Thanks for sharing! I am so happy there are youtubers like you that are not just sugar coating life abroad. Even in beautiful romantic Italy there are pros and cons.
Thank you, your kind words are greatly appreciated 😁 That’s my whole mission, to highlight some of the wonderful things here but also not loose sight of reality . There are too many accounts online that only show the beautiful things, it’s not only on TH-cam or specific to Italy.
Hey Diana thanks for coming to check out the channel and subscribing, there are quite a few videos on various topics related to moving to Italy, but if you ever have any questions about anything always feel free to reach out 😁 Who knows, could become a future video topic
I’ve always wanted to move to Italy, I’ve studied Italian for a few years in school and I might do it this year in college, hopefully the this will improve by the time I move there
The rental situation - for locals - is the same in Lisbon. Or NYC. I had to leave NYC myself some years ago. Rents were always high but they became unsustainable. I am pursuing Italian Citizenship via Jure Sanguinis. I've begun to work with Marco's Firm (thanks!). I'm currently gathering Family Documents...so it will take a while. You wanna see crumbling Infrastructure? Come to Pittsburgh (where my Italian and German Greatgrandparents all settled.)
Ciao Rafael 🙏 Philippines is the same way! Educated young people are moving abroad ie nurses get pay so little that when they go to the States they make about $40 - $50 an hour.
Italy on the surface is beautiful. Tourists always have a great time there. The Italians are masters at making everything delightful. Great food, gelato, espresso .art, architecture etc.etc. Italy is best when you arrive with money! Getting work in Italy is close to impossible. Italians have a difficult time with finding a good job. That explains the low birth rate. The politicians are usually corrupt, so Italians have learned to rely on the family. Back in 1890 to 1915, millions of young Italians had to leave because of poverty. Today many young people would love to leave to find work. Currently 30 percent are un employed with a precarious future. Anyway, forget all of this, Go buy yourself a gelato!
Actually many young Italians would prefer to stay in Italy and work in the field of their chosen profession with a reasonable salary (one that covers basic living costs). It shouldn't be too much to ask for but apparently it is for our politicians. Those who are in a position to leave often do so reluctantly. Sure it may be an exciting adventure at first but then what does one do about the future when family and cultural ties run so deep. As many find out: returning after having worked and lived abroad is also a daunting prospect and often just as impossible (unless to retire with a handsome nest egg). Forgetting about the whole thing doesn't solve the problem (though am sure your last sentence was meant tongue in cheek). Not being able to create a future is a huge problem. As the older generation passes on as does, eventually, the wealth they helped create: then what? Foreigners who come to Italy to soak it up rarely get far from the surface or need to delve into the despair created by its gashing wounds. It's a luxury they can afford that we can't hence the resentment. Also, as you correctly have observed: we are masters of putting on a good show (aka la bella figura).
I mean let’s be honest in the US we have similar issues with taxes, except we don’t get the cheap universities or healthcare. Our tax problem is the 1 trillion dollar military budget per year even when we ARENT at war. But ya the unemployment and labor issues in Italy are without a doubt worse than in the US
The US spends more money of welfare and social programs than in the military, and it is the military that maintains the US's status as the world superpower, without it the American economy wouldn't be as strong because the dollar wouldn't be the world reserve currency.
Italy is just amazing in terms of history, architecture, food, agriculture, religion...but, there are many concerns. Why as a cash buyer of a property that has been vacant for over six months does it take 3+ months to close on the property? Why is it when I go to so many businesses in all parts of Italy I get mediocre customer service? I leave emails in Italian and I often get no response? Websites are outdated or just flat out wrong. I do not want Italy to be Amazoned with American culture but do we really need to close for 3 hours in the afternoon now? Would it not be better to see your family after 5 instead of going back to work? The biggest problem is the level of paperwork and bureaucracy. I can't tell you the amount of paperwork I have had to send to the Italian Consulate in San Francisco. I still dream of Italy though.....
Surprise, surprise an American who obviously understands nothing/little of our history and cultural traditions telling us how we should do things. If you try you might just discover there's a reason why things are done the way they are and why change is slow in our part of the world (it's happening though). However, you're right about our bureaucracy: it's the bane of every Italian's life too. You think the paperwork you've encountered so far is insane? Oh dear: you are in for a very bumpy ride! Welcome to the club!
