Chemical X
Footballguy
helluva question. i don’t know that they care, i need to clarify, but orvieto has a pretty awesome language school if we need to go in person. i’ll spend 4 hours a day in orvieto if i need to……
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My Italian Ex-Pat adventure is ***Officially*** in progress 2025-2026 edition! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Chemical X
- Start date
Chemical X
Footballguy
seems the language we found qualifies for the Visa, so we are going this route. We are meeting in person with the administrator during our visit on December. At that time i suspect we will work out a plan for the year. he seems to understand our needs and provide us with the course parameters to satisfy our requirements. We have some interesting things to consider, so anyone with feedback is welcome to opine;
Assume we get a 1 year visa and don't have to return to the US;
-We decided to keep our beach place here, as a safety net and also for physical address purposes.
-Medications? Figuring this out.
-We have 2 cars......figuring to sell one and the other, maybe long term storage. Then i need to figure out if it will start and how to renew the registration (i need an inspection).
-We may have to come back 1x.
-Gonna take my wife's insurance as usual and buy a private plan, Italy only. We can hop into the Italian SSN for medical too for around $150-/yr. When her plan comes up next year, we take the cheapest most basic plan to cover us in the US, one of those hideous high deductible dirt cheap things, safety net. We prolly don't need private in italy if we get into the SSN, but let's make sure before we remove that net.
-Car....car, car. Since we qualify for a residence permit by getting a Visa, i have read we can buy or lease a vehicle. I have seen decent 1 year prices. I looked into the French auto lease scheme, but this is only for 6 months and it costs about $1k/mo., that aint happening. So, i think we rent for a month or 2 upon arrival and quickly after we get the residence permit, get a 1 year car lease. Our plan is to renew the Visa for 2 years, BUT, let's stay short term as, yes.....a safety net.
-Side note, my new house insurance policy is up for renewal and the premium increased from 600- to 1100-. They added increases for Earthquake and Meteorologically events, as weather is worsening. We renewed, but i will search for something cheaper next year.
-Permanent internet thru Sky is a pain. They need to come to the house to connect, but can't tell me how far out an appointment will be for that and buying stuff on line in Italy is still difficult, they like to do things in person.
-Pool quote, fascinating.......i got a quote under $15k, but it doesn't include the decking or type of liner, since they need metric, geologic something or other from the geometra. Now the geometra sent me an estimate of $8500- for permits, surveys, metric work, but that seems excessive. So we are haggling with him on those estimate prices. Seems i might be able to get by for around $30k. We decided since we are selling our main house, we will use some of those funds to enjoy. Heck, you only live once. I do not want any leftover money going to my rat girl of a niece.
Yadda Yadda
Assume we get a 1 year visa and don't have to return to the US;
-We decided to keep our beach place here, as a safety net and also for physical address purposes.
-Medications? Figuring this out.
-We have 2 cars......figuring to sell one and the other, maybe long term storage. Then i need to figure out if it will start and how to renew the registration (i need an inspection).
-We may have to come back 1x.
-Gonna take my wife's insurance as usual and buy a private plan, Italy only. We can hop into the Italian SSN for medical too for around $150-/yr. When her plan comes up next year, we take the cheapest most basic plan to cover us in the US, one of those hideous high deductible dirt cheap things, safety net. We prolly don't need private in italy if we get into the SSN, but let's make sure before we remove that net.
-Car....car, car. Since we qualify for a residence permit by getting a Visa, i have read we can buy or lease a vehicle. I have seen decent 1 year prices. I looked into the French auto lease scheme, but this is only for 6 months and it costs about $1k/mo., that aint happening. So, i think we rent for a month or 2 upon arrival and quickly after we get the residence permit, get a 1 year car lease. Our plan is to renew the Visa for 2 years, BUT, let's stay short term as, yes.....a safety net.
-Side note, my new house insurance policy is up for renewal and the premium increased from 600- to 1100-. They added increases for Earthquake and Meteorologically events, as weather is worsening. We renewed, but i will search for something cheaper next year.
-Permanent internet thru Sky is a pain. They need to come to the house to connect, but can't tell me how far out an appointment will be for that and buying stuff on line in Italy is still difficult, they like to do things in person.
