internationalbefky

Hello,

It's been over a year since I've been on this website, was originally in Portugal but moved back to the UK for personal reasons...now I'm off to Italy in September and I'm very excited!
I'm moving to a place called Latina near Rome, and was wondering if anyone had anything to say about the place/area?
Also, I'm working under a UK contract so will be paid in the UK, so I was wondering if anybody could recommend a UK bank that is quite good for cash withdrawals overseas, as I reckon this is going to be the easiest way of accessing my money whilst over there :S

Any help much appreciated!

Thanks

Lorna at Vicenza

Hello there,

sorry I can't help with any of your questions because I'm miles from Latina and don't have a UK bank account but, I wanted to say welcome to the forum.

I'm sure you'll get some answers from other posters but you might have to wait a little bit as some people are on holiday or back in the UK for a break/work etc. and this place isn't quite as busy at the moment as it generally is.

Just shout if you have any more questions.

internationalbefky

Thanks for your reply! I'm not in too much of a rush I don't think, just wanted to pick peoples' brains! How do you like living in Italy? I've never been before so I'm quite excited!

TestaRossa

Yes, welcome!!

I know someone that made the move from Portugal to here and loves it. They commented in how friendly locals and expats are.

For banks i've seen alot of recommendations for Nationwide Flex as it's free to draw cash I think outside the UK.

indiebird

yes we have a Nationwide Flex account as DH still gets paid in sterling. There are no charges for withdrawals and I think the exchange rate is pretty good. We use their credit card for the same reason, but you do need a UK address....

internationalbefky

Aww brilliant thank you for the Nationwide suggestion, I'll look into that now...

I've been told that the school I'm working for is fairly small and the students like to socialise so I'm looking forward to that - didn't really happen in Portugal...

selinuntina

OOh I spent many happy summers near Latina !! My sisters grandparents live near there, they are actually at Borgo Sabotino not far from latina, by the beach. I haven't been there for years but as far as I'm aware its a nice place. There should be quite a few expats as the Nato base is nearby, there's plenty of shopping centre's a its quite modern and civilised. The beaches nearby are nice and your positioned well for both Rome and Naples. We often used to take day trips to Rome. I met my first love one summer there
Oh and the pizza's, in my opinion are better than anywhere else I've eaten them in Italy !

ononno

Ciao, Latina was one of Mussolini's new towns built on the newly drained Pontine marshes in the 1930s. Was originally called Littoria, changed its name after WWII. Good rail connections to both Rome, Gaeta, and Naples. Modern 'new Roman Empire' architecture of course. High producing intensive agricultural area. Very flat countryside, but hills not far away. Until the marshes were drained malaria was endemic, and you will still find some 'tabacchi' shops that sell quinnine. Some nice resorts not far away such as the Circeo, Terracina, and Sperlonga.
Hope you enjoy it.
ciao for now,
'o nonno

.Ariel.

Gorgeous beaches there. I'm assuming you work in tourism ? Probably the best beaches I've seen in Italy actually. Have a great time.

internationalbefky

No I'm an EFL teacher, but the DOS told me a bit about the area...I just wanted to get other people's opinions as well. So far so good though! My hometown is quite flat so I'll be happy with that - living in Lisbon last year was an amazing workout for the legs but an absolute nightmare at times (i.e. three o clock in the morning when you're trying to "walk" home).
And I'm already looking forward to the pizzas!

shelleyjayt

Hi there. New to the site. Can anyone explain what a 4+4 lease is?? Cannot find any translation or information on what that is.

modicasa

4+4 lease: 4 years, automatically renewable for another 4.

shelleyjayt

Thanks. Is that typical in Italy?

Why don't they just call it an 8 year lease?

ononno

because the shortest line between any two points is an arabesque.
ciao for now,
'o nonno

internationalbefky

Hi, sorry I've not been on for a while (and I hope I'm ok "reviving" this thread) but I was wondering how easy it is to find accommodation over in Italy? Particularly Latina. When I went to Portugal we had a week to find our own accommodation and we all pretty much managed it, and I'm just wondering whether I'll be able to achieve something similar in Italy. Also, what's the average rent for commutersville (I've been told Latina is only 45mins on the train to Rome, so I'm guessing it's full of commuters!)

Probably all questions I should have asked in my interview, but never mind lol!