970 New to Abruzzo

Hello everyone,

We are Tracey and Pete and have been living in Abruzzo for 3 months.

Although we've bought Italy magazine for a couple of years, we've only just discovered the forum, and thought it a good way of making new friends and helping each other out.

Our house is in between Pescara, Penne and Atri. We love it here and can't wait to explore. We are stuck for a car at the moment, but hopefully that will be sorted soon.

The property is divided into two halves. We are living on the top floor and are hoping to rent out the ground floor, as a self-contained holiday apartment, once we have replaced the kitchen.

A vineyard and olive grove came with the propoerty. We have no idea what we are supposed to do with them, but are hoping to learn as we go along.

We are searching for employment, and were wondering if anyone knows of any firms, in our area, that we could contact. We will consider any type of work.

We share a love of music and art (Pete is a drummer and is interested in forming whatever the equivalent of an Italian pub rock band would be).

It would be great to hear from other people, in a similar situation to us, just starting out on a new adventure...... but not really sure what they are doing!!!

Tracey and Pete

Category
Introduce Yourself - Piacere Conoscerti

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/19/2005 - 14:09

Hi Tracey & Pete

So glad we read your message, we are new to the forum and are looking to move to Abruzzo very soon. We have just come back - literally last Sunday (14th).

My mum doesn't live too far away from you, in Cugnoli, she has just recently moved there after living near Trento for about 18 years. Mark and I were gobsmacked by the beauty of Abruzzo and can't wait to get the ball rolling and move ourselves and our 2 boys aged 6 & 4 over.

Was interested to hear of your experiences, how you have found it? Do you both speak Italian? what experience have you had so far looking for work? my husband speaks very little Italian, so it will be difficult for us for the 1st year or so.... Have you any children? If so how how have you found the schools?

My mum has an olive grove - they should be ready for picking at the end of oct/beg of nov.. this will be my mum's first experience of this too - maybe you should speak to her!

We can't wait to get over if you have any advice we would love to hear from you... and when we get over we'll have a drink (or 2) ! :)

Many thanks

Sonia & Mark

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/19/2005 - 14:29

Hi Tracey and Pete,
Benvenuti in Abruzzo! My wife Paula and I moved out here 14 months ago, we live in a small village called Torre dei Nolfi which is near Sulmona - a town you really must visit some time.

With respect to work, how is your Italian? There are lots of schools and a university at Pescara. One avenue might be to make yourselves available as lettori (plural of lettore) or readers. The idea is to go along to the various school principals and introduce yourselves as native English speakers. It helps if you have a specialist background but not to worry if not. It's the ability to read English perfectly that they're looking for.

Just an idea. :)

I play acoustic guitar, perhaps would could get together sometime and jam!

Ciao for now, Clive.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/02/2005 - 14:20

Thanks for the advice over employment - we'll look into it.

My husband's drums are set up in our barn, ready and waiting...

I've stayed in Sulmona and really love it there. Shame it's so far away from us.

Hope to speak to you soon,
Ciao,
Tracey and Pete.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/08/2005 - 17:16

Hi to all in the Abruzzo thread

We're Kerry and Susan, just in the process of buying a place close to Montebello di Bertona, hopefully the purchase will be finished around mid-October. At the moment it will be just as a holiday home that we'll occasionally rent out, the kids are close to school leaving age taking exams etc. so can't really make the ultimate move yet. We'd be delighted to hear all of your stories or tips / advice etc. We're both quite nervous about it all, though obviously very excited and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Saluti