Pros and cons of moving to Italy

Italy is a study in contrasts. Decades of Hollywood films have created an image of the country that's hard to shake. While Italy certainly is a sophisticated and beautiful place to live, not everything is as perfect as the silver screen may make things seem.

As with every country, there are pros and cons to living in Italy. Here are a few points to consider.

Lifestyle in Italy

Living well in Italy is all about perspective. Expats arriving with lofty expectations will likely be disappointed. By acknowledging that Italy has its faults like any other large, busy and heavily populated country, new arrivals will quickly learn to love Italy despite its challenges.

+ PRO: A buzzing nightlife

Italians tend to be incredibly social. Only torrential rain and snow can keep them indoors. Whether they're chatting to friends over a late dinner or going for a stroll down the main street, Italians don't tend to be homebodies.

This enthusiasm for after-dinner socialising is contagious and many expats soon find themselves, gelato in hand, admiring the shops and impromptu street concerts late into the night.

- CON: Limited English speakers

Very few Italians are fluent in English. Expats in big cities will naturally be better off as city dwellers are more accustomed to tourists, but in some towns, there can be no English speakers for miles.

Many expats find that people are abrupt when spoken to in English. This usually happens in the more popular cities such as Florence, Rome and Venice, where the jaded locals often view tourists as a nuisance.

+ PRO: Amazing surroundings

No matter where expats live in Italy, they'll be surrounded by an incredibly rich heritage and natural beauty. 

- CON: Dirty streets

While it isn't fair to expect centuries-old cities to be spotless, Italy does have a real problem with grime. The mess is a combination of age, overcrowding and an inefficient approach to proper rubbish collection.

Cost of living in Italy

The cost of living in Italy is on par with the rest of Europe. Although its economy isn't in the best shape, its prices haven't risen. Those not from Europe may find that prices are steeper than they're used to.

+ PRO: Cheap and tasty food

Italians have amazing supermarkets. Even the smallest supermarket in the smallest town has an incredible selection of fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese. Certain products are also significantly cheaper than they may be in an expat's home country. The quality of produce is also exceptional, with strict food laws preventing the excessive use of preservatives or colourings.

- CON: Expensive amenities

Italy has limited resources, so while products made in the country might be affordable, imported goods are much more expensive. Resources such as fuel, gas and electricity are also pricey. 

Education in Italy

Italian culture prioritises schooling, so even if expat children don't speak Italian, they're assured a good education.

+ PRO: Excellent and affordable

In Italy, children start learning to read and write at the age of three. Public education is free. Students are provided with a well-rounded education in the sciences, arts and history, as well as nutritious and varied school lunches. Most Italian cities also have reputable international schools, but in contrast to public schools, these can be expensive.

- CON: Difficult choices

Italian high schools are unique in that they provide specialised teaching, as opposed to teaching from a holistic curriculum. As most Italian high schools have their speciality, children attend the high school that teaches the subjects that most interest them. This choice can impact what university degree they can study for and presents a challenging decision for children as young as 14.

Accommodation in Italy

There’s a long-standing joke about Italians living at home until they're 40 because they don't want to do their own washing. While there's a grain of truth to this, their reluctance to leave the nest also stems from an understanding that good housing in Italy is hard to come by.

+ PRO: Well maintained

While the décor is often dated, it would be difficult to criticise the state of most of the apartments available to rent. Italians tend to be discerning buyers and they expect their apartments to be in good working order.

- CON: Expensive, small and old

The vast majority of Italy's apartment blocks were built in the 1960s and 1970s from the same grey concrete mould. Although these apartments are small and sparse on modern furnishings, they still go for a premium.

Working in Italy

Finding a job in Italy isn’t as easy as it once was, regardless of whether a new arrival is an EU citizen or not. 

- CON: High unemployment

Italy’s economy has seen better days. Every year, thousands of university students graduate with no job prospects. To be safe, expats should try to secure a job in Italy before they move away from home. Even the traditional expat hospitality jobs are in short supply now. 

- CON: A lot of paperwork needed

As a degree of bureaucracy permeates Italy, getting anything official done can be a confusing, frustrating and drawn-out process. To avoid this, many expats ensure that they always have a reputable bilingual lawyer on hand whenever they sign documents.

Transport in Italy

While it's easy to get around between the cities and towns of Italy, driving here can be dangerous. 

+ PRO: Good public transport

Although people love to complain about the state of Italian public transport, it is generally quite good. It doesn't have the punctuality of Switzerland's, say, but it's cheap, safe and reliable in the cities and connects the entire country from north to south. 

- CON: Dangerous roads

Italian driving culture can be aggressive and drivers often go over the speed limit. Many expats also find the road rules to be confusing and the roads are often congested.

Healthcare in Italy

The chances of finding employment might be slim, but Italian healthcare is excellent and affordable.  

+ PRO: Great healthcare

Healthcare in Italy is an unheralded success story. The country's public hospitals are extremely good, and expats can easily get access to doctors, specialists and dentists in even the most rural areas.