Living in Italy - Mistakes I Made (& More)

Рет қаралды 7,064

Rafael Di Furia - Not Your Average Globetrotter

Күн бұрын

Moving to Italy unveils a journey far beyond the allure of its famed pizza, pasta, and amore, introducing newcomers to a society where the stability of one's job overshadows credit scores in the housing market, and long-term commitments in both personal and professional spheres are deeply valued. The choice between the authentic charm of smaller towns and the dynamic opportunities of larger cities presents a significant decision, further complicated by the unexpected, often chilly weather in the north, challenging the stereotypical sunny Italian climate. Moreover, the linguistic landscape is rich with diverse dialects, making even fluent Italian speakers pause as they navigate local variations. This transition to life in Italy is a complex maze of cultural, climatic, and linguistic challenges, blending the dream of dolce vita with the reality of navigating a deeply rooted and intricate Italian society.
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Topics & Timestamps:
00:00 - Opening Thoughts & Intro
00:31 - Renting an apartment in Italy
05:13 - An expectation of social norms
08:51 - Unrealistic expectations when it comes to the weather
11:58 - Living in a big city
14:12 - I avoided expat enclaves
16:18 - Access to healthcare and services
19:17 - Learning Italian, and not being prepared for dialect…
21:54 - Closing Thoughts & Outro

Пікірлер: 52

@Lepanto2024 3 ай бұрын

I moved to Italy. Integrated no problem. Never hung out with expats. I never tried to make friends deliberately. It just happened gradually and naturally. I lived in Liguria, Piemonte, Lombardia, Tuscany and Sardinia. In my case, I found the easist place to integrate was Liguria, especially Genoa and the western rivieras, followed by Tuscany (Pisa and Florence). I never really integrated fully elsewhere. This is probably different for everyone, because every region has its own character, and you have a greater affinity with one over the others. I met many foreigners who felt that locals have almost a duty to be "open". I never cared. I lived in one small town with literally hundreds of friends and acquaintances, and other places where nobody even knew my name after 2 years. I never felt bad about it. I think it is normal for people to not bother talking to foreigners when they themselves are happy in their own circle or locality, and that's that. You cannot force people to like you or be interested in you . Oh, and I think the key is (a) be humble and (b) when in Rome, do as Rome does. Returning to the ease of integration, like everything in such an amazingly multifaceted country, it can vary wildly from town to town, even within the same region. My experience has been excellent, in fact, after getting stranded in the uk because of the overreaction to the winter flu in 2020-21, i am moving back to Italy, for good, next week

@tanner293 3 ай бұрын

Regarding social life in Italy, it is true that Italians continue to be friends with people they met during childhood or at school, but this does not mean that they do not expand their group of friends in adult life, I don't know almost anyone that didn't make new friends in their adult life

@pulse4503 Ай бұрын

at the workplace usually

@carletto_au 3 ай бұрын

I'm italian - very accurate description of social interaction in different places; I can confirm it would be difficult make friends in Italy due language and social barriers, but if you want to limit your interactions with locals and live a more conservative life, you can have a wonderful life in small little towns , especially in Lazio and Abruzzo regions

@Nomad_783 Ай бұрын

as a foreigner living in italy (near Roma) i dont find it difficult to find friends. I have no foreigner friends but i also make efforts to speak italian. I am not great italian but i am learning, plus my italian friends speak english or at least they try. It is not an italian thing to make foreign friends maybe, but i noticed locals appreciate if you try and initiating. I have no problem with social life at all and enjoying my life here although living in a smaller town not in Rome city.

@academicdabbler836 3 ай бұрын

I agree with your comment on the climate. I bought a house in Calabria, assuming it would be warmer than my place in Canada with -35C winters. I went there a few weeks ago and was chilled to the bone even though it was +5. Very strange, but it is a damp cold (I am used to a dry cold). I disagree with the comments on language. Sure, everyone in Calabria speaks a dialect, but everyone I have met knows standard Italian. I have spoken with many people (from children to an 82-year-old woman), in many different conexts. They are always keen to help me with my Italian and I have never been stumped, unless they talk among themselves (then all bets are off)

@corrinadeluxe4141 3 ай бұрын

This was really informative. Thank you. Im looking to move within 2 years, starting with taking long jaunts over there before committing to a home. I hope Im up for the challenges!

