Your new Italian mantra: Chi va piano, va lontano. (Whoever goes slowly, goes far.)
The beauty of a slow approach, baseball in Italy, starting your language journey and more.
Chi va piano, va lontano. ⏳🚗 🕰️
Whoever goes slowly, goes far. The first time I heard this saying, it was in reference to driving, as in, drive carefully and you’ll get to where you’re going. I appreciate the message, especially since I now have teenage drivers. Take your time. Don’t rush. Maybe even enjoy the journey. This popular idiom has vast applications that stretch way beyond driving.
Wherever you are on your journey to a life in Italy, things are probably moving a bit slower than you’d like. Need internet service turned on? Expecting a birth certificate from Napoli? You’d like to see a property for sale? Everything just takes time. How much time? This answer is the same as every question related to Italian taxes: It depends.
I’ve been tempted by frustration in two main areas recently: my citizenship application and learning Italian. Both are taking much longer than I expected but I’ve shifted my perspective over the years to embrace the struggle.
Now, I look at the long wait for a consulate appointment as a blessing. It actually gives me enough time to work through the checklist slowly, appreciating what every document represents in my family’s history. 📚 I’ve actually uncovered some unexpected and precious stories about my grandfather, who is my LIRA (last Italy-registered ancestor), and I cherish the time spent reminiscing.
As far as learning the language, slow progress is better than no progress. I studied Italian in college for several years but didn’t have a goal of living in Italy so I lacked motivation. Today, it’s easier to put in the work because there’s a prize in sight. When I think I don’t have time to sit down and study, I remember that a steady approach is better than a frantic approach.
Insomma, don’t be afraid to repeat it over and over again: Chi va piano, va lontano. Let it serve as a gentle reminder to approach your move to Italy with a patient and open mindset. In a country where time seems to move at its own leisurely pace, understanding and embracing this slow rhythm becomes crucial for a smooth transition. So, as you plan your next step, remember: take it slow, and you'll go far in the heart of Italy. 💚 ♥️
America’s Pastime, Italian Style ⚾️ 🇮🇹
With the World Series just wrapping up in the United States, baseball is at the center of the die-hard sports fan’s universe right now. Commonly known as America’s pastime, it seems the love of baseball stretches across the globe into some surprising places, including Italy.
Baseball’s roots actually run deep in Italy, as documented by the film City of Baseball (you can check it out on YouTube). When American soldiers landed in the seaside town of Nettuno in Lazio, in 1944 they introduced the sport to locals and it has existed in some form since then.
I recently chatted with an Italian-American from Georgia who plays for one of Italy’s professional baseball teams to get some perspective on the sport’s international reach.
Joseph Cuomo’s love for the game was born in Florida and Georgia, two states known for producing incredible baseball talent. A dedicated athlete, he was always on a team, whether it be a travel team or his high school team. After playing for both Bryan College and Mississippi College, he spent the 2022 season in the Chicago area, playing for the Joliet Slammers (Independent League), and then went off to Italy.
It was a text message from the general manager of Fortitudo Baseball in Bologna that started his journey. At first, he wasn’t sure how to respond, mainly because he didn’t know about baseball in Italy, but the opportunity sent him on an adventure that also honored his family. “I have Italian heritage so that was big deciding factor for me,” he says. “I wanted to go somewhere I could honor my heritage and see where my extended family was from.”
Through this unexpected adventure, Joseph completed the dual-citizenship process and spent an unforgettable season in Bologna. His team, UnipolSai Fortitudo Bologna, even won the 2023 Italian Baseball Series title. “Baseball is definitely not the most popular sport over in Italy but it is growing,” he says. “In our league, we only played two or three times a week up until playoffs. For me, I loved that because I had the opportunity to travel around the beautiful country of Italy.”
Joseph loved his experience so much that he’s planning on returning to Bologna for the 2024 season.
Baseball and softball in Italy are becoming more popular, and not just in the professional ranks. Diamonds and stadiums can be found all over the country and kids have opportunities to play in organized leagues at every level. For ex-pats, catching a game could offer a familiar taste of home.
Location Spotlight: Cefalù, Sicilia 🍋
If your new life in Italy includes salt-water breezes, bustling Medieval streets where tourists and locals mingle, and some of the country’s best seafood, then Cefalù is worth exploring.
An hour east of the Sicilian capital city of Palermo, Cefalù is a resort town full of charm, energy, and colorful scenery. Originally inhabited by the Greeks in the 4th century BC, this relatively small town (about 14,000 inhabitants) houses a mix of Norman and Byzantine architecture and is known as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. Here, you can spend your days enjoying the historic sites in the shadow of La Rocca di Cefalù (a huge cliff that dominates the landscape) and your evenings strolling along the crescent-shaped sandy beach hugging the Tyrrhenian coast.
Among the not-to-miss landmarks are the Cathedral of Cefalù (a Unesco World Heritage site), the Lavatoio Medievale (Medieval Wash House), and the Museo Mandralisca.
Since Palermo is the closest town that we can use for comparison, let’s take a look at the costs of some everyday products here and in Seattle. You’ll see just how much your money can stretch in the south of Italy:
Housing costs are also significantly less:
Last Sunday’s Vendita newsletter featured TWO ⬇️ amazing properties in Cefalù. Did you miss it? Be sure to subscribe via email, or join our Telegram channel. It’s completely free!
