Why We Left Italy
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2023
- Welcome to our heartfelt Q&A session where we openly discuss the reasons behind our decision to leave Italy. In this candid conversation, we address your burning questions about our expat journey, challenges faced, and the emotions tied to departing from the land we love and once called home. And - find out where we are moving next!
✩Topics Covered: 🏰 Italy: Our Love Affair: Reflecting on the beauty and allure of Italy that captured our hearts. 🌄 Challenges Faced: The realities of daily life, cultural adjustments, and unexpected hurdles encountered while living in Italy. 💔 Why we had to say goodbye: Sharing why there was no other way than to say farewell to a place we cherished deeply. Join us on this intimate exploration of our journey, sprinkled with personal anecdotes and genuine experiences. If you're considering a similar move or have your own story to share, we'd love to hear from you in the comments below!
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I am also a mom-preneur who developed many healing, natural self care products, first for my own babies and later for mom’s and children around the world. You can find my products and contact details here : www.saarsoleares.com
Thank you so much for being here today and I hope my videos can inspire you to follow your heart ❤️️
#Italy #ExpatLife #TravelStories #LifeAbroad #LeavingItaly #QandA #ItalyVlog
Dear friends ♥️. We left our dreamland Italy! In this video I got Micho in front of the camera to discuss one of the main reasons. We are sad to leave but also happy for our next step. As to the video : Please excuse the talking over each other - it's the first time and we need to get better at this! ❤ Thank you for being with us on our journey ❤
I'm sorry you had a bad experience in.Florence and hope you're able to handle your husband's health issues and have him treated properly. I"m glad you're back to your home country if that's where you both feel safer and better taken care of. I must ask anyway where exactly did you have the issues you mentioned if you don't mind to share... I'm Italian living in Prato which you may know is really close to Florence, originally from the Val d'Orcia area in the South of Tuscany, I'm 61 and one of the last 2 people alive in my family. My parents and most of my relatives all died in their nineties, because of that I'm quite experienced in dealing with doctors and hospitals and healrhcare in general and I've always been very happy and even recomended Tuscany for that. As you probably know National Health System in Italy is administered regionally meaning each region is deciding how to use National funds to cover regional needs which is quite logic given the big differences among regions but also bringing disadvantages in those regions with worse management however Tuscany's NSH is listed 2nd in the nation only after Emilia Romagna....
If you don't mind sharing some details I'd like to understand where was the situation you had etc. Thank you.😊
@@Barbara_M. Thank you so much for sharing ! ♥️ . I am so much hoping that our experience was incidental and only on Florence- although this is not what we have heard either. I do believe us being foreigners made the situation extra confusing, because the bureaucracy around healthcare made things even harder for us then if you are a local, I imagine. Our experiences were with the GP, Careggi and Santa Maria Nuova Hospitals in Florence. There seem to be a lack of funds after Corona, which creates an underpaid staff , lack of staff, lack of organization and the right supplies. The hospitals used to have a very good reputation, but it is really scary how things are now. I do think that there are other hospitals in less crowded areas that might function better. I feel really bad to say all this because I adore Italy and think it’s the best place in the world! Hope this helps . Wishing you a magical new year! 🌟
@@saarsoleares7175 I'm very sortu gor ghe problems you were forced to face especially because when you are unwell you start always from a a disadvantage state and it's when you would need the best care possible... I think no matter how much you like a place it's necessary to voice out the inefficiencies and lack of or bad assistance especially when it's about healthcare.... I am aware thag after Covid instead of reinforce and improve NHS the new government has implied new fund cuts partly due to the critical economic situation in the country and partly because the Northern regions where there is more economic power there is more interest to prioritize private healthcare, it's also true that there aren't just enough certified medical workers that all the facilities are understaffed nevertheless that's not a reason for those working not to do their practice at the best of their ability and overlook patients hygiene etc. I want to check if it's something that's already addressed or need to file a complain of some sort. Thank you for sharing your experience and I wish you and your husband good luck for your new adventure. Take care.
