Is it easy to make friends in Italy?

Hi Euroguy

Getting to know people in a new country is always difficult at first. The fact that you can speak the local language already puts you in a great position to meet locals and establish solid friendships. There is also a thriving expat community in most of the larger cities, so it shouldn't be too difficult for you to feel at home.

Italians are known for being social and if you put effort into getting to know the local culture you should be able to settle in well. Have a look at some of the interviews on our expat experiences in Italy page to see some real-life examples of how expats made friends when they moved to the country.

When are you planning to move? Will you be moving to Italy alone?

- Daniela

Hi Daniela, thank you for your reply. Planning to move by the end of next year. I have a house to sell and lots of possessions because I tried to make New Zealand my home :( I will be moving alone. What picturesque places would you suggest? Yesterday I was looking at the Costo D'Amalfi. Not too cold not too hot and also by the sea? Any suggestions? Thanks

It is never hard to make friends if you are loyal to them. No matter a person is from Italy or any other country be pure with them and they will love you more then just a friend.

Thanks Abdul. Thats the way it works in Europe. So true! But not here in New Zealand. They are so insular here :( New Zealand is as big as Italy but has a population of 4.5 million. Absolutely beautiful country with lots of green pastures and land. But thats about it. Anywyay yesterday I was looking at the Amalfi Coast. Never been there - I'm from Siena. Che pensi dall'Costo d'Amalfi? (sorry my Italian is not as perfect as it was - no italian tv here )

Good luck with the move to Italy, it's a wonderful country and the people are friendly. You should have no problem.

Hi Euroguy

I left the UK in 2004 after getting tired of the UK issues and migrated to New Zealand. Living there for 8 years I decided to move to Australia after meting a lovely lady there and we are now both looking to have a year off and want to move to Italy for 6 months or so and then to Spain later to complete our year travels.

I have the UK passport still but with the Brexit rubbish, I am unsure if it will close options off for me to work in Italy. I just want casual work or PT work in Italy. Otherwise I believe the Schenzen agreement will allow NZ citizens to work in Italy but will need to get a job approved and then need to get a work visa and tax number after this.

Did you find work in Italy and what were your difficulties?

Any contacts would be great to follow-up on so I might get a head start when we move this year.

Hope you can help

Cheers

Rob

Actually in Italy is very easy to make friends, especially if you are English speaking foreigner. Italians are super curious and usually in the big international cities like Milan its very easy to go out in the bar alone and after 10 minus you will be surrounded by local who wants to know better your life story, why you are in Italy and in the same time its a way for them to improve English for them.