Job Discussion Forums

[ragazzo gallese]

Hi guys,

I'm coming towards the end of my first year in Italy. Although it's been quite good on the whole, my current town in Marche is a pretty quiet, and to be honest, not all that friendly - it's the kind of place where unless you went to scuola materna with someone, you'll never quite be in the circle of friends. Also, there aren't many ex-pats, and NO ONE is single here, which is a real drag when you are... Honestly, it's like a taboo!

Frankly, I escaped the small town I come from, only to end up in another. OK, it hasn't been all bad - I know some nice people, my students are generally a good lot, and it's cheap to live, but the time to move on is nigh.

I'm thinking about doing another year in Italy, and by September I will have a year's experience, a good reference, and CELTA on top, so finding a new contract shouldn't be too hard. I'm also Brit, so visas are not an issue.

What I'd like advice on is where I should go next... I think Rome and Milan would be too busy, and also too expensive. I want somewhere friendly and lively, and with a young ex-pat community, but also somewhere relatively safe and clean (I hate the filth and grafitti you get in some places) It would be good if there was some cultural stuff going on too. Re. costs, I don't want to be paying 500E for a room, and 50E for a meal out either, if you know what I'm saying.

I'm thinking maybe Emilia Romagna - possibly Parma or Modena, but I've been so busy with work that I haven't travelled much, apart from to the obvious places, like Florence, Rome and Venice, so there must be good places I haven't thought about.

Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Plus, I'm always looking to make new friends, so just say hello...

[Teacher in Rome]

Hi ragazzo gallese...

I'm also in the Marche (after having lived in Rome for a few years) and can well imagine how you want a bit more life. You don't say where you are exactly (I'm mid-Marche) but many small towns here are much of a muchness. However, I've found that I've made more friends here than I ever did in Rome. I think it probably takes a while to get to know Marchigiani, as they're definitely more reserved than the Romans, but hang in there, speak as much Italian as possible, and you should find that people will open up.

Personally, I prefer small towns to big cities, as it's much easier to get to know people. But I also think that work opps here are much more limited. Rome / Milan are definitely a better option work-wise, but you'll be spending a fortune on rent, as you mention. (I've never spent �50 on dinner in Rome, btw, so food should be at least as cheap as it is in Marche.)

You could try some of the smaller cities in the north, such as Cremona or Piacenza: near enough to Milan to get to work, but with a cosier town feel. If you want to avoid high Rome rents, then head out from the suburbs. In my opinion, most of the Rome suburbs are quite grim, though north (Santa Marinella in particular) are nice. Only drawback is pretty lousy public transport. There used to be a number of teachers living in Santa Marinella as I recall: you're on the beach, with a good lifestyle in summer, but close to all that Rome offers. Actually, if I were to go back to Rome, I would def go to S Marinella! Can't beat being on the coast.

Have you thought about Bologna or places like Siena? Small cities, but with large student populations. (Again, I don't know how old you are, but you may be closer to student age than I am.) Other mid-size cities you could consider are Genova (though I don't know of any schools there) and Napoli / Sorrento area.

Anyway, whatever you decide, I hope you find your "place". Let us know how you get on!

[ragazzo gallese]

[Teacher in Rome]

I've PM'd you!

[csfek]

If you're williing to go south, you could try Catania. It's not a big city, but has a pretty good night life for the size that it is. Also, it's a little cheaper than the rest of Italy and there are some expats there (or at least there were when I was there). Also, it has great food and a good climate!

[Vanica]

I lived in the Sabina hills, NE of Rome. Poggio Mirteto, Fara Sabina, some other towns, have express trains into Rome (but you need to take an infrequent bus from Poggio to the train station). It probably resembles Macerata but you can be in Rome in one hour.

Santa Maria degli Angeli is the town below Assisi and it is pretty bustling plus you can walk to the train station from anywhere. Everything runs smoothly for the tourists to go to the churches up the hill.