-Pool quote, fascinating.......i got a quote under $15k, but it doesn't include the decking or type of liner, since they need metric, geologic something or other from the geometra. Now the geometra sent me an estimate of $8500- for permits, surveys, metric work, but that seems excessive. So we are haggling with him on those estimate prices. Seems i might be able to get by for around $30k. We decided since we are selling our main house, we will use some of those funds to enjoy. Heck, you only live once. I do not want any leftover money going to my rat girl of a niece.
Yadda Yadda
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Why not buy a cheap car in Italy?
store the car in the US and have a buddy handle the inspection and drive it a few times a year? I did this with my sister car over the last year+
store the car in the US and have a buddy handle the inspection and drive it a few times a year? I did this with my sister car over the last year+
Chemical X
Footballguy
considering this……but i am not buying new if i am not their long term. finding a used automatic might be difficult. for ease, i might just go lease year 1 and look for used thereafter. remember, there are license issues to resolve and with a new italian license you can only drive a car with a certain power.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Are international licenses a thing anymore? I got one when I went to europe for the first time 200 years ago.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Last time I rented a car in europe was in france. I was hoping for a funky little Renault or something similar. Nope. Some dumb euro Chevy car. I had forgotten about the stick shift dominance. Good thing I remembered. Especially because most of the driving was in the Pyrenees.
Chemical X
Footballguy
believe it or not, yes. i get one every year at AAA near me. i have been stopped at least 3 times in Italy randomly (they do this alot near tolls for the autostrada). Having the IDL certainly makes me feel better. I have no idea how the carabinieri will react to not having a driving doc. You might just be able to show your US license. But they fine you on the spot and I am not risking some random fine over $30 and a trip to the AAA. problem will be, once i get the visa and then file for the residence permit, i am considered a resident. so, will they require me to have an Italian license or can i still fly by with the IDL? I suspect i can skirt the Italian license by producing the IDL and showing my passport (i always carry a copy in my wallet). Technically though, as a resident, i think i need an italian license, but getting one is not an easy process. I am kind of hoping that they pass legislation recognizing US licenses and eliminate the need to requalify as if i haven't driven before. Heck, i drive on the right side, not like those dopey Brits.Are international licenses a thing anymore? I got one when I went to europe for the first time 200 years ago.
Chemical X
Footballguy
So, update with good news. After we took the initiative, our attorney reached out to the only reasonably close school we could attend for language. The school admin spoke to our attorney by phone and was very pleasant (not normal there) and confirmed they offer the proper programs for Long Term visa and are fully accredited to pass Visa muster, so to speak. We have an in person appointment with the admin in December and we will discuss our plans, how they spread the classes out and how this will work for us to enable us to obtain a 1 year study visa. But, the admin already told us via email that they are "flexible" (wink wink) once the Visa is issued so we are not attending school every day for a pile of hours. Basic hospital Insurance to satisfy the Visa requirement is only 115euro pp for 12 months. We just received an electronic copy of our recorded property deed, to satisfy the housing requirement. All seems to be falling into place; timing wise, i wrote the following in my wish journal;
-End of January, cleaning company comes in and we prep the house to show to the RE agent.
-End of February, apply for Visa.
-February-March, make needed repairs and glue things together based upon RE agent feedback.
-April 1 or so, list house.
-May 1 or so, ship our container to Italy (will take 6-8 weeks to arrive).
-June 1 or so, close on house.
We'd like our Visa to run 6/1-5/31, so fly over to Italy first week in June or so.
This is beginning to get interesting and i love the fact that the RE market remains strong.
EDIT to say; timing is weird, because we have to ensure we have the visa BEFORE we sell our house. This is why we are applying late February, but not listing till April. We want to allow time hopefully to get that Visa before we commit to the house sale. In today's market, I am sure people are willing to wait a week or 2 for us to make a decision and i'm sure we'll have multiple offers.
-End of January, cleaning company comes in and we prep the house to show to the RE agent.
-End of February, apply for Visa.
-February-March, make needed repairs and glue things together based upon RE agent feedback.
