Hi dear community, I want to move to

 It is not possible for a foreigner, living in Italy, for more than 180 days a year, without a residence permit.If you transfer your job or receive a contract of employment, in Italy, you must apply for a residence permit for work, and this procedure is not easy, let alone fast.If you come to live in Italy, just for your pleasure, without having any intention, and still able to work, then you must apply for a residence permit for Residence Elective.Here, the fundamentals for the Elective Residence> http://www.lifeinitaly.it/Inglese/italyresidenceguide.htm 

It is to have a lease, need a tax code, you can ask the Italian consulate closest to you, their give it to you in 2-3 days. But then to get into Italy, without a residence permit, you will be forced to ask for a tourist visa, every time you come in Italy.here's Italian consular offices in Usa >  http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/it/informazioni_e_servizi/la_rete_consolare 

for rent , you can use >  https://www.airbnb.it/s/Milano--Italia?s_tag=-lMEirLh

Ok this is very helpful thanks so much Ugo!

Everything depends on how long you commute for.  If you take a flat in Milan for one year, but go back to the US fr less than 2 weeks every month then your financial and legal situation gets complicated.  You will need to sort out your Schengen visa, you will still need a Permesso di Soggiorno in Italy, and you may be required to take elective residency.    Perhaps staying in the US to live adn work and taking regular breaks in Milan would be a better way to look at it.