Moving to Italy!! What is it like, and what would I need to buy (furniture wise) when I move there??

Question

I am moving to Italy in October for about three years and I wanted to know what is it like, and I heard that there are no closets or kitchen cabinets. My friend told me to go to Ikea and get everything there when I get to Italy. Is this all true and is Ikea any good for closets or cabinets (I have never been to an Ikea). My grandmother came from Italy back in the 1940's and I USED to speak Italian when I was little, but that is alot different than actually going there, so if anybody has been there please tell me what there is to do there also. I will be in Naples if that helps. Thanks so much!!

Answer 1

There is an old saying "See Naples and die."  Which means that once you've seen it, you will never top it so you might as well die.  I'm an American and I have been to Italy, I find it beautiful and charming.  I think the men are gorgeous.  I think you should invest in Rosetta Stone to learn the language.  They claim to be able to teach you the language, any language in a very short time.  It is the program used by the State Department.  In terms of worrying about household furniture, I think you should wait until you get there and see what you have to work with before you deal with that.  Good luck -- Buena Fortuna, you have a great adventure ahead.

Answer 2

Hi...I hope you'd enjoy Italy but pay attention in Naples. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and to do, but it is also a very dangerous one. "See Naples and die" could mean two things: once you have seen the city, you have seen the most beautiful thing ever and you can die happilty OR it is so dangerous that you can die. Of course it's a joke, but anyway be careful. Renting a flat won't a problem but pay attention to the contracts (they can be very tricky). You can buy furniture at Ikea, but I'm not so sure there will be one in Naples. There is one in Rome, Florence, Ancona and Bologna, but I'm not entirely sure there will be one near Naples. Find a place to stay for a few weeks, so you acn have a look at some places, see what's included in the price, what you would have to buy aand then decide. As for the language...In Naples they speak with a very strong accent (sometimes it's difficult even for Italians to undestand, I assure you) and use a lot of slang words that cannot be undestand outside the city. So it will take you a while to get used to it...Good luck

Answer 3

I write from Rome

in Italy you can buy every thing you need for home,

Ikea is a big shop for cheap price, you'll find everything, much modern, not best quality but usually  very nice  

and reasonable if you need to stay only 3 years

and don't want to spend a lot,

but usually you transport and assemble by your self

in Italy you can also find Casa Mercato, Mondo Convenienza, mz, m3 and many more that i can't remember name

I don't know exactly in Napoli but don't be afraid about this.

It's a wonderful town, romantic and so near to costiera amalfitana, Capri, ischia or sorrento and every week end  you can go in a different incredible place were every body fall in love.

Sad suggestions instead: In Naples down town you have to pay attention on pick pocket, that is really a trouble for the city, also for Italian, for stranger double attention

probably you'll find some difficult with driving in our chaotic traffic,true or not Naples is renowned in Italy for going on with red traffic lights a stop with the green :

I think that most difference from USA

- don't exist Starbucks

- maximum cola is 2,5 l

:)

(sorry for grammatical mistakes)

Answer 4

i love it! its so calm .... make sure to go wit something ttly italian ......... make sure 2 do decorating with greens and oranges!!!

Answer 5

Naples is a large vibrant city.  It is not calm.  Be aware that if you drive traffic lights are only suggestions.  I used to live in Vicenza, Italy.  While visiting a friend living in Naples she told me that there were only 4 traffic lights in the whole city that everyone stopped at.  The others were rolling stops, just slowing down long enough not to be hit by another driver.  

The bay is gorgeous.  Take time to really explore the area.  There is much history in Naples and around Naples.  The Abbey of Monte Casino is beautiful.  

Of course Naples is the home of pizza.  The Assciazione della Vera Pizza Napolentana  regulates the making of pizza.  But, in addition to pizza there is great seafood.  

You will need closets.  You may need to buy light fixtures as well.  Many apartments do not come with light fixtures and you have to buy them and have them wired.  The chances are you won't have air conditioning.  If at all possible, when you buy your ceiling light get a ceiling fan.  They are not always easily available, but in the summer you will be very grateful.

Answer 6

When I first came to Italy, I rented an appartment that had all the furniture so I didn't have to buy anything. I don't understand why you care about that now. If you need some forniture, you can also buy it in other shops or you can find some used forniture and save some money.

Answer 7

If you rent furnished then your problems are taken care of. If you rent and empty apartment then you will even need ceiling & wall lamps. many Italian homes arent built with walk-in closets so you'll also needs closets.... and the kitchen may be therad bare... and you'll need cupboards, stove, dishwasher, washing machine and probably even a fridge & a sink!

If you have a place to stay for a few weeks so you can take a look around then it will be easier for your to decide (price, accessability and location) how you'll wish to spend tghe next 3 years. remember that there isn't a big 2nd hand market in Italy so you mat not be able to have a "yard sale" when you move and you certainlt won't be able to use your major appliances in the States. If you are going with the US Navy you'll find a 2nd hand store on the base.

What I said is not entirely true abt a used stuff marekt in Italy... THERE are some newspapers that advertise used household goods, appliances, clothes and cars & scooters... but you need to be careful. If you use one of the papers to look for 2nd had stuffs then have a local (Neoplotian) make the call for you.

Finally - remember that there are no frieight elevators in many buildings in Italy.... make sure you don't have to lug stuff up to a 6th floor!!! You may need to have an out door lift bought in and that may run you 300 / 500 (including the permits) for the day.