-April 1 or so, list house.
-May 1 or so, ship our container to Italy (will take 6-8 weeks to arrive).
-June 1 or so, close on house.
We'd like our Visa to run 6/1-5/31, so fly over to Italy first week in June or so.
This is beginning to get interesting and i love the fact that the RE market remains strong.
EDIT to say; timing is weird, because we have to ensure we have the visa BEFORE we sell our house. This is why we are applying late February, but not listing till April. We want to allow time hopefully to get that Visa before we commit to the house sale. In today's market, I am sure people are willing to wait a week or 2 for us to make a decision and i'm sure we'll have multiple offers.
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Phil Elliott
Footballguy
We stayed here hotel forty seven https://www.fortysevenhotel.com/nye-in-rome-lets-toast-together/?lang=en about four years ago. It was nice area and we walked to all the major tourist sites. Took a cab to the Vatican. Very convenient to Trastevere. Easy to take cab anywhere.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Sand
Footballguy
Learn stick. Approximately a zillion times more fun than auto.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
My wife got shortlisted for the position in Geneva. This happened last time too before she pulled out of consideration for the role. This position for her is likely a 2 year contract that can be renewed. I asked her to clarify with the employer if her spouse would qualify for a work permit too. If this were to happen, I think I'd try to work something out where I still work for my current employer but remotely. Current company doesn't have much in Switzerland but does have stuff in Germany, Italy, France and Spain.
Still a long shot though IMO.
Still a long shot though IMO.
Chemical X
Footballguy
so, a work visa in italy is to work in italy. you don’t need a work visa to work your US remote job, IMO, from what i have learned in the process.
Chemical X
Footballguy
also, remember the tax ramifications. our wonderful country requires you to file a U.S. tax return no matter where you reside. Even if you don’t live in the US.
Chemical X
Footballguy
so, i just learned that i can’t ship myself wine from the US to Italy. I have 71 bottles and plan to leave June 2024. better start drinking…
Chemical X
Footballguy
I had mentioned this somewhere before, but I think i found a solve for my phone issue. The issue being, we don't want to give up our US numbers, that we've had for 30+ years, where everyone knows us. If we keep our ATT cell service and use the international feature, we can't avoid a $300- monthly bill.
There is a company called Tossable Digits and basically they house your number and keep it active for a small fee and offer services such as forwarding the housed number to an active number, forwarding texts (very important for 2FA). We can then cancel our ATT plan and if we need it back, just sign up again.
Anyone familiar with Tossable?
There is a company called Tossable Digits and basically they house your number and keep it active for a small fee and offer services such as forwarding the housed number to an active number, forwarding texts (very important for 2FA). We can then cancel our ATT plan and if we need it back, just sign up again.
Anyone familiar with Tossable?
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Where do you live in the US? I'm sure some FBGs will help you finish off some or take some bottles off your hands.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Yeah, I ran into that when I lived in Spain. Not sure I actually filed though... I was 25 and making like $23k/year. The US wasn't missing out on much.
Chemical X
Footballguy
reported
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Getting closer on an offer for my wife from the Geneva based outfit. She's on the shortlist with 3 others. They asked for copies of her diplomas and some references. It's a global non-profit that has standard salaries worldwide for a given position, but they add a "duty station" cosylt of living adder based on location. They also offer "education grants" for dependent children, which probably covers the some of the cost for enrolling the kids in a private international school.
As for a work permit for me, they don't provide that, but I would get granted residency and can apply for my own work permit. I'm hoping I could work something out with my current company, but who knows if they'd play ball or if I'd have to do some BS about maintaining residency in the US.
As for a work permit for me, they don't provide that, but I would get granted residency and can apply for my own work permit. I'm hoping I could work something out with my current company, but who knows if they'd play ball or if I'd have to do some BS about maintaining residency in the US.
Chemical X
Footballguy
i just realized switzerland is not part of the EU. i was thinking she’d need a blue card and you could piggy back. remember, you only need a work permit if you want to work in switzerland. you don’t need a work permit if you are working for US entity and they are paying you outside of switzerland. you will have to pay US taxes and swiss taxes. talking your company into letting you work remote outside the country will prolly be tough. mine won’t allow it.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
My company does have a Swiss office, but probably only for sales. I'm a product development engineer and there are some locations in Italy, France, Germany, and the UK that are more closely aligned with my current role.