Loved this epi Rafi. I feel Italy is a complicated place where its people and its government don’t really reflect upon each other well. While stunningly beautiful and otherwise warm and welcoming as a nation, the failings of the Govt. specifically have taken a huge toll on her, and unless mass sweeping changes come there is more heartache on the horizon, IMO. Such a complex topic though and to top it off Italy’s social demographics are not good, especially as younger people give up hope and move abroad.. I’m hoping as society evolves, the trend towards virtual and freelance work will help give people a reason to stay whilst also bringing more foreigners in.
I completely agree with you, but I might argue that the gig/freelancer economy actually contributes to these issues rather than helps. For example if you can work in a part of the world that has a lower cost of living it’s much easier for you to comete with people from another part of the world where the cost of living is higher. So while it may be good for you it ends up creating issues elsewhere and continues down the line
@@RafaelDiFuriaInteresting! I can see both sides absolutely.. I work from home and could continue my work in Italy unaffected. I would be in Puglia or Calabria, and while my cost of living would likely be much less (I'm in FL usa), I could still make the same. Perhaps it may work to balance things? It does feel like either way some will be disadvantaged. Just hurts to hear stories like the one you shared in this video. Also as I watched I wondered.. What would Venice be like without any locals? People to run shops, restaurants, and give a feeling to a place.. Sad stuff, for sure.
It's not all doom and gloom, the country does care for its citizens. I love my country, I love being able to live here and I'm proud to be Italian. Running away to live abroad just shows you don't love your country, staying here and putting the work to make the country better is how you show you love your country.
Subtitles are good Rafael. You are absoloutely right you are not being negative but being totally honest. The government definately needs to step up and look after their people, create more jobs and improve infrastructure in many places of Italy. They take enough in taxes from the Italian people and should be using this money to improve their economy.. There must be so much revenue coming from tourists over the years maybe the politicians are lining their own pockets not a wsy forwsrd for the counyry snf its people. Thanks for the interesting video
I had to leave NY because of taxes and high cost of living. Now in Florida for thirty one years and it’s getting unaffordable. It seems a pattern everywhere. I’ve seen this in many countries. I’m planning on moving to Italy. I’m retired. So jobs are not the problem. Which helps me live in areas offering 7% flat tax. Yes young would not want to live in these areas. As long as there is a train station close, I’m good. Of course I need internet ..... people like me will help economy of Italy, create jobs. I hope. Have you seen roads and bridges in USA ? Many in need of major repairs. You’re correct. No place is perfect.
The woman you mentioned should realize that these €1 homes require up to €100,000, or more, of renovation that employs many people. Not too many “anziani” in construction….. enjoy Venexia!!! Prende una ombra!!!
I've only done a bit of brief reading on these properties and I don't live in an area where there are any of them so I admit I'm far from an expert on the subject. However, from what I gather the reason they are being sold off so cheaply is to attract foreign investment. The houses are in a bad state of repair, abandoned as there are few local jobs to attract and keep the young and the older generation that once occupied them are no more. So once the houses have been renovated they will, presumably, become vacation homes or tourist villages. What the woman is highlighting is that this does nothing to help the long term prospects of the local population. There's a reason why these places have been abandoned and, once again, our government does nothing to address the underlying issues. So a few get a short term contract renovating these places and then what? Italians keep getting pushed out of areas that by right of birth should be ours but our politicians cater to and allow foreigners, who understand little of our culture, to take over. That is the point! Oh yeah: just in case you intend to mention it: no! We don't need more tourists or to attract even more tourism thank you!
What she commented on is seen everywhere in the world. Most employers want to hire the cheapest workforce with all the skills and preferably with no contract... If as a small business, you can't afford to pay your employee(s) and possibly their taxes too (depending on the country) then don't hire people. For instance, in Romania, the employer has to pay the taxes for the employee(s). Luckily, the company will pay fewer taxes the more it spends, right? but a very small business can barely pay its own taxes, let alone those for someone else).
can i tell a {small} opinion about jobs in europe countries?? mean for example spain, italy, greece they must know that {tourist jobs} are n't the {miracle of world} anymore....... in so many villages for example ,,you see the local people open new and new hotels,rooms ,restaurants and at the other side the {olive tree remains alone..... or the potatoe or the fruit....} everyone wants to be {manager and superior ....} with easy money!!!!!
