As the former FIAT manager, the late Sergio Marchione used to say to his foreign friends: I understand, that you love Italy and that, because of that, you want to buy a house in Italy, please just do yourself a favour and leave Italy, going back to your home country, ONCE YOUR ITALIAN HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, if you want to make sure, that this way , you will and can continue on to love Italy. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO LA SIGNORA 👏🌹CLAIRE👏🌹!!
Hi luvvy ,you appear super confident about all things sicilia /southern Italy but you will discover in time that nothing is what it seems. I don't want shatter your dream but underneath the surface the Italian s are just people like everyone else in the world. And however fascinating and incredible they make seem they also have their downside. With regards to this video now about moving to Italy it's incredibly hard to do that. I have my own house there but still will never even be able to retire there because you have to have 31,000 euros a year in pensions/private pensions plus private health insurance. 😢So though I worked hard to buy a house there I won't be able to retire there. Ever. I don't and will never have 31 000 euros a year!
It's easy to say you feel "ageless" when you look as good as you at 41!! Maybe your attitude of feeling ageless has something to do with that I wonder. I'm nearly 30, I've travelled a fair bit already, I've done my degree and masters and have 5 years professional work experience in a well paid job. So, I do honestly feel like I've given myself a solid foundation in life to have options. I went to Sicily this year and really loved it and I'm seriously considering a move out there. I currently work remotely anyway so if I can clear it with my work I may try to utilise the Digital Nomad Visa that Italy offers, and keep my current job. I've been kind of hung up on my age - I think because before I got to this age I had the same negative attitude you describe in this video. Now I'm here I kind of know that I was wrong. I'd love a family one day but that's not happening anytime soon. Day to day I'm happy working on myself, making money and much of the time I'm alone. So, I feel like why not do all this in a country with better weather than the UK? Even if I don't like it after X amount of time I can just come back. My biggest worry with it is that I'm doing it to run away from something (this is how I judged others in the past). But, when I think about it, I do like my life now - I just want to experience more. I love language as a hobby and I've already started Italian just in case I decide to move there with the next 6 months or a year. Not sure why I'm writing all this... just had a lot to think about recently and it's hard to share it with people so your videos have helped.
Thank you for being so open. I really believe that we are all on our own paths and that no two people's lives will look the same. A lot of our almost 'shame' about age comes from societal pressures and how we think our life _should_ look. The truth is though that even people who are living what seems the perfect life by society's standards, aren't necessarily happy deep down. Go after your own joy, discover what lights you up and create your own path. ♥️
It hasn't affected me personally but yes parts of Palermo have weekly water restrictions in order to manage the supply and that is going to increase into next year.
Next month i will have 34. I had try to move in Italy in autumn but i didn't find a job. So, I finish with a vacation in Firenze. I will try again in spring. 🙂
Hi Claire. I came here at 23 - 1 month. I had teaching experience in France and council jobs in the UK in between studies. And they were a kind of teaching as well with teenagers that had left school. Had I decided to come at your age, I would never have come. I was at the peak of my career at 34 with a child. Whe there it be in England of Italy I would not move at that age. Even though I was tempered by a Job in Switzerland when I was 40. I was even given an interview without applying. After just a phone call. But I decided against it as it would have meant moving my family and not just me. You must have had a space in your life when you came here. So you could make that decision. When I came the World was the limit. I had no problems working anywhere in the World even if I got the job in Italy. At that age you have no links to anywhere and I find that for me that was the perfect age to have Made my decision. I found a Job pretty fast. I was based in Italy working for an Italian company but I spent a lot of the time in France. I followed the French area because of my work experience in France. It was’t easy to start but it all fitted itself together. Of course that is my experience. I know 4 of my friends came here at the same time as I did. And one cousin who came here a few years later. 5 girls. But all knew Italian because they had studied Italian at school and beyond. I suppose that was our advantage. I had important interviews in England but nobody was interested that I spoke 4 languages. So that is when I decided that if England does not want me to use my languages because “ Everyone else speaks English”, then I will try one of the counties of the languages I speak! It’s funny as I have met people I know from England who have been here since I came. I knew them because they were on my course. It’s amazing when that happens because you just can’t stop chatting. One of these ladies lives in Gaeta which is over the Campania/Lazio border. Another lady lived in Caserta at the time.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. This just highlights how you have to make the most of life and go after the opportunities that are right for you.
