Living in Italy
Retiring and living in Italy has steadily become a more popular choice for U.S. expatriates over recent years. The allure of a new land teeming with ancient culture and tradition is highly attractive. Italy is also the land that formed the western world, so to speak. The opportunity to be a part of this rich cultural culture is such a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy this remarkable land.
The first reason is that Italy is much cheaper than many other European countries. It is a land where almost everyone speaks English. This is great for American expats who are not accustomed to speaking another language, but it can be a major asset for some Europeans who speak nothing but English. So living in Italy may be the best choice for most Americans.
The second reason why living in Italy may be the best choice for some Americans is the low cost of living in this country. Italy is one of the more expensive countries in Europe when it comes to overall cost of living. In comparison, the United States is actually cheaper when you factor in what it would cost to live in some of its major cities. Even though Italy is far from being a cheap country when it comes to costs, there are still ways for American expats to save money.
An important way to save on costs is by securing a visa for Italy. There are different types of visas available for different purposes. For example, tourists with a business trip to Italy should look into getting a non-immigrant visa, which is different from an immigrant visa. Another way that most Americans save when it comes to living in Italy is by applying for a visa for working in Italy.
To apply for a visa for working in Italy, an international employment agent or company must be hired. These companies will be able to help an American worker to obtain an immigrant visa for work in Italy. The company will inform the Department of State about an employee’s past and future employment in Italy. After this information is received the applicant can apply for his or her visa.
Living in Italy is not easy. However, it isn’t all difficult either. Most Americans who have lived in Italy for a number of years find that they get along with the people very well. Unlike many other European countries, it is possible to get along with Italian people without communicating in English. Americans who want to make friends with Italians should try to speak Italian as often as possible. Some Americans have been able to open up a dialog with many of Italy’s native people simply by talking to them in Italian.
Living in Italy is also quite affordable. In many cases an international residence permit, also called an international driving license, is all that is required to drive on Italian roads. It is possible to obtain an ordinary driver’s license in Italy for a very reasonable fee. Having an international driving permit will also make it easier to travel to other Italian cities such as Milan and Rome. Tourists usually have no trouble at all finding transportation to and from these other cities.
Tourists planning to visit Italy should do plenty of research regarding the cost of living in various cities in Italy, as well as in Rome, Florence, Salerno, and Venice. They should be sure to take advantage of free bus or train tickets given out by tourist agencies and companies. There are plenty of cheap flights available all over the year. Many Americans who have been to Italy do not believe that there is any lack of things to do and see.