First of all I love your podcast. However I must take exception. I've just spent the last two years in Italy where I received my citizenship. I am a real estate entrepreneur from California and I have to tell you that young people have a better chance of buying a house in Italy or inheriting a house then my sons will ever have here in california. People are struggling in both places the working class are definitely struggling but there's no question that the Italians take a much different approach to life whereby even in their struggles they tend to enjoy their life much more than the population of hamsters on a wheel that live in the US and particularly in California. We're not wealthy however we can manage a reasonable Lifestyle on two or three thousand a month which wouldn't even allow us to even eat here in California. No place is perfect all places have their challenges. However I would much rather face those challenges among people that enjoy their life and that take the time to say hello have a conversation and care about you then this isolated zombie-like culture that we have come to in the US.
The free healthcare in Italy comes at a cost. I was at the hospital, in Italy, for maternity care and was talking to someone about American healthcare vs Italian health care. They actually said that in America you are actually lucky. You can call and make an appointment and get seen in a month or two, while in Italy you have a a greater chance of dying from whatever it is then getting an appointment. That on the quick side it will take 6 months to a year to get an appointment. That comment has really made me think about how one system is not necessarily better than the other
@@yannip2083 U.S. healthcare insurance rates and the associated hospital and pharmaceutical costs are extremely high and are covering the cost of the uninsured and under insured. So, you either pay for it as a tax cost in Italy or as an insurance cost in the U.S. In a national healthcare system, the high income earner as you infer you are, have the option to pay for the service you want or need rather than waiting. Emergency care in a national system is always available.
Yup, @@tasparagliding555, not sure if people realize how expensive US health care is. Half of all US bankruptcies are due to medical debt, and two-thirds of all working-age Americans have medical debt - I think I read the average was $10k, yikes.
The Italy that foreigners romanticize and the Italy that Italians experience are night and day. All my cousins live with my aunts and uncles in a small town in Salerno, except one that lives in Napoli and has a very difficult existence. In fact, my one cousin lives in the house that my grandparents lived in. I can’t speak on northern Italy, but I can say that southern Italy has limited socioeconomic mobility, i.e. employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, poor infrastructure, heavy tax, high crime and corruption, costly housing, lack of government funding, discrimination, etc. That said, the Italy that tourists experience while visiting la costiera amalfitana is nothing like the Italy that people in the region experience.
@@ParkAvenueGentleman hahaha true! I live in Chicagoland so I definitely know! But compared to Europe, it is higher, and southern Italy has organized crime that has its origins from decades, if not centuries ago. Organized crime is a disease that has plagued southern Italian society and politics, and there seems to be no permanent remedy.
Non sono sempre rose e fiori neanche al nord: abbiamo gli stessi problemi, anche se in misura minore, nonostante molte cose funzionino meglio rispetto al sud.
I think that it never balances out for locals anywhere you go. It’s like all governments set their own people up for failure. Here in the US (specifically New York), rents are sky rocket high. You cannot purchase anything without first acknowledging that you’ll go to the grave with that debt. Hence the reason people buy elsewhere in other countries. I’m sure it’s the same in Italy. Salaries don’t match up to cost of living. It’s a shame. And young people are struggling with student debt to then graduate and get stuck with degrees and no jobs within the field they study. Rrrrgghhhh….(frustrating)
Rafael, love your videos! I did receive my dual citizenship to Italy and hoping to get my passport soon. What was the name of the region that you said where the tax money is put back into the local area? Aida B🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
The restaurant jobs are for people that want to learn about the business or as a temporary job while you are looking for something better, or for students, I did work on fast food restaurants when I was a student, yes it was hard and pay little but hey it was enough to allow me to live as a student till I get a better job , you have to learn to work hard and to always be ready to work hard again , never take anything for granted, that’s the issue that people want to start counting money even before they have enough experience , our grand fathers or great grand fathers would’ve kill to get a 1 euro house from the government and what people say now oh nobody wants to live there , is ridiculous
So true!!!! Take a beurocratic, pull my hair day, anytime!, in exchange to knowing that I can relax at a crowded cafè and go to the movies without the paranoia.