You are very sweet people. Thank you for your raw honesty and diplomacy too. ❤
Past lives, we have lived in places before then we are drawn to it again.
Sorry for your bad experience in Italy. I wish you all the best❤
We know people who live in Genoa Italy and the medical care is great! Not only that, people in Genoa also have access to care in Milan, which is also very excellent, so maybe consider Genoa. It is the 6th largest city in Italy, the largest city on the Mediterranean and also has the largest Medieval pedestrian zone (Centro Storico) in Europe.
We have heard about Milan having good care compared to the rest of Italy and am happy that there are some better places - for us moving there was not an option. It’s true that there are differences per region.
Very useful info thank you
Love it! Thank you. Yes, I do agree that if you like nomadic life you better be a minimalist. Have you ever considered Colombia or Ecuador? We, my husband and I, spent a month in Cuenca, Ecuador recently and we loved it. We heard from the expat community that Cuenca’s health care is very good.
We are Canadians with European background, lived in a few places in Europe and the States through our working life (because of work) and now found South America very attractive and affordable. No plans to relocate for good, but definitely spending more time there during a year.
Hi Gabi, thank you so much for sharing and how interesting about South America! My husband is born in Colombia, so it has definitely been in our plans for the future! 🇨🇴 😃. Will look up Cuenca as well! wishing you so much fun adventures and a magical 2024♥️✨
Thank you! Happy New Year to both of you too❤️Waiting for more of your videos from Netherlands. We used to visit Amsterdam and The Hague quite often while living in Paris for four years 20 years ago. Beautiful country!
We will be in Cuenca, Ecuador again this September. Who knows maybe you will post a video from there one day 😀All the best! Stay safe and healthy❤️
You mentioned the heat, i live inl las Vegas where the temperature is 114 deg in the summer, but without the humidity. So maybe it could be feasible.
Amore amore hello my loves so wonderful to see you absolutely loved the Q&A your experiences information living in Italy you’ve certainly got me thinking I constantly think of my health and wherever I land the options I too love collecting beautiful things and yes what to do when moving😀👌I’m so pleased your husband is on the mend Saar you both look happy and your family and friends must be elated you’re home in Holland wishing you both all the best my loves you’re an inspiration in my life grazie mille many thanks and blessings till next time Amore from New Zealand 💖💖😘😘👌👌🌟🌟
Dear Brenda, thank you so much for your sweet message ❤ . Always makes me happy to read them 💕
Buongiorno to you both and it’s so great to see you both so happy and healthy!
It’s odd because I remember another very well know TH-camr saying her experience in a Florence hospital was a nightmare! Florence is getting reputation! I know where I am, closer to Pisa and different healthcare centres, seem to be highly efficient and I’ve only heard excellent feedback.
I think it’s very different place to place.
However you have to be where you feel happy and well-cared for, so if that is in Holland, then that’s great!
Thank you for sharing so much of your lives with us and I wish you all the love and light in the world! Much love 🤗💖😍🥰🫶🏼
Thank you so much Marisa ❤ . I am happy to hear other places in Italy do have better healthcare and sending much love your way ! Hopefully we can return to Italy in better circumstances one day - I still love it so much 🙏🏻💖
I just spent 2 weeks in Italy, and a waiter told me how bad the economy was during Covid without tourists coming, so Italians who live there need to remember this, when they dislike the tourists coming to their country , if we didn’t come there, the economy would be worst, I live in NY, That’s like me saying I don’t like when tourists come to NY, This is what makes the world go around
But New York traded tourists for the world's garbage. They asked for it. Now they cry about it.
All economy in the world was worst in pandemic period. I'm Italian woman and i say you that our economy don't depend from tourism.
We have other economic sectors, most important than tourism: agricoltura, livestock farming, agrifood, fishing, industry, servire, bank...and many others.
It's true that in a few town, like Firenze and Venezia had problems, but, the other sides of Italy was like the rest of the world.
