International Living Community

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

IRENE.DINUBLIA said:
Hi Chip,
In August I am planning to do a reconaissance trip to Italy to contemplate places to move in the Abruzzo region. I am specifically interested in exploring Citta Sant Angelo and Vasto. The combination of mountainous and sea or close proximity to, sounds wonderful. Ideally, I would like to stop in Orvieto to visit friends. I just don't know logistically if that makes sense. If there are any contacts in the region tour or otherwise, I would love to know. I don't know much about getting around Italy and I am a single mature (older) woman so any "how to" information that simplifies the process would be welcome. Also, any suggestions or other mid-size towns to explore are welcome, as well.
Thank you very much!
Irene DiNublia

Apologies if this is a duplicate message.......unsure how to use the platform

I hope I am not too late to help you! Speak with M. Grazia Colombo....mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it. she specializes in Visas and RE transactions. Please use me name and tell her that I sesnt you. Chip

KIM said:
Hello Chip. My husband and I want to move to Italy we have been spending at least 3 months a year innItaly for the past few years. Wondering about best option and how to navigate the system. Both my husband and i are of European descent. My husband is first generation Dutch. i am second generation Maltese and Irish. we are currently in Italy- or will be next week.
I have been following the headlines onIL about all the easybways to get a visa- bit have not found the direct
links - any help you can provide woukd be sooooo appreciated!
thank you

I forgot to mention an attorney to help you with a purchase, If you find a community in which you want to live. I would have you work with M. Grazia Colombo, who is a RE Attorney who speaks English and can help you with your house. Her address is m.grazia Colombo and her address is mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it. Please use my name and tell her that I sent you! 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 P.A. and Tami.
let me tell you my experience from those who have done it. I know a guy, one of my best friends here, who applied here, when they moved but he had all his paperwork ready to go, when he got here. My advise is to consult a lawyer, here in Italy, have a place you want to live then move, as long as you have all your paperwork ready to go. You can do citizenship on either side of the pond provided you have all the necessary paperwork completed before you come. Even so, when my friend go here it took him two years to get his citizenship. I hope this helps. Chip Stites, IL Italian Correspondent.

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.

KIM, It sound like you may want some help with your VISA, Where do you live now and what is the consulate assigened to your state or your county.

Thank you so much for a really relevant question. I have watched carefully as some people are able to move successfully to Italy and other fail. I think the biggest single reaso for failure is that we tend to think that the rest of the world operates the same way we do in America. You said we plan to be in Italy in mid June to purchase a home but that you haven't decided on a specific area. One of the biggest mistakes we make is to think we will be happy anywhere just as we might be in the US.

I would suggest that you first choose a climate and a topography that you would like to live in: i.e. seashore, mountians, cold (up north) or hot down south. Second I would suggesat you consider the tax differences between a 7% offer fir new immigrants, (in southern Italy) and the normal taxes you would pay up north. I have a CPA/Commercialista who can help. please write me at info@thelaughingretirement.com, his name is Christian Gulizzi, he is both a CPA in the US and a Commercialista in Italy. a

Until all this is done I would not buy a house at least for the partial reason that re-sale or even sale for that matter is not rapid at all. You could wind up being stuck in a house you love but an area you don't. Chose your community first, then look for the house.

If you need more information I will he happy to help. Please email me at info@thelaughingretirement.com My best, Chip

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 Lorraine, I would suggest you speak with Grazia. I dont want to poison the water with bad info. I know you will need a certified copy of your Birth Certificate but Grazia is your best choice. There is so much more than your BC. If you don't here from her let me know. Chip

As far as an easy way to get a VISA I don't know of an easy way, but there is a way. i would have you take your question to mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it and ask her. I know she has access to people who can help you get this done, and she can help you herself. I did this myself with no legal help. You need to locate your Consulate first as you will work through them for the VISA. Let me know if I can be of further service. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

KIM said:
Hello Chip. My husband and I want to move to Italy we have been spending at least 3 months a year innItaly for the past few years. Wondering about best option and how to navigate the system. Both my husband and i are of European descent. My husband is first generation Dutch. i am second generation Maltese and Irish. we are currently in Italy- or will be next week.
I have been following the headlines onIL about all the easybways to get a visa- bit have not found the direct
links - any help you can provide woukd be sooooo appreciated!
thank you

Dear Raine, I have sent your request to the proper people and hope this gets straigtened out quickly. Where are you interestning in moving to? Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

Hi Raine, I am not sure what you are refering to but I want you to know I will help in anyway I can. I will send your request to those in charge and we will see what can be done. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

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.