Mumsnet Little Italy 6

[Rosa]

Ciao , Hello , Welcome .

Not too bad here either, plenty of breeze even though it's hot.
I would bags a virtual canolo, but they're probably soggy by now.

Glad you had a good trip Rosa, and feel your pain over the buggy thing. We have that problem at Ciampino, they always send the buggys through last and often on a different belt. Not too bad if there are 2 of you but it's a real problem for people on their own with kids. If they're not walking you can't even put them down to get the rest of your luggage off the carousel.

Anyway, I've not been around much lately as DH is off work, so we are doing things, including house hunting in Rome, as he can't face his mega commute any longer. I quite enjoy it really, if it weren't for our limited budget.

Nah, cannoli all gone You can have a melted granita instead.

I used to hate travelling when DD was a non walker. When she was tiny I had her in a sling but it got more complicated when she got bigger, plus sudden bending over in the sling I had was problematic. I always used to end up sweating profusely. Occasionally some kind soul would help, but it was sadly rare.

How exciting about the house hunting! Are you going for somewhere quite central or will it be a leafy suburb?

Do you know if the 2/3 year check up at pediatra is obligatory? I've forgotten to get it done and DD will be 3 soon. I can't be bothered to rush about booking appointments in the next few days plus I'll be in Rome for work next week. Sigh, I'm so disorganised. Will they impound me as a useless mum who forgets paed appts and exposes her child's pancino to the elements?

where are you looking Sputnik? We are going to start re-looking after August - always the plan and also our strega of a landlady has decided she wants the apartment back.
I hate airports with no buggies, I always used to use a sling as well-miss those days! Last time we went ds decided to sit down everytime we shuffled forward in passport queue, ended up dragging him along pulling arm out of socket. So of recognition at your Gatwick experience Brange.

Lol, did you get gasps of disapproval too? Seriously though, it's ridiculous the distance you have to go before retrieving the damn buggy. At least at Linate if you wait long enough they put it on the tarmac for you so you don't have to struggle at the other end. Not that it's far to struggle, mind, the airport is basically a big shed.

Do you know if there's a way of getting from Ciampino to Aprilia without having to resort to a cab? I'm trying to decide on how to travel next week, it's either plane from Bergamo or train to Termini, then another train to Aprilia. Is it a big place? Will there be taxis at Aprilia station? Sorry for so many questions.

not sure re ciampino - aprilia. def isnt a train direct, you would have to go to Termini (are regular buses plus terravision coaches or you could get the bus/cab to anagnina metro which isnt far (about 15? in cab), get into Termini from there and then get a train out.
Only other possibility may be if there is a cotral bus that goes from Anagnina to there
www.cotralspa.it/linee_orari.asp
-wouldnt let me work out route but may decide to work later who knows
How long are you down for?

Only 2 days, got a meeting then presentation thingy. Thanks for the info, I'm pending more towards the train scenario, I hate Ryanair with a vengeance and by the time I've got to Bergamo and waited to board I'd be halfway there on the train anyway. Alitalia is too expensive, or was the last time I looked, although there is a handy flight from the nearest airport....

I have complained re Buggy situation - how british ??? Am thinking ahead to next year ok so dd2 will be in sling ( I used mine every trip until I culd no longer carry her !) Ok dd1 will be 3 so longer legs but she will still need to sit as we usually have 4 hrs ish at LGW. I need to work something out so I can go and come back for longer without dh ( who is arriving on Sunday).
Glad your weatehr is good Vce is still hot and humid according to dh but had mega storms other day.
Oh no Gio you having to move on after your last upset . Sputnik so are you moving from the hills ??
Brang agree with Ryan air take the train and a good book !

ciao

I'm hoping to take some time out next year and stay in Italy for 3 months or so to see whether i'd like to make a permanent move.

I've looked for property to rent but not getting far. Can anyone recommend any sites. Looking at Lazio, possibly Rieti, POggio Merteto or Umbria, probably Perugia maybe Orvieto but i'm guessing it would have to be the outskirts.

I'd like to have some language tuition and i'd also like to get dd 3 some language lessons or into a nursery but i'm assuming it would have to be private?

Does anyone have any tips or know someone who can rent me a place

Hi DelGirl

I can't help with suggesting accommodation as I'm up north, but I can help a bit with the rest. Firstly, when were you thinking of coming? I ask because if you're looking for language tuition and nursery or even just basic childcare you'd do best to avoid this period as everything shuts down for August.

Also, how old is your DD? If she's 3 or over she'd have to go to a scuola materna as opposed to nursery (nursery, or nido, is for under 3s only) and I'm not sure even a private one would accept a pupil for only 3 months, plus please bear in mind that in the smaller towns at least most private kindergartens are Catholic and quite nauseatingly religious (don't know if that would be a problem for you). You'd be better off getting a babysitter, perhaps a student who can look after her in the afternoons or something.

Re language tuition for you, most local councils run courses for foreigners, but they tend to start from September and last through to May/June. Otherwise, there is always private tuition but it's expensive. In most major cities and some not so major ones there are loads of language schools, so you should be able to take your pick.

