Irene, I don't know if this is a duplicate. I have a travel agent who lives here in italy, Who is American - speaks English and knows Italy like he lives here 'cause he does! His name is Chris Russo, chris@alternativetravelservices.com. I think he can tell you how to put the Orvieto - great town incidentally, plan at least 3 ydas there... minium - then back to your other towns. I think yuo might drive. but you can certainly bus or train as well. Chip

I am so glad you enjoyed yourself! How wonderful to find your family owns vineyards! That would keep me here even if there was nothing else. Congratlations.

Hi Trisha, that is a great question. First i would say yu need to go there and see the possible apartments. Second, go to: www.immobiliare.it, or to www.gate-away.com, or to www.idealista.com. Switch to English and look in that area. Each platform will have a place for you to put in Rent or Buy and to use English. You will still need to go there as to rent you will need a Codice Fiscale unless you are doing a short stay rental. If you want something longer than three months you will need a visa. If I can help further, please email me at info@thelaughingretirement.com. Remember RE agents here don't represent you or the seller the represent themselves and thier agency. Let me know how you progress and I will giveyou what help I can. But again, I would say the best thing to do is to travel there and see for yourself. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correnspondent.

Yes I can. His name is Christian Gulizzi. He is both a CPA and a Commercialista so he can give you comparisons of US and Italian Taxes. Here is his email address: please tell him I gave you his name an address. christian.gulizzi@gulizzi-consulting.com Good luck and we are excited to welcome you to your new home! Chip Stites, Italy Correspondent, IL Magazine.

Hi, I would suggest you decide where you want to live by doing some research first. www.internations.org is a large expat organization that charges a small fee, is very active and is in many cities. Then you can just Google "Expats in Florence and follow up on your leads. I would suggest you decide where want to lve as most larger cities, will have an expat community and the flavor of the city from one to another is generally very different. For instance, Rome, Florence, Naples and Milan have very differnce characters. The food is different the cost of living is different and the activities are different. Maybe a discovery tour would help but doing your research beforehand can save you alot of time. If you were to Google Expats in Florence, you have a wide range of answers. Good luck on your search. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

Hi Abby I left another reiy below. I suggested a couple who have extensive house sitting experience who might be able to help you focus on some other places to look. Here is her addess: terry_coles@yahoo.com Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

Hi Coury, I wanted to follow up on my previus response. We visited and loved Ascoli Piceno in Le Marche but it is not a 7% town as it is too large. Here is a list of Le Marche towns that fit your desired 7% tax offer. Acquacanina (MC); Acquasanta Terme (AP); Amandola (FM); Apiro (MC); Appignano del Tronto (AP); Arquata del Tronto (AP); Ascoli Piceno; Belforte del Chienti (MC); Belmonte Piceno (FM); Bolognola (MC); Caldarola (MC); Camporotondo di Fiastrone (MC); Castel di Lama (AP); Castelraimondo (MC); Castelsantangelo sul Nera (MC); Castignano (AP); Castorano (AP); Cerreto D’esi (AN); Cessapalombo (MC); Cingoli (MC); Colli del Tronto (AP); Colmurano (MC); Comunanza (AP); Corridonia (MC); Cossignano (AP); Esanatoglia (MC); Fabriano (AN); Falerone (FM); Fiastra (MC); Fiordimonte (MC); Fiuminata (MC); Folignano (AP); Force (AP); Gagliole (MC); Gualdo (MC); Loro Piceno (MC); Macerata; Maltignano (AP); Massa Fermana (FM); Matelica (MC); Mogliano (MC); Monsapietro Morico (FM); Montalto delle Marche (AP); Montappone (FM); Monte Rinaldo (FM); Monte San Martino (MC); Monte Vidon Corrado (FM); Montecavallo (MC); Montedinove (AP); Montefalcone Appennino (FM); Montefortino (FM); Montegallo (AP); Montegiorgio (FM); Monteleone (FM); Montelparo (FM); Montemonaco (AP); Muccia (MC); Offida (AP); Ortezzano (FM); Palmiano (AP); Penna San Giovanni (MC); Petriolo (MC); Pieve Torina (MC); Pievebovigliana (MC); Pioraco (MC); Poggio San Vicino (MC); Pollenza (MC); Ripe San Ginesio (MC); Roccafluvione (AP); Rotella (AP); San Ginesio (MC); San Severino Marche (MC); Santa Vittoria in Matenano (FM); Sant’Angelo in Pontano (MC); Sarnano (MC); Sefro (MC); Serrapetrona (MC); Serravalle del Chienti (MC); Servigliano (FM); Smerillo (FM); Tolentino (MC); Treia (MC); Urbisaglia (MC); Ussita (MC); Venarotta (AP); Visso (MC). Camerino ( MC); As you can see there are quite a few! There are more in Abruzzo, and more in Umbria and Lazio. I will be happy to send you a complete list if you wish, please write me at info@thelaughingretirement.com. Also please be aware that all of the towns in the autonomous regions of Central Italy are in the earthquake zone and that is why they are listed. So, you are not put off we live in one of the towns in Lazio listed or over 7 years and have felt, one time a gentle bump and that is all. I hope this helps your search. My best, Chip Stites, IL Correspondent for Italy.

