Job Discussion Forums

lovetowander · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Australia temp..

hi Was hoping to get some info on which area is more expensive to live, Italy or France? Everywhere is getting tough work wise as you all know. I'm thinking that its better to find somewhere not so expensive to live and try and ride it out a bit. I work mostly online so work is not so much a problem (nt enough of it tho) but expeneses are a pain. I'm in ireland t the moment and it is so very expensive here.
appreciate comments. thanks so much xx

ragazzo gallese · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 47 Location: Saigon, Vietnam

Very roughly speaking, France and northern Italy are about the same, southern Italy (not including Rome) tends to be 20-30% cheaper.

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Betti · Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Posts: 44

Oh SueH, your post made me laugh out loud. To change the subject completely .... I'm just about to sign for payment for my PON course (for those that are interested). Seems like the cash is on its way for this rich Southerner!
OP - I live in Sicily. The cost of living is fairly low, based on the principle that there's not much to do!! However, electricity bills are higher than in the UK but plus side for gas is that it's not piped but bottled (here used only in the kitchen) therefore, with my lack of culinary skills a 'bombola' - at about 20 Euros a pop - lasts for 6-8 months. At the moment, the humidity and heat here is draining; air-con is a must and that eats up those Euros like anything. Rents are not high (I'm a Londoner) compared to my hometown, but not that low considering the place - between 300 - 400 Euros per month for a decent 1-bed flat. Eating out is much cheaper than the UK (surprise, surprise), but can't compare to France as I have no experience there. Plus sides for me are the food, the free olive oil I get from students and my landlord, olives, almonds, lemons and oranges - all given as gifts and consumed with great pleasure!

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Well done on the PONS front. I'm getting some freelance work in October through a local library, and with decent group sizes I'll also be making a decent take home (they assure me there is demand..).

I must visit Sicily one of these days, the food appeals! Bit worried that a bombola lasts you so long; I'm not exactly a domestic goddess but I do around 3 months...

And sorry OP, we do get a bit discursive here... bit like an Italian bar conversation, or one of my adult lessons....

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

Blimey Sue - you had me worried!

To the OP: living here is definitely on a par expense-wise with the UK if you discount accommodation costs. I nearly fell over in the supermarket yesterday at the shock: 12 euros for 200g ham, a portion of paella, and a piece of ricotta / chocolate cake. That's about �12, isn't it?

A lot depends on whether or not you get a car. Decent second hands can easily cost in the thousands range, and your insurance will be a killer. Petrol not too cheap either, unless you live in a semi-autonomous region like SueH.

Good news Betti and Sue on your various lucrative projects! Someone called me about EU-funded projects too, but until it's all signed I'm not holding my breath...

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Mrguay84 · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 125

What's a PON course?

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

Ministry of the Interior funded courses, as far as I know. Teachers get paid a lot more than at language schools. I'm not sure what PON stands for, but it basically means "good money".

La_Magica · Joined: 13 Nov 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Canada/Italia

National Operational Programme (reversed in Italian).

Partially funded by the European Union. Only applies to jobs in the southern regions. I still haven't figured out how to access these jobs, but if you find out, let me know!