I eventually plan on living in Italy but I always wonder why Italy or other places in the EU do not try and tap into Silicon Valley and attract more tech. I live in Silicon Valley and startups are always popping up here. Not sure if its the Italian government and its tax structure but what should be done is the encouragement of tech sectors in country to help build the economy beyond tourism and agriculture. Tech would be great for the youth of Italy to expand in and having various towns open their arms to attract the tech business. IN the US there are plenty of towns that give tax breaks in one area but do get tax money locally.Helping keep the town taxes low. So hopefully someday this can be seen and Italy can prosper in a different way.
It is extremely hard to do anything in Italy because of the bureaucracy - nightmare! NOT GOOD FOR BUSINESS! Even just to "retire" in Italy, which also helps with the economy, you have to go through the unimaginable bureaucracy, which are often times really stupid, to say the least!
Ever heard of…Sweden? Lol Italy has so many structural problems that it’s 50 years behind Sweden in many vital aspects. Not kidding. And the level of English is…not the best compared to the tech savvy Swedes.
I think what pisses many ordinary Italians off (myself included) is that Italy is no longer a country for Italians but for well-to-do foreigners. I'm sick to the back teeth of non Italians seeing Italy through rose tinted glasses and telling me I'm just being negative. Reality is there's a reason why many very qualified Italians emigrate and it's not only that they just want to make more money but rather they have few to no other options. These problems have been going on for a long time but little to nothing is being done about them. Bright talented people don't want to waste away their most productive years pursuing non existing employment opportunities and the consequences that arise from that: not being able to plan a future for themselves. Foreigners that ooh an aah about Italy, brag about their amazing Italian lifestyle (often done at the expense of ordinary Italians whether they realise it or not: not always their fault) annoy the heck out of me. Like you said: our stupid government caters to this crowd while ignoring the needs of their own people.
I totally agree with what you have stated here. Italians are seeing the gentrification of it's most beautiful villages. It is happening at every level. I would not like to be a 30 year old living in Italy today attempting to create a future in a country of old timers and well to do delusional tourists!
@@kendv4299 Thank you for your empathy. As an Italian it's frustrating reading the comments of people who appear to be clueless of what lies beyond the pretty façade while others just plain don't seem to care as long as it works out favorably for them: the entitled attitude of the rich.
Thanks for sharing! I am so happy there are youtubers like you that are not just sugar coating life abroad. Even in beautiful romantic Italy there are pros and cons.
Thank you, your kind words are greatly appreciated 😁
That’s my whole mission, to highlight some of the wonderful things here but also not loose sight of reality . There are too many accounts online that only show the beautiful things, it’s not only on TH-cam or specific to Italy.
Just discovered your channel and subscribed. Thank you for your work.
You won't regret it!
Hey Diana thanks for coming to check out the channel and subscribing, there are quite a few videos on various topics related to moving to Italy, but if you ever have any questions about anything always feel free to reach out 😁
Who knows, could become a future video topic
Thank you Consume Honey for your kind words 😁
@@RafaelDiFuria 😘
Great subject to cover Rafael. Thanks, 👍🏻
I love how you talk not only about the good but the cons as well. 💜
Excellent observations and very thought provoking.
I’ve always wanted to move to Italy, I’ve studied Italian for a few years in school and I might do it this year in college, hopefully the
this will improve by the time I move there
I moved to Sicily last year , (day before lockdown)my Italian is non existent but I am trying to learn, loving every minute I’m here
It won't. 💯 percent sure.
It will take a revolution for things to change for better
@@WestCoastUSA546 would you say they are close minded as well because I have gotten mixed answers with that
@@jacquelinewesson1202 what do you do for work?
The rental situation - for locals - is the same in Lisbon. Or NYC. I had to leave NYC myself some years ago. Rents were always high but they became unsustainable.
