madrelingue

Would like to know if any of you are living in Sicily as I am based in Sicily at the moment.

Lorna at Vicenza

hello and welcome to the forum.

If you read this thread you'll see we have some members who live in Sicily.
(Just ignore the bits about creating a sub-forum.)

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=735692

Pecora Nera

LOL, so no sub forum then.

jemima55

I`m not, sorry, but would love to hear your impressions, MrJemima wants to live there, eventually!

milazzo06

Hi, welcome to Sicily. Yes, there's a few of us here.

madrelingue

I love it here, I am in Niscemi. Its not difficult to live here but then I am used to Africa, lived there for the last 12 years.

People are friendly, the food is very good and its relatively cheap to live. The difficult thing is finding work at the moment with the economic crisis hitting hard.

Lorna at Vicenza

Sweetheart, work is very hard to find even in the so called more economic North. If you like where you are and can afford to stay there then go for it.
When Italy works ...... it's lovely.
It has got harder for lots and lots of people which is a shame but life stinks sometimes. Some people with the dream of la dolce vita have had to pack it up - others like myself have learnt to tighten the belt a little bit.

Buona fortuna e tante cose belle xxx

milazzo06

I fear Lorna's right about the work front. You have to be both patient and resourceful and prepared for setbacks. But this forum is a great source of advice (I wish I'd found it 10 years ago). Read through the past posts and get some ideas to see what others have done - and equally, where they have struggled.

I once met a guy (admittedly half-italian) who was working in Agrigento/Lampedusa for the police as a translator(?) for refugees arriving in Lampedusa. If you speak French/Arabic or any African languages, you might be in demand. It's just a thought (though I have to admit... I have no idea how you'd go about finding such a job).

madrelingue

Thanks for your replies, I guess I need to search and be a little more creative on the work search. If anyone hears of anything I would appreciate if you could let me know.

madrelingue

Grazie, tu sai molto gentile.

giuliana

I'm in Sicily!!! Messina area!!!

Pecora Nera

Hi, good luck with searching for a job. It is also difficult in the North.

I have had 3 temporary jobs and now luckily full time work. I never saw any of the jobs advertised I managed to be offered the jobs because I told everyone I met that I needed work and that I was willing and able to do most things.

I worked for a landscape gardener laying lawns, and as a gardener for two girls who cultivated a large plot of land. In the UK the only gardening experience I had was running the flymo over the back lawn. I met the girls and the landscaper at different sagras and just asked if they needed any extra help. The builder I laboured for was the landlord of the house we used to rent. He was complaining that he was working too hard, Bingo.

My present employment was offered to me by a chap who wanted to improve his English. I offered to meet him once a week in a bar and just chat. The result was we set a company up between us to buy and sell industrial pumps.

I haven't written this to brag, but just to say it is possible. My Italian is appalling but I did add I need work to my limited vocabulary.

I don't think the English go around asking their friends neighbours or complete strangers if they need an extra employee. But when in Rome...

Best of luck

madrelingue

Thanks for the tips, I have made biglietto di visitato and I am giving these to everyone. I will make sure to mention that I need work to everyone. I teach English but will do anything (well almost!)

duffer

Oh bugger!

Pecora Nera

Typical