There was a guy in a related role that moved to Croatia during the pandemic though. He's still there. Nor sure what he does about residency and work permits.
Chemical X
Footballguy
As an FYI, with France being on the border of Switzerland I have heard many ex-pats look to live across the border into a small French village and commute to Geneva.
Chemical X
Footballguy
So, we are 2 weeks away from our next trip, hopefully the last before we can obtain that Study Visa. We have decided to engage a gardener to do some plantings in December, but we have also engaged him to build us an outdoor screened porch on the lower level patio. Price is reasonable and well under $10k. We decided that the space could really not be used without protection due to the location pretty much encompassed inside the garden......it is simply way too buggy. It is a great spot that we want to use, but screening it is really the only way to be comfortable. We continue to pursue the pool, but they move soooooo slooooooow over there as we try to get quotes and survey work started. We are meeting with the pool company on site our first Tuesday there to talk some things out. We have a bunch of other items we are trying to knock out, including fiber wifi, a car, etc. This will be a bit of a working vacation, but well worth the end game. The room should be finished by the time we leave Italy. I'll see how i can get some photos.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Talked with the guy in my company that lives in Croatia on the "digital nomad" visa that they offer there. He says that it really comes down to the leadership in my org if they'll allow me to work remotely from Switzerland or not. He uses his uncle's address in CT for all mailings from our company and that's his address on file. He did say that even if I have Swiss residency that I might not be allowed to work while in Switzerland, even for a US company with a US mailing address. I think that's a little weird, but who knows? Not even sure how to research this, honestly.
I can't be the first spouse to be in this situation, especially when taking a position at a very large world-spanning NGO. On that front, my wife's supervisor, who used to work that this organization, said that she felt the position being offered was one level below what she should be offered based on my wife's experience but there's no real way to switch that up. The next level up offers "diplomatic privileges" whatever the heck that means. The supervisor told my wife to ask about how fast they could reclassify her up a level.
I can't be the first spouse to be in this situation, especially when taking a position at a very large world-spanning NGO. On that front, my wife's supervisor, who used to work that this organization, said that she felt the position being offered was one level below what she should be offered based on my wife's experience but there's no real way to switch that up. The next level up offers "diplomatic privileges" whatever the heck that means. The supervisor told my wife to ask about how fast they could reclassify her up a level.
Chemical X
Footballguy
so, one of my favorite summer events is umbria jazz. eclectic mix of acts year after year. summer of 2024 i see lenny kravitz, toto and nile rodgers w/chic as performers.
i would love to see toto for their 3 songs, but wife prefers kravitz. i think rodgers is a must to have some fun. his 2022 playlist makes me smile.
i would love to see toto for their 3 songs, but wife prefers kravitz. i think rodgers is a must to have some fun. his 2022 playlist makes me smile.
Chemical X
Footballguy
deposit sent for screened room!
last week we had a bad storm and my neighbor let me know a real big willow tree came down. no damage, but the tree was nice. interestingly enough, removing the tree seems to have opened up the eastern view, which is basically all vineyards.
Chemical X
Footballguy
we are lucky enough to be flying delta one round trip this time. they send an email in advance asking for you to choose your dinner entree in advance. i went with the short rib with polenta. i passed on the chicken, crab cakes and lamb chop.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
LAM!!!!!
Chemical X
Footballguy
well, it’s served on a plane. michelin restaurant would get me the LAM.LAM!!!!!
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
Just don't choose the fish in case they need you to land the plane.
Chemical X
Footballguy
yes, i remember, i had lasagna…..
krista4
Footballguy
The Delta short rib is excellent. Known by Delta flyers as the best option. I’m not kidding.
(And coincidentally I’m posting from the Delta Sky Club at LAX where I just had shockingly good birria.)
Chemical X
Footballguy
sky club is one of the nicer clubs…..jfk is building a delta one only club. that way i don’t have to sit with the common man.
