Ciao a tutti! We are on the verge

Madness....

I like the Sardinia option.  Being around relatives can be quite nice.  That said, I would kind of try to figure out where I would like to be in 8 years (socially, eductation wise for the kids, economically, etc etc) and then work backward from there.

Hello! How exciting that you are considering such a move and I can only imagine how stressful this must be. I think if I was in your shoes, I would rent for at least six months in the area i was looking to move in order to get a feel of the place and see how your kids adjust. Sardinia is an amazing place but it can be tough for locals, many leave the island for the mainland to find work, attend better universities. I think Florence is a great bet in that there is a nice community of expats here but as you mentioned before, overpriced tourist rentals. Since you guys don't yet speak Italian, email a few rental agencies that can help you find something for your budget. I recommend the areas of San Niccolo, Santo spirito, piazza beccaria, piazza alberta, bagno a ripoli. which are all very charming and more 'liveable' without being too far from the center. I think Abruzzo is an absolutely beautiful area of Italy, as far as quality of life and what you would get for your euro, it would be higher than both Florence & Sardinia but its an area I don't personally know much about, in this case you will also want to rent an apartment to search for that perfect house and go through an agency likely to do so. I hope that helped at least partly to answer your question. You can always send us links here to anything your agency sends you and we can tell if you the price seems normal.  Best of luck! Georgette: Italy Magazine 

Ah, not quite so mad! How many kids? Do you want to be rural, town or coast? Sorry but you have to  do your research on this and no matter what people come up with on here you need to try harder to get your information. Very true that forums are a great way to get a lot of the information, but you have to ask the right questions and wade through the answers and weigh them up!  Ok, we have only been to Florence a few times and only really once to see it as a place, we much preferred Siena as a less tourist town. But from Florence to Abruzzo you have to make a very, very big leap! Mind you (and I may upset one or two here), you could look at both as dumps! We have lived in Abruzzo for getting on for 4 years now, but thought it the poor mans part of Italy when we first visited circa 2008.  However we have since bought a house there and live (retired) most of the time there. There are many, many great properties for sale and no matter what the estate agents there tell you, there is a very good reason they are cheap! Many it is because it costs a fortune to make them liveable and many because they are isolated, not near a motor way or some other reason Italians don’t want to live there. Oh and there is also the fact that so many of them are leaving the area because of dire economic factors….  That said… we love the place, but that may have more to do with the house we live in and the way we want to live, rural, very isolated and with more land than we can cope with at times. Others will quote the classic “a place you can ski in the morning and sun bathe in the afternoon”. Which is likely true, but not something we would want to do. So it depends on what you are looking for and the type of people you are as to whether Abruzzo is for you and your family.I would suggest you go over you and your family’s day to day requirements e.g. getting the milk, paying the bills, going on-line. Note them all down and then start researching how you would get/do these in Italy! Crucial for us was internet; we have mobile BB, not brilliant, but good enough for us. I’m sure you will have the obligatory book on “living in Italy”, if not, then you’ve not even scratched the surface of your research. Granted we learned little we did not already know from forums etc, but it’s a good reference.When you get to renting (which is a great idea), then we would look at other options rather than the normal avenues. There are many, many rental sites out there, just Google something like “Trova immobili residenziale in affitto in Abruzzo” or where ever you wish to look. Personally I think you are in the right place on a forum to get a place to rent. We know of at least 4 people in Abruzzo looking to sell and suspect they would likely be interested in renting medium to long term as selling there is difficult. We ourselves rented before buying by listing our needs on a local forum and had numerous replies and found a beautiful place that suited our needs perfectly.Utils depend on exactly where you are, we have found water and electric cheaper, many near us have found the opposite. Internet costs us €12 per month, but this can be none existent in places or cost a great deal for good access. Winters can be very, very cold, wood is a lot of work, but cheap(er), so don't be put off if you see a wood burner.Sorry about the “madness” response, but the football was on and I did not have time to reply fully. Glad to find it does not sound mad at all now, but is still not a move we would have wanted to contemplate with children… Sardinia sounds a good bet, but you might want to go it alone!

