Job Discussion Forums

roger the cabin boy · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

Hi! I recently received a job offer from a school in Naples, Italy and I'm in 2 minds as to accept or not. The citys got a load of bad press recently and I was just wondering how much of it is true and how much BS.

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

It's a great place to get cheap stolen goods! Smile

In 2002 I stepped out of Napoli Centrale and took a walk down the street. Within five minutes, an enterprising Italian man was trying to sell me a Sony digital camcorder (easily 1000 USD) for 50 EUR. I should have done it. Stinking morals!

Seriously, though. My impression of the city was that it was dirty, polluted, and seething with seedy people. Of course, that may just have been the 1/2 km around the train station. Just telling you what I've seen.

On the other hand, it's really close to the Amalfi coast, which is beautiful!

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

Coffeespoonman....What the ' enterprising' Neopolitan showed you probably was a hookey Sony camera. Give him 50 Euros however and all you get is the box filled with something the weight of a videocamera.
Then they scarper!

vre · Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Posts: 371

Yes, that happened to a friend of mine in Greece.

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

There is a restaurant type thing that is extremely well known and almost universally acknowledged as being the best place to get Pizza in Naples and, as a consequence, the world. It is really cheap and, when I went, there were about 100 people crowding to try and get in. I looked on, thinking "what the *beep*?" and eventually joined in. The reputation is thoroughly well deserved, gentleman.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 6:52 pm Post subject:

Hmmm. Opinions do vary! I was in Naples in 1998-9, so time may have changed, but...
The food is AMAZING! It will ruin pizza anywhere else in the world for the rest of your life. Pastas, cheeses, real italian espresso...I put on 10 pounds in 8 months. But, as everyone there believes that Italian food is the best in the world, when you get tired of italian, your options are pretty limited.
The people are friendly and keen to learn English. They generally don't know any, but teaching work was easy to find at the time. Also, those in the neighborhood found me to be such a novelty that I was never wanting for social engagements, invitations to parties, or a date on Friday night.
But, they are also VERY conservative. My (then) girlfriend had to be home by midnight, and wasn't allowed to enter my apartment by herself. And with the "neighbor watch" system, you can be sure her mother would have found out. (She was 26, by the way)
And you will have heard that crimes rates are high. I have nothing to add to that. Be very careful, all the time.
Still, the Amalfi coast is the best coast I've seen anywhere on the Med, and it's not too far to Sicily, etc.
I had a wonderful time, although I'll admit that if I return, it will be vacation only, not to live.
Good Luck,
Justin

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Actually, the guy showed me the camera, turned it on, and showed me all the functions. He wanted 200 EUR. When I told him, "No, I've only got 50 Euro," he said, "Ok," and tried to strap it onto my shoulder.

I think he just really wanted to get rid of it. I'm sure if I would have checked it out, it would have been full of pictures of some Japanese family's holiday.

teacheringreece · Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 79

Regarding the stolen camera, I hate to sound dull but you really did the right thing. I was mugged at knife point over a year ago (not in Naples btw) and had a mobile phone and MD player stolen. No doubt someone somewhere felt pleased with themselves to get such a bargain when the items eventually got sold on, and were content not to think about where it came from. I meanwhile have only just stopped looking over my shoulder every ten minutes.

Emu Bitter · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 8

It's a long time since I've been there, but I agree with the earlier food comment, great food in Naples.
In my brief time there, I got the impression of it being a fun place if you enjoy a drink, a little like Newcastle. If that's your kind of thing you'll probably like it. If it's not, you probably won't Smile

sorry not much help really.

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

Naples.....a very particular place...

What is it exactly you want to know about the city?

Transport, nightlife, shopping, pay, prices, rent, customs, days out..?

I have been here for 7 months now...so should be able to help you out!