Living, Studying, and Working in Italy: Everything You Need to Know to Live La Dolce Vita

The first thing you might notice about this book is that it lacks references to Italy's great art, popular tourist sites, and best hotels. But remember, this is no ordinary guidebook--leave the tourist stuff to others and let Neighbor and Larner take you on a tour of everyday life as an expatriate in Italy. Here you'll find information about taking language courses and teaching English, volunteering for archeological digs, and starting a business. There are plenty of practical tips about visas, banking, residency requirements, and--alas!--taxes. There are lists of language schools, volunteer opportunities, and internship programs as well as information about freelance, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities. In short, this guidebook extraordinaire might just be an expatriate's best friend in Italy.

Product Description
So, you want to move to Italy for six months but you don't speak the language well. How do you look for a job? Your heart is set on buying a farmhouse in Tuscany. What are the legal pitfalls to avoid? You'd like to study in Rome, but your college doesn't have a program. Which schools should you apply to? With all-new information on the Internet and on the effect of the conversion to the euro, this essential companion guide to Italy features - hundreds of addresses and Internet sites, from real estate agencies to job banks - details on visas, banking, taxes, and residency permits - freelance, seasonal, part-time, and full-time employment options - more than two hundred language schools, American colleges, and Italian universities Written by two seasoned expatriates, Living, Studying, and Working in Italy is packed with candid insider's tips and practical, up-to-date information for travelers of any age.

The final important point about this book is that it is geared toward Americans which is critical since the rules for EU citizens are different and not every book on the subject that is written in English is geared toward those of us from the US.

Final tip, even with this book I don't think I could have done this without the help of native Italians, (like hook up my gas) so do everything in your power to find italian contacts. But if it IS possible to do it with a book alone, this would be the one.


I Use It Every Week!   April 25, 2001
Dr. Randolph Becker (Key West, Florida, Conch Republic)
70 out of 71 found this review helpful

I got this book in preparation for a six month sabbatical in Venezia. Not only did it get me into the right mindset for my experience, but it gave me all the little details that would otherwise have taken hours, days, weeks, month to find for myself!

AND since I have been here (three months now) I find I continue to turn the book at least once a week. Sometimes big things, sometimes little things .... but always steered right.

A couple of examples:

to get the free internet service from Telecom Italia, you need your own tax number (codice fiscale). Quick look in the book, office to the Ministry of Finance, redirected to a different building, got the number, used it, got on-line (56K for free!), in less than 2 hours.

to have a legal stay over 90 days, have to get a visa in advance -- check out the book, contact the appropriate consulate, and everything was done in perfect order

then to have a legal right to stay in Venezia, need a Permit of Stay --- check out the book, go the Questura, get the information, appear for the interview, return for the final form ... yes, it all took two different mornings for about two hours each ... but without advice from the book, I would have wasted many days arriving later in the day, etc. Just one little quibble -- the book suggests that you will be confronted by less-than-helpful police: here in Venezia every official I have dealt with, including the police, have been polite, professional, and very helpful!

So, if you are planning a non-vacation stay in Italy, GET THIS BOOK! NOW!


Practical, no-nonsense guide to living abroad   July 1, 1999
29 out of 30 found this review helpful

I wasn't sure what to expect with a book like this. Would the authors be so in love with Italy that they wouldn't be objective? Would they have had such bad experiences that they had nothing good to say about the country? I was pleasantly surprised to see an objective, thoughtful commentary on what you can reasonably expect to find living in Italy. Helpful tips, amusing anecdotes, loads of further resources, and practical--yet encouraging--advice. Recommended!


THE source for Americans wanting to live in Italy!   June 19, 1998
Linny@pacbell.net (Burlingame, Cailifornia)
34 out of 36 found this review helpful

As a Librarian I see many books about living abroad. Unfortunately they are usually written from the British perspective. The British information regarding employment in Italy really doesn't pertain to US citizens.However, this book explains all the ways to work, live and have a wonderful life in Italy! Make sure your bags are packed - you'll want to leave for Italia as soon as you are finished reading the book!


Very thorough and helpful   December 16, 2004
Jessica V. Stewart (Boston, MA USA)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful

This book is great because it gives you things from an American perspective. I've lived in Italy before on a study abroad program, so I was familiar with some things, but the lists of contact information alone are enough reason to buy this book. It covers everything from student visas to getting dual citizenship and from teaching ESL to starting your own business. A must read for anyone thinking about moving to Italy.