2817 Newcomer to the site! Want to live in Italy

Hi

I am 33 and I have visited Italy regularly for the last 12 years, usually by coach.

I have a real love of the Lake Garda area and also a town called Chianciano Terme, about 70 miles south of Florence.

I am hoping to take my dog and eventually settle in Italy.

But to begin, I own a motorhome and we (me and the dog) and hoping to settle on a site on the souhern end of Garda in January 2007 for 6 - 9 minths. After that experience, we are hoping to have learned enough to settle, find work and so on.

In preparation, I have moved my bank accounts to the Nationwide, as their debit and credit cards are both fee of any transaction fees what so ever. Not that important if you spend £300.00 once per year on foreign purchase but for Oscar and I, it could save us a small fortune.

I have obtained my EHIC card.

Next, I have applied for a codice fiscale.

And finally, I am taking Italian lessons using books, Cds etc etc and a tutor now and again.

So that's us.

Is there anything else I can do at this early stage to help us on our way?

Thanks

Rapide561