Other than that I don't think you'll need any particular documents if you're only staying 3 months, but I may be wrong, the bureaucracy in this country is staggering. If you do decide to stay prepare yourself for the thousands of pieces of paper you're going to need just to have access to basic services (eg. residency, permesso di soggiorno, codice fiscale etc.). Are you thinking of working here should you decide to stay long term? If so, and even more so if you're thinking of starting a business locally, beware of all the taxes. If you think the UK has high taxes you ain't seen nothing yet.

Hi Del Girl
You could try www.wantedinrome.com for accomodattion and general info or go to www.rome.angloinfo.com where you can post accomodation requests/ask any questions for free on the forum.
Other than that www.immobiliare.it/ or www.portaportese.it (paper out twice a week with all accomodation etc-loads of the agencies advertise there as well)
I am woefully ignorant of a lot of Lazio outside Rome - wait for Sputnik to come along, she lives outside Rome so might have more ideas.
What would you want to do if you came here?
Have you decided on train Brange?

Yes I have, going to book it today. Have also found an OK hotel near Termini. Is it my imagination or are hotels in Rome cheaper than Milan? Either that or I've picked myself a real fleapit!

Thanks for the info both of you, very helpful .

I have been thinking about it for a good couple of years but DD has some slight health issues which i'm hoping will resolve themselves by next year. She starts school in Sept 09 so I guess it feels like it's now or never to try. My db and sil have a place quite close to Rieti but not as far in the thick of things that i'd like to be iyswim.

My plan was to come out for 3-6 months, get the feel of how things are and learn more Italian. I took 2 Italian courses last year but unless i'm there, it all seems to get forgotton. I'd love for dd to be able to learn. The plan is to put her into somewhere where she can pick it up and make some friends . I know she won't have a problem. I almost lost her to a class of young Spanish pupils in Barcelona . She lined up at the park gate when the teacher told them they were going back to school!

If, big if, I decide to move permanently, i'm not sure what I want to do. No huge aspirations. I'd quite like to just work in a cafe/bar to mix with the locals. I have considered maybe doing a TEFL course too. I know I can get by if needs be.

My DB and Sil were hoping to make a permanent move there this year but are now planning on a bug move in 5 years. They are dd's guardians should anything happen to me so that is a big pull too.

BIG not bug lol

Hi DelGirl, you have come to the right place re info on Poggio Mirteto as that's just down the hill from me, and my DD goes to school there. In fact I lived there for 5 years and very nice it is too

Like Brange says your DD qualifies age wise for free scuola materna but I think you would need residence. There are some private nurseries in Poggio, the one my DD went to and my DS will be going to is excellent and not expensive they do mostly under 3's but will take older, if they have a place. I could check if you like.

Bear in mind not many people speak english here, you would need a basic level of Italian.

For rentals in Rome and Lazio, including Poggio, try www.portaportese.it, look under affitti. Depending what you're looking for you'd probably pay 400-800 euro round here.

If you'd like any more info on this area let me know, I'm happy to help

TEFL could be a good idea DelGirl, people are always asking me for english lessons, I think there's quite a demand. IKWYM about Rieti, it's hardly pulsing with life. Where we are Rome is on our doorstep, and the people are also more open.

lol, I meant where they are, Montasola. Can never remember the nearby town name, begins with C and full of English? I thought Rieti would have a bit more. I did look at a place in the old walled bit of Poggio. I think it was lived in by some mayor or something? I'd like to work in a cafe there. I've seen the school too .

Important factor, do you mean 400-800 per week or per month? and where is that?

Are you in Cantalupo? I think thats the other place I like

Saw lots of kiddies play things in peoples gardens lol

aH mONTASOLA IS LOVELY BUT A BIT OUT OF THE WAY. oops
Casperia is the place full of english. I am in Poggio Catino.

Just seen a 2 bedroom flat in Poggio for 600pm

this in Gavignano, nearby.

Blimey, those are scarey photos. They could at least have picked a nice day for the view form the terrace pic. Is that chipboard on the walls of the living room? And why do these rental places always have un armadio della nonna? Mind you, 450 euros a month is not bad at all, not sure I could rent a box for that in Milan.

scary

LOL at the armadio. I was scared of the armadio in the place we used to rent in Poggio Mirteto. Was wondering about the chipboard on the walls too.

Funny how people are clueless about renting/selling their houses sometimes. We viewed something once which totally reeked of cat's pee, there was an overflowing litter tray in every room. The other day we viewed a house where the owner didn't want to open the shutters because of mosquitoes. It has been on the market a long time, apparently

Great, that's what I was hoping it would be. At least I know they are out there. If all else fails, i'm sure I can stop at db's place for a little while .

I think initially, dd would have to go into private as I won't have residency. It would be good to know if she can? She will be almost 4 when/if we go. If you wouldn't mind putting some feelers out, that would be great, thank you.

That place you linked to is the sort of place I was thinking of, at least this time round. My only other thought was to stay in Castello de casigliano near Todi but that would be far too easy www.castellodicasigliano.com/prova/index_eng.htm

lol, I only saw the main pic, didn't look any further