TopMan

I think if you don't read, and HEED, the BTilke post as opposed to all these "when I was there" and "I heard" responses, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'll see you cheap.

SloJan

Ditto to the BTilke post. We are American expats also and everything she said was very wise.

I also have to say that because you are young, educated and have no dependents, now is a great time to take a risk. Not too much can go wrong if you don't have to ship a 40 foot container back to the US. If this is not the perfect offer but you do want to experience living abroad, take it, settle in and make the contacts. Anything can happen.
Cheers,
Jan

BTilke

Thanks, TopMan, I know from experience how easy it is to get carried away by the excitement of being offered work in Europe and overlooking the nitty gritty. When we were living in WA State, my husband was first offered a job in Belgium by a U.S. trucking company. We were thrilled until a closer look made us realize how dodgy the offer (and the company) really was. We turned that one down. Then later, he was offered a job by a *real* company that included full relocation, housing allowance, etc. etc. That worked great until the company went bankrupt in 2001. All the things included in his contract were suddenly yanked away (housing allowance, company car, and so on)--we had a dicey year until getting a new job (some of his colleagues fared MUCH worse, especially the ones with several kids in private schools--$12000 per kid per year tuition paid by the company--and who didn't have European parents that gave them the right to EU passports of one kind or another).
A little caution up front can pay big dividends down the road. OTOH, it could be a great opportunity, esp. for someone young and single.
Also, Matt, be sure to keep your U.S. bank account up and running and anything else that will help you maintain good credit for when/if you return to the U.S. Make sure you have a small financial cushion (a few thousand $$) on hand for emergencies--losing your job abruptly,

BTilke

Thanks, TopMan, I know from experience how easy it is to get carried away by the excitement of being offered work in Europe and overlooking the nitty gritty. When we were living in WA State, my husband was offered a job in Belgium by a U.S. trucking company. We were thrilled until a closer look revealed how dodgy the offer and the company really were. We turned that one down. Then later, he was offered a job by a *real* company that included full relocation, housing allowance, etc. etc. That worked great until the company went bankrupt in 2001. All the things included in his contract were suddenly yanked away (housing allowance, company car, and so on)--we had a dicey year until getting a new job (some of his colleagues fared MUCH worse, especially the ones with several kids in private schools--$12000 per kid per year tuition paid by the company--and who didn't have the right to EU passports of one kind or another [my husband has a British mother and German father, boy did that come in handy!!]).
A little caution up front can pay big dividends down the road. OTOH, it could be a great opportunity, esp. for someone young and single.
Also, Matt, be sure to keep your U.S. bank account and credit cards up and running and anything else that will help you maintain good credit for when/if you return to the U.S. Make sure you have at least a small financial cushion (a few thousand $$) on hand for emergencies--you never know what can happen. The company could go belly up, you could be terminated suddenly, it just pays to be prepared for the worst. But still hope for the best!

BTilke

Sorry for the double message! Accidentally hit the post button before I was finished.

LoveItaly

Matt, BTilke IMHO brought up so very good points for you. Someone that has gone through the experience.

In Italy, at least the Italians, do get paid an extra months salary a year. No sure if all companies do this but all my friends that work for companies receive it.

Health care, again according to my friends in Italy is paid via their taxes. Assume that is paid through the taxes deducted from the paycheck but something you will want to check on.

Your idea on transportation is excellent. My friend that lives/works in Milan has an auto but he normally leaves it at his mother's house in Asolo to use when he goes home which is about twice a month. He takes the train back and forth for these visits.
He normally walks in Milano, but sometimes uses the public transportation.
Train service is very good in Italy.

Have fun checking all the facts out and do let us know what your final decision is. If you decide to take this job and move to Milan I think you will have the time of your life.

Oh, about clothes. Well made clothes in Italy are plentiful. And no, you do not need to buy Versace (although wouldn't we all love to).

And don't forget, unlike the states, places are so much quicker to get to.
Besides longer vacations (in most cases) there are more holidays too.

