@Giovanni Doria please tell me you’re joking? 🤣 Well assuming that you might be new to this UA-cam channel, I’ve been living here for about 4 and a half years and have been coming here since I was a kid. Feel free to check out other videos on the channel for a better idea :)
You are saying everything that I want in life, it sounds so appealing. I just want to visit with the neighbors that become lovely friends, enjoy cappacino at a cute cafe, eat the wonderful food. You make me want to go now!
Italy is very beautiful. Some of the people are friendly. However, I prefer to visit only. The bureaucracy is a real challenge with those not fluent in the language and business culture. It is also getting very crowded due to millions of tourists visiting major cities and many places of interest. There are often hours long lines that will impact your tourist experience and dollar value. I have had better Italian food in Manhattan and D.C. than in Rome. Suppose it depends on where you go.
When I first saw the grocery prices I almost cried. I’m am not exaggerating when I say that was the thing that changed my mind. My mom has been setting up the citizenship for the whole family. I was indifferent before but it was having a near full grocery cart for €19,95 that brought tears of joy to my eyes and I finally saw the vision.
Once again Rafael hits the nail on the head regarding the “true” (or what I call the “genuine”) Italy that you can only find in smaller cities. Larger cities will have their famous museums and monuments…and that’s okay…but the genuine Italy IMHO can only be found in regional or smaller cities that are (unfortunately) not visited by many US travelers. I cringe when first-time visitors spend only 10 days or only visit Rome, Florence and Venice-the traditional tourist run. It’s actually very difficult for me to recommend “where” a first time visitor should go so I typically suggest “on your second trip” visit places like Siena, Lucca, Ravello, Verona, Capri or Perugia. Then on your “third trip” visit places where Italians go on vacation. 👍🏻 🇮🇹
I love the olive oil/butter line. I live in Calabria, am Canadian/German/Russian by heritage. My cooking style encompasses many different cuisines. When I let people who ask for my recipes know that I use butter they are absolutely horrified! Butter, garlic shrimp. Mussels dipped in butter and lemon.. Woah! ... I think that it is a regional thing that in the north they raise cows.. thus butter. In the south they have olive trees thus olive oil....Therefor the olive oil/butter line. Then there is also the question of pepperoncini and garlic! Ha!Ha! Great video once again... thankyou!
Thanks Rafi for confirming my thoughts about purchasing a home in Italy! Your last video did give a lot of information about life in Italy, but this current video only continues to excite my choice for the life of "la vita dolce"! Grazie mille!
It was really great to see the butter/olive oil discourse highlighted! I have relatives from Campania and Trentino so I feel "split" too. Now that winter is coming, I usually stock up on polenta (which requires a lot of butter, at least the way I make it). In the summer, I rely a lot on olive-oil based cuisine. Glühwein is always a go-to when it is colder, too. I personally believe Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol is Italian. All political parties, including the separatists, rejected that referendum Francesco Cossiga suggested back in 2006, for what it is worth.
Awesome video , you really captured it all so well , and confirmed what we found having spent a number of weeks in Italy from north to south , big / small cities , what we expected to be the “ Italian “ lifestyle .. exists , But In so many different forms as you so clearly articulated . !! Thanks !!
Hi Rafael, my wife and I love watching your take on Italy and being an ex-pat living in Italy. My family immigrated to the states when I was 10 months old and I always fantasize about returning . I was wondering, how many people do you know that left Italy and have returned successfully? I wonder if their experience is the same as someone moving to Italy who has no family there. Keep up the great work!
Hey! I’m from Merano and I’ve had the “reverse experience”: I spent a year in Wisconsin when I was 18! Would’ve loved to get to know you when you were here in Merano, maybe share some experiences! Too bad you left! Cheers!
That you are mention at 6 mins in typical in Norway and i think most parts of the world, if you come from the fjords, sea side of the land where you have much fish then its normal that the dishes have fish in it, same if you go inlands where you have more wildmeat, deer, elk, rabbit etc.