I am pursuing Italian Citizenship via Jure Sanguinis. I've begun to work with Marco's Firm (thanks!). I'm currently gathering Family Documents...so it will take a while.
You wanna see crumbling Infrastructure? Come to Pittsburgh (where my Italian and German Greatgrandparents all settled.)
To make your tea you have to put the tea filter in the pot not in the cup 😊
Ciao Rafael 🙏 Philippines is the same way! Educated young people are moving abroad ie nurses get pay so little that when they go to the States they make about $40 - $50 an hour.
Italy on the surface is beautiful. Tourists always have a great time there. The Italians are masters at making everything delightful. Great food, gelato, espresso .art, architecture etc.etc.
Italy is best when you arrive with money! Getting work in Italy is close to impossible. Italians have a difficult time with finding a good job. That explains the low birth rate. The politicians are usually corrupt, so Italians have learned to rely on the family. Back in 1890 to 1915, millions of young Italians had to leave because of poverty. Today many young people would love to leave to find work. Currently 30 percent are un employed with a precarious future. Anyway, forget all of this, Go buy yourself a gelato!
Actually many young Italians would prefer to stay in Italy and work in the field of their chosen profession with a reasonable salary (one that covers basic living costs). It shouldn't be too much to ask for but apparently it is for our politicians. Those who are in a position to leave often do so reluctantly. Sure it may be an exciting adventure at first but then what does one do about the future when family and cultural ties run so deep. As many find out: returning after having worked and lived abroad is also a daunting prospect and often just as impossible (unless to retire with a handsome nest egg). Forgetting about the whole thing doesn't solve the problem (though am sure your last sentence was meant tongue in cheek). Not being able to create a future is a huge problem. As the older generation passes on as does, eventually, the wealth they helped create: then what? Foreigners who come to Italy to soak it up rarely get far from the surface or need to delve into the despair created by its gashing wounds. It's a luxury they can afford that we can't hence the resentment. Also, as you correctly have observed: we are masters of putting on a good show (aka la bella figura).
Aspettavo con ansia il video. Scommetto che farai molta invidia a molti stranieri.
È normale per lui….. Lol 😂
I mean let’s be honest in the US we have similar issues with taxes, except we don’t get the cheap universities or healthcare. Our tax problem is the 1 trillion dollar military budget per year even when we ARENT at war. But ya the unemployment and labor issues in Italy are without a doubt worse than in the US
The US spends more money of welfare and social programs than in the military, and it is the military that maintains the US's status as the world superpower, without it the American economy wouldn't be as strong because the dollar wouldn't be the world reserve currency.
Italy is just amazing in terms of history, architecture, food, agriculture, religion...but, there are many concerns.
Why as a cash buyer of a property that has been vacant for over six months does it take 3+ months to close on the property?
Why is it when I go to so many businesses in all parts of Italy I get mediocre customer service?
I leave emails in Italian and I often get no response?
Websites are outdated or just flat out wrong.
I do not want Italy to be Amazoned with American culture but do we really need to close for 3 hours in the afternoon now?
Would it not be better to see your family after 5 instead of going back to work?
The biggest problem is the level of paperwork and bureaucracy. I can't tell you the amount of paperwork I have had to send to the Italian Consulate in San Francisco.
I still dream of Italy though.....
So true! Italy is a place where everything is very slow, like no big deal attitude. May be great for retirement and slow living.
@@vinashah6572 Yeh, sure. try living in Milan and then you tell me something about slow living....LMAO
Surprise, surprise an American who obviously understands nothing/little of our history
and cultural traditions telling us how we should do things. If you try you might just discover there's a reason why things are done the way they are and why change is slow in our part of the world (it's happening though). However, you're right about our bureaucracy: it's the bane of every Italian's life too. You think the paperwork you've encountered so far is insane? Oh dear: you are in for a very bumpy ride! Welcome to the club!