It sounds like you have already weighed up the pros and cons and quite righty so, this is a big life decision to make. At House in Tuscany we offer a 360 degree support service to people like yourself looking to re-locate to Italy. If we can help in any way then please get in touch.Good luck on your adventure!GeoffHouse in Tuscanywww.houseintuscany.co.uk

Siena, if you are looking at Tuscany, Florence may be an expensive choice. Have a look at the answer I have given to "Ulysses" about Northern Tuscany in another thread. We love Florence and we go there at least once a week whenever we are at our place in Bagni di Lucca, but I would not live there. If you want a larger city, Lucca may be a good alternative. Just have a look and if you want to ask more questions... simply ask! Best wishes regarding your plans.

Hi,my name is Monia I am Italian and I live in Abruzzo. I studied at postgraduate level in the UK, therefore I manage to speak a fairly good English although not at native level.I am the director of a real estate agency based in Abruzzo and I normally deal with foreign clients, therefore I think I can give you some advices from an Italian point of view and from a professional point of view.Sardegna: If you decide to rent in Sardegna you will have two advantages: 1) You will be close to the family of your husband 2) You will pay a very affordable rent. On the other hand, you will have a disadvantage:  from Sardegna is not easy to travel around Italy and explore places. In Sardegna you will probably have lot of time to relax after living in the busy London.Toscana (Firenze): If you decide to rent in Firenze you will have the advantage to live in a beautiful town, lively from a cultural and entertaining point of view, not far from other well know locations in Italy. From Firenze you can easily drive or catch a train to Rome, Bologna, Venezia and other cities in Italy. Nevertheless Firenze is a touristic town, very busy and for this reason very expensive. You should be prepared to spend over 700,00 euro a month to rent a house.Abruzzo: In my opinion is better you do not buy a property in Abruzzo straightaway. You could firstly rent a place for you and your family in order to have the time to evaluate the region, to understand if it is the ideal place for you.  In Abruzzo to rent an apartment on the coast you will spend 350, 00 / 500, 00 euro a month, inland prices are cheaper. Abruzzo is a central region; it will be easy to travel from Abruzzo to Firenze, Le Marche, Roma and the South of Italy. (By the way: I don't think Abruzzo is so poor,I hope my suggestions will be useful and if you have any question please let me know.Good Luck.Monia from Abruzzo Rural Property.www.abruzzoruralproperty.com

Hi there,you can ask me whatever you want about Abruzzo as I was born there and lived right on the coast for more than 30 years and I used to accompany tourists around my region..now I have moved to Switzerland(my husband is Swiss) 'cause, like you, I wanted to experience something new and give my daughter a different view of life and both the chance to enjoy a southern land during the holidays and a northern country where schools are renomated. I have a nice flat in Tortoreto Alto, it's on the hills but 5 min distance from the sandy beaches and my intention is to sell it. If you are interested, I can send you pics and the cost is affordable. I would recommend you to have a go and look around the area to see if you like it, in case you'd like the place, my sister (who speaks English too) can show you round my flat. We know a lot of people who have relocated from Britain or America cause we had a private school of languages and since 2007 a cultural association where several mothertongue teachers are employed. Most of them have liked the area, stayed for a periode and then moved again for personal reasons..so, as you can see, I am a good mine of info for you..just let me know what can help you..Laura

Ciao, Why do not the 'Umbria? From Perugia there is' a plane that does service to London, 3 times a week, in the area of Todi, where I live, there are many small villages, well served by schools, pharmacies, banks, from Todi There are train and daily buses to Rome, and an apartment in a village of about 150 square meters, can 'cost around 350/300 euro a month. There are several communities of the British and Americans who live here, some, as I recall, are also in the forum. I can provide, in private, some addresses of estate agents SERIES. You can make an idea of the area from this site > http://www.todiscountry.com/todiscounty/todiscountry.htmI have some good friends in Sardinia, all classmates of yore :), as soon as they tell me I'll let you know if there are possibility in line with your desires. Abruzzo also is not bad, but the transport links to London, they are not the best, you have to go to Rome for a decent air service, and that during the winter, it is very easy - I hope in the meantime, as said a friend vechio <the pleasure of trying and good fortune to find>Ugo 

Abruzzo is actuallhy not difficult to reach from central Europe.  There are frequent flights from Pescara to Stansted, Charleroi, and near my house in Franfurt/Hahn Germany.    

Stefanaccio I apologize, I did not know that there were direct flights to London from Abruzzo, and of course I could not know that close to your house, there was a connection to Frankfurt, where do you?

Bad news from Sardinia , no rent at 230/300 euro , available for 6 peoples home, in cagliari country ... the serch continues..

