In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Hello Nic68
Best of luck. I for one will be really interested in the replies you get as I also want to move when I retire and I need to do a lot of number crunching.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
The main concern would be the Winter heating costs. My wife also suffers from arthritus and so I need to keep the temperatures in the house around 20C for all day and every day in the winter months. Whatever you do, make sure the house they buy is well insulated, and hopefully on a mains gas supply for the heating.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In northern Italy, winter warmth is crucially dependent on how close to the sea you are. Just a few miles inland it can be much colder with much higher heating costs, and this is particularly so if you are living several hundred metres above sea level.
The trouble is, property prices are much higher the closer you are to the sea - so there may be some difficult decisions ahead. If your parents want winter warmth and also an independent house with a garden, they may not be able to afford something close to the sea. If they are interested in a small flat, they may get what they want.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Bagni di Lucca´s thermal waters are highly recommended for the treatment of arthritis. North of Florence but only an hour and a half away. Close to Lucca and Pisa as well as the Versilia Coast. A very attractive area. Only problem, it rains a bit, that is why it is called the "Toscana Verde". You will find an idea of housing prices by just having a look at the property pages of Italy Magazine. For further information about the area, you can also have a look at [url=http://www.valdilima.com]Val di Lima - The guide to Bagni di Lucca and around - Start here![/url]
I will be glad to answer any questions you may have the best I can.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I'm not really convinced that Italy is any warmer than the UK in winter, and probably quite a bit colder because of the clear skies. We get snow every year - I also lived in Siena for a year about 20 years ago, and we had a terrific fall of snow that winter. Remember that we get winter weather coming down from the Balkans bringing cold winds and snow. If arthritis really is a problem, I'd suggest they rent for a complete year and see how they feel. I know gas bills have gone up a lot in the UK but I still don't think they're as crippling there as in Italy. You'll also find that shops and offices etc. are not as warm as they are in the UK - when we first came to Puglia I remember being amazed that the olive oil was cloudy (because of the cold) in our local supermarket. I think setting the thermo at 20 degrees would be considered a luxury by many. I don't want to put your parents off but they (or you) really do need to do your homework about winter temperatures and heating costs.
Hazel
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Setting the thermostat at 20C is not a luxury, depending on the heating system that you have and the level of insulation. Must admit that I am quite happy to live at a fairly constant 20C over the winter months and that is with the front door open just in case the dog wants to come in out of the cold!!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Hang about folks - we have had the comment "number crunching" - is that really and truly what you think relocating comes down to?
I despair. Does anyone seriously consider leaving a place in which they feel 'at home' for an unknown foreign quantity on the basis of 'number crunching'?
BTW what is 'number crunching'?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Budgeting.
No point even considering moving if in the end you can't sleep. Best to figure out if the budget works long before you move.
The touchy feely stuff is great. I'd love a huge place in Monaco with a Ferrari for each day of the week. But the numbers don't work :nah:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Another thing to keep in mind is the possibility of feeling isolated if they do not speak much Italian and they do not have friends and family around. This happens to many people who retire to other countries. It may be better to rent something for a year, as suggested and wait to see how they adapt to their new life.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Yes, thank you NickZ.
Obviously Mr Phillips is so rich he doesn't have to consider costs at all!!
No-one but an idiot would move to another country unless they wanted to go there bearing ALL things in mind.
Having said that, some people move because of finance - that is not my case Mr Phillips - but that is up to them. This forum is meant to help people not deride them. Thank you
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Hi borrini, I think when you get used to the forum and used to the style of posting it becomes easier, I have always found Charles helpful and supportive, he was probably having a muse about different language styles something that has caused heated debate in the past, me included I am afraid, but dont miss out on the sound advice that is freely given, this is probably the best forum, in my opinion that you will find on Italy.
And also if you intend to move here an excellent way to make new contacts and friends.
A
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Angie, this the 2nd time Mr Phillips has been sarcastic to my posts - I am not 'a-mused'
This sort of thing is not at all helpful to anyone and often puts people off joining in (maybe that's why so many members don't post, seeing as you don't have to be a member to read the forum)
dictionary definition: muse - to think or meditate, often in silence!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
thank you for your replies. I will be looking at the threads suggested by NickZ and hope they will be useful. My parents do speak several languages having been interpreters. No family in England all various parts of the world and I will be off again soon! They are property rich but will be cash poor - that is why they will move to something cheaper than they live in now.
Interesting about the weather in winter I must have been very lucky but I was in Rome. Prices of property along the coast up from Pisa are ok so will concentrate there rather than further inland or the other side of the Appenines.
Thanks again
PS I quite agree that sarcastic comments don't help anyone. Everyone has to start somewhere and 'number crunching' has to be done by all.
With arthritis I'd be watching summer humidity and winter damp. I'd rather be a little hotter during the summer or colder during the winter then having to deal with too much damp. Low lying areas often are more humid. They are also warmer. Not to mention you'll likely get less house the further north you go.
Best to check the archives but many many posts on living costs and purchase costs. The thread on shoe string living covers living costs . But both buying and living costs can vary quite a bit depending on the situation.