La Dolcevita's activity

Flyingveepixie has hit the nail on the head - it's about getting as much information from others as you can before you move/decide to move. We've been visiting the area we're moving to for around 7 years now (in the beginning just once a year but several times now) and I feel like a sponge soaking up information from as many people as possible - both italians and ex pats. I think saying some of the advice here is pie in sky might be a tad harsh - people can only talk from their own personal experiences some of which will be fab and others awful.  I've had a mix of both - but boy am I learning fast - and knowing stuff for example about the DIY stores is really useful - however people will always have different views - so some people say the paint here is really awful and expensive - others say if you buy a certain brand it's thicker and you therefore need less and it will therefore be cheaper.....not having painted yet I coldn't tell you which is true from my experience!!!. Flyingveepixie some of the comments may seem more "positive" as they were in response to someone who was attempting to hijack the forum (as he has another forum) he has now left/been excluded from the forum he was having a rant about italy and putting post upon post of doom and gloom which have now been taken off.  He did have some valid points but they were often lost in the monologue - so people were trying to "counter" that perspective and create more of a balance And thanks for the heads up re the spades didn't know that - will add it to my ever growing list!!!!

Thanks all.  I've got Michel Thomas somewhere so will dig him back out again - I'm very good at starting things but not so good at following through!!  Writing words down after I've heard them is a prime example - I've done it sometimes (it really helps) and then forget or never go back - I think what I need is discipline - I'm not a girly swot so find it a challenge - however I really want to be able to speak so MUST make myself do it! I have no problem chatting with people/anyone who will put up with me when I'm in italy - and do the same at our local italian restaurant here - I can't wait for the day someone says I'm getting better.  Hadn't thought of TV - will check out on sky or is there anything that anyone can recommend on the internet I can access. I did buy a fairytale book a while ago - I'll check Amazon for some other second hand books and give that a go too Am seeing my tutor tomorrow and she's given me lots of "homework" which will help with the discipline - though am good at finding other things to do instead.  However even if it's a midnight job tonight I'll get it done otherwise it will be very painful as she's set me some topics and will be expectingme to answer questions - nothing like pressure and the thought of humiliation to make me respond.  In group classes I could hide!!!

Ah silly me..........Judecas is Hairy but you wouldn't know that!!!  No wonder you were confused!!!!!  I was referring to Judecas who is currently going by the name of Hairy on the other forum!!! No wonder he posts such doom and gloom - having multiple personas to keep up with must be mentally and physically draining

Neil - not sure whether you saw my earlier post you might have missed it.  Hairy single handedly has created havoc on another forum - well it might look as if there were various people involved but they were all him - very very bizarre.  95% of his posts were monologues about the decline of italy - posting extract upon extract of stats/newspaper reports etc.  everyone of the postings about what a state the country is in - and yes it's not in the best of states but dear god - it was SO depressing.  He would post under one name and then answer under another and so on - it just became so tedious that it was really difficult to see what the point was - apart from pissing everyone off.  On that forum everyone left and now there is just him - hence why he has moved here and if he's able to will join under another name. I think different perspectives is really important - I tend to be someone who looks on the "bright side of life" and consequently sometimes don't think things through in terms of things that can go wrong - so having people that post different views for me is important but if Hairy did what he did on the other forum there would be no views expressed as everyone will have walked........ Mind you Hairy would then have 2 forums to continue hs monologues on!!  

Well that's a turn up for the books - he is very active on another forum where he is now the only participant!!!!!  He would put the same posts up time after time which really were doom and gloom to the extreme.  It has got to the point where he replies to himself..........bizarre!

Increasingly in our area ex pats are turning their hands to farming - I know several people who are all registered farmers several of whom used to be high flying city folk!!!  And they love it - our plan is to do the same in a couple of years once we've settled in to our new lifestyle - learning italian and how to farm is a giant step.  The older folk are often asking if there are any foreigners wanting to buy land.  They love to come and teach/show the ex pats how things need to be done (from their persepctive!!!) Interestingly a couple of younger people who have left the area - travelled and worked all over the world have come back and taken on the land - doing things differently and making more of a business from it.  Many of the older generation are reluctant to work together to get the best economies of scales but the younger generation who have more "worldly" experience can see this can have huge benefits From a personal perspective I don't even enjoy gardening - but everyone I know who now farms says it's very different - I'll let you know when the time comes - the jury is still out!!! 

I'd forgotten all that "bit" thanks Gala :)

A codice fiscale is a must - you can get one on line through the italian embassy in London - you'll get your number in about 2 weeks (which is all you really need) the plastic card like our NI card arrives around a couple of weeks later - very straightforward - but don't leave it till the last minute apply sooner rather than later. You do need to check your internet connection - where I'm based in Liguria it's not a problem (maybe in very remote places)  I was renting there over the summer whilst waiting for our house to be restored and I got free wifi through the town - where my house is it's brilliant.  A friend of mine in Liguria was Head of Communications for a well known National Phone Provider in the UK and he says it's better than anything he had living in London - now that's impressive. If you're very remote you might need satellite with all the challenges that gives!!! In termsof renting - I've never done long term renting - many here have so will be able to help you As far as your business goes do your best to keep it in the UK as tax there is much better - you have to spend more than half the year in the UK so bare that in mind - and if you do decide to spend more time than that in Italy make sure you have a good commercilista (someone who does all your accounting for you) If you trawl through the search function you'll find lots of useful info Any ideas where you want to go?

Hmm - not granita then - you'll have to get a photo and post it next time (if that's possibleon this site?)

Yes they're granita - my daughter loves them