Stories & Blogs
Read what other expats have to say about living in Italy and how they did it.
Originally we kept all of the stories which we received via our questionnaire on one big page Expat Questionnaire Results but this was a little too long to read. Because of this the old page still stands but we will now be adding a page for each interviewee on the site. Here is our current list of interviews:
If you would like to start a discussion on the forum about a story, you can do so via our Instant Topic system by clicking here.
For some other stories and points of views:
BLOGS
One of the great things that has begun in the past couple of years are Blogs. A blog is a web log of someone's life. Expats use this means of communication to keep in contact with their friends back in their home country as well as a way to get things of their chests (living in Italy creates a need for a place like this).
If you would like to know how life is living in Italy, then check out or list of favorite expat blogs.
... a roam to Rome! Farfallina decided to listen to her inner passion, leave years of work at the hospital behind, and begin working as an independent translator in order to move to Rome and finish medical school in Italy. http://candletocandle.blogspot.com/
2ciaos - Alex the blogger blogs about his and his familys life in Naples. Travel, living in Italy and a menagerie of other Euro-centric topics. http://2ciaos.blogspot.com/
2 Italy - Documenting the joys, travails, and bureacracy of our quest to move to Italy. The journey of Bryan and Valerie on our move from New Mexico to Italy. "Leave your family, your country and your father's house and go to the land I will show you." http://www.2italy.blogspot.com/
A Window With A View - Northshore lives in Florence with his family. http://web.mac.com/aploporto/
AboutAbruzzo - DeeBee's blog. http://villasfor2.com/aboutabruzzo/
An American in Italy - Irene writes a straniera's view on life in Italy. http://erin.gentile.googlepages.com/
Annika's Blog - a Swedish hairdresser dreams of Italy and spills her heart out in her writings. This is a blog written by our very own Annika, moderator on our forum. http://expatsinitaly.com/annika/
Alpine Settler - A life in the Alps, so peaceful and quiet; just what is needed for an ageing Alpine Settler! http://www.expatsinitaly.com/blogs/carole/
An American Girl in Italy (Lynda) - http://americangirlinitaly.blogspot.com/
An American Girl in Italy (Sara) - http://americaninitaly.blogspot.com/
Anything but Dull - Autumn and Bryan's adventures in Milano http://www.anythingbutdull.blogspot.com/
At Home in Rome - Shelley in Rome's blog. http://reallyrome.com/blog/
Audrissima - FavolosamenteIO (Audra) writes about the trials and tribulations of an American college student on her way to life in the BEL PAESE. http://www.audrissima.blogspot.com/
Barb & Art Live in Italy - Barb and Art have moved from Kentucky to Umbria. These are their adventures. Barb describes herself as "Bossy, opinionated, and impatient. Determined and stubborn. Quick tempered. Fiscally conservative and politically liberal. A realist, not a dreamer. A detail person and a planner. "
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/blog/barb
Bella Vita in Liguria Blog - American girl (Megan) marries Italian boy and settles in a Ligurian seaside village. Owns & operates a "Personal Travel Concierge" business for visitors to Italy. http://bellavitaitalia.blogspot.com/
Bellissima Tina - I'm Italian-American, I enjoy reading maps and drinking red wine, and I'm about to pack it all up and experience life in Italy..
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/tina
Bleeding Espresso (testa dura's blog) - and other little-known side effects of moving to Italy http://bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com/
Bocconcini e Pomodorini - Shirley Roma's Italian journal. http://www.shirlitalia.blogspot.com/
Brian Burton dot org - The blog of a 25 year old Texan who moved to the hills of Emilia-Romagna and writes about his new life abroad. http://www.brianburton.org
Casa del Cipresso - Musetta's blog and vacation rental in Southern Italy http://southernitaly.wordpress.com/
Casey, Italy and Other Good Things (Jane's Blog) - Who knows where this will lead? Right now it's about the journey we are taking as we plan a 9 month stay in Italy--but don't be surprised to find an occasional sidetrack. Already we have found that the Italian bureacracy has many quirks and detours--somewhat like trying to find one's way through an 18th century maze. But--we are determined to wend our way to the prize at the end. http://janeandken.blogspot.com/
Confessions of a 20-something Caffeine Addict - Em, her husband and little daughter live in Florence. This is LoPorto's story. http://web.mac.com/eclancy
Country Living in North West Italy - I have just come into possession a very old farmhouse, which I am calling Casa Vera, in rememberance of my mother It's situated in the hilly Alte Langhe in North West Italy although I'm living near Genoa on the Ligurian Riviera at the moment. I would like to share my experience with anyone who is interested in Italy, in old houses and family traditions http://santavera.blogspot.com/
Delinissima - I’ve decided to jump on the international blog wagon too and share a few tales and insights about my daily life and adventures in Naples. Enjoy! http://www.delinissima.blogspot.com/
Enroute to Pavia - The venture starts in Toronto and end with me being with the love of my life, Enrico http://enroute2padova.blogspot.com/
