I would dearly love to spend 6-12 months living in Italy. Where do you suggest I live and why. I have had 2 trips to Italy the first staying in Castlefranco(Veneto), Florence and Rome and the second staying in Levanto(Liguria)and Todi(Umbria)

You don´t tell your country of origin. That would be necesssary in order to answer the "why" question.

Hi ts,

>Where do you suggest I live and why.<

If you were to tell us a little about why you are going, what you hope to accomplish, and what interests you, we might be able to answer this very, very broad question.

Before you get too far down this road, my suggestion is checking with the Italian government for their laws about length of stay. Are you allowed to stay for 1 year with just tourist papers, or do you need some other kind of arrangements?

suze, that is what I meant with my question, but I think I understood the whole thing wrong. I thought the OP wants to know what would be a good reason to apply a visa (if s/he is not from another EU country).

you'll probably need a "permesso di sogiorno" or an extended visa if you plan on residing & working. here's a helpful website:

http://www.expatsinitaly.com/

Thanks for the responses so far. I am Australian(50 y.o.) and yes I realise I will have to apply for an extended visa. I like most Fodorites it appears, love my food and wine. Also enjoy walking and preference would be to stay close to water. Hope this helps to narrow it down somewhat.

Are you looking for a place where you can:
1. find a job
2. continue your existing occupation
3. open a new business
4. go to school
5. raise a family
6. have an extended vacation?

A little off topic here, but I'd love to hear your impressions of Castlefranco.

cmt - I am looking for a place to have an extended vacation. I hope to retire in 5 years and go to Italy then. I like to start planning early as I find half the fun is in the planning

Holly - I loved Castlefranco. It is an easy 40min train trip to Venice. Lovely town. My wife also loved it as it had great clothes shopping particularly shoes. When we were there in early September they have a festival during which they play a ball game which I was told is so old that it does not have a name. It is a mixture of soccer, Irish football and rugby played with a round ball. Loved the sight of grandmothers wheeling their grandchildren around in prams at 10pm. Some excellent restaurants particularly that attached to the hotel where we stayed. My wifes first sighting of the hole in the floor toilet and she could hardly eat her meal from laughing in describing her attempt to "use" the toilet.

Hi ts2671, I like Castlefranco also. It is a charming town. Did your wife happen to visit the Bruno Magli shoe store? A friend of mine owns it.
Veneto is a beautiful region, and easy to be in. I hope your dream works out for you. Best wishes.

Hi ts,

Since you are planning on such a long visit and, I expect, will be lookiing for a retirement home, why not plan on visiting 6-12 places for a month each?

Hi LoveItaly. I'm sure my wife visited EVERY shoe store in town. They all had end of season sales on and the prices were very reasonable. Thanks for your kind wishes

Hi Ira. I did think about a retirement home-it may be cheaper than renting a house or apartment for 12 months!!!The reason I want to stay in one place is, & I hope this doesnt sound too corny,I want to immerse myself in the culture & activities of the town or village and I dont think I can do that if I stay in different places for 1-2 months each.