Another awesome video and I share most of your view of the real Italy. I believe all Italy to be real, but I still prefer the small towns far away from the tourist centers and big cities, where you can connect with locals. "our" city; Chiusdino(SI), is a small city in Val di Merse where we come 3 times a year and locals can remember us. I hope my remote-only work continues so we can relocate next year. Love your channel, Rafael, and maybe you should make a video about relocating as a EU citizen (I'm danish). I have started researching about tax ID, etc. but still looking for info about starting your own small business (yes, I'm a IT freelancer working remote only and has done work from Italy, so it is doable...). Buon giornata, amico mio ...
Very good explanations, Raphael! I am definitely planning to move to a small city or larger town. I originally thought of the Assisi area - especially Spello. But I'm considering somewhere in Abruzzo - Pescara or Vasto or L'Aquila maybe. One of my Greatgrandfathers came from a small town in Abruzzo. Very small towns don't have enough...of everything. The major cities are not attractive for the reasons you mention. I'll probably come to Rovigo to submit my Citizenship claim because Marco’s firm will be able to help me get through it..Which will give me enough time to explore the places I might settle. PS I have always cooked with both Butter AND Olive Oil. It's all I use - no other oils.
Ciao, I'm from Abruzzo. I live near Teramo. You are right i think that the perfect dimension for a town is about 2000 people. I live in a town of 350 and it is too small!
I'm curious about the butter line and cultural differences. I am going to spend this winter in Lecce towards the bottom of the heel. I was told by an Italian today living here in the states that it is the equivalent of going to Appalachia. Wondering if you have any experience that far south?
As an Italian I don't want to defend Italy 'at all costs' but I can assure you that living in the South is certainly better than living in Appalachia, I don't know what your friend meant. The Italian province is richer than the American one, even in the South. I saw an American video-documentary on UA-cam that talked about 40 million people living below the poverty line ... I felt like crying. In addition, it must be taken into account that in Italy we have public health, a system that is difficult to find in other states.
Rome vs Spain Barcelona Madrid vs Paris I'm PR, USA. native talk Spanish. May have descendants. May go Spain for that, language, permit to live europe. Prefer Rome though.
There is no South vs. Deep South in the Italian perspective. There's il sud, il meridione, il mezzogiorno, that's it. I was curious about what could trigger the question and quickly saw that Americans writing about Italy use the "Deep South" as if it were a concept or reality, it isn't. Italy is a small physical area cobbled from separate sovereign powers, not a large number of states with a Civil War and the fight against Civil Rights in their rear view mirror. Rafi is showing his ignorance again.
I don't think Rafael said anything so wrong. In my humble opinion (but also based on my experience) there are, very simplistically: Northern, Central and Southern Italy. The center is the mix of north and south. This is very, very simplistic, of course.
The South is very different from the rest of Italy, simply because it is not Italy ... It has been a colony of the Italian state for 160 years, as was Libya, Somalia, Ethiopia, etc. Italy invaded the Kingdom of Naples in 1860, and since then, unfortunately for us Neapolitans , we have an Italian passport ... But we are NOT Italians!
For your edification, the North made themselves "Italian" though they are not, the oldest civilizations in Italy are in the South, with the Siculi as the first Italic peoples, take a look with your eyes at the typical Northern Italian v Southern Italian, who looks more Italian? the cast of Sopranos or the lederhosen wearing Northerners?
Comment question of the week:
What is it that most interests you about living in Italy?
@Giovanni Doria please tell me you’re joking? 🤣
Well assuming that you might be new to this UA-cam channel, I’ve been living here for about 4 and a half years and have been coming here since I was a kid. Feel free to check out other videos on the channel for a better idea :)
@Giovanni Doria Ah sorry if it came off that way, just was curious how you know of him :)
You are saying everything that I want in life, it sounds so appealing. I just want to visit with the neighbors that become lovely friends, enjoy cappacino at a cute cafe, eat the wonderful food. You make me want to go now!
Italy is very beautiful. Some of the people are friendly. However, I prefer to visit only. The bureaucracy is a real challenge with those not fluent in the language and business culture. It is also getting very crowded due to millions of tourists visiting major cities and many places of interest. There are often hours long lines that will impact your tourist experience and dollar value. I have had better Italian food in Manhattan and D.C. than in Rome. Suppose it depends on where you go.
