12082 Cinghiale says hello

Hello everyone,

Being new to Italian life, and even newer to this site, I thought I would introduce myself - and perhaps also comment on some current threads.

I've visited Italy over the years a number of times and loved it. My wife however had never been, so in 2003 I took her to Venice for our 25th wedding anniversity. She was enchanted, not only by the city, but also by all things Italian.

Following another trip to Venice, and skiing in Cortina, we decided we would like to buy a property to further savour the delights of Italian living. Like others we found Lunigiana, in northern Tuscany, on a property web site and with €50,000 burning a hole in our pocket set off to find the ruin of our dreams.

As if!

12 months, and a lot more euros, later we bought a property in the hills with fabulous mountain views. The village with a bar/restaurant, a bar and a shop is a 15 minute walk away (we did not want to be isolated), the sea 30 minutes away and the nearest of 3 local ski resorts 50 minutes away. Heaven!

We were lucky, I suppose, that the building costs only overran by 50% and finally we moved in last May. Since we still both work half-time we currently 'live' in Italy and go back to England to work. Whether ultimately, with 3 grown up children, we move to Italy on a more permanent basis remains to be seen.
Yes. We too have been overwhelmed by the kindness and warmth of our Italian neighbours who couldn't be more helpful.
No. We don't want to live in 'little Britain' but we have been fortunate enough to meet a very charming English couple nearby who have also been very helpful to us (you know who you are!)
Yes. We too were surprised by how wet and cold this winter has been - but it did make for excellent skiing when the sun did shine!

The £/€ situation is indeed a worry. However there are those who think that the real recession has yet to hit the eurozone, particularly as the economies of the PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece & Spain) are so rocky, so over time the euro is likely to lose value. But don't take my word for it as I'm a healthcare professional!

Currently I'm proud to be a Plebeian but if I am to move up the pecking order I hope it will be by constructive, rather than spurious, contributions to this site.