🇮🇹 It's OK to be emotional about Italy
Time is money? Not in Italy. This week, let's chat about a different type of currency. Plus, discover why flying to the South just got easier and meet an iconic little man with a moustache.
In Italy, Emotions = Currency
Depending on where you’re from, you may subscribe to the adage: Time is money. If that’s the case, you may need a change of mindset because, in Italy, this could not be further from the truth.
Recently, members of our private community, A New Life in Italy, enjoyed an in-depth conversation with Camilla Jackson, a Florence-based therapist who regularly hosts Mindset Mondays for our members. Camilla shared valuable insights to help us understand how Italians view the world through the lens of intense emotion.
Among the lessons learned from this lively discussion is that Italians are big on emotional intelligence. This means that feelings and relationships are valued far more than you may be used to. If you want to get anything done in Italy, you may need to adopt some new habits including:
Enthusiastically greeting employees when you enter a shop.
Spending time talking to your local butcher or baker.
Sharing stories from your life.
Empathizing with whomever you’re dealing with.
Understanding that plans may change based on how someone feels at the moment.
The big takeaway is that freely showing emotion will endear you to your new neighbors and allow you to become a part of the community. Conversely, leaning on facts (such as “You told me you’d be here at 9 am!”), logic (“That makes no sense.”), or righteousness (“This isn’t the way you should treat people.”) will get you nowhere.
We cover important topics like this each week in our A New Life in Italy community and enrollment is currently open. Come join the conversation!
Moka and the Little Man with a Mustache
Some brands are synonymous with Italy: Ferrari, Gucci, Baci, Fiat, Bialetti are just a few. Aside from producing goods of exceptional quality, as is the Italian way, each of these brands has a logo, symbol, or mascot that immediately reminds us of the product it represents.
Take, for example, the famous little man with a mustache on Bialetti’s wildly popular Moka pots. He’s graced the company’s iconic product since 1958. l’Omino con i baffi (the mustached man) and the slogan, “Oh, yes, yes... it seems easy (to make good coffee)!” became synonymous with the brand and gave coffee fans everywhere something to laugh about.
For some background, the company was founded by Alfonso Bialetti, a smelter by trade. He started by casting aluminum shells or molds for mechanical parts but in 1933 became inspired by watching his wife do the laundry using an early version of a washing machine that used a steel tub and a chimney to distribute water and soap to the dirty clothes. He created a similar product for making coffee, the Moka pot.
After World War II, Alfonso’s son, Renato, took over the company and branded the Moka pot as a tool to make the same coffee you could enjoy at your local cafè. The concept took off and soon Moka pots were in kitchens all over the country, proudly featuring the “Made in Italy” stamp. Paul Campani, a cartoonist, came up with the concept of the little man with a mustache (inspired by Renato’s own image) and, since then, the man and the product have been inextricably linked.
Today, even when Bialetti collaborates with designers like Dolce & Gabbana to create collectible designer pots, the little man with a mustache is still front and center…and probably always will be.
Podcast Corner - Italy’s Rolling Out the Red Carpet
If you’ve done your research (and if you’re here, you probably have), you know that there are many ways to get yourself to Italy. Sifting through the various programs and tax schemes available can be an exciting part of the journey, but it can also be confusing. Let’s set the record straight on the details and misinformation surrounding these initiatives so you can decide if Italy’s special deals are right for you.
In a recent A New Life in Italy podcast, our Chief Dream Maker, Samantha Wilson, shares some enticing opportunities Italy is offering to foreigners and locals, including the NEW incentive for homebuyers in qualifying mountain towns in Tuscany. She also uncovers initiatives like one-euro homes, tax regimes, and town rejuvenation projects designed to make your Italian dream a reality. Learn about the financial benefits and practical steps to take advantage of these offers, from picturesque villages helping pay for property to tax regimes for new residents.
Italy could be rolling out the red carpet for you! Listen now👇to find out.
Location Spotlight - Padua, Veneto
When searching for the ideal location to hang your hat in Italy, perfection isn’t a realistic expectation, but Padua may come close. Situated in the heart of the Veneto region in Northern Italy, it's strategically located between Venice (just a 30-minute train ride away) and the beautiful city of Verona. This prime location offers easy access to both the bustling city life and the serene countryside.
The University of Padua (founded in 1222, making it one of Europe’s oldest universities), brings with it a youthful buzz that keeps the energy level high without sacrificing a sense of history and charm. As is true for much of the North, services like high-quality healthcare facilities, shops, and markets are easily accessible, and, in general, things run pretty smoothly here (by Italian standards).
As far as activities go, there are plenty. Whether you want to bike along the Bacchiglione River, check out Giotto’s stunning 14th-century frescoes at the Scrovegni Chapel, or wander through one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, in Padua you will never run out of things to do and see.
Interested in rental income in Padua? This👇 2 bedroom unit in the Sant'Antonio (hospital) area is an excellent investment opportunity. It's currently being rented out until August of next year and is priced at € 130.000.
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!
Accessing the Amalfi Just Got Easier ✈️
One visit to the Amalfi Coast is all it takes to fall in love with this area of southern Italy, but there’s always been a bit of a dilemma when it comes to getting there. The go-to route typically involves flying into Rome and then driving or taking the train south, but now there’s another, more convenient, option.
The Salerno-Costa di Amalfi airport is reopening after being closed since 2016. Originally a military airport, it’s been around since 1926 and has gone through various evolutions, including a flying school and a training center for carabinieri firefighters and parachuters.
Upcoming routes will include service to and from Lyon, Philadelphia, Athens, Milan, London, Istanbul, and Turin. Check out the website👇for updated information on service and additional routes…and then, back your bags!
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA)
Send your questions to: tiernan@smartmoveitaly.com.
Ciao Sam: I am confused about the 7% tax scheme so I’m not sure if I should be looking for a 7% town or not. I understand that it helps with taxes when you receive a pension but, although we’ll be retired when we move to Italy, we won’t receive a pension for another 10 years. Will this scheme benefit us if our income is coming from investments (that are not based in Italy)? Thanks for setting me straight with this.
Dear Austin: The 7% flat tax scheme is a great way to save on taxes and avoid wealth tax in Italy, however, it has very specific criteria, one being you must be collecting a pension to qualify. If you do not collect a pension then you will not qualify. You cannot opt for the scheme later, it has to be done in your first tax year, otherwise, you will not be eligible. If you have a 401K or RRSP and are prepared to draw from one of those, it will qualify as a “pension” for the scheme.
This FREE Event Could Change Your Life
Life is short so if you’re ready to embrace your new adventure, and that adventure includes Italy, you don’t want to miss our upcoming bootcamp. On the other side of this FREE 3-day event, you’ll have clarity on what it takes to make the move, the key to finding your ideal location and the best path forward based on your situation.
We only do this once a year so you don’t want to miss it. Mark your calendar and grab your seat now. Get ready to be inspired!
As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!