When I first saw the grocery prices I almost cried. I’m am not exaggerating when I say that was the thing that changed my mind. My mom has been setting up the citizenship for the whole family. I was indifferent before but it was having a near full grocery cart for €19,95 that brought tears of joy to my eyes and I finally saw the vision.
I'd really like to know more about that olive oil-butter-line, of course I mean the food differences among regions, that is so interesting!
Cheers!
Thanks for letting me know, I'll have to think about that, it's actually quite an interesting topic :)
Seriously, this could be a topic for a whole new channel.
Once again Rafael hits the nail on the head regarding the “true” (or what I call the “genuine”) Italy that you can only find in smaller cities. Larger cities will have their famous museums and monuments…and that’s okay…but the genuine Italy IMHO can only be found in regional or smaller cities that are (unfortunately) not visited by many US travelers. I cringe when first-time visitors spend only 10 days or only visit Rome, Florence and Venice-the traditional tourist run. It’s actually very difficult for me to recommend “where” a first time visitor should go so I typically suggest “on your second trip” visit places like Siena, Lucca, Ravello, Verona, Capri or Perugia. Then on your “third trip” visit places where Italians go on vacation. 👍🏻 🇮🇹
I love the olive oil/butter line. I live in Calabria, am Canadian/German/Russian by heritage. My cooking style encompasses many different cuisines. When I let people who ask for my recipes know that I use butter they are absolutely horrified! Butter, garlic shrimp. Mussels dipped in butter and lemon.. Woah! ... I think that it is a regional thing that in the north they raise cows.. thus butter. In the south they have olive trees thus olive oil....Therefor the olive oil/butter line. Then there is also the question of pepperoncini and garlic! Ha!Ha! Great video once again... thankyou!
Thanks Rafi for confirming my thoughts about purchasing a home in Italy! Your last video did give a lot of information about life in Italy, but this current video only continues to excite my choice for the life of "la vita dolce"! Grazie mille!
I loved this one. Thank you.
Good vid and I liked the background you used.
It was really great to see the butter/olive oil discourse highlighted! I have relatives from Campania and Trentino so I feel "split" too. Now that winter is coming, I usually stock up on polenta (which requires a lot of butter, at least the way I make it). In the summer, I rely a lot on olive-oil based cuisine. Glühwein is always a go-to when it is colder, too. I personally believe Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol is Italian. All political parties, including the separatists, rejected that referendum Francesco Cossiga suggested back in 2006, for what it is worth.
Awesome video , you really captured it all so well , and confirmed what we found having spent a number of weeks in Italy from north to south , big / small cities , what we expected to be the “ Italian “ lifestyle .. exists ,
But In so many different forms as you so clearly articulated . !! Thanks !!
Hi Rafael, my wife and I love watching your take on Italy and being an ex-pat living in Italy. My family immigrated to the states when I was 10 months old and I always fantasize about returning . I was wondering, how many people do you know that left Italy and have returned successfully? I wonder if their experience is the same as someone moving to Italy who has no family there. Keep up the great work!
Hey! I’m from Merano and I’ve had the “reverse experience”: I spent a year in Wisconsin when I was 18! Would’ve loved to get to know you when you were here in Merano, maybe share some experiences! Too bad you left! Cheers!
That you are mention at 6 mins in typical in Norway and i think most parts of the world, if you come from the fjords, sea side of the land where you have much fish then its normal that the dishes have fish in it, same if you go inlands where you have more wildmeat, deer, elk, rabbit etc.
Dude, you are so good! Your vids are so informative. Thank you.
Great video, In your opinion what would the population before being small town, like 50,000?
Veneto was called south of the north because until recent decades it was a lot poorer than north-west Italy
But is Milano, Roma or Napoli a slower pace of life than NYC?
Another awesome video and I share most of your view of the real Italy. I believe all Italy to be real, but I still prefer the small towns far away from the tourist centers and big cities, where you can connect with locals. "our" city; Chiusdino(SI), is a small city in Val di Merse where we come 3 times a year and locals can remember us. I hope my remote-only work continues so we can relocate next year.
Love your channel, Rafael, and maybe you should make a video about relocating as a EU citizen (I'm danish). I have started researching about tax ID, etc. but still looking for info about starting your own small business (yes, I'm a IT freelancer working remote only and has done work from Italy, so it is doable...).
