and although they may seem a little eccentric at times they are not snobs. Italy is an easier country to live in as an outsider than most European counties whose residents are not so inviting. Italians understand what it means to be human; this is one of their outstanding virtues. If you are worried about the language, put your worries to rest. It is not hard to learn; besides the Italian people often communicate with gestures and facial expressions more than words. There are several schools throughout the country that offer language classes for all ages.
According to Luigi Barzini, the author of The Italians, the Italian people are always putting on a show and they regard like as a “work of art.” Flattery is common among the Italian culture, the tailor admires your figure, the dentist compliments you on you beautiful smile etc. Good manners count most in Italy. Italians shake hands when arriving and leaving, women kiss on both cheeks and men if they know each other embrace or exchange slaps on the back. When socializing with Italian people it is important to remember not to use first names until invited and pay close attention to gestures.
If you are considering becoming a resident or retiring in Italy you need to remember to make some preparations ahead of time before you leave. It is important to get a Visa before leaving home, if you arrive without it you will probably be asked to leave. When you arrive in Italy you must immediately go to the police station and apply for residency. If you plan on working you need to apply for the proper work permits. Jobs are a little hard to come by especially if you are not European, so you might want to consider taking full advantage of your retirement and skip the job hunting.
Finding a place to live should not be difficult. There are many options. You can stay at a hotel, bed and breakfast until you find something permanent. Living in Italy is not cheap but it is also not extremely expensive either. Utilities and gasoline might be more costly than the United States but some people even it out by not owning a car and relying on public transportation like the locals do. A two-bedroom apartment in Rome would average about $2000 a month. You could buy a studio for about $90,000, but if you want a balcony it would be about twice that price. Living away from the city is considerably less. A four-bedroom apartment in the Tusan town of Lucca is $560. Shop around and talk to a real estate agency for the best deal. There are historic Villas for sale and you can even buy a fixer upper for a reduced price. Many Italians are willing to rent rooms in their apartment for a reasonable price, so that is also an option.
Italy has so much to offer. You can site see for weeks and still not see everything. They have many historic cities with millions of wonderful museums, churches and historic buildings. They have wonderful islands and romantic boat rides. You can attend classes at one of their famous art schools or learn about Italian fashion. The possibilities are endless. You won’t be bored for a moment in this luxurious country. Once you visit and experience the beautiful countryside, the welcoming culture and the food, don’t forget the delicious food, then you will never want to leave.
