Is Italy a Safe Country to Retiree to?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ม.ค. 2025
- Retired Life in Italy sounds nice…so the next question most people have is: Is Italy a safe country for retirees?
Italy is fast becoming sought after as a retirement destination, offering exceptional living standards, breath-taking scenery, history, and a rich culture with wonderful cuisine. Is it any wonder why an increasing number of retirees are opting to make Italy their primary or secondary home during their golden years?
In this video, I cover whether Italy is safe from the perspective of a retiree from the US living in Italy and compare that to life as a retiree living in the US.
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I am originally from Brazil, a country that is not known to be a safe place, and I never thought about moving to the US because I never saw it as a much safer place there. Here in Italy my life has changed in many ways, but the feeling of safety is the most important. My commune has about 22,000 inhabitants and it is exactly as you say: we never hear about violent crime, the crimes in general are small robberies or scams and still rare. Recently a thief entered a house that he thought was empty and came face to face with the owner, who even though she was almost 90 years old, managed to lock him in the house and call the police who arrested him. In Brazil this would have a very different ending because the thief would not hesitate to be violent. My 9-year-old daughter goes to school alone and from there she goes to a park or to the library with her classmates and at first everyone here found our concerns and questions about the safety of children strange because it is almost inconceivable to them that any violence could happen to children on the streets.
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It's true children walk to and from school here where we live. They ride their bicycles around town. They play soccer in the park. Grandmothers and Grandfathers walk arm in arm with their friends or grandchildren and no one is holding a cell phone. Though property crime is the most common type of crime here and you must watch for pickpockets in touristy areas, that is the same thing we experience in all large cities, people have chased us down the street to return a handful of change because we overpaid. My husband left his wallet on top of the car at a gas station, we drove off to Rome and when we came back, the cashier behind the counter had it and all the money and contents waiting for him. We feel safe here, but of course we lock our house and car and use common sense.
I am planning on retiring there. I have dual citizenship and it’s a no brainer for me.
Good video, Chip.
I'm originally from the US, but I've lived in Italy for many years and have a gun permit there. I've also been naturalized in Italy. Here are some of my thoughts.
The Italian society is fundamentally different from US society because Italy hasn't spent the last four centuries creating an underclass based on "race" (skin color), which haunts US society today.
The quality of your child's education is not based on local property taxes. In fact, Italians don't pay property tax on the home they live in! Your child can get a good education without any obstacles. And your child can inherit your home without a huge tax burden, thus allowing them to keep the property and pass down generational wealth. Meanwhile in the US, retirees can barely afford to live in the house they spent decades paying off because of property taxes.
The quality of your healthcare is not based on whether you can afford insurance or if you can find a full time job that will pay for your insurance. Italians are able to prevent serious health conditions because they're able to see a doctor without financial burden.
There's no redlining, no hostile use of eminent domain, no food deserts, no abusive banking practices, no police brutality, no school to prison pipeline, and no justice system where the underclass is immediately presumed guilty and the innocent are coerced to plead guilty. Imagine how much safer the US would be if it wasn't obsessed with maintaining a racial hierarchy that causes millions of people to struggle for basic necessities and when members of the underclass become successful are not still treated like criminals.
Italy doesn't spend all its resources trying to dominate the world while its own infrastructure and society collapses.
The Italian society is empathetic while the US society is narcissistic.
Dear David, this is good stuff.... can I use it please~! Chip
@@thelaughingretirement4714 Yes, of course.
I m italian ..your vision of this country is a bit naive....we are a colony of Usa....now we are sending money to a war in the east...to many things to say in a comment
@@sylviedhancarville4486 hI Syliva, and thanks for the comment. By definition, Itlay is not a colony of the US. It does follow NATO's rules, as all of NATO is doing now! Many countries are sending money to Ukraine, not just Italy and the US. Neither Italy nor the US started or wanted this war. I may be naive, but Italy follows the EU, of which it is a member. My best to you, and thanks for watching and commenting. Chip
@@thelaughingretirement4714 David.. what you say about Italy is still valid for the most part. Unfortunately there is a part of the local right parties that move towards some of the worst US ways, like money for education and health care. The vast majority of italians will not allow these clowns to do that but it has to be clear that we too have these assholes around. Other than that, most of what you say is true and I have lived in the US for 13 years, so I know how things work over there. The average quality of life here is much higher than in the US for just about everybody. There you have to be rich to have what most italians have. Taxes here are high, but then your son goes to University for 1G a year and hospital care is free... so I don't mind about those taxes. They are for a good reason and take care of everybody.