Loved this epi Rafi. I feel Italy is a complicated place where its people and its government don’t really reflect upon each other well. While stunningly beautiful and otherwise warm and welcoming as a nation, the failings of the Govt. specifically have taken a huge toll on her, and unless mass sweeping changes come there is more heartache on the horizon, IMO. Such a complex topic though and to top it off Italy’s social demographics are not good, especially as younger people give up hope and move abroad.. I’m hoping as society evolves, the trend towards virtual and freelance work will help give people a reason to stay whilst also bringing more foreigners in.
I completely agree with you, but I might argue that the gig/freelancer economy actually contributes to these issues rather than helps. For example if you can work in a part of the world that has a lower cost of living it’s much easier for you to comete with people from another part of the world where the cost of living is higher. So while it may be good for you it ends up creating issues elsewhere and continues down the line
@@RafaelDiFuriaInteresting! I can see both sides absolutely.. I work from home and could continue my work in Italy unaffected. I would be in Puglia or Calabria, and while my cost of living would likely be much less (I'm in FL usa), I could still make the same. Perhaps it may work to balance things? It does feel like either way some will be disadvantaged. Just hurts to hear stories like the one you shared in this video.
Also as I watched I wondered.. What would Venice be like without any locals? People to run shops, restaurants, and give a feeling to a place.. Sad stuff, for sure.
is ok to live in some parts of Italy like Capri, Positano and Amalfi?
Can I apply Italian university if I have soggiorno?
It's not all doom and gloom, the country does care for its citizens. I love my country, I love being able to live here and I'm proud to be Italian. Running away to live abroad just shows you don't love your country, staying here and putting the work to make the country better is how you show you love your country.
Brava
It's not always "running away" and staying can sometimes be a luxury not everyone can afford. Good for you that you obviously can!
What are the popular affordable brands for men's clothing in Italy?
H&M and Zara even though nobody likes to admit it 😆
@@RafaelDiFuria lol!!! I really liked your green shirt. Sometimes it’s hard finding shirts with rich bright colors in the US. Great video as usual!
Subtitles are good Rafael. You are absoloutely right you are not being negative but being totally honest. The government definately needs to step up and look after their people, create more jobs and improve infrastructure in many places of Italy. They take enough in taxes from the Italian people and should be using this money to improve their economy.. There must be so much revenue coming from tourists over the years maybe the politicians are lining their own pockets not a wsy forwsrd for the counyry snf its people. Thanks for the interesting video
You are right, one Euro homes turn into a lot of Euros and employment.
They are a "Money Pit". Like the movie LOL!
I had to leave NY because of taxes and high cost of living. Now in Florida for thirty one years and it’s getting unaffordable. It seems a pattern everywhere. I’ve seen this in many countries. I’m planning on moving to Italy. I’m retired. So jobs are not the problem. Which helps me live in areas offering 7% flat tax. Yes young would not want to live in these areas. As long as there is a train station close, I’m good. Of course I need internet ..... people like me will help economy of Italy, create jobs. I hope. Have you seen roads and bridges in USA ? Many in need of major repairs. You’re correct. No place is perfect.
No place is perfect indeed. It just comes down to what matters more to you and what can you actually do with what you have. i suppose? Good luck!
@@sapphirecamui6447 thank you
The woman you mentioned should realize that these €1 homes require up to €100,000, or more, of renovation that employs many people. Not too many “anziani” in construction….. enjoy Venexia!!! Prende una ombra!!!
I've only done a bit of brief reading on these properties and I don't live in an area where there are any of them so I admit I'm far from an expert on the subject. However, from what I gather the reason they are being sold off so cheaply is to attract foreign investment. The houses are in a bad state of repair, abandoned as there are few local jobs to attract and keep the young and the older generation that once occupied them are no more. So once the houses have been renovated they will, presumably, become vacation homes or tourist villages. What the woman is highlighting is that this does nothing to help the long term prospects of the local population. There's a reason why these places have been abandoned and, once again, our government does nothing to address the underlying issues. So a few get a short term contract renovating these places and then what? Italians keep getting pushed out of areas that by right of birth should be ours but our politicians cater to and allow foreigners, who understand little of our culture, to take over. That is the point! Oh yeah: just in case you intend to mention it: no! We don't need more tourists or to attract even more tourism thank you!