Hi Abby and thank you for the question. What you are looking for seems to be a house sitting job here in Italy. That is smart as you will save on the costs on living while you learn about the region. The downside is that the job determines where you go. It doesnt allow you to determine the topography, climate or style of life you want to live. I.E., Rural, city, expat community or non expat community. What I woud suggest is two-fold. First do some research to determine the climate, topography, and lifestylle you are looking for. For example it you love to walk up and down hills and love the idea of a midieval hilltop town, with no expats, then focus on jobs that allow you to do that. If you want city life then look there. Second I would send you to two people who are expert house sitters and have had jobs all over the world on most of the continents of the world. Terry Coles and her husband are experts and can show you how to focus in and where to look to apply for just the right job. Here is Terry's email Good luck. terry_coles@yahoo.com. Terry and her husband have written a book about thier travels. Good hunting! I hope this helps. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

Roxanne, thank you for the your questions. Generally VISAs in most countries allow you to stay indefinately. We have to renew our VISA every two years. BUT I am not famil, iar with Slovakia nor am I a Visa Lawyer. From that perspective you should be able to visit italy for 90 days without problem. But I am also sending along a VISA expert who is a lawyer. mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it. She will give you the right answer. Chip Stites, Italy Corresmpondent, International Living Magazine

hi Robin, that is a great question and one that we get often. My advice is to ship as little as possible for three excellent reasons. First is that most things outside of tourist areas cost less in Italy. Second, shipping is expense and takes months. We shipped a pallet of used colthing and books. We shipped in October and it arrived in late Jan if my memory serves. The third reason is customs. They are very picky about what gets in and what does not. WE were charged a fee of $10 or so per day, and had forms in triplicate and discovered that most of what we sent was not necessary, took forever and cost us about $5,000. If I were you I would by new without question. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

Hello, and thank you for your question. This is a Visa Question and I am going to answer it partially then send you to Grazia Colombo who is a lawyer who works in this area. She is a professional and as such will charge you so you need to make sure you questions aree pointed and answering precisely what you need to know. I will say this: the work Visa is generaly granted to someone who already has a job and is moving to Italy to continue that work or to start a new job in Italy for which they have alreday been hired. There is also a Remote Worker Visa for someone who can work remotely and wants to live in Italy. The Italian government, and Italian companies have some benefits for hiring foreigners but from what I have been told those benefits only last six months to a year. At the end of that time the company fires the foreigner and hires back an Italian. I have heard this from two different foreigners, one who has a masters in Hardward Engineering and is cleaning homes. So what I would tell you is that the best thing for you to do is to contact those companies, (in Italian) and see what is available and how long the job might last. Your years of experience speaks highly for your eligibility. Your lack of Italian language skills may be best overcome before you arrive. I wish you the best of luck in your endevour and please don't let the hurdles end the dream! Grazia Colombo's email is > mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it Chip Stites, IL Italian Correspondent.

