I have a couple questions about moving to Italy from US, I would appreciate any help

neogeofl

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I was thinking of selling my new house here in the USA and moving my family to Italy. I was wondering if anyone here from Italy or anywhere knows if I need anything special to get a job over there? Buying a house there should be easy since I will have the money from selling my house, but I am thinking about how to get a job over there. I know this is a gaming forum, but I know there are a few italian members here who may be able to help me out with some information or can point me to some web-sites with information. Also, will my TV's, Xbox, arcade system, etc work over there as long as I get a converter for the plug? Thank you so much for any help!
 

neogeofl

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Highlander67 said:
Just curious, why do you want to move over there for?

My wife wants to move to Tuscany. I also am into a change of scenery! Plus my kids are still young and it should not affect them.
 

SouthtownKid

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If you are a US citizen, you can't just move to another country and get a job. We don't own the world. You'll need a work visa or something, unless you plan to become Italian citizens. If your company here has a branch over there, they can transfer you; I've had friends who have worked in Florence that way. I guess you could also become an illegal alien, but you should know that unemployment rates are higher there than here, particularly in the south, so don't just go there figuring you'll find something.
 

neogeofl

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SouthtownKid said:
If you are a US citizen, you can't just move to another country and get a job. We don't own the world. You'll need a work visa or something, unless you plan to become Italian citizens. If your company here has a branch over there, they can transfer you; I've had friends who have worked in Florence that way. I guess you could also become an illegal alien, but you should know that unemployment rates are higher there than here, particularly in the south, so don't just go there figuring you'll find something.

Ummm, no one said I think we own the world. Why would you even say something that ignorant?!? I have been researching and I know about the work visa and all. We do plan on becoming Italian Citizens. I found out I have many relatives in Florence, but have never met them. I am trying to have my Great Aunt get a hold of them. So, if you are not going to help then stay out of my thread!
 

Howdoin

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I am not aware of immigration laws in the European Union (With the Schengen Agreement you can move/work freely in the EU when you have legal rights to work/live ion one of the member country).

However I can tell you that its not worth taking your TV and all hi/fi equipement to Europe. The only thing you can bring is the Xbox (you'll still need a voltage adaptor).

But TVs, DVD player and the rest will be of no use to you over there.


+ I would not do the move unless I have a guaranteed job over there. Look for the job before and when you have one then move... unless you can afford waiting 3/6 months before working or will take any low pay job at the local Mc Donald.
 
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neogeofl

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Yeah, I found a web-site that explains how it is hard to get a work visa, but italians hire Americans (because they speak English) "under the table" to work in pubs, restuarants, etc...while they wait to get a work visa. Also, having family over there might make it a little easier. Working on that part now.
 

Argentina94

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You seem to be going about this a little blindly. Before I continue, I speak from experience since I moved to Argentina from Canada 3 years ago because my wife wanted us to live there. I lasted 8 months and coudn't find a job even sweeping floors.

Although I completely understand why you would chose to do this (life there is much more pleasant than in North America), you need to factor in a few things:

Do either you or your wife speak italian?
Do you already have a house to buy there or a temporary rental once you arrive?
Do you have any connections there that can assist you in finding a quick temporary job until you find something you like?
Have you factored in expenses for the children, including health care since you will not be covered by the government there?
Do you plan to have available funds after you buy your house to tide the family over while you still look for work (I assume so since your american funds will do nicely when buying a house there)?

Please factor in these questions to your plans as you will not find it that easy to find even menial labour since, as an american, you will be over-qualified and under-qualified for skilled labour if you do not speak the language. Also, competition is much tighter there. Here, you can work as a dock worker and still make decent money but labour there is much cheaper.

I speak fluent spanish and have no trouble making my way in Argentina, but even if the economy there isn't quite like here, it's still leagues better than the rest of the continent and I still came up empty handed.

To be fair (something I'm planning to do this November), your best avenue for secure income is to open your own business. Don't waste the money (as I did) on simply getting by and invest in something for yourself.

I wish you luck as I think you are doing the right thing for yourself and your family. I just hope you understand the risks.
 

not sonic

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not bein a dick or anything here, but how old are the kids?
 

neogeofl

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not sonic said:
not bein a dick or anything here, but how old are the kids?

I have 4 year old twin boys. They have not started real school yet, so it should not be a big change to them. Plus they will learn a third language. They know English and Polish so far. My wife is Polish and I am italian.
 

vincewy

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Neogeofl, I'm not immigration expert but since you're ethnic Italian, I guess you can get Italian citizenship, check with immigration there. But I'd advise against going there, sure many people fancy the life style but the bottom line is, can you make a living there? When I lived in Canada there're many Italian immigrants, they had to come to North America since jobs, resources are scarce and competition for those are fierce.

There're many things we have here people take for granted, ie: cheap food, housing, and jobs (even if some aren't ideal). In Europe (worse in many other parts of worlds), those are well protected for their own citizens and people compete for those fiercely, you wonder why so many people try to risk their lives to come to US. This reminds me of a few years ago in Argentina during the economic fallouts, many Argentines of Italian decents lined up at Italian Embassy wanting to move to Italy, do you know what they ended up doing? Either washing dishes or doing other menial jobs.

Another factor, although it may seem minor, is the cost of living, even if you do secure a job there, check how much your take home income can buy in Italy, you'll be shocked. Ultimately, if you don't speak perfect Italian, you'll always be treated like second class citizen, this is a concrete fact. If you really like the lifestyle there, why not work in US only for 9 months, and spend the rest of the year living in Italy, it might change your mind very shortly about moving there.
 
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