Perugia is full of students and immigrants from all over, and the buses run very well. They have a great jazz festival in July. Actually that might be the place for you if you are tired of small town life.

Isn't Le Marche full of Brits? By the way, what was the scuola materna like? I have a five year old daughter. Thanks.

[SueH]

You could also try the North-West.I live in a small city in the mountains where I've developed a decent circle of friends: although they are pretty well all Italian though. I train with a local footie team, play music (badly) with some local musicians on a (very) informal basis, and got myself known in various bars! It takes a little time but I'm pretty gregarious. In spite of my age (over 50) I've also had a few indecent proposals. During the winter there are plenty of British youngsters working here for the ski season.

You could try Torino which is a large city but slightly less intimidating than Milan, or one of the towns around it in Piemonte, preferably on a rail line. This would give you access to a variety of environments, and a day trip away from the sea or the mountains.

PS TiR: how's the fiddle playing these days?

[ragazzo gallese]

Thank you all for your advice. Perugia could be a winner, although since posting this thread I've been offered an interview with Wall Street in central Rome.

It's quite exciting, but I'm abivalent, because on one had it would be a lot of fun, but on the other I'm sure it would also be very expensive, and hard to get a handle on such a big place. Also, does anyone know anything about Wall Street?

Thanks again.

PS. I wish I was getting indecent proposals, Sue!
PPS. Marche IS full of Brits, but they live in old farm houses in the countryside.

[Jetgirly]

I used to live in Turin and now that I'm gone I really miss the lifestyle. I found strangers appallingly rude, but it was like the second someone knew your name they became very friendly. I didn't speak much Italian but I was still invited along to some amazing things- huge parties at villas up in the hills, a party for the PM or President's son's birthday (I didn't know who he was, but the paparazzi were there!), those hikes where you go hiking and wine tasting at the same time, Gardaland, camping in the Alps in the summer, etc. Once people knew me they were SO generous and kind. Oh, and I don't just miss the invitations! I miss aperitivo "hour" so much... just hanging out with your friends, drinking, listening to music and going to and from and to and from the buffet. And I miss living in the city center and walking everywhere. I watched The Italian Job (the original) the other week and I realized that every single location they showed in the film was within walking distance of my old apartment.

If I go back to Turin it would only be to teach at the international school as I've since obtained K-12 certification, and it might be hard at first to not have that network of adult students, but I think I could make it work. Especially if I spoke Italian!

[Marcoregano]

[clandestino]

I lived and taught in a small town in Calabria, and know the feeling of, "I could be doing better than this," you can get in a Southern Italian town all too well. Personally, I would go to Napoli! I know it's noisy and crowded and a bit mental, but i love it! There is a big expat community who are mainly very interesting people. I think Napoli is the perfect cure to small town Italy where in my experience there is very little to do except enjoy the countryside.

If you are looking for a good expat community and Italian friends, I would definitely try Florence. It is quite pricy, but there is lots to do and lots of interesting folk, except most are American gap year students.

Sicily would also be a decent option to try. I've been there a few times and know teachers who have really enjoyed it. I would go there if you want a more Italian experience.

Having lived in both the North and South and having travelled in both fairly extensively, I would definitely say that the South has more to offer the expat. Things are a lot cheaper, the people are generally more open and friendly and there is a lot more life. Northerners in my experience, tend to be a bit more reserved!

So, in conclusion, I think Napoli is the perfect answer to the monotony of small town Italy. Love it or lothe it, it's full of energy and you'll never get bored. There are lots of expats and friendly locals and you'll be able to come away with a far more unique experience than the average Brit who just stays in the sanatised snobby North! :p Plus there accent is cool and the food in Naples is by far the best in Italy- not that I'm one for sweeping, controversial statements!

Let me know how you get on mate,


Clandestino (didn't have time to proof read this one so it might be full of errors please don't crucify me for it)