I totally agree. Thank you for posting such an honest take on safety. Has Italy's recent uncontrolled migrant crisis (through lampedusa and sicily) affected the safety of Italian citizens?
As an Italian I can tell you that the crime rate is only minimally influenced by migration flows, and almost only in the big cities. In the provincial towns crime is practically absent (compared to American standards).
It depends on where you live in a country. Not the country itself. Most people in small towns in USA can walk anywhere.
While working the the us army I lived in Vicenza, IT for four years (2013-17) and was always tickled when someone from the states would ask if it’s safe.
Chip:
Thanks-this had to be a tough one to put together. I speak for many, many people. Grazie Mille!
Well said Chip ... You've covered pretty well all the bases. It does depend where you are in Italy but there is generally far less violent crime. Most small towns are very safe but there are some small towns close to Napoli where you should never go no matter what time of day. Also in towns where you live in close proximity to others you should not leave your dog in the yard while you are not at home. If you your dog is prone to barking it could be poisoned. In rural areas where farmers keep chickens, sheep, goats you should not let your dog roam the fields while you are hiking the trails as there could be poisoned bait designed to kill predators and the farmers could easily label your dog as a threat to his livestock.
In fairness to the US, if you remove the top 5 cities from the crime statistics, the US is one of the safest countries in the world. I live in a medium-size town where I’d estimate 75% of the population are legal, responsible owners of firearms, and we have virtually no violent or petty crime. My family in Italy tell me regularly that the only people in Italy who possess firearms are the criminals.
It’s not the firearms. It’s the culture.
Yes Chip l agree with everything you said, l live in a small town in Versilia on the Tuscan Coast, l could NEVER return to live in the United States (l married an Italian) I’m simply horrified by what goes on in the American schools, and the inept gun laws😱 it becomes harder and harder for me to go back to see family, l prefer they come visit me, and so do they!! I hate the rush, rush, rush mentality to make money, money, money!! Not to mention the exorbitant cost of Health Care! I see the Doctor whenever l need to, while my sister and brother put it off as long as they can 😔 So though l am the eldest (74) I’m actually in better condition!!
Excellent information. Thank You 👏🇮🇹🇮🇹💪🏽
Australians can benefit from retiring in Italy compared to other countries because we have a an arrangement with the Italian government our Medicare is interchangeable yes Australians are covered buy the Italian medical system and it's 100% free
Is Italy safe?!? That cracks me up. I think the real question is, is the US safe? My family has never been happier now that we live in Italy. The move was a no-brainer for us as we are dual citizens.
Italy is not safe, but if US is worse than Italy, I will stay away from the US.
Great video Chip!
Great information. Italy does not tollerate what the US govt does.
A few weeks ago I sent you a message asking about taxation on property in Pescara Abruzzo.
And I have been getting mixed messages on voluble taxation on income. If I earn income in Italy whether it be through a business in Italy or I work for someone in Italy, is the US government going to tax me on that income??
HI, and thanks for the view and the question. Italy taxes by residency not by citizenship, so you need to ask yourself how long you will be in residence. Now is you are not here but your BnB is here, I don't know. I am not an Italian tax expert and I have been trying to find one to speak with for over a year. I have emails into two different people right now, and will continue to look Sorry I cannot be for further help at the moment Chip
@@thelaughingretirement4714 Thanks for the response. I will be a permanent resident of Italy next year. I just cannot put a precise time frame on it as of yet. But any information you can pass along to us on taxation is appreciated.
Italy is still much safer than the USA but it's changing with mass immigration and violent predatory crimes (not murder) have been increasing for years in the last two decades: the current situation in France is what Italy will probably be in 10-15 years.
When you have Africa right below you pouring en masse, that's what you're going to get.
Nope, France is loaded with African, Muslim other immigrants, Italy not close & Meloni is doing a good job so far reducing/eliminating the migration.