What she commented on is seen everywhere in the world. Most employers want to hire the cheapest workforce with all the skills and preferably with no contract...
If as a small business, you can't afford to pay your employee(s) and possibly their taxes too (depending on the country) then don't hire people. For instance, in Romania, the employer has to pay the taxes for the employee(s). Luckily, the company will pay fewer taxes the more it spends, right? but a very small business can barely pay its own taxes, let alone those for someone else).
Yay! First view
can i tell a {small} opinion about jobs in europe countries?? mean for example spain, italy, greece
they must know that {tourist jobs} are n't the {miracle of world} anymore....... in so many villages for example ,,you see the local people open new and new hotels,rooms ,restaurants and at the other side the {olive tree remains alone..... or the potatoe or the fruit....} everyone wants to be {manager and superior ....} with easy money!!!!!
First of all I love your podcast. However I must take exception. I've just spent the last two years in Italy where I received my citizenship. I am a real estate entrepreneur from California and I have to tell you that young people have a better chance of buying a house in Italy or inheriting a house then my sons will ever have here in california. People are struggling in both places the working class are definitely struggling but there's no question that the Italians take a much different approach to life whereby even in their struggles they tend to enjoy their life much more than the population of hamsters on a wheel that live in the US and particularly in California.
We're not wealthy however we can manage a reasonable Lifestyle on two or three thousand a month which wouldn't even allow us to even eat here in California.
No place is perfect all places have their challenges. However I would much rather face those challenges among people that enjoy their life and that take the time to say hello have a conversation and care about you then this isolated zombie-like culture that we have come to in the US.
The free healthcare in Italy comes at a cost. I was at the hospital, in Italy, for maternity care and was talking to someone about American healthcare vs Italian health care. They actually said that in America you are actually lucky. You can call and make an appointment and get seen in a month or two, while in Italy you have a a greater chance of dying from whatever it is then getting an appointment. That on the quick side it will take 6 months to a year to get an appointment. That comment has really made me think about how one system is not necessarily better than the other
@@yannip2083 U.S. healthcare insurance rates and the associated hospital and pharmaceutical costs are extremely high and are covering the cost of the uninsured and under insured. So, you either pay for it as a tax cost in Italy or as an insurance cost in the U.S. In a national healthcare system, the high income earner as you infer you are, have the option to pay for the service you want or need rather than waiting. Emergency care in a national system is always available.
@@yannip2083 Agreed 100%.
Yup, @@tasparagliding555, not sure if people realize how expensive US health care is. Half of all US bankruptcies are due to medical debt, and two-thirds of all working-age Americans have medical debt - I think I read the average was $10k, yikes.
@@yannip2083 that's exactly how it should be: people with higher incomes should subsidize the health care of those who have less.
The Italy that foreigners romanticize and the Italy that Italians experience are night and day.
All my cousins live with my aunts and uncles in a small town in Salerno, except one that lives in Napoli and has a very difficult existence. In fact, my one cousin lives in the house that my grandparents lived in. I can’t speak on northern Italy, but I can say that southern Italy has limited socioeconomic mobility, i.e. employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, poor infrastructure, heavy tax, high crime and corruption, costly housing, lack of government funding, discrimination, etc. That said, the Italy that tourists experience while visiting la costiera amalfitana is nothing like the Italy that people in the region experience.
High Crime?? Southern Italy has very low crime rates compared to the USA. Not even close.
@@ParkAvenueGentleman hahaha true! I live in Chicagoland so I definitely know! But compared to Europe, it is higher, and southern Italy has organized crime that has its origins from decades, if not centuries ago. Organized crime is a disease that has plagued southern Italian society and politics, and there seems to be no permanent remedy.
Non sono sempre rose e fiori neanche al nord: abbiamo gli stessi problemi, anche se in misura minore, nonostante molte cose funzionino meglio rispetto al sud.
