jadehorse1

Good morning Capo Boi

thank you for the info, its a huge help. Why are the room rates so low, is its because of over supply or lack of tourism ?

many thanks x

jadehorse1

Our horses are for our private use , mostly retired. However it would be great if you could advise me if there are any good blacksmiths and vets in the area ?

This is another concern for us in that the area that we move to would be well serviced by Bsmiths and vets.

jadehorse1

Thank you so much everyone, im so pleased that I joined the group as it has given us a great insight into what its really like and compounded some of the worries that we have /had about moving to Italy.
Its quite easy to get carried away with heart ruling head and just throwing caution to the wind but the harsh reality is that this was never going to be easy and reading some of the feed has really made us think about it again.
My family are from Naples and the majority of them still live in Naples and surrounding areas and its good to know we have a safety net there, however I haven't lived in Italy since I was young and any time spent here in the last 20 years has been visiting family and having lovely holidays in the sun, which is completely different to working/living there. Any other advise and info is greatly received xx

jadehorse1

Could anyone tell me if there are alot of cyclists (road) in the area, is it a popular destination for cyclists ??

Thank you

Serrano

Almost certainly there would be the possibility of him requalifying in Italy - probably the UK trade associations would be able to give some info on this - but there would be a cost (obviously) and whilst plumbers anywhere are always in demand, to service the domestic market he would have to speak good Italian, and maybe even then have some credibility problems. The expat market would probably be much easier, though obviously a much more limited customer base.

Yes, it is going to be difficult, though the best approach would probably be to derive your income from multiple sources - him working as a plumber, you working in some way in the property industry, some teaching and /or translation work (if that's something you would be willing to do and capable of), a B&B and whatever else you can invent using skills you have or could develop. It'd be precarious but could work.

I actually think it's the other way round, that the UK is so expensive. When we go on holiday here we usually stay in 3* hotels (which are almost always of a very high standard) and it has to be somewhere exceptional AND highest season for us to pay more than €50 a head for room and breakfast. In our B&B we charge an absolute maximum of €75 for a double.

Blacksmiths should be no problem in a country area, vets similar. In my experience both are cheaper than in the UK

Here in Le Marche road cycling is very popular, and I would expect the same in Abruzzo. However, the vast majority are locals (i.e. not staying overnight), we've had very few cyclists staying here, far more common are hill walkers & climbers. The situation with cyclists may change in the future, as Le Marche is developing a network of long-distance cycle routes, probably Abruzzo is doing the same. Contact the Regione Tourist Office, they should be able to advise what is planned and where (though treat any 'when' with a large pinch of salt!)

jadehorse1

thats great thank you, will have a look at all of those points. How is the weather in Abruzzo at the moment ?

jadehorse1

My husband and brother are really into road cycling and travel quite a bit to different destinations each summer to try and find some of the biggest and best rides. I know that the grand sasso is very popular due to the Giro but there doesn't appear to be alot else where in Abruzzo

Geordieborn

The weather here at the moment is very pleasant, it’s one of our favourite times of the year here. Looking at Palmoli cycling will be very interesting! It’s high (over 700m in parts) and I would imagine interesting for horses too, is there any particular reason for your choice? There are plus points and minus points for any of the areas here in Abruzzo (as is the case for most places). Earthquakes happen throughout Italy, but there are maps of historic events and risk assessments. Basically it does not go by region or north or south. If you look at the mapping, it’s the nearer the mountains the higher risk, Palmoli is down as a 2, I’ve only spotted 1,2 and 3 so far, with 1 being higher risk. Water is another factor you need to look at, especially with the horses. Roads and access in winter and/or heavy rain are another, along with very heavy thunder and more importantly lightening frequently. The weather is the plus point, as is the fine produce and friendly people. After being to many places in Italy we thought Abruzzo was a bit of a shock when we first arrived, poor in comparison to some areas. It was like something from the sixties or seventies that had never moved on. However it was cheap compared to other areas of Italy to buy … So we came and we bought and have to repeat we love it! Someone said recently it is very difficult to describe that inner feeling about a place, granted we have felt this wherever we have been in Italy. However you always have to have plan “B” (and “C” to “Z” really) just in case it’s not for you or things do not go to plan. If you have no commitments, can afford to lose what you are prepared to put into it and have that plan “B” keep going!

jadehorse1

Hi, there was no particular reason other than we had seen a house there for reasonable money which ticked all of the boxes, and as we dont know the area very well thought it would be a good place to start looking, but by all accounts there is nothing there but very close to the coast a, about 25 mins to Vasto.

Do you know the area very well ?

Geordieborn

We looked around the Chieti area in general before we bought in Teramo and have been down that way a few times since. In particular there were a number of houses for sale in nearby Carunchio and they were very cheap. There is invariably a reason places are cheap here, hill top towns with small population and not too good access are not at the top of the list for Italians. It's well worth doing a google virtual tour using street view whereby you can almost drive down the roads and see what condition they are in and think what they would be like in winter. You are doing the right thing coming to see for yourself, but like I say have plan "B" , perhaps to look around, nearer the coast is much lower/flatter.

jadehorse1

Thats a very good idea, I like the sound of having a plan B and closer to the
coast.

I suppose a good drive round and having a chat with people like yourselves will give us a good idea of what its like.

italyprogetti

Hi there.

Congratulations on the purchase.

We made the move in 2012 but a lot further south. I've been renovating our property for the last 4 years on and off. Tear up the UK knowledge of what you know about property renovation. It is a whole different process. I would call myself resilient but it has been a trying experience. I've got no regrets and hope to be completed this year, fingers crossed.

I currently work in London on building projects(hence the slow renovation in Italy), so if your anywhere in the vicinity to meet up, I can give you an idea of what to expect. Too much to put in writing.

Good luck!

jadehorse1

Hello thank you for the info, we haven't yet made the commitment of buying a property but are just about to start our search with our first property viewing next Monday. Where abouts is the property that you are renovating ?

Pica

Most wise. The place you said you were looking at is 711 masl, that's rather high up and you would get ALL (or mostly all) of the snow. We are at 485 m asl and get lots. In retrospect we should have gone further down from the hills but hey-ho we all make silly mistakes. Good luck in your search and NEVER offer the asking price. Although it's Spring the weather is very variable. This morning the wind was howling, lunchtime had to change into cool clothes, now at 2,30 it's grey overcast and extra clothing needed. Tomorrow will be wet and windy!

jadehorse1

Hi Pica, thats a very good point, we hadn't realized how high up it was until one of the members had pointed it out, im not a huge fan of the snow to say the least and would prefer to have a warmer climate. This is the first property search we will be doing so we are going to try and have a good look round whilst we are there to get a good idea of the area. Do any of the forum members have property in the far south of abbruzzo ?