Ahhh Italy. Lots of sun, beautiful people and incredible food, basically the ideal summer getaway. Okay but what if there was more to it?
This is our second time living in Italy thanks to Matt’s job – we’ve lived in a mid-sized town and in the countryside and have visited some of the larger cities. Here is what our general experience has been like so far!
It’s a beautiful country: the landscapes are exactly like in the movies and the villages are out of a postcard. Walking through most cities, the architecture is mesmerising and you can’t help but notice the magnificently sculpted butts at ever corner. People always seem to be looking after themselves, even more so than the French.
Buuuuut there are unfinished houses all over the place, some parts are full of trash – I’m looking at you Naples- and most historical places are surrounded by heavily built up areas which become a severe eye sore. Also, people are vain and will look at you up and down if you’re not wearing expensive looking clothes or haven’t groomed your beard to perfection.
The people are welcoming and the atmosphere is relaxed: if they invite you into their homes, be prepared to receive some incredible food, and feel at home instantly. The language barrier is still present but some people appreciate the effort we put into speaking Italian.
Buuuuut although that is mostly true, we get a lot of judgmental stares for being foreigners. Not everyone is patient with us – they speak so fast that we don’t have time to formulate a sentence. If you make an Italian angry, get ready to have the most hostile human being in front of you. Also, queuing doesn’t exist.
It’s a home away from home: going to Italy, you know you’re going to get something different yet still keep all the comfort of home associated with a ‘first world’ country, which can be important when moving to – or even visiting – another place.
Buuuuut it still kind of feels like a developing country sometimes. Except for the prices of course. Somehow, with a lower standard of living than France or the UK for example, the prices are ridiculously high. We are currently paying 800€ per month for a small isolated apartment with very unreliable wifi and lukewarm water at the best.
But hey, don’t get us wrong, it is still a lovely place to live and if you ever get the opportunity to move there by all means take it! Every experience, no matter how big or small, good or bad, will help you grow and figure out a little more about yourself – it’s worth giving it a try.
Our experience might differ completely from other people’s, so we will greatly welcome your comments and questions!
Tell us, have you ever lived in or visited a place which turned out to be quite different from what you imagined it to be?
Elle and Him 