ASA (Ask Samantha Anything)
Email us at sophia@smartmoveitaly.com to submit your questions.
Dear Samantha: I do not have much exposure to the Italian language but I am trying to learn before moving there. How much weight should I put on my language skills when trying to decide where to move? Eventually, of course, I'd like to be able to communicate well but I think that may be a long way off.
Dear Marie: Ciao Marie. The first thing I will say is don't let your limited language skills slow down your plans or prevent your move altogether. Learning a new language takes time, patience, and persistence.
Learn a few words but don't wait until you are fluent, that will come when you are using the language every day.
As far as the best place to live based on English, I would suggest choosing a place you love and that resonates with you, rather than the language barrier.
English isn't widely spoken in Italy except for cities and high tourist areas, and even then you will find it hard to connect with a doctor, accountant, etc who speaks fluent English. It will take time but eventually, you will be able to communicate everywhere you go. Move to where your heart tells you.
Procrastinating on Starting Your Language Journey? 🇮🇹🗣️
On a recent trip to Italy, I was determined to hone my language skills. This meant practicing my order before walking into a bar, constantly looking up unfamiliar vocabulary, and trying not to rely on Google Translate.
To be honest, I had mixed results. Some responded graciously with a smile in slow(er) Italian, giving me a chance to comprehend. Others immediately challenged me with Italian so fast I could barely decipher a word. In tourist areas like Florence and Siena, my attempts were immediately thwarted with responses in English.
In the end, I felt good about my efforts, humbled by how much I have to learn, and motivated to continue.
Maybe you’ve heard that you can get by in Italy without learning the language. It’s not wise to lean on that advice, but probably not for the reason you think. Yes, it’s true that many people speak English, but since Italy is a country built on relationships, learning the language, even at its most basic level, shows respect for the culture and allows you to participate rather than just consume.
Getting started can sometimes be the most difficult step, but be encouraged! Many, many people have successfully gone before you and there are so many resources out there. An attainable goal is to master the basics. This could mean learning how to greet someone and introduce yourself, how to order at a restaurant, or how to buy a train ticket.
If you’re procrastinating, this is your sign. NOW is the perfect time to get started. Here’s a quick lesson from Margherita Berti of Italian Matters, Smart Move Italy’s language expert:
Regardless of your age, starting something new can be intimidating but learning even the very basics of the language is well worth the investment of time if you truly want a life in Italy.
Where are you on your language-learning path? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Daryl and Claudia Wiebe - From Vancouver to Fano 🇨🇦 ✈️ 🇮🇹
Set a date and work towards it. That’s the strategy Daryl and Claudia followed when planning their move to Italy. After participating in a Smart Move Italy bootcamp, the couple became a part of the Vita Italia community and, from there it was full steam ahead.
“One of the early tasks in the program is to set a 'goal date' - we did that right away, choosing July 3, 2023,” Daryl shared in a recent Facebook post. “Two years later, and a few unexpected hurdles along the way, and we are moving from Vancouver, Canada to Fano, Italy…”
The couple fell in love with the Le Marche region, particularly Pesaro and Osimo, but they were unable to find housing options in either. Letting the rental market guide their path, they found a home in Fano, and the town fits them perfectly.
There were bumps along the way but being a part of the Smart Move Italy community made the process as stress-free as possible.
We have so much gratitude for Samantha Wilson and her team at Smart Move Italy, who provided us with all the help and support we needed over the past two years to make this move. - Daryl Wiebe
You can read about the Wiebe’s new chapter on Claudia’s website.
If you have a desire to follow in their shoes, Smart Move Italy is a great resource. Our private community, A New Life in Italy, is open for enrollment right now. Interested? Check it out here or enroll below. ⬇️
Proposed Changes to the Regime Impatriati in 2024 📌
If you follow our go-to Italian tax expert, Paolo Rigo, you’ll know he recently shared a video on his Studio Rigo channel regarding proposed changes to the current tax regime for ex-pats. Check out his video for further details, but these are some of the possible changes to the 90/10 and 70/30 tax regime:
👉🏼 The new regime will replace the old one (which had granted 90% tax-free income if residing in the southern regions and 70% for central and North.)
👉🏼 Only available for 5 years (no more extensions)
👉🏼 Reduced to 50/50 (from 90/10 or 70/30)
👉🏼 Must have not been a tax resident for the last 3 years. (Used to be 2)
These proposed changes will only impact new residents who are able to work in Italy, so ERV holders don’t have to be concerned. If these potential new policies do impact you, definitely schedule a chat with your commercialista (or move ASAP to establish residency before the end of 2023).
⭐️ This is an example of the topics we discuss and work through together in the New Life in Italy community. Come join us!
Your turn!
I particularly enjoyed writing this week’s newsletter because it touched on two of my favorite things: baseball and learning Italian. As I work on future issues, I’d love to cover some of your favorite things, so here’s your chance to share some of them with me.
What is it about Italy that has captured your heart? I’d love to hear about your favorite adventure. Maybe you’d love to go back to that little seaside town where you enjoyed the freshest fish you’ve ever had while taking in a Ligurian sunset. Or perhaps you recall finding yourself in the middle of a small-town festival that seemed to explode with energy. A memorable walk through the bustling streets of Naples or a biking adventure in the Dolomites? Do tell.
Your comments are always welcomed so click that button ⬇️ and share your thoughts on all things Italia. A presto!
P.S. Follow Samantha on Insta or Threads.
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