Dear Roxanne, to date I do not know of "one single agent", who can help you with the whole area. But I can stear you towards two ideas that may help. First: In central Italy there is an agent who speaks English. Not on the coast but in the central part of italy, he may know someone. You should also know that the agents of one agency work against the others and do not "share" information. they also do not represesnt you as they do in the US. Essentially they represent themselves. In Rieti is a group called "Keys Partners. " One of their agents is Ricardo Diamilla and he speaks English... his email is diamilllariccardo86@gmail.com. Please use my name: Alfred Stites The other idea is to go to gate-away.com and look in the provinces you want to live in along the coast. Specify an English speaking agent. Also please know that there are many reports of prices being elevated because you are American. Therefore I would recommend an intermediary who will look out for your interests and your interests only! I can recommend M. Grazia Colombo a RE Attorney who has successfully helped many Americans buy a home. Her email is mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it. Again please use my name. Good luck and great success. I hope you get to live your dream as we are here in Reiti. Alfred "Chip" Stites, IL Correspondent.

Hi clark, here is Cindy Sheahan's email address. cindy.sheahan61@gmail.com

HI Steve, I replied to the same question above. Please see the answer. Chip Stites, Italy Correspondent. IL Magazine.

Steve, I don't know anyone in that area, but a couple of thoughts. First the University should have a list of local housing availability I would go there first. I would also ask them if they have any RE or Rental agents that they use reqularly. In most University towns it is not unusual for signs in RE office windows to list rentals for students. Go into a couple of offices near the university and ask. I am sorry I don't know anyone in that area, we live further south near Reiti, but I hope this information will help you a bit. Chip Stites, Italy Correspondent, International Living Magazine.

Thanks for the interest and for a great idea. I have a few suggestions that may help. with the third and fourth week. First take a look at the type of climate you want to live in, Italy is mostly a mediterranean climate but parts of Italy are considered sub-arctic and some parts are very hot and very dry. .... Second look at the type of topography you want to live in! Mountains, seashore, valley, it is all here. Tuscany is rolling hills but Italy has a lot more and many places that are a lot less expensive. Umbria, Abruzzo and Le Marche come to mind immediatly for the small village, that very homey feeling with fresh local food and a sense of community,. But much of |Italy has that in its small towns. That is why I stressed finding the topography and the climate you want first. Finally for your last two weeks, I would rent a car and travel. and try to get lost. Italy has so much to offer that traveling might open your eyes to new things. Book BnBs or hotels on the fly and I have found that not using the standard BnB website can save you as much as 30% a night. You are definately in for a lot of fun... enjoy and I hope this helps make your journey even more successful. Chip Stites, Italy Correspondent, International Living Magazine.

Debbie, another idea. Speak with M. Grazia Colombo. She is a RE, VISA and Citizenship expert. She is an attorney here in Italy. If she cannot help she may know who can. Here is her email address. mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it Good luck and let me know if she is able to help or to send you to someone who can! Chip Stites, Italian Correspondent, International Living Magazine.

Hello, I would ahve you speak with M. Grazia Colombo, here is her email address. mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it. She is a licensed attorney and can help in the areas of Real Estate and Citizenshiip and VISAS. I speak with her regularly. she speakes excelllent English. Let me know your experience. Good luck, Chip Stites Italian Correspondent International living Magazine.

A great question, and thanks for asking. It is not hard to find alternative medicince in Italy. First many "traditional" doctors have some training in homeopathic cures that we would call allternaitive and at time my docs have suggested some "homeopathic" meds first to see if they would work. Also most don't know this but spa massages, and other treatments are available through the traditonal system... Italian docs are much more likely to embrace alternatives than a US doc. Chip