🇮🇹 It's All About Timing
Throw everything you know about timing out the window! Plus, an insider tip to avoiding speeding tickets, an inspiring community success story, and a fresh perspective on a (very) old city.
Take Your Time…Because You Really Have No Choice 🕰️ 🏃♀️
Depending on where you’re from, your background, and your personality, you may be a stickler for timing. If being prompt is one of your priorities in life, we’ve got to talk, because life in Italy may test your will. Planning a move to Italy does have a time line but the “time” part of that phrase has many different meanings, depending on who’s on the other side of the task.
Before going any further, let’s take a collective deep breath. This is a topic that ruffles many feathers, especially if you’re used to a sense of urgency. As with all things in Italy, timelines are not set in stone. They are guidelines, not hard and fast rules.
To avoid frustration, here’s a piece of advice: as you learn more about the pace of progress for things like property purchases, visas, and citizenship, remember to focus on your WHY. Why do you have a heart for Italy? Whether motivation or distraction, you may need to come back to this truth several times during the process.
From the moment you decide to pursue a life in Italy to the moment you’ve buttoned up all of the details, there are countless little steps to take. Checking each off the to-do list requires cooperation from many parties including government agencies, property owners, banks, local municipalities, utility companies, etc, etc. To complicate the situation, rules and expectations can change along the way.
The truth is that Italy is really unpredictable. Civil law is not precedent-setting here, so when a rule is put into place, it is up for interpretation and can be implemented (or not) at the discretion of the region or local municipality. This is why you can go from one place to another and get totally different interpretations and procedures. This obviously impacts your timing because if the procedures change (for example, if your comune wants less or more of something), it could take you longer than anticipated.
So how do you best handle “Italian” timing? Pick a date for whatever your goal is and work backward from there. Focus on the next step, not the tenth step, and celebrate when you check one thing off your to-do list.
The bottom line is, however long you expect things to take…double your expectations. It’s always best to err on the side of caution. With proper preparation, you WILL get to where you’re going, so enjoy the journey and don’t forget your WHY. 😉
Insider Tip to Avoiding Tickets in Italy 🚗 🚙
Getting a speeding ticket in Italy is almost a right of passage. Limiting speeds here seems almost futile, as you frequently see cars whizzing by, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. While you may not be pulled over with the drama of flashing lights and an inquisitive police officer, you will probably receive a surprising ticket in the mail at some point. Caught! …by a pesky radar camera.
It certainly happens to the best of us and most (un)lucky drivers are more than willing to pay the ticket, but doing so can also prove difficult. Basically, the best course of action is to avoid the ticket altogether, but how is that even possible? Aside from driving painfully under the speed limit (and inviting the ire of Italian drivers around you), there is a handy tool that will give you a heads-up when radar is in use: RadarBot. (Google Play / Apple Store)
We all know that driving the speed limit is the best strategy but sometimes our attention is pulled elsewhere (like to the stunning Italian landscapes around us) and the speed creeps up a bit. Turn on this free app when you hop in the car and it will remind you to slow down when necessary, helping you avoid a small fortune in fines (which are notoriously high here). SMI has no relationship with this app and we can’t vouch for its complete reliability but we do personally use it so it’s certainly worth a try when you’re behind the wheel in Italy. Buon viaggio!
Community Sucess Story - Citizenship for the Whole Famiglia 🇮🇹
For Sam Riggio and his family, Italian citizenship offers more than just a connection to his roots. It offers them options to explore the world. His journey started back in 2019 with a social media post about citizenship…and a little nudge from his wife.
“My wife heard about the possibility and encouraged me to investigate,” he says. “When I looked into my family lineage, I didn't think I would qualify but then we learned about Smart Move Italy and did a consultation with Sam. With her explanation and a little more digging, we found there were several possible paths to citizenship.”
Knowing that the road ahead would be long and could be bumpy, Sam dove into the process with an eye on the prize. “[Italian citizenship offers us"] options to live in Italy or the broader EU, which my wife and I love exploring and experiencing. Also [it provides] options for our children, if they choose to study or live in the EU.”
With his busy life and tight schedule, Sam knew he wouldn’t be able to dedicate the time required to gather all of the necessary documents and have them certified, legalized, translated, etc…, so he trusted SMI with the entire process. “With SMI, we had the help and direction we needed. They outlined exactly what we needed to do, and facilitated much of the tricky details like apostille and working with the lawyer in Italy.”
Now that Sam and his children have been recognized, he’s eager to share his resources with others interested in citizenship, including working with SMI. “If you're unsure about being eligible for citizenship, definitely reach out to an experienced team like SMI,” he suggests. “The clarity they provided was a huge first step for us. And if you're like us and have a hard time staying on top of paperwork and tasks, SMI's assistance is totally worth it.”