Italy is a country with a "different" culture and lifestyle. If you're from other parts of Europe or the Anglosphere, you love it or hate it - there's no middle ground. So there isn't a perfect age, it's all a matter of how well the country suits your way of life. Many people think that Italy is a country for old people, yet I know young foreigners who live very well here, and older ones who live only for family reasons otherwise they hate the place with a passion.
You forget to mention another reason that can lead people to settle in another country: curiosity. Perhaps someone simply wants to learn another language, get to know another culture up close, and not just emigrate because they are going through an existential crisis or want to improve themselves and their lives, and they do not go abroad with a missionary mindset to change what they already find there (like complaining, for example, that shops close in the middle of the day... as some do.)
It is true that everyone has their very own unique reasons for moving here, many of which may be outside of the typical ones we tend to think of. To complain is an art form because if done correctly, it is a healthy way to express feelings and then follow those up with actions that can change things for the better.
Well. The 3 letter word 'old' is being tossed about like a hot potato. I am of retired age but I have too many skills to waste on tending a tomato garden. I will do that but I want to give something to Italy when it lets me enjoy a new chapter in my life. Good subject.
What age did you/are you thinking of moving to Italy? Comment below and let me know!
As the former FIAT manager, the late Sergio Marchione used to say to his foreign friends: I understand, that you love Italy and that, because of that, you want to buy a house in Italy, please just do yourself a favour and leave Italy, going back to your home country,
ONCE YOUR ITALIAN HOLIDAYS ARE OVER,
if you want to make sure, that this way , you will and can continue on to love Italy.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO LA SIGNORA 👏🌹CLAIRE👏🌹!!
It is true that it is a challenge to live here far beyond the romance of a holiday!
I moved to UK for good from italy at 34 ys old and was considered old im 51 right now and decided to invest into a MS in IT to change career
Good for you!
Hi luvvy ,you appear super confident about all things sicilia /southern Italy but you will discover in time that nothing is what it seems. I don't want shatter your dream but underneath the surface the Italian s are just people like everyone else in the world. And however fascinating and incredible they make seem they also have their downside.
With regards to this video now about moving to Italy it's incredibly hard to do that. I have my own house there but still will never even be able to retire there because you have to have 31,000 euros a year in pensions/private pensions plus private health insurance. 😢So though I worked hard to buy a house there I won't be able to retire there. Ever.
I don't and will never have 31 000 euros a year!
It's easy to say you feel "ageless" when you look as good as you at 41!! Maybe your attitude of feeling ageless has something to do with that I wonder. I'm nearly 30, I've travelled a fair bit already, I've done my degree and masters and have 5 years professional work experience in a well paid job. So, I do honestly feel like I've given myself a solid foundation in life to have options. I went to Sicily this year and really loved it and I'm seriously considering a move out there. I currently work remotely anyway so if I can clear it with my work I may try to utilise the Digital Nomad Visa that Italy offers, and keep my current job. I've been kind of hung up on my age - I think because before I got to this age I had the same negative attitude you describe in this video. Now I'm here I kind of know that I was wrong. I'd love a family one day but that's not happening anytime soon. Day to day I'm happy working on myself, making money and much of the time I'm alone. So, I feel like why not do all this in a country with better weather than the UK? Even if I don't like it after X amount of time I can just come back. My biggest worry with it is that I'm doing it to run away from something (this is how I judged others in the past). But, when I think about it, I do like my life now - I just want to experience more. I love language as a hobby and I've already started Italian just in case I decide to move there with the next 6 months or a year. Not sure why I'm writing all this... just had a lot to think about recently and it's hard to share it with people so your videos have helped.
Thank you for being so open. I really believe that we are all on our own paths and that no two people's lives will look the same. A lot of our almost 'shame' about age comes from societal pressures and how we think our life _should_ look. The truth is though that even people who are living what seems the perfect life by society's standards, aren't necessarily happy deep down. Go after your own joy, discover what lights you up and create your own path. ♥️
Totally agree! Don’t stop doing things because of “age”.
Absolutely!
