You’ve decided to take the plunge and start a new life in Rome! Maybe you’ve visited Rome on holiday or maybe you’ve only seen it in movies. But whatever the reason, you’ve decided Italy’s famous capital, awash with history and culture, is just where you need to be. Now it’s time to start planning to make this big life change as smooth as possible. Here are some tips to help you settle in and start living la dolce vita (the sweet life) in Rome.
Know Your Visa Plan
Like in most countries, you can’t just decide to live in Italy without permission. Non-EU citizens planning on staying longer than 90 days need to secure some kind of visa. It’s best to visit the Italian consulate in your home country to take care of this before arriving. This process could take a couple months, so start early and make sure your passport isn’t close to expiring.
There are several different visas that would allow you to live in Rome. A work visa means you need to find a job that will sponsor your visa. The company will need to submit bank statements and records proving they are a legitimate company.
A student visa is easier to obtain, especially if you don’t have a lot of work experience or don’t speak Italian. Remember that just because you sign up and pay for classes at a language school in Rome, it doesn’t automatically qualify you for a student visa. It’s best to talk with the school and find out how many hours per week your desired course requires because a student visa will most likely be denied if classes only run a couple hours per week.
You can also apply for a self-employment visa, but you would need to show a contract from your own clients, proof of income, and proof you have health insurance.
Learn Italian
It probably doesn’t come as a shock that it’s a good idea to know some Italian before actually living in Rome or any other city in Italy. But with all the online resources, plus traditional classes at universities or community centers, figuring out the best strategy for learning Italian can be tricky.
Combine online resources for more robust lessons. Duolingo, a popular language-learning app, is great for understanding vocabulary, but there is a lot of be desired when it comes to grammar instructions. To learn some basic or even intermediate Italian grammar, check out a YouTube channel called Weilà Tom. Tom clearly explains Italian grammar and pronunciation in short videos.
Once you have the basic vocabulary and grammar, don’t forget to practice. Run through scenarios in your head and try to both ask and answer pretend questions. Watching or listening to Italian newscasts online is also a great way to boost your language skills because journalists don’t use a lot of slang and speak slower than a local on the street.
Familiarize Yourself with the Culture
Soften the culture shock by knowing what national quirks to expect in Rome so you’re not caught off guard. In general, Italians are much more direct than people who come from English-speaking countries, so be prepared when you start interacting with locals that you don’t get offended if someone bluntly points out that you’ve put on weight or your haircut doesn’t suit your face shape. Remember, no one is trying to hurt your feelings; Italians just don’t beat around the bush.
Another culture quirk to keep in mind is punctuality is all relative. Italians, especially ones living in southern cities, are known for being late. It’s a stereotype that has some truth to it; so when you start your new life in Rome, don’t expect everything to run like clockwork.
Plan Out Your Expenses
Rome, like many capitals, has a higher cost of living than other cities. Moreover, it’s challenging to create a budget if you’re not sure how much groceries, rent, or utilities are going to cost. A great resource is numbeo.com. This website shows you the cost of living in Rome and lets you compare the cost of living of other cities. It also gives you a good idea of how much rent will cost (about 970 € for a one-bedroom within the city center and about 672 € for a one-bedroom outside the city center). Of course, these are just averages and people can find prices above and below what is listed, but it’s a great place to start so you have an idea of how much money you will need once you move to Rome.
Moving anywhere new can be overwhelming, especially if it’s to a new country. Get prepared now so once you make it to Rome, you can focus on all the beauty and history around you.