When I was in Italy in 2016, I was surprised by how many migrants Florence had compared to previous years I had visited. They wouldn't leave me alone. Do you think this will continue like @Ektor-yj4pu mentioned above? Also it seems that the Chinese have taken over some of the factories (China bought a few years ago I heard), and the quality of the goods are not the same. These are the concerns I have. Also, is Italy governed by the W-H- O's rules? I'm working on my dual citizenship presently and may think of moving in the future. The W-H-O/Chinese/Biden administration have destroyed the USA--but will other countries be next? @Ektor-yj4pu could be correct--not quite sure. I presently live in a very rural area in AZ and do love my area. The USA use to be a fun, beautiful place to live that I always loved and my family loved--not any more. Also S O R O S help to destroy our beautiful countries--including France where I have also visited. God Bless us all. P.S. I would say that the USA presently has 5 migrants to each citizen; no country can survive like this. Will this happen to Italy in the future?
Chip I’m getting ready to retire and have an investment advisor with Schwab but I’m not sure I’m getting the best advise what should I do? We bought a house in Calabria and plan to retire in 2025 help!
I would love to help on whatever level you want me to. Let's chat on video. Please, send me an email to info@thelaughingretirement.com. Or book a 1/2 hr -free- directly on the website on FB thelaughingretirement.com.... also I have a live Masterclass for investments coming up on the 17th.... 1 hour free Saturday at 12 EST. 9 AM PCT.
Mmmmh ...Calabria is one of the poorest regions if not the poorest region in Italy! Think carefully! 🤔
@@gabrielesantucci6189 It's still richer than any Eastern European country and it's average annual salary is as high as the second richest in Spain which depends on EU money to survive.
I live in Los Angeles. Crime is not the problem here. Its filth. Lack of decorum. Masses of homeless drug addicts. Mass LOW eye Cue people. Probably has the lowest number of bookstores per capita in the developed world.
Nah bro Los Angeles is crime, drugs and all the above. I’m from Arizona and I go to LA all the time for work/ sport and feel very unsafe and usually have to stay in nice expensive hotels so I can avoid that which sucks cuz prices are crazy in Cali. Italy is amazing been here for only a few weeks and already feel healthier and safer than I ever have
Where do you live what region? Thanks !
he lives in Rieti, a small city in the Region of Lazio
It’s a deal breaker for me, if guns aren’t legal in Italy. That means the government has ultimate control over their citizens.
I understand completely. But then ItLian citizens are leaving likely to kill other citizens too. I wish you well Chip
Guns in Italy (and in the rest of Europe and probably the world) are just as illegal as cars: you need a license to use them because, just like cars, they can be dangerous in the wrong hands.
Of course they are legal, who told you otherwise? Obviously you have to have a gun license to own them, that's the minimum.
@@minotaurus91 the video said
@@Mushkiepotamus Chip is probably misinformed, of course you can legally buy guns in Italy; as I said, however, you need a gun license.
Well, not sure what data you checked and I am sure Italy is safer than the US but trust me, now, in 2024, the situation in Italy is really bad.
I am from a town of 40,000 inhabitants and and lately there are burglaries and riots every week. During Christmas 2023 there were several burglaries in just a week, one close to the Questura/Police Station and another one in a University Building in same square as fbe Carabinieri Station.
If the police carches the thieves, mist of the time nothing happens. Few years ago some gipsy people attacked and almost killed a man who has wife and daughters. The guy is in a coma and his attackers were not sent to jail because “there is no risk they will leave town” but what about safety risk for people around them? Why not jailing them to protect other people from them?
These attackers are from a family whose members have dirty clean criminal records and their record includes:
- thieveries;
- threatening and vandalizing properties;
- physical assaults and attempt to murder;
- drug dealing heroin;
They also have a buidling company allegedly used for laundering money from their activities and in about 10 years none of them was jailed.
In Italy there is no rule of law and a general feeling that nobody will enforce the law and reporting crimes to the police will expose yourself to criminals with guarantee that they will not be jailed for the sake of the community.
Lately we have seen many cases in which crowds of people physically assaults thieves if carched stealing and police intervenes to save those thieves from the crowd. Members of the crowd are then prosecuted. So, not just the state is failing to protect citizens from criminals but if you make justice yourself (only way to have justice in Italy), you will see a completely different attitude from the state, which this time will do the extra mile to protect criminals’ right of not being assaulted while committing a crime.
If US is worse I feel bad for US citizens but Italy is very far from being good here. If you are looking for a safe country go to Central and Eastern Europe, not to Italy. Italy is a criminals’ heaven, if you are a criminal, few other countries will protect you from your victims as much as Italy is doing.
I can’t imagine not having a gun in country house in Abruzzo, are there not still bears and wolves now and then?