Ciao! I am originally from Abruzzo but I have been living in London since last year and because of the stressful lifestyle that everybody runs there, I can understand 100% your decision to move. I read that between your options  there is also my loved region, Abruzzo so if you need some information about houses, sales, rent, lifestyle, culture, transports, don't exitate to contact me. I will be glad to help you to know something more about my beautiful area. Regards

Try the website Airbnb   very informative as you speak with locals that are offering their own apartments, houses for rent.  I have found the hosts to be so helpful and because they are locals can answer questions on schools, utilities, transport.   Another resource to gain some insight into the area you are keen on.Best of luck and your children will thank you for the experience in years to come.

Hi there, not sure if you would be interested but I am looking at renting out my place in Uras about 20 mins drive from Oristano - It is a 2 bed fully furnished to a high standard - we are not using it as often as we would like, and it needs living in - Uras is next door to Teralba and about 25 mins to the lovely costa verde beaches.

Ciao a tutti,I think my Country is all beautiful but I notice that foreigners tend to take in consideration the same regions while others are neglected. Why don't you have a look at this New York Times article http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/greathomesanddestinations/house-hunting-in-the-italian-piedmont.htmlWe have just been appointed Unesco World Heritage site nr 50 for our landscapes and we're the region in Italy with the highest number of Michelin starred restaurants! Good luck with your choice!elisabetta 

Elisabetta, thanks so much for the recommendation. there are so many lovely parts of Italy. Dixiefitz - I'll give you a generic email and then I'll give you my personal email when we are communicating :) info@valentivintage.com  

I have just bought a house in San Vito, Puglia. It is 20k from Brindisi Airport, and there are regular flights from Stansted - but that is all. San Vito has a population of 20,000 but is near to Brindisi which is a big town. This is near to beaches, and some supermarkets and shopping malls, and there is some history but it doesnt have to be overwhelming. I've spoken to lots of people about small children here and they all seem very satisfied with their pre-schools; I am going in to one as a Volunteer in January to do a week of serious English with 5 year olds and was impressed by how welcoming the teachers were and how the children seemed happy. This is a sweet small town with some foreigners but quite a few things for children to do - so far, I have not found too much for adults, but there are lots of cyclists, swimming, clubs for kids and a cinema.You could not know this without visiting. Give yourself a chance. I was here in San V in January and it was cold, but not UK cold. In April it was pleasant and sunny when the sun was shining. In September all the fruit trees were groaning with produce.Another thought might be whether you want the kids to experience some Town opportunities if you are going to be small town in Wales afterwards. They will be happy if you are.

Hi,I see that you had many great answers to your great project of moving to Italy.  Me and my wife bought a quite big farm house and restored one level in the main building last year to finish one appartment with all the modern amenities, we have two children.  This was the end of a long 10 years process/project, after many research and travelling in Tuscany, Sardenia, Emila-Romagna, Puglia, Marche, Lazio ..., and of course Abruzzo, were we finally bough a house!I can tell you that Italy is a wonderful country, with so many different regional difference's, that you must first start by trying to answer one basic questions like this one of mine.  When I have friends over wishing to make the move to Italy (and I had a few!), after some Pecorino cheese and wine on our huge terrasse over looking the Gran Sasso and the Maiella (Majella), I ask one question and we start from there, ..., until after midnight *smile* !Do you want to live "as" italian" or "in" Italy?Of course, like everything in Italy, there is no single, or simple, answer to this great question.But, if you tend to lean towards living "as" Italian, I can tell you that Abruzzo is a great choice because:- Still good deals there for houses and apartments- Possible to have the peaceful nature, traditionnal food, culture, old village, wheather, within 30 minutes from to big (but not too big) modern cities confort (Universities, Schools, Shopping Stores, IKEA!)- Not too many tourists- Strong but kind people- Mountains and seas within 30-45 minutes drives (especially in Teramo, Pescara, Chieti Province)- Transport: Pescara Airport, Rome within two hours drive, good bus schedules That said, for "stanieri", who want's to live "in" Italy with small kids, it can be difficult to find an english school.  tBut, if they are really young, they can do their "scuola elementare" among italian and go to the great Canadian/american college in Lanciano to complete their education !http://www.canadiancollegeitaly.com/ Hope it help. If you choose Abruzzo, especially Pescara Province, let me know, I'm almost an expert now ! TreViste