@pulse4503 Ай бұрын

Turin is the nicest. Looking city in the North, for me, very elegant Also Bologna is woth visiting, excellent cuisine and a vibrant lifestyle

@perrielynn7837 3 ай бұрын

You have educated me on all aspects ( the good, the bad and maybe not ugly but perhaps disappointing) of life in Italy as an outsider. My fantasy ideas of Hollywood movies about Italy are now more realistic. I would still love to live there someday but now my expectations are different.

@desertbluesplaylist7550 3 ай бұрын

This is so useful...and the "windy apt" wow what a story!

@TheRomanPilgriminPerson 3 ай бұрын

Rome can also get bitterly cold with that chilling dampness.

@AndrewCDiprose 3 ай бұрын

even worse in the province of Latina, it is so humid summer and winter. Sicilia is much better

@AndrewCDiprose 3 ай бұрын

My son who was born in Rome has had great trouble integrating into the scene of a town we moved to in 2020. What Rafael is saying about friendships etc. and lack of mobility in Italy it is so true.

@pulse4503 Ай бұрын

he nailed it

@AntonioTorcoli 22 күн бұрын

Well friendship in Italy means a lot. If a friend calls you in the middle of the night and ask you to come to his place you just go you do not even ask for a reason. Friends do not need to call you in advance when they visit you. They just come. Even if it is lunch or dinner time. They will eat with you of course. This is a reason why it is not easy for some foreigners to truly befriend Italians. But it doesn't mean you can not have a lot of nice and helpful acquaintances. With a little effort it is perfectly possible to make friends.

@marianneryder1661 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for this video, very useful. Hope you're enjoying Portugal.

@mf5531 3 ай бұрын

You give good info.

@michelecarriepardee6959 3 ай бұрын

Great video for folks looking to move to Italy. Very informative.

@rpmiller9171 3 ай бұрын

The windy apartment story....classic! 😂. Although we're sure you weren't laughing at the time. Thanks for the chuckle Rafi.

@user-qo1ou6iy5w 3 ай бұрын

I appreciate your honesty. As someone who fantasizes about living Italy this is good to hear. I'll take your advice about living in a bigger city. I'd love to hear more about cities and larger towns that would be more welcoming to outsiders.

@JohnCash001 3 ай бұрын

I'm a new fan of your Channel and Italian Citizenship Assistance

@MartinaValla 3 ай бұрын

Ah, yes, the infamous busta vs sacchetto del supermercato. I'd be interested in learning how life in a small town is different in the US and Italy/Europe.

@nancydiaz8086 3 ай бұрын

Hi, I watch your video's all the time. You have alot of good information. Can you share some examples of towns that are medium to big sized with a hospital and is walkable to supermarkets? Thanks a million! and keep making these videos.

@Annieconda00 3 ай бұрын

I sometimes wonder if people don't consider how hard it is to make friends in your 30's and beyond in general. I think it's going to be harder with language and cultural barriers no matter where you go. I've heard people say this about Germans, Italians, and Japanese. But is it really that easy for a foreigner to make friends even here in the U.S with a thick accent and deeply rooted in their own cultural heritage? As someone with foreign friends and husband I can tell you it's not.

@ZzXZ636 2 ай бұрын

Do they try to integrate ? Because in my neighborhood many immigrants have no desire to even say hello . Not all , but I have neighbors that make a point to never look up and wave , and I can communicate in their language . They seem to prefer their own people , and that is it . On the other hand I have met many friendly and kind immigrants . I would say though that the majority seem to not care . This is in the USA in a predominately Hispanic area . It’s sad , because I remember when we really had a sense of Community .

@JM-gu3tx Ай бұрын

It's very easy and common in a place like Texas, but perhaps not California or New York City. There are big differences between the South and Texas and the rest of the country.

@fialta1608 3 ай бұрын

Oh Boy, my husband who refuses to move to Italy because it is not warm enough in winter, is going to eat this up! I also have an Italian friend who is also having trouble connecting with people in a town outside his own...because of childhood frienships he can not penetrate..very sad. I understand, as I was once an outsider in a foreign country. It can be done, it was done, but take a deep breath because it can take years! It was a pivotal time in my life and worth it all! I was much younger... BTW Rafael, I am getting my Italian citizenship, and you can guess who is helping me!:) I do feel I am in good hands:)

@Falkingaround 3 ай бұрын

Are you doing it in Italy or through the consulate? I’ve been trying to get an appointment but it seems impossible in the US

@michelecarriepardee6959 3 ай бұрын

Wow! I live in Lazio & never had to put so much money down to lease an apartment. Usually just month's rent, never asked for proof of employment. I live in a small city, population @65,000.

