4 Types of People Who Move to Italy

As I began working with more clients as an expat coach, I noticed that not everyone shared my approach to moving to Italy. I've learned a lot by working with different types of people who move to Italy.

I've come to categorize these people into four categories. Which are you?

1. The Planner Who Loves Italy

This is me! After visiting Italy several times, I decided it was where I belonged. I started planning at least two years out.

A Planner Who Loves Italy does everything she can to research and prepare. She starts studying Italian, visiting different cities to find the right fit, immersing herself in Italian culture where she lives, and researching things like visas and costs to move.

The Downside: As much as she prepares, she can't control everything! She'll encounter plenty that wasn't in the cards once she arrives in Italy.

2. The Fly-By-the-Seat-of-Her-Pants Newbie

This person is ready to make drastic changes in her life, and she doesn't care as much as #1 does about research. In fact, she may never have been to Italy before.

Her attitude is: if I don't like it, I can always come back. She's up for the adventure!

The Downside: Not having ever been to Italy can mean she's in for a rude awakening when it doesn't live up to her Instagram dreams. I always recommend my clients visit the town or region they think they want to live in. You can't possibly know what the experience will be like until you come.

3. The Ready-to-Retire Folk

Now we come to those lucky peeps who want to spend their retirement years in Italy. They tend to be planners; after all, they've saved up their money and worked a lifetime, and now they want to take the right steps to ensure they live well.

This group often comes to Italy frequently on visits, so they have a great opportunity to get to know a place when they stay for weeks.

The Downside: Simply getting a Social Security check doesn't guarantee you'll be eligible for an elective visa. You have to be able to demonstrate that you have passive income or a certain amount of money in the bank.

3. The Part-Timers

These people want to buy a home in Italy so they can be here a few weeks or months each year. The good thing about this is that you might not even need to deal with getting a long-term visa, as long as you spend 90 days or less each year in Italy.

The Downside: Buying a house because it's a good price without getting to know an area might leave you with an unplanned-for headache if you decide to sell down the road. Sometimes it's hard to sell a home, so you may be stuck with it.

There's no best way to be in your approach to moving to Italy, but each requires certain things to have a smooth transition. I work with all of these types of clients, and I can help you, too!

Book a Pick-My-Brain session so we can brainstorm on the best strategy for your move.