😂Another arrogant American. "Without us, where would you be?" 😅😅😅 Forget that 90% of the Italian GDP is NOT from tourism. The Pandemic meant NO ONE was traveling. Of course, Italy took a major hit, like most countries in Europe.
Thank you for your beautiful videos about Florence! They are very sensuous and a joy to watch 💖
Ahw thank you Diana! Makes me happy you enjoy them ♥️
Thank...Live in the Netherlands for several years and yes the healthcare is very good. France is also good as long as you not leave in an isolate area. Lived also in Italy, and sadly the level of healthcare was not good at all, for my standards but yet a very nice country. I am surprised to see the amount of people encouraging to move to Italy when you are retiring, often to move to small villages/towns without even thinking about one of the most important factor which is the healthcare facilities and their efficiencies/quality...All in all I would pick Spain,France.
Hi Saar. I know God is giving you both an option to follow a great place to live Holland . I wish you and your husband the best and You both can find the best health care in your Country. God bless you both and give you both a Healthy life together. 😘😘
ahw this is such a sweet message, thank you so much for caring! ♥️
I have friends who live in and love Holland. It seems like it has a high happiness quotient.
Mah
If ypu are happy it does not matter what country. It is sad to hear about the hospital in Florence as everythong else there sounded good.
🙏❤👍
I am an American who has lived in France with my wife since early 2023, and the same sort of issues in Italy are in France, except, the healthcare is on a slightly higher level here I think. Are there doctors and hospitals in Italy that are private that people can pay for there, or are they all government paid for facilities? Here there are both private and public facilities
Hi there! From what we have heard the health care in France is a lot better in terms of organization. We have talked to many people about this issue in Italy and even some Italians we know went to France and Switzerland to get healthcare there. It is not the quality of the doctors or nurses, but the system they work in and the lack of funds that causes these issues. There are definitely private hospitals and specialists in Italy , but in our experience certain things can only be done through the public system and the private doctors are not allowed to do certain procedures. So you still need both. 🤷🏻♀️
I appreciate the content. It's difficult to follow the discussion when you're both answering the same question at the same time, though. lol Lots of talking over one another. Not meant as a criticism - just an observation.
hahaha yes I know, it is the first time we do this together in front of the camera and we are not very good at it ☺.
I noticed it too, but after a while found it charming 😍
Welkom thuis 🍀
First time watching your channel. The topic was interesting. I was finding it difficult listening to both of you when you talk over each other. Maybe it’s my age and the different tones of both voices but just to let you know.
Sorry about your health care experiences. I’ve heard this said before in other regions.
As a dual citizen I hope to spend time in both Italy but keep my hard earned Berkeley home. Many good wishes!
Thank you and yes please excuse the talking over! this was the first time we did it and we need to get better at it 😅. Dividing your time sounds like a perfect solution. Aside from the health care, Italy is still the most magical place in the world ✨. So much beauty and kind people. I adore it! hope this comes through as well . All the best! 🌈
Are there good private hospitals in Florence? hospitals without wait times and high quality care?
There are! but I am not sure about the quality - we did experience going to a private specialist (not hospital), the problem was that we still needed to go to the public hospital because by law the private doctor was not allowed certain procedures. The system is the problem, not the quality of the doctors & nurses .
@@saarsoleares7175 Thanks so much for your reply. I love your videos. One last question: are there many important procedures that private facilities will not handle? I'm asking because I'm thinking about bringing my elderly mother with me. Thank you.
@@oscarm.1417 Hi! it’s hard to say because I can only talk from our own experience: but in our case , yes there were a lot of procedures that the private specialist could not do - we still needed to get a GP through the public system that then could refer us to the public hospital where they could do those medical treatments. It was all very confusing to us and we ended up in circles 🤷🏻♀️. Hopefully this was just our experience and if you get a private insurance and private hospital from the start it might be better 🙏🏻. when looking for private insurance I heard good things about Poste.it - the diamond plan. Good luck with everything! ✨🦋
@@saarsoleares7175 Thank you Saar. I sincerely appreciate your reply.