Eurobimbo's Journey to Enlightenment – The Tuscany Files - In March 2005 we packed our life into storage and moved from The O.C. (SoCal) to Cortona, Italy with Porter the dog. I photoblog about the journey, life in Italy, our always amusing misadventures and try to include detailed information on the local area. http://www.eurobimbo.net/
First Paris Then Rome - Caroline in Rome is living like a French expatriate in Italy. Welcome to the life of a Canadian gone European. http://www.firstparisthenrome.com/
Florence Journal - A travel and relocation journal for Florence http://www.florence-journal.com/florence/
Getting ready for Italy - Mark Elley equates what is going on in the US to Italy and how he tries to duplicate his experiences in Italy into Texas until he retires soon and moves to Italy permanently. http://gettingreadyforitaly.blogspot.com/
Gia-Gina Across the Pond - Gia-Gina decided to follow her husband to his native Italy. Part food blog, part photo blog but mostly her rants and raves. After their two years in Italy, they located across the Atlantic "pond" and are back in the States. http://gia-gina.blogspot.com
Going on A Guilt Trip - A Jersey girl moves to a small city outside Milan to teach English at a high school for a year. http://goingonaguilttrip.blogspot.com/
If Not Now When? One American woman. Twenty acres and a 1650 farmhouse in Tuscany. Random introspection and hilarity, depending on the day. http://www.tuttivabene.blogspot.com/
Italian Cycling Journal - Stelviorider cycles around Verona and Italy. http://www.italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/
Italian Simplicity (Anne C.'s blog) - A food blog about living in Italy and the simple, yet delicious food that every region of the country has to offer. http://www.italiansimplicity.blogspot.com/
Jeff in Puglia - This Blog will describe my life as a single guy from the Midwest USA that has moved to Brindisi, Italy. Brindisi is on the heel of the boot that is Italy and naturally there are new experiences for me living in the south of Italy... http://www.jeffinpuglia.blogspot.com/
Jessica in Rome - http://www.jessicainrome.com/
Judith's Think on it - Just what I think day to day, and what I cook, where I go, nothing all that much, really. http://www.judithgreenwood.com/thinkonit/
Kataroma (Ramona's blog) - I recently moved to Italy to join my boyfriend and am going through culture shock. This blog is a stand in for hours on psychiatrist's couch. http://www.kataroma.blogspot.com/
La Nostra Vita in Umbria - Our life in Umbria. What an exciting thought for two people from Seattle, WA! Come along with us on this journal through these pages and enjoy our experiences. http://expatsinitaly.com/cjumbria/
Left my Heart in Italy - The story of a military wife, homeschooling mom to 3 children who's dream it is to live in Italy...one day soon.
http://left-my-heart-in-italy.blogspot.com/
Life in a Small Sicilian Town http://www.wanderingsicilian.blogspot.com/
Life in Italy - The life and times of the Alotta family in Belforte all'Isauro, Italy.
http://www.szandlarry.blogspot.com/
Life in The City of Flowers - Me, 2 kids and sometimes a husband (!) living in Firenze, Italy. What we love here and what we don't! Must sees, must haves and more besides. Hopefully you will see our love and enthusiasm for this beautiful city. http://alyson-lifeinthecityofflowers.blogspot.com/
Live Cheap Make Art - Twenty-five years ago we recognized the dream of living in Europe. Many years later and after much research we find ourselves living in Italy and loving it. Follow our adventures and mishaps in photos and story. http://livecheapmakeart.blogspot.com/
Living in Florence - An American moves to Florence with her husband and this is what happens . . . http://www.melindagallo.com/blog/
Living Venice and Beyond - Personal observations, information and the occasional Instructions by author of Italy, Instructions for Use Nan McElroy http://livingveniceblog.com/
Lori's Magician Nights - http://magiciannites.blogspot.com/
Love Sicily's Blog - impressions of living in South-East Sicily through food, architecture, culture and people http://www.lovesicily.com/blog/
Mi Chiamo Giovanna - It took me 18 years to be able to say the words "my name is Giovanna". Now, 21 years later, I am ready to find out what that really means. This is my journey. http://www.expatsinitaly.com/giovanna
Michellenea (mschoen) - http://michellanea.blogspot.com/
Ms. Adventures in Italy - Leaving Silicon Valley, my car, house, and non-existent boyfriend behind, I have lived in Rome, Pavia, and now Milan for the past three years. I've bit the soggy crust of La Vita Bella and lived to tell about it. I blog, sometimes badly, about my cooking attempts, Italy, cultural observations and the eccentricities of this bella paese we love so much. http://www.msadventuresinitaly.com/blog
My Life in Italy - About my life, and my opinions in general. I am an American gal, originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, now living in Busto Arsizio, Italy, near one of the fashion capitals of the world, Milan with hopes of moving back to the good ol' USA, maybe Galveston, TX http://amborg.blogspot.com/
Nannarella - A family from California, Chris and his Italian wife and their daughter, lives in Le Marche. http://www.nannarella.com/
Nicki's The Life I Chose - I chose to give up life in London. I chose to forego an exciting career. I chose to leave my family and friends.I chose Italy. This is my life... http://nikinpos.blogspot.com/
NYC/Caribbean Ragazza - http://www.sistergirltales.blogspot.com/
Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino - My love of everything, anything Italian started back in Spring 2002. I am going to live my dream by moving to Italy in January 2007. I hope to inspire other people to follow their young hearts to a place so magical and divine. http://katerinafiore09.wordpress.com/
Re-Boot A New Life in Italy - Four years ago I met "The Italian" and we quickly became friends. After a few years (and tons of miles) we became engaged. On November 4, 2004 I landed in Italy with two frightened cats by my side. This is my new life in a very old country http://reboot-anewlifeinitaly.blogspot.com/
Recapturing Italy - Daily life in an Italian city is far different from visiting that same city as a tourist. In returning to the beginnings of my desire to live in Italy, I am making a personal journey to recapture the love I felt for Italy before moving here in August 2005. http://www.recapturingitaly.blogspot.com/
Reverse Immigration - A couple of years ago, I went through all this trouble and expense to get an American citizenship. Now, we are moving to Italy (back for me, not so back for the husband), and this weblog exists to chronicle the story of what that is going to be like. We begin the odyssey on the Friday of the week I told my coworkers that I was leaving http://www.livejournal.com/users/qiqa/
Rik's Blog - Rik is a US citizen now living abroad in Germany, but still in love with the most beautiful of places, Bella Italia. Ah, the pizza, the pasta, the wine, the sun, the beaches, the mountains.. http://rikthib.blogspot.com/
Risamay's Blogs - The travel blog "Notes From A Broad" - http://risamay.blogspot.com/ and the photo blog "Marisa Allegra Williams's Bookstore" - http://www.blurb.com/user/store/risamay/
Rome, If You Want To - An American born gives birth to a beautiful baby girl and moves with her husband to his hometown: the Eternal City of Rome, Italy.
http://www.romeifyouwantto.blogspot.com/
Rubber Slippers in Italy - It's a long, long way from Hawaii to Italy. Living in the land of pasta, pizza, and wine is everything that you might imagine, but one thing remains true. You can take the girl out of the island but you can't take the island out of the girl. http://www.rubbahslippahsinitaly.blogspot.com/
Senso Unico - Lomalinda's blog. Life in Rome for an American couple with three children, two businesses, and a partridge in a pear tree http://www.the-beehive.com/blog/
Siciliana in Training - http://sicilianaintraining.blogspot.com/
Spike Goes to Venice - The Story of Susan's Year in Venice--Leading the Charmed Life! http://spikegoestovenice.blogspot.com
Stelle in Italia - Two eager American ragazze and their adventures in Italy; Jackie in Macerata, Corrie writing from the Hoosier state--the two American ragazze are back, but writing from opposite corners of the globe. http://stelleinitalia.blogspot.com/
The Flavors of Abruzzo - MB's blog http://palmch.com/blog2/
The Olive Notes - This is a blog of our life...from one year before our move to Italy in fall '07. The "olive notes" was the name of our temporary blog during our first visit to Italy in '05 and so it remains...this is our journey back! Of course, our life is much more than this event...so read on...this is our "dolce vita"! http://chrisanderinlewis.blogspot.com/
The View from Il Loggino - Musing on Moving to the Val d'Orcia http://www.expatsinitaly.com/joanna/
Under an Olive Tree - is where Diane sits when she get a spare moment! She has lots to choose from in rural Italy, about 80 miles South East of Rome. http://www.diane-underanolivetree.blogspot.com/
Under the Neapolitan Son - Or, Kicked in the Shin: Naples and the Italian Experience to Tear Down Your Tuscan Farmhouse Fantasy http://undertheneapolitanson.blogspot.com/
Venice Blog - http://veniceblog.typepad.com/veniceblog/
With a Rebel Yael - http://www.rebelyael.blogspot.com/
Yeti In Italy - Yeti (Alyson's son) living in florence with mad yeti family!!! http://yetipenguin.blogspot.com/
A special note on blogs:
I used to have all of these blogs listed in my Links in Favorites. Every morning I would click on each link to see if someone had posted. As you can imagine by the quantity of blogs listed above, this took quite a while on my slow dial-up. To ease my frustration with the slowness, I set up an account at Bloglines to receive feeds and then I set up a favorite link to Sub With Bloglines. This link sits in my menu bar and when I find a new blog I just have to click the Sub with Bloglines link and it will set up a subscription to that blog for me. Now I click on a link I set up on my menu bar called My Blogs (http://www.bloglines.com/myblogs) which is the address where all of your subscriptions lay. In this it will show on the left column which blogs have been updated and if you click on the title of the blog (still in the left column) it will bring up the posts on the right. You can set it to only show the title of the post, a partial clip of the post or the whole thing. It makes browsing much easier. Now I seem to check in a couple of times a day as it is so quick.
Another thing about blogs. Many people are hosted by Blogger so if you see an address that has blogspot in it, you will see a blogger blog. Unfortunately, blogger does not seem to be very stable and many times the pages will not open. If you are hosted by blogger, see if you could switch to WordPress.
If you would like to have your blog hosted by us (Expats in Italy) you can by taking out Premium Membership. Just let me know.
