Has any of you moved your family (husband, wife, kids) to Italy? Where did you work? How did you like it?

Question

I am thinking of moving my family from the US to Italy. I have never been there and have extended family there. I am wondering if any of you have done this. And if you missed the US, what sort of challenges did you face and did your children like it? Overally, what is/was the exerpience like? I am so curious about this. I don't want to make a mistake.

Answer 1

Well, I am the child of parents who did just that in 1971. I was 10 at the time. I have been living here ever since, in the beautiful city of Rome! Your's is a very interesting question, but not easy to answer briefly. I have to admit that, at the time, I hated my parents for wrenching me away from my environment, my friends and taking me to a country I did not know with a language I didn't speak at the time. But very shortly after we moved, I adapted very well, as did my 2 sisters, whereas my brother never did like living here and moved back to the States as soon as he became of age. I can say today that I am very happy here. One thing that made it easier is that Italian kids are very easy going with new comers. The Italians in general like Americans and are very warm with them. My father was a psyco-analist, so until he learned Italian he catered to the English speaking community here.

How old are your kids? The younger they are, the easier it will be for them. And what kind of business are you in? I don't want to mislead you. It's an enormous decision and it does take some time to adapt. The Italian language is difficult and takes a couple of years to learn fluently. However, Europe is wonderful, less competitive than the States and, I find, with less social pressure. That is not to say I don't love my country of origin. I simply love both my countries. I hope I've been of some help. I would have loads more to say on this topic, but this really isn't the right place. Whatever you decide, good luck to you and your family!

Answer 2

I moved to Rome in late 1999 and lived there for 19 months, returning to the US just before the 9/11 attack.  I was single, however, but I did have some coworkers that relocated their spouses and children.  Also, I was there as an expatriot so my experience was yet again slightly different than a permanent move.

I agree with others that responded in that you should visit there first and there is way to much information to cover in one Y! Answer.  I will say I wouldn't change the expereince for anything but I was ready to return to the US when my assignment ended.

Some points to ponder:

- Learning to drive in Rome is difficult but liberating

- The number of choices are much fewer

- Cost of living is very expensive

- The weather is incredible, though very hot June, July, & August

- You may get frustrated anywhere you need to wait in line, they don't grasp the concept of lines very well

- You need to learn the language but English is spoken in most places in Rome

- If you think dealing with US city, state, and government agencies is riddled with red tape, you'll quickly appreciate them once you try to obtain a visa, lease an apartment, subscribe for utilities, etc. in Italy

- There are many organizations that cater to helping expatriots and the like so take advantage of them

If you want to learn more, click on my profile and send me an Email.  I'll be glad to offer any additional details.

Answer 3

I moved to Italy in 1976.  

Pros:  Weather, Food, dolce vita, Panarama

Cons:  Clothing expense, housing expense

tight roads and quarters... i because claustrophic, jobs - not nearly the opportunities has in America, no parks, grass

I came back in 1979.   Nothing beats America.   Do it for a few years so you appreciate America and all it offers.  You will cry and kiss the ground upon return to the USA

Answer 4

Um i think you should go visit there for a while to see what its like..you have family there so take advantage of that..going to a different country and living there is a huge difference..... my brother was there for a while for work and he said that they hardly use electricity and water there just because its so expensive..it gets pretty hot in the summertime and the house are clustered close together...he says theyre pretty friendly though...and i think they have delicacys like raw meat maybe but im not sure...

Answer 5

Come here beforehand... and don't do it unless you have solid bases to work upon...I don't know from personal experience but I've met some people, from Canada, who did it without knowing exactly what they would be doing once here, and moved back after a couple of year because they could not cope with the fact that what they had imagined was not what they found here...

do not rely too much on extended family... they are probably great if you just come and visit, but they probably won't support you much if you have to stay here permanently... come here and explain to them exactly what you are planning to do and what you expect from them for support: better make things clear in advance than regret it later...