Chanda

Please... I'm brazilian... living in Miami...getting transfered to Italy. Where to go?! Rome or Milan?!?!

Eloise

Milan if you want to be able to work relatively efficiently; Rome if you want to enjoy more of the Italian lifestyle, which, in Rome, can sometimes interfere with working efficiently.

ddgattina

Well Chanda, what part of Brazil are you from (and where in Brazil would you like to work)? If Sao Paulo-- then Milano. If Rio...then Roma!

Just kidding...but that's the kind of split it is! Of course, Milan is a bit older than Sao Paulo, but it is the "efficient", less charming of Italian cities. They live like Northerners...la dolce vita is farther south.

DeirdreStraughan

Pretty much what the others said, but... I have spent a lot of time in Rome because my husband's family was living there, and it's a great place to be on holiday. But commuting there if you actually have to work can be hell - the one week I tried it, I was literally packed into a bus like a sardine on a trip that took 40-60 minutes each way. If you drive, you can expect very intense traffic, insane drivers, and expensive or non-existent parking.

Milan is a bit more liveable - we got along fine for 12 years, though we've now been living in Lecco for a year and love it.

If you go to http://www.expatsinitaly.com/ and http://groups.msn.com/expatsinitaly you'll find lots of people who live in both places and can chime in.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

http://www.straughan.com

Huitres

Chanda, you are fortunate that you have a choice as to where you can be transferred to! Does your work have headquarters in Rome? Milan? For efficiency's sake, Milano is best; however, for a more warmer clime, Roma would be the choice. I have several friends that moved up to the Milano area from the south (Naples, Sorrento, etc) and they do not like Milano because of the cooler weather.

Chanda

Thanks a lot guys.......I need some more inputs!!!! PLEASE!

kismetchimera

Take Rome..The only thing great about Milan is Il DUOMO, a Fantastic Gothic style cathedral, otherwise, the weather is cold, damp and foggy in the winter..

Milan is a bustling city, but is like NY, the people are always in a hurry..
If you want to enjoy a better weather, a slower pace of the modern life, the culture, art works, the history , then Rome is the place to be, traffic and all..

ira

Hi Chanda,

I think that I would be much happier in Rome.

The US State Dept estimates the cost of travel at about 5% higher in Rome, so I expect that the cost of living is about the same.

cassparker

What a great opportunity.....

Milan is very but not that charming it can't compare to Rome......

Choose ROME....hopefully you will be able to live in the city center and not the outskirts...you have for one the city and the ocean only 40 minutes away, Tuscany only 2 hours away and the Amalfi Coast only 3 hours away!

Best of luck.

John

nanb

I have only been a visitor to both cities, but I would take the job in
romeromeromeromeromeromeromeromerome

WanderingTexan

I would go to Rome too.

l_jackson95814

Is your company hiring??? Choose Rome. It is central and easy to travel from on the weekends.

Chanda

Thanks you guys... A Lot.
Now... please tell me some more about Milan. I realize that Rome it's amazing.... But... the truth is... my husband was the one that got transfered, and I will be going along.. without a job. SO, I need to find out about the possibilities we can have. I love fashion... I'm thinking about studying it. However I have to finish my Marketing degree first... My preference its Rome... I am a beach girl.. that loves the sea. But not everything in life it's perfect!

Eloise

Frankly, Chanda, I don't understand. If your husband is being transferred to Milan, why ask about a transfer to Rome?

I also don't know how you will be able to complete your marketing degree in Italy. University courses there are given, evidently, in Italian, and there is nothing to indicate that you speak the language.

Milan is the fashion capital of Italy, as you no doubt know, but I do not think it is easy to get even an apprenticeship at one of the leading fashion houses without previous design training.

You may be able to find a position in sales, but I wouldn't count on it. Also, you would have to get a work permit in order to be able take a job in Italy.

baldrick

Chanda,
There must be some english speaking schools/colleges/universities, whatever they are called, both in Rome or Milan, to finish your training in marketing.
Now we still don't know where your husband is transferred to, Milan or Rome.
As Eloise stated, Milan is THE fashion center in Italy.
You say you are a beach girl, but even Rome is at some 40 km from the sea.
I don't think that without training in fashion you will be able to find an interesting job in Milan nor Rome. The job market is very tense in Italy, and you might have a problem in obtaining a permit.

If it is clear to most of us that Rome is the better choice to live, this doesn't mean that Milan ranks behind Vladivostok in the 'Heaven on Earth Cities List'.
Milan is a very rich and prosperous city, with a wide cultural offer, an immensely rich heritage. It just doesn't show as in Rome. It is true that La dolce vita is a bit further south, but July and August in Rome are hot as hell...

Chanda

Thank you all so much.
Yes, I found out and there are some universities in Italy that are in english. I do have some experience in fashion. Did many courses in Brazil, so that might help.
Also I pretend on learning italian somewhat fast, I've had some classes and I'm a quick learner .
Another point, I dont need job permit because I am Irish! So I have the EU passport!
My husband was offered a job in Italy with the possibility of choosing btw Rome and Milan (if we find good reasons not to stay in tthe industrial center - Milan).
Thank you all so much.

SiobhanP

Hi Chanda...another one here. I have been to Milan a few times with my partner who does business in Italy. When there I meet a friend who also works there now and moved to Milan. My first gut feeling would be go to Rome as it hs so much to offer and yes the futher south the livelier and more relaxing it is.

Milan I always felt was quite industrial (We stay closer to Brescia for work). Also I felt it was a more serious working city like NY etc. As for fashion they are right in their comments above but its not to say you could not get a PA job with someone starting out as a designer. There are several shop fronts where people are starting out in Brescia and they do need people to work for them when they set labels up. This is totally NOT a glamourous place but its the beginning of the business trail if you want to get involved. A friend of mine spent a few years working outside Milan for a British designer before he got a big name.

If you want to work I guess Milan and if you want a nice chill out life and weather ...Rome!

bobludlow

Rome seems to be the wish fulfillment choice of this crowd, but Milan is the place for fashion and industry. If you want the best chance of getting a good job - choose Milan. The city is certainly not as characterful as Rome, but that doesn't mean you will not be able to find a little dolce vita along the way. And the weekend trips! Piedmont, Lake Como, Cinque Terra....I envy you.

DeirdreStraughan

Didn't I answer this on SlowTrav already? <grin>

Milan is definitely the place for fashion. Rome is great if you can live near where you work, otherwise commuting can be a nightmare. In either place, you can do a degree in English with the Open University www.open.ac.uk - I'm just finishing my MBA, for example.

As a Brazilian, you will undoubtedly be speaking Italian in no time - that's the least of your worries.

For more on Milan and living there (I did, for 12 years), see my site.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

http://www.straughan.com

stefanaccio

I Milanese go to Rome for a visit to enjoy the good life. I Romani go to the beach. Pick Roma.

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