Preparing for your move to Italy

Sometimes I'm startled by the emails I receive.

I got one last week by someone that spoke no Italian (that's no Italian at all), has no savings, no contacts, wants a large salary and is arriving in Italy on September 30 to start over.

Italy is a wonderful, magical place to live. I should know. Every day when I wander out onto the patio with my cappuccino to look out at the expanse of sea stretching in front of me, I count how lucky I am. But Italy isn't just the beautiful Dolce Vita that you see in films or experience on holiday. It is also hard work, frustrating, mind-boggling and energy-sapping when you come up against Italian bureaucracy. There's nothing you can do about it. It's the downside of a relaxed culture. And if you want one, you have to embrace the other.

I don't know everything about living and working in Italy (who does?) but this is what I've come up with so far about settling in successfully into the Bel Paese:

1. Learn Italian. This isn't an optional. It really is essential. Very few Italians speak English. If you can't speak Italian how are you going to get through an interview to be hired? Even some private language schools interview in Italian regardless that you'll be teaching in English. If you're young enough, another viable option is being an aupair. You already have accommodation paid for because you live with the family and you get a weekly wage. It's an ideal stepping stone for learning the language, adapting to your new surroundings, networking and deciding what your next move is.

2. Have enough savings before you go. If you plan on renting an apartment, you normally need two or three months of rent as the deposit, which you'll get back at the end, plus your initial month's rent. If you're in a small city that's going to work out at between Eur300 and Eur800 per month. If you're in Milan or Rome, then your monthly rent is going to be at least Eur800.

3. Don't expect to find work instantly. Of course, some people do hit the jackpot on Day 1 but many don't. Italy's labour market is stagnant. More than 90 per cent of graduates enter employment at the level they eventually leave and more than two thirds of the entire workforce remain in the same position all their working lives. Opportunities are few and far between. It's far better to think about starting your own business or freelancing.

4. Make sure you have enough money to live on while you are looking for work in Italy. This way you'll have the time to network without constantly worrying about how you are going to survive.

5. Create a support squad before you move to Italy. Eliminate the voices of people who tell you it can't be done. Listen, instead, to those who encourage you and tell you it can. Lea Woodward writes in her Lip Living blog about protecting dreams from sabateurs. On Facebook, we have a HowToItaly group. Why not join that for support for like-minded and positive people? You need to be a member of Facebook to join but don't worry, that's pain-free and doesn't cost you anything.

---

I'm starting an occasional series on preparing for your move to Italy so watch out for the next one in a couple of weeks time.

Comments

[Jessica]

Hey, Emma! Thanks for the line, "Eliminate the voices of people who tell you it can't be done." We're battling that right now, including some Italians who say, "Forget about working here. Just take vacations here." It's discouraging, but we're trying to not let it get us down.

I tried to join the HowtoItaly facebook group, but I don't see a way to join - the usual "Join this Group" link isn't there. Can you help?

[Emma Bird]

Hey Jessica,

You DEFINITELY have to eliminate the voices of the people who tell you it can't be done, including those of the Italians you speak to. If every Italian had given me a croissant ooozing my favourite apricot jam every time they'd told me that about something I've subsequently gone on to do, I'd be molta grassa indeed.

With the HowToItaly facebook group, you need:
a) be a member of Facebook
b) be in the Italy network (I'm trying to get this changed)
c) do a search for HowToItaly in the groups section.

Let me know if that works, and thanks for bringing it to me attention.

As for the both of you, hang in there and you will find a way. It might take longer than you initially planned but you can do it.

Emma

[Jessica]

Thanks Emma - that worked fine on Facebook. And thanks also for the encouragement!

[Emma Bird]

Hi Jessica.

Excellent. Pleased it worked. Looking forward to seeing you in there.

I'd love to hear how your plans are coming on. Why not drop me a line on my googlemail address?

Ciao
Emma