The Best Advice I Received Was From a Total Stranger
Reading up on all-things-Italy for new connections and a place that feels just right
The best advice I ever received was from a total stranger, 40 years my senior on a last-minute cruise in Spain...
When I was in my 30s, my husband and I went on a last-minute 7-day cruise around the southern part of Spain. I had never been to Spain and although not a fan of Cruising, it was a great last-minute deal and seemed to be an interesting way to spend some banked overtime.
The cruise was nice but it wasn't what I remember. Instead, my memories are those of an older retired couple that we shared a dinner table with each night.
They were a tiny, well-dressed British couple, married for 50+ years. He wore a suit and tie every day (all day) and she was always in a floral dress with matching shoes. They were prolific cruisers, and it was their second time around the Spanish coast.
I loved talking to them. Their British Midland accent reminded me of my dad's side of the family and he always had a story to tell.
One evening he was feeling tired after a day out in Gibraltar and he explained why.
"Samantha," he said. "When you get old, and you will my dear, it will not be so easy to take long walks in foreign countries."
"I did everything right. I worked all my life and made a comfortable living as an Accountant. Raised three children who all have children of their own now. I saved money, every month and we planned for retirement." His wife always smiled when he spoke. They were clearly still in love.
"And then finally when we were old enough and had enough money I retired," he said tapping the back of his wife's hand and giving her a knowing look. "We knew exactly what we would do because we had been saving our whole lives...and that was to travel."
"Where have you been?" I was curious.
"Well, we haven't been to as many places as we planned and we can only travel by cruise now." His voice became softer.
"I waited too long." He stopped talking and looked at me as if there was nothing left to say. I didn't understand.
"He has problems with his hip you see," said his wife apologetically as I watched his grip tighten on the carved handle of his cane.
"Samantha, listen to me," he leaned in.
"Don't do what I did. Don't wait until you are so old you have to take a taxi to explore a new place because you can no longer climb the hills." He looked at my husband as if he was giving him an order.
"Don't let her make the mistake I made." He scolded. "Do everything you dream about while you still can, the rest of life "things" will find a way to work themselves through."
He made me promise before slowly rising and making his way out of the dining room.
I don’t remember his name, and have only a vague memory of his face - but I hear his words as clearly as if he were sitting beside me today.
This stranger changed my life and was living proof of what can happen when you wait too long for the right moment. You just may miss it.
Join me on September 12, 13, and 14 for my once-a-year FREE Move to Italy Bootcamp and find out if a new life in Italy is your destiny.
(If you can't make the LIVE sessions, you can watch in REPLAY)
Click to join me this year!
Showing Appreciation With a Pensierino
Gift-giving is important here in Italy. It’s customary to show one’s appreciation, especially when welcomed into someone else’s home or when gathering for a special occasion. It’s pretty comforting to think of the similarities Italy and your home country might have.
From Ciao to Cheers: Italian Phrases for Socializing
This week, we've put together a collection of words and phrases that will help you break the ice, forge friendships, and navigate social gatherings with ease. Whether you're sipping espresso at a local café, indulging in a lively conversation at a piazza, or simply chit-chatting with your neighbors, these phrases will be your new go-to’s ✅.
If you’ve already begun your language learning journey, take a look to see which of these you’ve already mastered. And let us know in the comments below what your experiences with socializing here in Italy have been like 😊!
Nice to meet you — Piacere di conoscerti
What’s your name? — Come ti chiami?
Where are you from? — Di dove sei?
I’m from… — Vengo da…
I like it here — Mi piace qui
I’m new here — Sono nuovo qui
What do you do? — Cosa fai?
Do you speak English? — Parli Inglese?
Hai qualche hobby? — Do you have hobbies?
I like your style — Mi piace il tuo stile
You’re so nice — Sei molto simpatico/a (masc. / fem.)
It was nice talking to you — È stato bello parlare con te
Have a good day — Buona giornata
Have a good evening — Buona serata
See you soon — Arrivederci
Talk soon — Ci sentiamo presto
Location Spotlight: Como, Lombardy
This well-known lake and city is located near the Swiss boarder and Dolomite Mountains. To live here, you’ll need a higher budget in the works, but you might find its social scene and natural beauty make it worth any amount.
The outdoor enthusiasts will be happy here. Hiking, boating, swimming, rowing, you name it! The city’s pedestrian-friendly layout makes it all the easier to explore by foot or bike and enjoy the squares and shops.
Speaking of getting around, the city conveniently has two train stations and a nearby airport, Milan Malpensa (MXP). This airport can be reached in 40 minutes by car or just under an hour by bus.
The Lombard cuisine and local specialties will come in handy on extra chilly days. Think of warm, creamy risotto dishes and locally-caught seafood. No matter the time of year, save room for gelato, and try out one of the many artisan shops.
