Over EIGHT Years of Living in Italy

Yes, this is me.

After living my dream for over eight years now, I often feel the little me above celebrating life. Italy as a place to live is such a dream come true. Yet, like dreams, it isn’t always perfect.

Those first years in Italy were a huge learning curve for me. I studied Italian, was scared out of my mind, and made myself ill trying to understand what was happening. You see, I moved to a small town in Liguria, Chiavari, and I knew NO ONE. My Italian was not great but I worked on it. (After 8 years, I am still not fluent.) 

For me, finding a place to live was the easy part. The first apartment I reserved and put down a payment decided to pull it off the market and keep it for a vacation rental only.  My 4^th apartment had nearly everything I wanted. The important things for me were:

Close to the sea—an easy walk of less than 10 minutes

Less than 15 minutes to walk to the train station

Hospitals within a few miles

Flatter walking areas

Little to zero American tourism influence

A certain price range as everyone does have

I found it all in Chiavari.

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However, getting utilities set up, getting cell phone service, finding a company for my internet service and waiting 2 months to get it done, finding a doctor, and more, All were a bit of a nightmare.

Then, I realized I needed to surrender to the Italian way of life. All the things we love about Italians are the same things that can frustrate us. Going to the post office is a true lesson in how slowly people can be. And, god forbid, a Nonna (a grandmother) comes in. She will cut the line, talk to the public servant as though he was her grandson, share recipes and have him do everything for her.

Or god forbid, you get in the wrong line. After waiting for your number 75 to be called, you walk to the window and are told you were in the wrong line. Go get the ticket for the correct line.  That adds another 30 minutes at least.

Christmas in Chiavari centro storico

In the USA, I put every single thing on Autopay. Here, in Italy, that is not always easy. I set up my utilities that way but discovered the first payment would come to my apartment. I warned them that I may be leaving for a few months. They said “don’t worry. It will work out.” Apparently, it doesn’t matter if you are late.

Living through Covid here in Italy changed my entire life. I caught Covid in March 2020 when nobody knew what to do and everyone who went to the hospital here seemed to die. I spent one month alone in my apartment. Thank God, my neighbor bought food and water for me after 2 weeks, left it outside my door, and, after she was safely in her apartment, I put money in an envelope for her—I wore gloves. I will say that living through the covid years gave me a feeling of being more like true Italians than Italian-American. WE Italian-Americans have lived a very different life than those who were born are grew up here during all the insane events since the 1930s and 1940s. We have not had war in our backyard as they did. They are just different than other Italians around the world who left this country when My grandparents did. 

Door in the Roman Forum in Rome

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My body has been affected by living in Italy. The first year I broke the 5^th meditarsal on my left foot. The next year I tore something in that same leg, and now my left knew is getting old and painful. I lost my sense of smell and have other things that were most likely caused by covid. I usually forget that I am getting older—then something reminds me and I must slow down. Thank goodness that the Italian Health system in my area is really very good. I have had excellent care and most of it has been very timely.

I traveled as much as I could throughout Italy. I have visited 17 of the 20 Regions. I have been off the beaten track plus to the most popular spots. I am sharing some photos throughout this post.

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A side street in Cervo, Liguria

San Francesco Church in Arezzo, Tuscany

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Visiting Alberobello, Puglia

An archway in Capalbio

Tellaro, one of my favorite towns

 Tellaro Sunset

The Egyptian Museum on Turin

More from the Egyptian Museum in Turin

Christmas lights in Turin

Siena at night

More Siena at night in the piazza

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Sperlonga with friends walking to the beach

Sperlonga sunset

Genoa by the port

Genoa original city gate

Caravaggio memorial in Porto Ercole, Tuscany.

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Fishermen in Portoercole

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Orbetello

Assisi

Some of the People I have met…

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And there are so very many more wonderful locals and expats that I have met.

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My business has been going well. 

www.takemehomeitaly.com is how you see what I do and all my blogs. I have been doing this work

for over 10 years now. After covid and with the things that happen in life beyond my control, I have slowed down the work I do. My family in the US is so important to me. And they take up some of my time. 

Beyond my love of Italy, and my love of family, my love of music has been on the back burner while I built my business. Over the last two years I have spent more time listening to music, dancing and singing. It is in my soul. I need the balance. I am still here for you when you want to travel or learn about Italy. And Know that I am not planning on Leaving Italy except for short visits to the USA. I just signed my new 3/2 lease on my apartment. That means I have another 5 years in this apartment unless something comes up where my landlady may want to sell it. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. I LOVE being by the sea, listening to it inside my apartment, peaking at it from my balcony and visiting it nearly everyday—it’s only 5 minutes away. 

Keep following along. Let me know if you want a professional travel planner for your Italian adventure or just silly Italian jokes, local information and Italian pop music information. I’m your person. 

A dopo.