@AndrewCDiprose 3 ай бұрын

you were blessed. In Sicilia it was a nightmare.

@pulse4503 Ай бұрын

you are telling like it is 🙂👍

@JohnCash001 3 ай бұрын

Great episode, I do wonder how I will get an apartment if I get a long-term visa to study Italian and get my Citizenship by decent.

@gutsandgrittv5076 3 күн бұрын

Is it similar in the case of commercial space rentals?

@lisapagliari9232 2 ай бұрын

I live in Rome!

3 ай бұрын

In Genoa the weather is different 😅. All Piemontesi and Lombardi want to go here.the italian language is most popolar in Liguria

@nicolettastrada5976 3 ай бұрын

🤔

@PaulFromCHGO 3 ай бұрын

To me, it seems as I was not raised in Italy, I will always be looked at as an outsider even though I am Italian by descent and have the citizenship to go with it. So if that is the case, I wonder if maybe I am better off just being near expats? A bit sad to think about, really because I would rather live with more Italians than expats but if I am shut out socially or only have "fake friends", what's the point? I want to develop long and trusting friendships where we could talk about almost anything!

@tomb614 3 ай бұрын

Italians will single you out all the time. As Raphael is saying, accent is key, appearance, food taste, habits, everything is always a reason to set you apart wherever you go

@PaulFromCHGO 3 ай бұрын

@@tomb614 That's what I'm afraid of... Over time, I can change my appearance and my food choices any many of my habits, possibly, but I have a pretty strong Chicago accent. I'm not very confident I can lose that over the short term and it might take years.

@fialta1608 3 ай бұрын

I've been there (in a different EU country) and you will need both! It will take time as nothing moves fast in Europe. Take your time, be a good friend, learn the culture and eventually you will have friends for life! In the mean time, the expats will be your salvation...don't let them hinder your learning Italian though..too easy to speak just English!@@PaulFromCHGO

@PaulFromCHGO 3 ай бұрын

@@fialta1608 Sounds like good advice! But I still wonder if based in those issues if I should move to an Italian community or an expat one? Regardless, As my Italian language skills increase, I will try to curtail English when speaking to people in Italy and reserve keeping English when calling friends and family back in the US.

@ZzXZ636 2 ай бұрын

I visited there as a senior citizen , and I think the friends you meet will be real not fake . I made friends and I am an old lady ! But please be realistic with your expectations . Be grateful to have the citizenship , integrate as best you can , but understand you may always be seen as an American . Don’t force it , and don’t chase it . Instead be the best version of yourself you can be , and doors will open . I am planning to move there also , and I am of Italian decent as well .

@CynthiaWithLove 2 ай бұрын

Does Bari citta have jobs and medical access? PS I know what you mean about the accents because in Rome they all sound drunk to me.😂 I speak Barese.

@kris4897 3 ай бұрын

People like to romanticize Italy, in every aspect of life. Plenty of youtubers living there show Italy as a "paradise".

@anta3612 3 ай бұрын

I know. This is a pet peeve of mine.

@tomb614 3 ай бұрын

Forget about Italy. If you are not born and bred there (and even so if you are POC), you have much less opportunities. Regardless of having an Italian passport.

@AndrewCDiprose 3 ай бұрын

even if you are white in some places it can be difficult (e.g. Abruzzo and smaller towns in the deep south)

@raimondosaracino8185 3 ай бұрын

I'm Italian . In USA you put family on the street for $150 raised . Infact in few years you'll have 20% of population at risk of be homeless. In Italy we Communist right ?communist and poor ..Wich I heard many times while in USA . Congratulations 👏. You the best .

@lisaisabella2339 3 ай бұрын

You are right, USA is not what people around the World knew! The life became harder and harder Year by Year, Month by Month, specially in the lest 3-4 years .Property taxes 100% higher, rent, are unreachable FOOD, price doubled, but Salary , Pension stay the same. SO, how you can survive? So, people are trying to find a decent place to live and able to survive with , what little they have. What circle around about Italy is, more acceptable life, lover food price, affordable housing and a better outlook for the future!?

@JM-gu3tx Ай бұрын

That's communist propaganda. There are shelters, people have family to move back with or friends share an apartment. Don't believe the communist propaganda lies. And very few Italians are so illogical and despotic as to believe in the failed lie of communism. That is a silly stereotype. That accusation is not true at all.