The very best to you!

ira

Hi matt,

Some very good advice, especially that about not bothering with nelly.

You might find this link helpful:
http://workabroad.monster.com/articles/italy/

muffin_eater

I'm suggesting that nellyanne is muffin is fluffykitty. Now, watch rex come out... duck, everyone.

mattfesta

Here is the information that the employer has given me -

In addition to the 1300 post-tax Euros, the rent-free flat is fully furnished with a kitchen and will have high-speed internet soon. In addition, the health insurance is indeed covered by the government, so that cost is also not included.

This is the physical location of the office, and the flat is nearby, so if any knows about Milan, please let me know if this is a decent area...

Corso Sempione, 63
20149 Milano
Italy

Thanks again for all your help!!

Matt

DeirdreStraughan

Matt, this may seem a little invasive, but if you have any concerns about the employer (not that I necessarily think you should), you could try giving us a name - high tech is a fairly small world in Milan as well as Silicon Valley, and some of us (e.g., me or my colleagues) might well know them.

FWIW, there are a lot of young people in Milan who live on less than 1300 euros a month and find plenty to do, and can still take beach vacations every summer.

Corso Sempione is well connected with public transport and very central, so you shouldn't even need a scooter. Milan has both loud discos and somewhat quieter pubs (totally with you on that one!) plus everything else you can imagine to do in a big city. And you're within an easy (and cheap) train ride of some of the most beautiful spots on earth, e.g. Lake Como.

Personally, I am fond of Milan, although we now live in Lecco for clean air and much more affordable housing. I still commute in 2-3x a week for work and other things.

There's a lively group of expats based at http://groups.msn.com/expatsinitaly with a Milan subgroup who meet fairly regularly for evenings out; pop on over and drop a note, we'll be happy to invite you to the next "do".

More info about living in Milan and Italy can be found at my sight, straughan.com, though it's more the fun and the weird stuff than practical.

Best, Deirdre'

nellyanne

Now taggie i can assure you that I have not been in a locker room, but I guess you have if you know so well how they speak in there. If you are female, I say you little hussy! And you may go back and look at those posts and see that haksuckgoon, poopsy, and ms, italy all attacked me first and for no reason! I did nothing to them and they started accusing me of being travelwoman and other baseless claims. They ave been stalking me at every turn. They started it! It is very upsetting and unfair. Just ask them to leave me alone and I will do the same. I am too old for this type of abuse!

LoveItaly

Matt, Corso Sempione is a wide Blvd, runs from Piazza Firenze and than going sort of south to a large park.

It sounds like you have really done your homework on this. You must be getting excited.

May I also suggest to be sure to check on what, if any, taxes you will have to pay to the US. Would be good knowledge to have upfront.

Have a fun weekend thinking about your new adventure.

russ_i

Matt, as you fill in more detail, it is sounding more appealing. With regards to Loveitaly's most recent post, when I was there, the first $70,000 of income was exempt from US taxes. State taxes vary based on if your move is considered permanent and which state. Check with your accountant to be sure. If you are young and single, I would say go for it. As BTilke mentioned, 4-5 weeks vacation is the norm, and we traveled to places I never imagined going to before moving to Italy. It won't always be fun. But you will remember it forever.

LoveItaly

russ_i, thanks for the info regarding the 1st $70,000.00 being exempt for USA income tax. I thought there was "something" exempt but could not remember what exactly. And about State taxes, good advice which I didn't think of.

Wish I was matt's age with this opportunity.

BTilke

The exemptions are higher, now, I believe about $160,000 for a married couple.

Traveler863

Oh my I didn't read all of Nellyanne's posts...too funny, the latest is a good one. Ignore.

LoveItaly

Hi Matt, I was on a website I often read and thought it might be of interest to you. It is the Int'l Herald Tribune newspaper website. Address is: www.iht.com. On the left hand side, about halfway down is "At Home Abroad". Click that on and you can read interesting articles for American's living in Europe. Take care.

BTilke

Deirdre, I think the company is Playstos. They have a web site at www.playstos.com