Bears and wolves are rare. We live in the appenine mountains and are surrounded by woodlands. Once in a while, we see a wild boar or some deer but there is no threat from wild animals here
Why are your videos blurry?
That may be because i have the background blurred out... I will ask my video strategist. chip
the camera had too much vino :)
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Good information. Very interesting and certainly very appealing. But there’s more to safety than crime. What about turkey attacks? (Just kidding! But if you haven’t seen that video…!) But seriously, what about climate events which are getting worse and worse in the US and many other parts of the world?
Just like the US, Italy has its share of natural disasters? Volcanoes here are active, earthquakes, floods, sometimes fires. In the US, between my wife and I we have lived in areas where there were active Volcanoes, Earthquakes , flooding, drougth, windstorms, hurricanes, extreme cold, and fires. Are they common here, not really. Are we concerned? NO these things will happen everywhere on Earth if our climate becomes less stable, right?
guns are not illegal in Italy
Yes, they are. To have a weapon you must necessarily have a firearms licence. Otherwise, the abusive holder is punishable in terms of law. Without permission - only if you are of age - you can only possess compressed air weapons (even the pepper gun, pepper spray and electric stunner)
@@soloperandroid If there are millions of Italians who have a firearms license, then how can they be illegal? You can own handguns, shotguns, and rifles with the proper license.
@@hhefner9659 Nope! Here you don't see the US madness about guns. To get the permit is VERY hard and the general policy is about giving less and less permits and it's not about money. You can't buy automatic war-guns like in US... that's pure total madness!
@@italoop7850 you are full of ####, there are gun stores in Italy that sell AR's and AK's with the proper permits.
@@hhefner9659 See... you are the perfect individual who's not welcome in Italy. Did I ever have lunch at you place? Or you at mine? In a polite country and in Italy people don't use
vulgar expressions like you do. That's the reason why you'd be called a "cafone" or "minus habens" here. Regarding your silly war guns, you can buy those tools of madness but there are many psycological and physical tests to pass, you must be clean of any legal issue and there is a long time waiting and several other limitations. Add to that the fact those stupid guns are limited to semi-automatic fire; you can only shoot one single shot at the time, no gusts as they are mechanically blocked. In Italy guns are generally not well accepted as people are not idiots, Sure, you can find some sick dudes who need to go to a firing range to feel to be something as idiots are everywhere, but you won't ever find "cafoni" with rifles hanging in their cars like in Texas! Look at what happened with your sick guy at the White House a few years ago.
Learn about rules and regulations about guns in Italy here: www.armimagazine.it/acquisto-di-unarma-che-cosa-dice-la-legge/
And learn to NOT be a "cafone" here, without being charged a dime: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Italy
I think being in an earthquake zone is NOT a good idea to retire in yikes....
I can understand that completely. We live on the western edge of the zone and have felt some tremors only to date. I completely understand your point of view! There are other places of great beauty and hospitality in Italy. MY best wishes for a search that brings you success.
I will help you with more stats...First Milan & Naples are the only 2 Italian cities in the top 200 crime cities. Naples is ranked 90th, Milan somewhere in the 180-190th range, can't remember exactly. As you state the vast majority of those are petty crimes.
The crime rate for homicides PER 1000 people: USA, 4.96, Italy, 0.57 Serious Assault USA 246.84, Italy, 109.44 That homicide rate is up to 50% BELOW countries like France, Germany, Finland, Sweden Serious Assault, LESS... than 1/3 of France, New Zealand, Belgium 5X MORE, Germany. Incarceration rate PER 100,000: USA, 629, Italy, 91 Below several European countries, Czechs, 2X as much, only 20-30% above north Western Europeans, New Zealand almost DOUBLE...Overall crime just under that of S. Korea.
Italy: Between 2014 and 2019, the annual number of crimes committed in the country decreased. In 2014, the number of crimes reported by the police to the judicial authority amounted to 2.8 million, whereas in 2019, this figure decreased to 2.3 million.
Germany: The number of criminal offenses recorded in Germany fluctuated during the specified period. In 2020, 5.31 million crimes were registered, compared to 6.46 million in 1998. The data are based on police criminal statistics, which are compiled by the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt).
Another stereotype blown out of the water.
Thanks so much. People tend to think that where they are is fine. Your stats are very eye-opening and just go a step further to help me prove this point. Thank you. Chip
The US is awful now. can't wait to get out of here.