Hi,
In June, my husband, our two kids (ages 3 & 5) and I are moving to Bologna (from Vermont, US) for one year. I've been reading through so many posts here and really appreciate all of the information shared. What a great resource!
What I'm currently researching is preschools in Bologna, good neighborhoods for families, and any suggestions on how to handle the visa requirement for a one-year lease.
(We had our consulate appointment in Boston for the extended stay visa and have to return with a one-year lease. We have a 'vacation' rental for the first month. We are hesitant to rent a place sight-unseen and even more so since we need a neighborhood with possible preschool options for September at this last date.)
I look forward to hearing from anyone with suggestions or words of advice!
Katie
Hi Katie. I am in Bologna. Do you know about the IWF (International Women's Forum?) The IWF in Bologna is for all English-speaking women and is a great source of information - check out "Bologna Inside" the English language guide to the city http://www.iwfbologna.com" target="_BLANK
There is also a forum on the website for members to exchange info and there is a lot on schools. Your children will be going into "scuola materna" and you can choose either to apply for public (free) schools or private schools. Which are you considering?
For a little 'consideration' maybe the vacation rental place could draw up a one year lease for you (which you would not have have to honour wink wink nod nod). Just a thought to satisfy the pen pushers.
It is very very difficult to find houses to rent, but easier to find appartments to rent for a 'normal' duration. I have no experience of looking for such a short lease. I believe the notice required on our rental is 6 months.
If you want to get your child into a public scoula materna for September you need to make it a priority to register him/her as soon as you get to Italy. They have all the kids registered for the next academic year (sept 12) since the end of February 12.
There are plenty of private options if you are willing to pay, but I have found the public schools really great, and good for integration and italian language for my kids.
Where I live they can go to the scoula materna from September as long as they turn 3 during the academic year. This might be different depending on the region, I dont know.
What brings you all to Italy for such a short period? (being nosey now)
Hi Katie,
My husband and I are planning to also move to Italy for a year, but to Rome. We live in Boston and will be using the Boston Consulate. What was your experience like? Did they require FBI check? How far ahead did you book your appointment from when you actually went?
Finding an apartment over the internet is quite a process. We have picked out two apartments and have lost them both at the last minute. One was a vacation rental and despite all our requests she insists that she could write anything, not even a letter, stating that we were staying for a year. It was a bummer. Italian leases are also very different and has taken some getting used to after seeing many of them. We have ended up working with an American agent as it makes ironing out the language in the lease much easier.
Good luck and look forward to hearing from you.
Deirdre
www.whostolemybasil.wordpress.com
Hi Katie,
I live in Vermont as well. It would be fun to talk on the phone some time. I don't know much about Bologna but really like the city. We usually leave from there for the return flight to the USA. We used to live in Pisa many years ago and are planning on retiring in Italy.
Hi again. Thanks for all your responses. Sorry for the delay in responding--we have been caught up in the logistics of moving. I'll answer your questions and then I have three more!
C in Bo: Yes, I've been referring to the IWF for ages, but I'll have to check out the forum. What a great resource. Do you have any preferences for nice neighborhoods? (Places to walk to, a park or two, schools, etc.) We are open to either a public or private scuola materna, although it sounds like it may be harder to get into the public schools at this late date. Our main preference is for the kids to be speaking Italian and that the school is relatively close to wherever we end up living.
Gaelfish: We are considering your suggestion about getting some assistance from the rental agency, although we are concerned that we may be tied to an incorrect address. Yes, our first priority is to find one or two preferred neighborhoods and then find a scuola materna asap. We are moving to Italy for the adventure: to learn Italian, travel, eat!, visit relatives--just experience it all. It's a good time for us to do it professionally and before the kids get too tied up in school. We are renting out our apartment here and our 'camp' (weekend place) to help cover costs.
Deirdre: How disappointing for you to lose those places after all the work! You've really put your time in on this. Our experience in Boston was okay--we didn't get the visa, but we knew we were taking a gamble by not having a one-year lease in hand. Still felt it went better than it could have! We need to make a few adjustments on the financial info. They didn't even ask for our insurance or the FBI check. We booked at least a month in advance. (I don't know how to give you my personal info on here, but I'd be happy to give you more specifics on the phone if you like.) At least the woman said it will be okay for my husband to go back alone next time, instead of all of us making the 4-hour trip again.
Lisa C.: We are in Burlington, VT. Yes, it would be fun to talk. (not sure how to give info here.)
We are starting to think that since a one-year lease is considered 'short' in Italy and the leases are so complicated, perhaps a 'vacation' rental is the way to go. No one-month finders fee to an agency, no separate bills, etc. Any thoughts? Is this obvious? If our final address is different than the one we give the consulate, is that a problem?
I understand that the extended stay visa is for one year only. If this is the case, does anyone know if it's possible to extend it by a month once we are there?
Thank you all for your advice and information! Katie
Hi Katie - at the moment in Bologna it is very difficult to get a place in public school if you apply late (hundreds didn't get a place applying on time!) and even the private schools are overstretched. This is an article about the situation in Bologna:
http://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/bologna/cronaca/2012/04/18/699243-scuola-materna-liste-atetsa-bambini-iscrizioni-graduatorie.shtml
Are you also considering International schools? If it is important to you to live close to a school then you will probably have to see where you can get in and then base it around that. As for neighbourhoods, if you are looking for a greener area then outside the city walls is probably best - I know the area around Giardini Margherita is very popular as it is a quick walk into town but a bit greener - a bit pricier too!
Katie,
Thanks for your details. If you email me-
I will give you my phone number as I would love to talk to you.
Deirdre
www.whostolemybasil.wordpress.com
Deirdre, I emailed you my info. I look forward to talking on the phone!
C in Bo: wow! Thank you very much for the update on the scuole materna situation. So, public school is definitely crossed off the list! We are not opposed to international schools, but we really wanted the kids to have strong exposure to Italian so paying those higher prices (really higher!) to be taught in English is not our preference. We are also open to Catholic pre-schools, but that wouldn't be our first choice.
Hi Katie,
I have sent you my e-mail in a pm. Looking forward to talking with you.
Hey Katie,
Congrats on the move! Very exciting! Good luck, and I very much look forward to following your experiences and adventures on the forum. My wife and I fell in love with Bologna in 2010 and are contemplating a move there next year. Preschool's not relevant for us yet, but it's certainly one of the local services I'm curious about...
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