It's not green screen, it's real! 😄
Haha exactly, there was a reason why people kept starting at me, talking to a camera isn’t exactly the norm 😜😆
I think that it never balances out for locals anywhere you go. It’s like all governments set their own people up for failure. Here in the US (specifically New York), rents are sky rocket high. You cannot purchase anything without first acknowledging that you’ll go to the grave with that debt. Hence the reason people buy elsewhere in other countries. I’m sure it’s the same in Italy. Salaries don’t match up to cost of living. It’s a shame. And young people are struggling with student debt to then graduate and get stuck with degrees and no jobs within the field they study. Rrrrgghhhh….(frustrating)
Rafael, love your videos! I did receive my dual citizenship to Italy and hoping to get my passport soon. What was the name of the region that you said where the tax money is put back into the local area? Aida B🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
The restaurant jobs are for people that want to learn about the business or as a temporary job while you are looking for something better, or for students, I did work on fast food restaurants when I was a student, yes it was hard and pay little but hey it was enough to allow me to live as a student till I get a better job , you have to learn to work hard and to always be ready to work hard again , never take anything for granted, that’s the issue that people want to start counting money even before they have enough experience , our grand fathers or great grand fathers would’ve kill to get a 1 euro house from the government and what people say now oh nobody wants to live there , is ridiculous
Italy is a difficult country to live in, but at least it doesn't have the insane gun violence you get in the US
So true!!!! Take a beurocratic, pull my hair day, anytime!, in exchange to knowing that I can relax at a crowded cafè and go to the movies without the paranoia.
Hola Rafael Di furiaaaaaaa!!!!!
Holaaaa 😁
I eventually plan on living in Italy but I always wonder why Italy or other places in the EU do not try and tap into Silicon Valley and attract more tech. I live in Silicon Valley and startups are always popping up here. Not sure if its the Italian government and its tax structure but what should be done is the encouragement of tech sectors in country to help build the economy beyond tourism and agriculture. Tech would be great for the youth of Italy to expand in and having various towns open their arms to attract the tech business. IN the US there are plenty of towns that give tax breaks in one area but do get tax money locally.Helping keep the town taxes low. So hopefully someday this can be seen and Italy can prosper in a different way.
Portugal and France both offer “Tech Visas” for start-ups. Italy and other EU countries are just slower to offer similar work visas.
It is extremely hard to do anything in Italy because of the bureaucracy - nightmare! NOT GOOD FOR BUSINESS! Even just to "retire" in Italy, which also helps with the economy, you have to go through the unimaginable bureaucracy, which are often times really stupid, to say the least!
Ever heard of…Sweden? Lol
Italy has so many structural problems that it’s 50 years behind Sweden in many vital aspects. Not kidding. And the level of English is…not the best compared to the tech savvy Swedes.
Sounds like new york. You can go see but not stay.
I think what pisses many ordinary Italians off (myself included) is that Italy is no longer a country for Italians but for well-to-do foreigners. I'm sick to the back teeth of non Italians seeing Italy through rose tinted glasses and telling me I'm just being negative. Reality is there's a reason why many very qualified Italians emigrate and it's not only that they just want to make more money but rather they have few to no other options. These problems have been going on for a long time but little to nothing is being done about them. Bright talented people don't want to waste away their most productive years pursuing non existing employment opportunities and the consequences that arise from that: not being able to plan a future for themselves. Foreigners that ooh an aah about Italy, brag about their amazing Italian lifestyle (often done at the expense of ordinary Italians whether they realise it or not: not always their fault) annoy the heck out of me. Like you said: our stupid government caters to this crowd while ignoring the needs of their own people.
I totally agree with what you have stated here. Italians are seeing the gentrification of it's most beautiful villages. It is happening at every level. I would not like to be a
30 year old living in Italy today attempting to create a future in a country of old timers and well to do delusional tourists!
@@kendv4299 Thank you for your empathy. As an Italian it's frustrating reading the comments of people who appear to be clueless of what lies beyond the pretty
façade while others just plain don't seem to care as long as it works out favorably for them: the entitled attitude of the rich.
Same thing in Portugal.
Maybe certain people high up are slowly squeezing out the middle class & poor so the rich can have Italy to themselves.
It's ordinary Italians that made Italy what it is and without us Italy wouldn't be Italy: admired and desired by all.
Wait… I thought Italians would kill you for ordering tea outside of breakfast time. That was very dangerous!!!!!
Come back to USA, easy.