Name: Cobalt
Date of Interview: November 18, 2007
Area of Italy you live in?
Montalcino, Tuscany
Let us know a little about yourself?
I am single, in my mid twenties.
Why did you decide to move to Italy?
I was an Italian major in college and studied abroad in Florence. After working in NYC for several years after college, I felt ready for a change of scene. Since I have dual EU citizenship so could work abroad I thought I should do something exciting and move to Italy since there was nothing at home holding me back! Worse comes to worst it wouldn't work out and I could always go home.
What type of process did you go through to be able to move here?
I have dual citizenship with the EU because of Irish family. Basically all I had to do was go to the anagrafe when I got an apartment and start the application.
What problems did you run into during the initial process and how were
you able to fix them ?
I didn't have any problems besides a delay getting housing which slowed down my application. Not being able to buy a car without the carta d'identita that comes with residenza made the first few months very difficult. Other than that just the annoying bureaucracy that I expected. I would advise new expats to expect the WORST bureaucracy and many delays - this way you can only be pleasantly surprised if it all works out!
How long have you been here?
Almost 3 months now. Time flies!
What type of adjustment problems have you had?
Adjusting to a work and managing employees in Italian has been tough, but has gotten much better over the time I've been here and I am guessing will only get easier. Being in a small town everything is also at a slower pace. But even the Italians that are here from big cities experience this adjustment.
What do you wish someone had told you before you made the leap?
That it would take almost three months to be able to get a car!
What inside secret could you pass on to others looking to move over?
No inside secrets...
Do you have any disappointments, things you thought would happen
but haven't for whatever reasons ?
The car delay, the housing delay, but that was all the fault of my employer. Basically getting housing ASAP in order to start the process of everything else would have been ideal. I would already have been done with everything.
What has changed about you since you have been here ?
I was quieter when I first got here only because I overwhelmed with Italian 24/7 even though I am fluent. I'm more comfortable now.
Do you think that you will stay forever?
I doubt it, but you never know!
Can you think of any other questions that should be added to this questionnaire?
Nope!
Can you think of anything that you would like seen added to this site?
No, Expats in Italy is an amazing resource.