Chemical X
Footballguy
Just an fyi for those that are ever considering a move outside of the states........somethings we take for granted here are not as simple across the pond or elsewhere. I know we know this, but you really need to know this before ever wanting to move forward. So, this week in my installment of WTF........we had our cleaning girl go to our place to prep (she was used by the previous owners). nice college girl. she told us that we had no heat nor hot water. problem is, there can be a multitude of reasons for this and she can't troubleshoot. So we reached out to our neighbors because the last time we were there in May, we were super low on GPL. The company promised us a delivery, but we thought that maybe we didn't get a delivery. Calling the gas company is impossible, because they are closed weekends. So, our neighbor checked and said we have gas (they sent us a meter picture) but that the boiler isn't working because it doesn't have power. What this means, i have no idea. So, we are TRYING to get either the electrician or the boiler repair company to come out. Basically, it is a race to see who arrives first for the repair, because you just never know.
Doing this 6 hours away in another language is fun!
On a brighter note, we travel wednesday and because of our medallion status, we are allowed bags up to 70 lbs. We decided to pack stuff that would help us daily and that we can't find in italy.
So, the bags are filled with kitchen, bathroom junk, some clothes, medication, shoes....random items. Using the tried and true method of me standing on the scale and holding each bag, we believe our bags are about 67 lbs each. lol. Let's see when i get to the harrport.
Doing this 6 hours away in another language is fun!
On a brighter note, we travel wednesday and because of our medallion status, we are allowed bags up to 70 lbs. We decided to pack stuff that would help us daily and that we can't find in italy.
So, the bags are filled with kitchen, bathroom junk, some clothes, medication, shoes....random items. Using the tried and true method of me standing on the scale and holding each bag, we believe our bags are about 67 lbs each. lol. Let's see when i get to the harrport.
Phil Elliott
Footballguy
Surely, you aren't serious!
ConstruxBoy
Kate's Daddy
I am serious. And stop calling me Shirley.
beer 30
Footballguy
I tried this method coming back from CA with a boatload of stuff from closing my brothers estate. I was 3lbs over and the baggage folks weren't having it. Told me to put stuff in my carry on which was already packed full, start ditching stuff or pay the extra $100.
Good luck! I'm taking the over.
Chemical X
Footballguy
since each of us gets 2 bags up to 70 lbs free we just decided to bring a 21” carry on with some items, leaving room in case we are over. i’ll check that bag too, so i won’t have to see it until Rome. may as well since i don’t have to lug it around.
Chemical X
Footballguy
i always tell the pilots, good luck, we’re all counting on you.
Chemical X
Footballguy
65.5 and 66.5, but the agent tried to tell me i was over the 50 lb limit for both, so i owed $100 x 2. i politely said my allowance was 70 per, she politely disagreed based on here system. i showed the calculation based on the app then she found the ole, i’m using the old system, not the new system and i was right.
beer 30
Footballguy
There is a satisfying feeling flexing on a smarmy airport agent. Well done!
Chemical X
Footballguy
i said it’s all good, please don’t send my bags to paris….
Chemical X
Footballguy
so, we wound up sending almost 150 lbs of junk this trip, only because it was free. we’ll just leave the bags in our storage, since we have nothing to bring back.
Chemical X
Footballguy
also, i am trying an esim for data only for the first time ever. trying to avoid the att international roam. i used a company called airalo, app is pretty good and i was able to figure it out. it works with my main line, but allows me to not roam att, instead using the esim to roam. if anyone is ever interested in this, just let me know.
forecast looks like highs of mid 50s, lows are upper 30s and for this time of year, i’ll take it.
forecast looks like highs of mid 50s, lows are upper 30s and for this time of year, i’ll take it.
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Chemical X
Footballguy
made it, now cleaning out a house full of stink bugs.
Chemical X
Footballguy
3:05a here and i am awake with the porchetta dry heaves. sometimes a €3 road side porchetta truck sammich is not your friend. sometimes the bidet is. i am 3 deep in tums and pepto. Vote Bidet!
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
There’s a terrible Thursday night football game on amazon
Chemical X
Footballguy
isn’t there always?
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Stink bug update? meaning You really….
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