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Anyone stationed in Italy?

mcmann05mcmann05 member
in Military Families

Hi there, I pop in from time to time and I wanted to ask a few questions to anyone that might be stationed in Italy? Specifically Army?

My husband is currently out but thinking of re-enlisting for Italy. What are some pro's and con's to living there? What about living there with children?

As a side note: We were stationed in Germany so we are use to Europe and the things that are involved with that in general.

Oh yeah and how long did it take for the military to bring you over after your hubby was there? We didn't go through that the first time around because I stayed in a hotel until we had housing.

TIA

Ashley

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Re: Anyone stationed in Italy?

  • emmasue18emmasue18 member

    My brother has lived on the army base for three years. I shot this question to him and he gave me great feedback, his wife included. He met his wife there and they are currently expecting in April. They have loved traveling but both admit you can only go to Rome so many times. They said to do ANYTHING off of base is incredibly expensive and you have to be prepared to coordinate anything you do by the bus, train, taxi or boat schedules.

    The main reason they would not recommend (at all) going to Italy with children is because the Italians HATE American soldiers and their families. They did everything they could to get back to the states before the baby comes and were successful in doing this. My brother has been jumped and beaten on the street along with other soldiers--twice. Once was horrible and we were terrified. Both times they took his military ID. Their best friends have kids and their children have witnessed their father being called a murderer in front of them. They are turned away from restaurants, stores and taxis constantly. There are signs everywhere that say American soldiers not welcome. It is very tough for them and my brother IS Italian, almost full blooded. He looks the part but as soon as he speaks, they know.

    I hate to scare you, but I have listened to my brother's wife cry too many times. They can't wait to get out of there and tell everyone to beware. Good luck to you, but I personally would pick Germany any day. My husband had an opportunity to go to Italy with the Air Force and we turned it down quicker than it was offered to us. Good luck!!

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  • mcmann05mcmann05 member
    THANK YOU! This is all I needed to know! Italy=off the list! Yes, we LOVED Germany and would love to go back. Army bases are dwindling there though and actually the one we were stationed at, left right after we ETS'd.
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  • UsafWifey09UsafWifey09 member
    I live in Italy and have never had any problems with Italians. From my experience they are very nice to me and most in the area know English. We drive everywhere to get to places. We use the ITT trips or the train to go to further places because of parking and gas prices though. It is expensive to go places in Italy just like anywhere in Europe because of the exchange rates. Right now the exhange is pretty close to being the same from Euro to US Dollars. The COLA in Italy is the highest amount in all of Europe. We have 2 years left and have enjoyed our time. We love going out to other cities and have never ever had issues with the people. The only issues I have ever heard of was because of the Gypsies, the Afrikkans that break into your house or MIL to MIL issues.
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  • tericarltericarl

    We were in Vinceza and never had problems with Italians. If you're in dangerous places, like bars or other locations, with drunk locals and soldiers, its a possibility. But thats  possiblity everywhere you go. There are people who are opposed to Americans being in Italy but no one was ever rude or mean.  The majority of people were welcoming and I never encountered a negative "because I'm American" situation.  I have my own complaints about Italians but never EVER experienced what the other poster spoke of. 

     Its a tough installation, the soldiers are put through a lot of stress. And the spouses have to find a niche in a new place without the normal conveniences of home. But theres a lot of amazing things about Italy too. I ended up loving it. The size of our post was perfect for creating friendships. Italians LOVE kids, particularly babies.  Weekend adventures were good. We had a lot more money in Italy due to our BAH making up for exchange rate and not using excessive utilities.

    Seriously, don't let fear be your deterrent. It is different from Germany. Many people who loved Germany miss it because Germany has many more similarities to American living.  

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