Where is the most English speaking part of Italy that is reasonably cheap to rent an apartment?

Question

I want to go to Italy to live and work for an unknown about of time, long term preferably but I am unsure on which are the best places to go, I don't care for the tourist parts of Italy such as Milan, more the cheap and hopefully English speaking parts. Please help me with some suggestions. Thanks.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Hi ! I'm from Italy, Milano . I live there for work but isn't very very beautiful. There's only Duomo and work. The people in Milan or in Lodi or in Pavia (places near milano) is usually impolite (scortese).

I prefer Napoli beautiful!!!!!!!!!! , here the people is kind, funny, you can see people play mandolino, sing... Beautiful. Food is really good!! example. (Frolle, Pane, Spaghetti, PIZZA) You should visit this city..... here is the Fashion, really not in Milan!

There's no Mafia or Camorra !!

Sicily (for the food),
Bologna (you can eat Lasagne!).
Como (beautiful)
Ciaooooo!!!!!

Answer 2

First, the tourist areas are where you're most likely to get by in English, but that would be as a visitor. The less expensive areas are likely to be in the countryside in the south where you're least likely to hear much English spoken.

This is difficult to do under the best of circumstances even with a degree and language skills; right now with the unemployment rates here, it is even more so.

Where are you coming from? Here in Europe, citizens of the EU have the right to live and work within the EU. It would be illegal for others to do so without a proper visa before you arrive. The site for visas here in Italy, is: http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp . The rules in much of the EU have been harmonized and will be similar. You can also check the website of the consulate that has jurisdiction over you for other information.

A work permit is separate - you cannot apply for that yourself. The company has to apply and they have to be able to demonstrate that there is not a viable EU candidate for the job. As a result, jobs for foreigners including Canadian or US citizens are pretty much restricted to people with special education, knowledge, or experience. The medical/healthcare field may have the most demand right now. Entry level positions in a field that you don't have any special qualification for would be unlikely - especially without knowing the language. When I applied for a visa several years ago, the process took about 8 months even though it was just of transfer of the job I was already doing from the US to Italy. Your best bet might be to work with an international company that has offices both there and here where you might be able to transfer. However, you wouldn't be able to do this as a temporary employee and you're not going to get room and board.

It's useful to check the expat sites for information about living and working here or other places you might be interested in:

http://www.escapeartist.com/
http://www.expatica.com/
http://www.expatsinitaly.com/

There are similar sites specific to just about any country you might be interested in that you can find by searching for "ex pat" or "expat" and the name of the country. Generally, these will have a lot of good information on daily life and negotiating the bureaucracy when you arrive and provide you with useful information you should know before you make the transition.

Right now, the economy isn't any particularly good and jobs are few and far between.

My one bedroom apartment here and my 4 bedroom house in Colorado cost about the same to maintain on a monthly basis. It's generally more expensive to live here than in the US. One other thing to consider if moving from the US - moving here to Italy doesn't relieve you of filing income tax returns in the US. You will also have to file here. It can be quite expensive.

Answer 3

Cheap Italy is in the south, but you won't find Engish-speaking parts, seeing as it's Italy. You'll just have to learn the language.

Answer 4

You will find the largest number of English speaking people in Milan. This is the business capital of Italy and most professionals moving to Italy work in Milan, particularly Americans. There are bars where expats meet on a regular basis and you will have to discover this when you get there.