Possible move to Italy information needed...........Please!!

[jmg1]

I am considering moving to Italy for a year and staying if it works out. As some of you know I am a single Dad with 3 children under five and 2 dogs. I have Pet Passports for the Dogs.
I need help/advice on oraganising the following:

1. Recommendations on which part of the country to go to and how to find a 5 or 6 bedroom house to Rent for one year. Rental about £2k per month.

2. Two people to provide practical help, like au pairs who could live in, who can speak italian.

3. Best way to start learning Italian before I go, I am not good at languages!

Thank you in advance.

They are DS of 5, DD of 4 and DD of 2. Dogs are 8 this year and goldfish can go to a good MN'er home!!

I'd agree that it's best to try it out while they're still so young. At least you've got the option of coming back if it doesn't work out, and it may at least give you a much-needed break.

We're not trying to get rid of you. Honest!

Ct you won't get rid of me that easily, remember its the WorldWideWeb.

Damn! I knew there was a flaw in my plan.

Does anyone know of a good book with Maps and general info on Italy?

CT, Might not have the equivalent of broadband though.

Good luck JMG1. I thinkwhat your doing is great. I saw an advert for kids languages. I think it's called Muzzy. That way, you can learn along witht them.

Go for it jmg - you can tell me how it is as I want to move there maybe next year. Thinking of Umbria - it's beautiful. Though i'm sure the rest of Italy is too.

I think the Times published a good book about Italy, can find out what it's called if you like.

You'll have to check out internet providers very carefully as from what I know from chatting to Spacemokey's mum, it's really expensive for dial-up. Not sure if broadband is available.

No broadband? I was only joking about you leaving MN. Who else would we find to lower the tone of virtual barbecues?

I have moved around all my life and never lived in the same place for more than 3.5 years, but this is scary a new country where I don't speak the language and with under five's, am I completely mad.

Ct, want to carry my bags, ahem suitcases?

ct - I see I've suddenly developed a whiter-than-white reputation in your book then!!!

here's touble!

ks, thanks - the more advice the better thats what I think.

wk, how did you find someone in Cornwall who can sort out cimputer viruses?

ks, how about you and dh going back to Italy and buying a property there?

WK, just behave (warning in advance)

ks, i know the language will be very difficult for me, I naturally have a good business brain but languages oh dear - I just forget the words, but I guess if I am living there I will have to remember to get by.
I have been to about 50 countries, sometimes in tricky situations, I do seem to have a knack of getting by using daft hand motions and silly faces.

lou glad to see you are keeping a virtual eye on your daughter

lou - am on my best behaviour - Guides honour!!!

jmg - not quite, I found someone in Cornwall (BIL) who had the discs to do a fresh install.

never trust a Brownie who says Guides honour!

Ahah - haven't been a Brownie since I was 9, but am soon to be a Guider!! So am technically a Guide, definitely not a Brownie

Especially one called Bubbles.

lou - the less said about that the better!!!