Moving to Italy, break from work, freaking out!

Re: Moving to Italy, break from work, freaking out!

• nochill member

  December 2014

  I lived in Vicenza for 17 years. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

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• JNerd member

  December 2014

  Travel lots!
  And enjoy your time there.
  
  Don't forget that some skills you have might be in high need there- ie your familiarity with American customs, ability to speak English etc. you may come across opportunities doing something you never considered.
  
  Enjoy!!
  
  
  And check out the Bone church in Rome. It's creepy and awesome all at once.

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• nochill member

  December 2014

  But just off the top of my head, make sure you take the Benvenuto class offered, go to the first person you see and ask them where to find the chicken man (and buy ALL the furniture, you will thank me later even if you don't understand me now), if you live in housing start getting used to it now that every damn street in housing is named Ralph Waldo Emerson, and take every trip offered by the MWR.
  
  Eat at Il Faunos the first chance you get (ask someone on base, they will point you in the right direction). Most public restrooms have an attendant and it is considered extremely rude not to tip them, so always keep small euro change on hand. I'll try to remember more tomorrow.

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• JBMom member

  December 2014

  We moved from South Africa to the Netherlands in the beginning of this year. It is very scary and really exciting! No advise on the job front but this is a great opportunity to travel loads - everywhere in Europe is so close and easy to get to.

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• cyprissa member

  December 2014

  Thanks all! I am definitely excited and realize that this is an amazing opportunity. I spent a bunch of time in Italy about 15 years ago and always wanted to live there. I Just have so many concerns about money, re entering the workplace eventually, etc. I know not everything has to be resolved but it all just feels so crazy up in the air. @nochill‌ I will definitely have questions for you! Thanks for the offer. I don't think we will end up living on post. From what I've heard, the Villagio area is mostly being reserved these days for junior enlisted. DH is an O4 so it sounds like we will most likely be in a private rental. Where did you live?

  
  
  

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• nochill member

  December 2014

  cyprissa said:

  Thanks all! I am definitely excited and realize that this is an amazing opportunity. I spent a bunch of time in Italy about 15 years ago and always wanted to live there. I Just have so many concerns about money, re entering the workplace eventually, etc. I know not everything has to be resolved but it all just feels so crazy up in the air.
  
  @nochill‌ I will definitely have questions for you! Thanks for the offer. I don't think we will end up living on post. From what I've heard, the Villagio area is mostly being reserved these days for junior enlisted. DH is an O4 so it sounds like we will most likely be in a private rental. Where did you live?

  We were a little of both. We lived on the economy for awhile until I had some medical issues that made it difficult to live in a house with stairs so we moved onto housing. I'm surprised it's reserved for mostly junior enlisted now. It was a mixed bag not 5 years ago.
  
  How old are your kids? I am still in contact with most of the teachers at the base school, but if your kiddos are young (1st grade and under) I would consider putting them in an Italian school if you feel comfortable with it. We did k-6 in an Italian school and it was definitely a good experience.
  
  I'm so excited for you! I keep telling MH we need to go back and visit but we haven't yet. Oh so another thing - go to Poland and buy as much Polish pottery as you can. That stuff is amazing. And if you know anyone who is into really fancy china (like the stuff that's $37/plate at Saks) go to Nove (about 30 minutes from Vicenza) and all those factories are there. You can get the same stuff sold in the states for a lot of money for pennies per plate.
  
  Ugh I might have to come visit.

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• cyprissa member

  December 2014

  @nochill awesome tips! My understanding is that there has been an influx of soldiers from a former post in Germany which has changed the housing situation a bit but DH is meeting up with the guy who has his job now and has that on his list to confirm. My kids are little...preschoolers now and my oldest will be in kindergarten and 1st grade while there so I was considering doing the Italian school thing. You can definitely come visit!

  
  
  

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• acesup member

  December 2014

  That sounds amazing! I would look at it as an opportunity. If you can't work- I would say Italy is definitely the place to take up a hobby. I'm a photographer so I would give anything to spend 3 yrs there! Lol

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• ppants member

  December 2014

  We went to Italy for our honeymoon so I have very limited experience, but it was wonderful.  The traffic and drivers are crazy though.  We did eat at a McDonald's in Rome (I know it's terrible of us) and I like my cheeseburgers plain.  The guy working didn't understand "plain".  We had a tour of the Spanish Steps the next day and asked our tour guide about ordering something plain.  She said to try "au naturale".  We went to try it out.  I said "au naturale" and the guy was like "plain?"  It was pretty funny at the time.  Enjoy your new adventure!

  Wendy Twins 1/27/06. DS and DD

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