Taking a job in Rome!
 

I have been offered a job in Rome for two years. Any input? Pros or cons, advice etc. ?

Yow! Go for it! You will never, ever regret it. One of the hardest aspects will be finding a place to live, so I'd get started on that ASAP.

I agree! My husband and I have been living in Shanghai for the past 3 years and plan on being expats forever! It's the world's best kept secret, in my opinion. No better way to really experience life in another part of this wonderful world. Expat life definately has its challenges, but the rewards are worth all the frustrations and sacrifices you will make. For more advice on expat living, try doing some internet searches on "expatriate" & you'll find a wealth of information.<BR><BR>Congratulations - for most people who would love to be expatriates, the MOST DIFFICULT part is finding the job posting - since you have a job, you've already completed the most difficult task!

Brava, Margaret. A good book to buy is Living, Studying and Working in Italy. It is geared more toward students, but there is a lot of useful information for anyone moving here. For instance, bring your own scales and mearuring cups (I just broke BOTH of my pyrex measuring cups, and I am heartbroken). <BR><BR>Also, if you don't know Italian, start learning before you leave (try Pimsleur's) and then sign up for lessons the minute you land. <BR><BR>Rome is probably one of the better cities for ex-pats because there are several groups to join, although you don't want to surround yourself by other ex-pats. <BR><BR>And finally, start planning weekend trips so you get to know this great country, although I imagine you could spend the first year entirely in Rome and never get bored. <BR><BR>Have a wonderful time. This will change your life, but so much for the better.

Thanks for your input...any more?!?!?!

If you're an American (???), then you'll need to get used to a less efficient infrastructure. By that, I mean things don't get done as quickly as you may be used to. Beaurocractic stumbling blocks can be frustrating --- necessary to cultivate a "que sera, sera" attitude ('what will be, will be') or the Italian version thereof. Maybe you'll have help in crossing any hurdles if your job is with a company rendering assistance with getting you settled? Don't get me wrong. I'm green with envy at your prospect. A good friend of mine moved to Italy several years ago; she loves it, however it's quite a change from the states.<BR><BR>

Rome is a wonderful city...but, I agree you will have to get use to a different and very interesting infrastructure...strikes, mail that doesnt always get to or from...and cold marble floors in the winter, heating water, tiny radiators (bring warm pajamas)...my all time getting use to is no clothes dryers...clothing racks and clothes lines are a major part of life...clothes take several days to dry.<BR>It is not gross to do hand wash in a clean bidet. But, there it is still la dolce vita. Cook wonderful dinners with fresh vegetables, cheeses, and wonderful fresh spices, have a lot of wine...drink Barola. Good Luck.

I agree with above. It will be a wonderful experiance. I'd love to be able to spend 2 years in Rome.

Oh Art....go! Spend those two years in Rome. What's holding you back?

don't forget the almost impossible task of finding a place to live and the year it takes to get a telephone connection...

Hi Margaret,<BR>All I can say is that you will love it. Yes of course it is different, but that's what you want isn't?.<BR>Accommodation is not that hard to find if you are looking to share an apartment. Look up www.wantedinrome.com. This is a fortnightly magazine that lists all rentals. Remember that it is a little more expensive for foreigners and of course the closer to the historical centre, the more expensive. If going through an agency, be prepared to pay one month's comission, 2 months deposit and one month in advance.<BR>Yes the marble floors are cold in winter, but winter is so short!! They are wonderfully cool in summer!!. No we don't have clothes dryers but in summer the clothes are dry in an hour or two and in winter you put them over the heating.<BR>Things of a formal nature take longer and can sometimes be frustrating but you get used to it. So you do things like go to the Vatican post office if you really want to make sure your mail gets to where it should and not use the Italian postal service.<BR>So there are some minor cons but so, so many more pros that I can't recommend highly enough that you take this wonderful opportunity.<BR>Imagine sitting in the piazza, sipping a good glass of Italian wine, eating great food, watching the passing parade of people, RELAXING and making lots of new friends while experiencing a totally different culture.<BR>Hope this is of help to you. Let me know if you have any other questions at all by emailing me direct. <BR>Marianna

Thanks for the input.

So Margaret--we're all dying to know: what is your fabulous new Roman job? How did you line it up? Please share details so we can all be happily envious!<BR>

Thanks so much! Any other advice? Favorite neighborhoods? Cost of living?