So, what’s it like to be on the other side of this long process? Sam sums it up, saying, “It's exciting and relieving! Relief that the process is nearing completion, and excitement for what our future holds. We look forward to living in Italy and the EU long-term, and now it really feels achievable.”
If you’re inspired by Sam’s story and are curious about your own potential path to citizenship, visit our citizenship page👇🏽and then schedule a call with our team. We’re excited to get your journey started!
Podcast Corner - Dreams of a Sicilian AirBnB ☀️
In this episode, Sam chats with Marianne, a Norwegian living in Oslo who, along with her husband, embarked on the adventure of buying and renovating a 600-square-meter ancient palazzo in Sicily.
Marianne shares her journey of purchasing the property in Palazzolo Accredi, a small town in Sicily, and transforming it into an Airbnb. The conversation doesn’t shy away from the nitty-gritty details of renovating in Italy so buckle up, especially if you share Marianne’s dream of transforming a property into a treasure (there are plenty of opportunities to do so here if you’re up for it!).
Her story is one of passion, determination, and embracing the challenges of renovating a historic property in a foreign country so, if you're considering buying a property in Italy or embarking on a renovation project, this episode is a must-listen for valuable insights and inspiration.
Listen to the episode👇🏽now and then be sure to check out Marianne's Instagram account, Sweet and Pfeiffer, for a visual journey through her Sicilian renovation adventure.
Ask Sam Anything (ASA)
Send your questions to: tiernan@smartmoveitaly.com.
Hi Samantha: I am considering buying a home in Italy because I want to take residency there. Is this possible?
Hi Dana: Great questions and this is a common misunderstanding that you can take residency in Italy if you own property. Unfortunately, it is not possible. If you are a non-EU citizen, then you will need to get a visa to stay longer than 90 days. Your home will help you get the visa as it will show that you have a place to live, but that is about all. Italy can be a very good investment though, so I encourage you to still consider buying, but make sure you qualify for a visa if your long-term goal is to move to Italy and live here full-time.
Location Spotlight - Classic Roma
Our location spotlights often introduce you to little-known villages and towns around Italy. While plenty of you love the off-the-beaten-path recommendations, many of you gravitate towards Italy’s big cities. Makes sense. There’s just something about the hustle and bustle of an urban community that is mesmerizing, exciting, and full of opportunity! Out of all of Italy’s metro areas, Rome is perhaps the most iconic.
This capital city checks all of the boxes if you’re looking for culture, incredible dining, world-class shopping, excellent transportation, and a wide range of housing options. Yes, you also get quite a bit of traffic, pricey properties, congested tourist attractions, and an almost unbelievable level of bureaucracy but that’s all a part of the Roman adventure.
With over 3 million people, Rome can sometimes feel overwhelming but once you get your bearings and hone in on your favorite spots, it can have a bit of a small-town feel thanks to its distinct communities. Rome was built on 7 hills but the city is actually divided into 22 districts or rioni, each with a unique personality and geography. You’ve probably heard of some of them including Trastevere, Campo Marzio, Prati, Garbatella, Monti, Pigneto, and San Giovanni. Some neighborhoods are known for their nightlife, shopping, cultural hotspots, and business centers. Others offer tree-lined streets, outdoor markets, creative cuisine, and a youthful energy. In short, there truly is something for everyone.
Some other perks of living in Rome are its proximity to the coast and the very best in connectivity as far as transportation is concerned. A quick trip from the city center will take you to the seaside of popular beaches like Ostia, Santa Marinella, and Fregene and you can catch buses, trains, and planes to and from pretty much anywhere in the world.
All of Rome’s conveniences come at a cost reflected in the real estate prices, but every now and then you’ll find a bargain, which is why we had to highlight this👇🏽 bright studio apartment featured in the latest issue of our property newsletter, Vendita. You’ll find a cozy living space, an updated bathroom, and a balcony with a panoramic view of the Porta di Roma neighborhood priced at just €179,000.
Want to see all the details? Don’t forget to subscribe to Vendita for 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel. It’s completely free!
We Can’t Wait for You to Join us!
Are you getting excited? Because we are! The groundwork is complete so now we’re just (anxiously) waiting for the day when we officially launch our FREE, live 3-day bootcamp. By now, we’re pretty sure you’ve grabbed a spot, but if for some reason you’ve decided to wait until the last minute (no judgment), NOW is the time to let us know you’ll be there. We promise it will be worth it, particularly if you have questions about starting a new life in Italy.
As always, thanks for being here and for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!