English At the end of every interview we do, we always ask expats the same question: “What would you genuinely tell someone who wants to move to Italy but is full of doubts?” And the answers, as varied as they are, always come back to the same thing: flexibility.
We talk about this word a lot these days, but honestly, it’s one of those things we rarely think about during the romanticization phase – when moving to Italy feels like golden light, pasta, and charming little villages in our heads. And look, Italy is all of that. Stunning places, warm people, a lifestyle that costs significantly less than many other countries. But is that the whole picture? Obviously not. Here’s why Italy isn’t for every expat.
1. Italy isn’t for people who want everything now
One of the main reasons people move to Italy is wanting to prioritize a different quality of life – slower, more human, less driven by productivity at all costs. It means embracing small, everyday rituals that most of us have quietly stopped making time for: a proper lunch break, Sunday with family, and so on.
But it also means making peace with waiting. Bureaucracy (you’ve probably already heard enough about that). Smaller, specialized shops instead of one-stop megastores. Lunch breaks where everything shuts down. Almost nothing open 24/7. In short, it means giving up the comfort of instant convenience, which isn’t for everyone.
2. Learning the language isn’t optional
As we’ve talked about on the podcast, foreign language teaching in Italian schools has a lot of room to improve. On top of that, there’s the long tradition of dubbing – and while Italy has some of the finest dubbing professionals in the world (arguably the best country for it), it’s a system that hasn’t helped younger generations get naturally comfortable with foreign languages.
All of this to say: not everyone in Italy speaks English, especially older generations. That’s slowly changing, and most young people today speak at least some. But trying to build a real life in Italy without any intention of learning the language is going to be tough, especially when it comes to actually connecting with locals.
The upside? Italy might be one of the best places in the world to just try. However broken your Italian is, the response is almost always some version of: “Bravissimo, keep going!” It’s genuinely encouraging.
3. It’s not always the “affordable” country you think – especially if you’re job hunting
If you’re an expat looking for local employment, the situation is a bit complicated. Yes, the cost of living is lower than in many countries. But local salaries are also significantly lower, and the job market is competitive enough that you might spend months searching for a position that doesn’t even pay that well.
The result? Two common scenarios: people leave Italy in search of better opportunities abroad (the well-known brain drain), or they stay and normalize the system, accepting it as part of “paying your dues.”
This obviously depends a lot on the sector. There are industries in high demand, including for expats. But it’s something worth factoring in from the start. Italy tends to work much better for remote workers with foreign income, retirees, and entrepreneurs. For these categories, there are different types of visas available – if you need guidance, click below and we can have a chat together!
4. Regional differences run deeper than you think
Everyone talks about regions like Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia – and when it’s finally time to move, the picture in our heads tends to be a little narrow and, let’s be honest, a bit surface-level.
You might assume that Italy, being a relatively small country compared to many others, is fairly uniform. But it’s literally many different worlds, and your expat experience can shift dramatically depending on where you choose to live.
Every region comes with its own pros and cons that are worth weighing carefully before making the move. Sicily is wonderful, for example – but transport outside the main cities is pretty unreliable, so you’ll absolutely need a car. Compare that to somewhere like the Verona area in the north, where even without a car, trains can get you to most places. Same goes for Tuscany – a stunning region with equally amazing food, but genuinely inconvenient if proximity to major airports matters to you. The point is: your experience in Italy can be wonderful or a complete disaster, and a lot of that depends on your needs and where you choose to settle.
5. Italy isn’t for people who need quiet and order
This one might sound funny, but it’s real. I remember a trip to Japan a few months ago where I saw just how different things could be – orderly queues before boarding trains, unstaffed self-service shops, near-silence in public spaces. Genuinely impressive.
Italy is essentially the opposite. Slow living and warmth, yes – but also noise. Make peace with a certain level of chaos, whether you choose a city or a tiny village in the Umbrian mountains. Expect neighbors who talk loudly, curious glances, questions from people you’ve just met. This is not a country where everyone minds their own business. Relationships are at the core of the culture here.
For some people, that feels like an invasion of privacy. For others, it feels like community. Neither is better or worse. It’s just different. But if you need control over your space, clear boundaries, and orderly environments – you might find the daily friction exhausting.
Final thoughts
Italy isn’t for people who need to be in control of everything around them. Every expat we’ve spoken to who has genuinely built a happy life here says the same thing: don’t try to change things, and don’t try to recreate your home country under a different sun.
Like anywhere in the world, Italy rewards the people who are willing to be changed by the place they choose.
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