Buon giornata, amico mio ...
Very good explanations, Raphael!
I am definitely planning to move to a small city or larger town. I originally thought of the Assisi area - especially Spello. But I'm considering somewhere in Abruzzo - Pescara or Vasto or L'Aquila maybe. One of my Greatgrandfathers came from a small town in Abruzzo.
Very small towns don't have enough...of everything. The major cities are not attractive for the reasons you mention.
I'll probably come to Rovigo to submit my Citizenship claim because Marco’s firm will be able to help me get through it..Which will give me enough time to explore the places I might settle.
PS I have always cooked with both Butter AND Olive Oil. It's all I use - no other oils.
Ciao, I'm from Abruzzo. I live near Teramo. You are right i think that the perfect dimension for a town is about 2000 people. I live in a town of 350 and it is too small!
Great video - thanks!
Is it possible to work in Italy right now without the jab?
Did you move to Italy 🇮🇹 & do you like it
Where is the olive oil/butter line? I would like to move to Italy after I retire and I hate butter! I will have to move to a town that uses olive oil.
I'm curious about the butter line and cultural differences. I am going to spend this winter in Lecce towards the bottom of the heel. I was told by an Italian today living here in the states that it is the equivalent of going to Appalachia. Wondering if you have any experience that far south?
As an Italian I don't want to defend Italy 'at all costs' but I can assure you that living in the South is certainly better than living in Appalachia, I don't know what your friend meant. The Italian province is richer than the American one, even in the South. I saw an American video-documentary on UA-cam that talked about 40 million people living below the poverty line ... I felt like crying. In addition, it must be taken into account that in Italy we have public health, a system that is difficult to find in other states.
I think that Italian was just a little bit racist. Have you visited Lecce?
When you come Padova... Let's make plan for meetup....
is there any organizations that can help me moved to Italy and find a job idk if that's a thing but if there are could you recommend them to me
I seriously need to move!! I will go and pack my bags right now - got room for an Aussie family of 3??? Hahahaha
Rome vs Spain Barcelona Madrid vs Paris
I'm PR, USA. native talk Spanish.
May have descendants.
May go Spain for that, language, permit to live europe. Prefer Rome though.
Speaking of cheese.. I finally tried a chunk of 'Parmesan' cheese
Thanks
Seriously US people think that we don't have amazon?
Where did you learn to speak Italian? Not speaking fluent Italian would hold me back from moving there.
you could live here 10 years and still feel foreign when speacking so don't warry about that too much we are not judgemental
Italia un museo a Cielo Aperto . Ciao 😘
Cost of Spain vs Rome?
Believe Spain is cheap..
Burocracy in Spain, as bad as Rome???
Yet you yourself left Italy for a better TAX regime in Portugal. 😮
There is no South vs. Deep South in the Italian perspective. There's il sud, il meridione, il mezzogiorno, that's it.
I was curious about what could trigger the question and quickly saw that Americans writing about Italy use the "Deep South" as if it were a concept or reality, it isn't.
Italy is a small physical area cobbled from separate sovereign powers, not a large number of states with a Civil War and the fight against Civil Rights in their rear view mirror. Rafi is showing his ignorance again.
I don't think Rafael said anything so wrong. In my humble opinion (but also based on my experience) there are, very simplistically: Northern, Central and Southern Italy. The center is the mix of north and south. This is very, very simplistic, of course.
The South is very different from the rest of Italy, simply because it is not Italy ... It has been a colony of the Italian state for 160 years, as was Libya, Somalia, Ethiopia, etc. Italy invaded the Kingdom of Naples in 1860, and since then, unfortunately for us Neapolitans , we have an Italian passport ... But we are NOT Italians!
Ok no problems
Ci mancava proprio il minus habens neoborbonico 😂
For your edification, the North made themselves "Italian" though they are not, the oldest civilizations in Italy are in the South, with the Siculi as the first Italic peoples, take a look with your eyes at the typical Northern Italian v Southern Italian, who looks more Italian? the cast of Sopranos or the lederhosen wearing Northerners?
Ah ecco, il nostalgico del re Bomba ci mancava.