As for the community, there’s a nice mix of expats, students, retirees, and English speakers. Not to mention, plenty of tourists want to see what all the hype is about.
Even though it’s a relatively small city, it’s actually the largest on the lake. So why not explore further to see which town on this scenic lake feels most like you? Who knows, it might be the famous city of Como.
AMA (Ask me anything)
Email us at sophia@smartmoveitaly.com to submit your questions.
Dear Samantha: I work remotely for a US company, so I don’t need a job in Italy. How can I move to Italy while being employed in the US? Carole
Dear Carol: The first thing you will need to do, is figure out what Visa you require to move to Italy. The good news is that if you are an Italian dual citizen, you can pack up and move at any time, and work for whomever you like. The same goes if you hold a passport from any of the European countries.
However, if you are American, you will need to have a Visa to stay more than 90 days. Unfortunately, Italy does not have a Digital Nomad visa at this time, so the only one left is the Self Employment Visa. The problem is that you need to be “self-employed” and not an employee. If you are able to recreate your role with your current employer to be a contract worker, and it fits the current quota system for Italy, there may be a chance. But, be aware that the SE visa is extremely difficult to get.
Have a look at our visa guidebook to see of there may be another visa that you qualify for.
The Inside Track …
Citizenship: Are You Ready for a Review?
Did you know that we offer a review service for Italian citizenship applications? 🔍 Many people who go the DIY route seek an extra set of eyes before sending off their application.
For consulate cases, comune cases, and even 1948 court petitions, a thorough review by citizenship experts can make the difference between a rejection or success.
There are 4️⃣ main steps and the process, once accepted by our office, can take two weeks or less. So what are the steps?!
Request a review: Complete the request form and select a date for the review to begin. Answer 10 questions and submit your payment. Next, you’ll receive an invite to a private online account for updates, findings, and communication.
Send your documents: This part is the easiest. All you have to do is upload images of your documents and we’ll begin the process.
Schedule a consultation: Once our team has finished your review and uploaded a full report, you can schedule a one-on-one call to go over the findings and ask any lingering questions.
Apply or fix: In the report, we’ll advise you on how to fix each error. Then, it’s your decision if you’d like to fix them on your own or hire our team to complete the case for you.
👉🏼 For more info, click here, and to request a review, here’s a link for that as well.
Property: Revamped Vendita
Are you subscribed to our free weekly property newsletter, Vendita? Well, you might’ve noticed some changes AND there are more to come. 💫
Click here to see the most popular property of last week’s issue. I’ve included some pics below. Listed at €180k, our team can see why this find was such a hit.
Sent out every Sunday, this is one of my favorite resources of ours. I just love hearing about you guys scrolling through on Sunday morning (or afternoon - for those already in this bel paese) and getting closer and closer to finding your dream home. 🏡
Just a few weeks ago, we added a lux section! So, that’s five more properties, for those with a larger budget or simply wanting some extra inspo.
Starting this Sunday, we’ll also have a rental section. In these five changing picks, you can get a better idea of what’s available throughout the country, average prices, and more. As we often say, you don’t know what you don’t know. If you have a location suggestion, feel free to let us know in the comments below. 📍
To subscribe via email, visit www.smartmoveitaly.com/venditaoptin or join our Telegram channel https://t.me/getvendita
Retire in Italy: Let’s Connect on Facebook!
If you’re dreaming of one day calling Italy your home, free of work and full of fun, then you should join our FB group, Retire in Italy. We’re a welcoming community of nearly 28k members, all sharing insights, tips, and stories about making the move for retirement.
In this space, you can ask questions, get advice, and connect with others who are on the same journey as you. Whether you’re just starting to plan or you’ve already taken a leap of faith, this group will be a valuable resource to have in your corner.
For some extra inspo, picture yourself strolling along Lake Como or trying out wineries in the Tuscan countryside, as shown above. Trips like these really could be your reality. And living near popular destinations that you adore makes it all the easier. Not to mention, more affordable.
This group is all about turning those retirement dreams into plans. So, we invite you to join and begin navigating the path together — one post or comment at a time.
Stay Connected & Share Your Thoughts
From navigating the nuances of gift giving 🎁 to equipping ourselves with conversational phrases, we’re so happy to have you here, learning more about bella Italia.
Whether its the cultural and social side of things, or more of the technicalities, there’s always something new to learn and a big part of that is thanks to YOU. Your insights and questions are what fuel this newsletter and make it all for you, per te.
Until our next issue, remember that each step you take, no matter how big or small, adds to your unique story. A story that we’d love to hear all about! So, keep up the great work, and feel free to send any lingering questions our way.
P.S. Follow me on Insta!
PPS: For those of you who are following me on Threads - I’M BACK!!.
Ciao for now! Samantha