Age only plays a role when there are physical or health-related limitations. Otherwise, it is a question of character and attitude.
Claire, I saw a news report about Sicily a couple of days ago highlighting the lack of water....literally no water! Has that affected you?
It hasn't affected me personally but yes parts of Palermo have weekly water restrictions in order to manage the supply and that is going to increase into next year.
Omg you’re 41 years old. I would never have thought. You look so much younger
Ah thank you!
Great insight! I am 25 and thinking of moving to Italy next year with hopes to learn the language
I began learning Italian at 23 years old. I’m nearly 47
Next month i will have 34. I had try to move in Italy in autumn but i didn't find a job. So, I finish with a vacation in Firenze. I will try again in spring. 🙂
Don't give up!
I think your comments about people limiting themselves and their potential is true. And age is an easy ecscuse .
Oh yes! As humans it's easier to find an excuse than it is to do the work!
Thanks
Thank you so much too!
Hi Claire. I came here at 23 - 1 month. I had teaching experience in France and council jobs in the UK in between studies. And they were a kind of teaching as well with teenagers that had left school. Had I decided to come at your age, I would never have come. I was at the peak of my career at 34 with a child. Whe there it be in England of Italy I would not move at that age. Even though I was tempered by a Job in Switzerland when I was 40. I was even given an interview without applying. After just a phone call. But I decided against it as it would have meant moving my family and not just me. You must have had a space in your life when you came here. So you could make that decision. When I came the World was the limit. I had no problems working anywhere in the World even if I got the job in Italy. At that age you have no links to anywhere and I find that for me that was the perfect age to have Made my decision. I found a Job pretty fast. I was based in Italy working for an Italian company but I spent a lot of the time in France. I followed the French area because of my work experience in France. It was’t easy to start but it all fitted itself together. Of course that is my experience. I know 4 of my friends came here at the same time as I did. And one cousin who came here a few years later. 5 girls. But all knew Italian because they had studied Italian at school and beyond. I suppose that was our advantage. I had important interviews in England but nobody was interested that I spoke 4 languages. So that is when I decided that if England does not want me to use my languages because “ Everyone else speaks English”, then I will try one of the counties of the languages I speak! It’s funny as I have met people I know from England who have been here since I came. I knew them because they were on my course. It’s amazing when that happens because you just can’t stop chatting. One of these ladies lives in Gaeta which is over the Campania/Lazio border. Another lady lived in Caserta at the time.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. This just highlights how you have to make the most of life and go after the opportunities that are right for you.
what about the opposite direction? is it feasible to move to the UK in your 30s-40s?
Yes, I think so. I honestly don't think age should limit you.
Italy is a country with a "different" culture and lifestyle. If you're from other parts of Europe or the Anglosphere, you love it or hate it - there's no middle ground. So there isn't a perfect age, it's all a matter of how well the country suits your way of life. Many people think that Italy is a country for old people, yet I know young foreigners who live very well here, and older ones who live only for family reasons otherwise they hate the place with a passion.
Yes, Italy is complicated like this and divides a lot of people as to the quality of life here for sure!
41? I would have guessed 35 at most....and you were a cop? That's incredible!!!! I could never guess you were in the police force.
Ahahh yes, thanks!
You forget to mention another reason that can lead people to settle in another country: curiosity. Perhaps someone simply wants to learn another language, get to know another culture up close, and not just emigrate because they are going through an existential crisis or want to improve themselves and their lives, and they do not go abroad with a missionary mindset to change what they already find there (like complaining, for example, that shops close in the middle of the day... as some do.)
It is true that everyone has their very own unique reasons for moving here, many of which may be outside of the typical ones we tend to think of. To complain is an art form because if done correctly, it is a healthy way to express feelings and then follow those up with actions that can change things for the better.
Well. The 3 letter word 'old' is being tossed about like a hot potato. I am of retired age but I have too many skills to waste on tending a tomato garden. I will do that but I want to give something to Italy when it lets me enjoy a new chapter in my life. Good subject.
Great - age is nothing but a number - you are as old as you feel!
What does your age have to do with it ? Just move when you feel like it, you are not moving to the moon !
Of course - it’s an interesting topic to discuss though!
You're not and most of all you don't even look that "old".
Ah thank you!