I moved to Clabria where I felt like a fish out of water, then relocated to Formia/Gaeta in the Lazio area (a place I was researching ) and I had that sense of place that you are talking about. It instantly fetl like home.
Yes the health system beaurocracy is a nightmare. Panama has a better, more streamline system and their connectivity to modern platforms are more advanced so we do not have that stress. It also has more accessible veterinary care. But; the people in Italy tho!!!!...I can't have enough of them!!!....they are beautiful welcoming people.....and don't even get me starting on the artisans's wine!....good luck on your next home. Andalucia, Spain is on my plans for the next move, but I am afraid I will miss the people here.
Hi Regina! Thank you so much for sharing your experience ♥️. And yes exactly - so many wonderful things about Italy and I will miss it so much! Andalucia is a lifelong dream of mine too - I have never been there! but you never know what life brings … wishing you a magical day! ✨
@@saarsoleares7175 Just like Italy is "magical"; Andalucía is "embrujante". You will love it there!!! Buen viaje.
Good point. I haven't been but there are so many different regions. And Rome is like New York or Amsterdam or Paris is just so different from the countryside (towns) around. If one doesn't feel at home in NY, Amsterdam or Paris then that doesn't mean one can't feel at home in the countryside towns around or further away from it. I mean even some locals don't feel at home in their capital/big cities!
Why did you feel more at home in Formia compared to Calabria? I would like to know as I am also looking into it atm.
@@mradventurer8104 The people!!! The people in Calabria is also nice but they are more to themselves. Here they are more used to foreigners of all walk of life. It is also comforting to have Rome and Naples more accesible. And we can add the infrastructure. While the medical services might be a disappointment, in Calabria is pretty much non existent, much less for pets, and I have dogs.
Thanks for this nice video that confirms why Italy is not rated high by expats despite the bella vita - Spain and France might be better but honestly Holland is not an option either.
Thank you Roberto! it all depends on where your priorities lie - Holland’s experience with healthcare has been outstanding- a priority that we did not have before getting sick . Every country has beautiful and less ideal things- it all depends. Have a lovely day!
@@saarsoleares7175 yes absolutely right - I live in Switzerland and we have the same high standard as you have in Holland. I have also an Italian passport
And speak Italian but can consider Italy only for holidays and not as a Resident for these reasons - btw Holland is absolutely ok just to north and similar to Switzerland
@@robertoposa1120bravo
I wish you had gotten to the point of why you moved sooner Saar OR PUT timestamps which is very common now on TH-cam. I'm sorry it didn't work for you...something of the energy was off for you at this time...perhaps in future... Is your husband quite a bit older than you?
Holland is quite different than Italy. ALSO WHY didn't you guys try a different city? Italy is long so the climate is SO SO VARIED? From Siciliy, and beaches etc to mountains in Alps???? Puglia...so many regions.
I am Italian, ancestors from Florence. But as I see numerous videos on Italy, the infrastructure looks very old, decayed and not up to standards of housing/etc. in the USA. This also applies for apartment living in Italy. Still, I wonder if there are any places in Northern Italy that are near the standards of living of American life. Don't know.
🤔
It depends very much to which standards you refer to I believe also in the US there are multiple level of "standard" and not everything and/or everywhere things are clean and polished and not all constructions have the same strenght or life duration but this is appliable more or less everywhere....
Barbara, the building standards in the USA are very strict, as well as the infrastructure. Except for abandoned towns, of which there are few, the standards are similar everywhere in the USA. I have lived in 5 states and all were the same.
Trentino😊
Duh - it's hundreds/thousands of years old. If you want the U.S., don't move there
Southern Italy is hotter , slower more corrupt bureaucracy and the people are not as sophisticated. Move to northern Italy if you want more sophisticated European experience.