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Thinking of immigrating to Italy - am I insane? (lemmy.world)

submitted 5 days ago by AHamSandwich@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Hi all! This is an alt for anonymity. Please be gentle, this is a hard topic for me to discuss.

I'm a progressive United States citizen who is looking to get out. I'm of Italian descent so I'm working on getting Italian citizenship through jure sanguinis, but it's going to take some time, if it works at all (gotta substantiate some relations) and won't extend to my husband until he completes a citizenship test, which he can do after living in Italy for two years.

Here's my big question: is moving to Italy even a good idea?

I know there's a significant element of fascism there, but that seems to be the case to varying extents throughout Europe. I've visited a few times as a tourist and everyone was very kind. I also have a US cousin that lives there as a permanent resident near Napoli and she is very encouraging, saying people will be welcoming. We don't want much, just to make a living and maybe have a kid.

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[–] LordWiggle@lemmy.world 11 points 4 days ago (2 children)

I wouldn't want to live near Napoli, or anywhere in the south. Italy is basically 2 countries. The rich north and the extremily poor south. It's a nice country but also has it's own issues. I love to go on holiday there, don't know if I would want to live there. But I have the luxury of living in The Netherlands, I guess anything is better than the US right now. Knowing the language helps a lot, if you do not speak it then for sure learn Italian, even if it's just the basics. Americans don't have a great status as expats or tourists, anywhere really, adjusting to the customs and loosing the americanism is recommended.

[–] AHamSandwich@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Might I ask about your concerns about Napoli? Are they more than crime?

Are there any areas you'd recommend? We're looking for more community/family engagement and a slower lifestyle, if it helps.

[–] LordWiggle@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

I was just a tourist, so take that into account. But in Napoli I felt fine on the main shopping streets, but when I would take a side road I felt very unsafe and watched. It's clear you don't belong there and you feel a target on your back, or at least that was my experience. Tourist heavy areas are better, but there are more pickpockets there too. I felt like I constantly had to look over my shoulder and shouldn't divert too far from the busy roads.

[–] rosco385@lemm.ee 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

I hate the north, they put up their nose at us like we're peasants.

[–] LordWiggle@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

It's really bad how the country is so divided. It would be better for everyone if this would change. But there's a lot of crime in the south, so I wouldn't want to live there.