Thinking to move to Milan
Jul 9th 2018, 9:43 am
#1
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Joined: Jul 2018
Location: London
Posts: 2
Thinking to move to Milan
Hi everyone!
I’ve been visiting Italy a lot last year, Probably all and all stayed 3 months. Mainly in Florence but I travelled a bit and even did a photography shoot for someone I absolutely loved and got paid.
Knowing that if I want to give it a go and live there, I would need a job and learn italian here. I live in London and speak French fluently. I understand italian but I need courses.
Anyway fast forward, I’ve heard 20% good things and the rest, don’t go to Italy. Thing is after 8 years I just don’t want to stay in London, although god, we have been lucky with summer this year!
Anyways, not particularly fan o eitherf Milan but I thought to land there first and then find my way to Florence somehow. I love the city, although it can get crazy with tourism there. That means I would need a car to get away.
I know people in Italy, but not tons. And I have a client there too, she lives in Paris but the studio is in Milan.
I’m a French nationality; I’m thinking I have nothing to lose really to give it a try. Even if it’s not in my favourite city, if I meant to go to Florence I will make it. Worse to worse I come back to London and land on a job. At least I tried. But I want it more than trying.
I just want to know how you guys find it after a year (people who moved from London). I picked up so much here than going back to Paris, it would be so foreign to me now. And again not a city I particularly dream of living, only visiting. Other cities there I looked (coastal) are either quite boring or super expensive; am I correct?
But Italy is very special, and I can’t stop thinking about it, it’s been over a year that I feel this way. I’m 31, female photographer. There is so much negativity about the economy that it makes it hard to not turn around as well. But I’m very motivated, I have already sold lots of things and want to move around on the light.
Would be great to read your experience, best secure places to live in Milan. Or ther cities that I’m not thinking of. I also read that if you not italian, getting a job is harder. I look quite italian tho but I’m not, even if this is something strange to say.
I was also thinking of Barcelona but that like an other vision/city. So different than Italy and what I would like initially. The only thing is the sea and the warmth there for me, and of course the people. But still not Italy.
Very long to read sorry haha I want to move out of the UK badly as you can see, and my brain is having a hard time to make a decision as the outcome of Milan are uncertain. But again I’m thinking, 6 months or one year is nothing at the end if I ever change my mind.
I know that after Brexit, if you live someone for more than two years, your rights are gone. But this is way less than that.
Thank you,
Sx
I’ve been visiting Italy a lot last year, Probably all and all stayed 3 months. Mainly in Florence but I travelled a bit and even did a photography shoot for someone I absolutely loved and got paid.
Knowing that if I want to give it a go and live there, I would need a job and learn italian here. I live in London and speak French fluently. I understand italian but I need courses.
Anyway fast forward, I’ve heard 20% good things and the rest, don’t go to Italy. Thing is after 8 years I just don’t want to stay in London, although god, we have been lucky with summer this year!
Anyways, not particularly fan o eitherf Milan but I thought to land there first and then find my way to Florence somehow. I love the city, although it can get crazy with tourism there. That means I would need a car to get away.
I know people in Italy, but not tons. And I have a client there too, she lives in Paris but the studio is in Milan.
I’m a French nationality; I’m thinking I have nothing to lose really to give it a try. Even if it’s not in my favourite city, if I meant to go to Florence I will make it. Worse to worse I come back to London and land on a job. At least I tried. But I want it more than trying.
I just want to know how you guys find it after a year (people who moved from London). I picked up so much here than going back to Paris, it would be so foreign to me now. And again not a city I particularly dream of living, only visiting. Other cities there I looked (coastal) are either quite boring or super expensive; am I correct?
But Italy is very special, and I can’t stop thinking about it, it’s been over a year that I feel this way. I’m 31, female photographer. There is so much negativity about the economy that it makes it hard to not turn around as well. But I’m very motivated, I have already sold lots of things and want to move around on the light.
Would be great to read your experience, best secure places to live in Milan. Or ther cities that I’m not thinking of. I also read that if you not italian, getting a job is harder. I look quite italian tho but I’m not, even if this is something strange to say.
I was also thinking of Barcelona but that like an other vision/city. So different than Italy and what I would like initially. The only thing is the sea and the warmth there for me, and of course the people. But still not Italy.
Very long to read sorry haha I want to move out of the UK badly as you can see, and my brain is having a hard time to make a decision as the outcome of Milan are uncertain. But again I’m thinking, 6 months or one year is nothing at the end if I ever change my mind.
I know that after Brexit, if you live someone for more than two years, your rights are gone. But this is way less than that.
Thank you,
Sx
Last edited by Saming; Jul 9th 2018 at 9:46 am.
Jul 11th 2018, 4:24 am
#2
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: Thinking to move to Milan
If you have no family there and are planning on working, the success of your move will be proportional to the amount of fluent Italian that you speak (native or near-native level).
Italians come in all colours and characteristics including blond hair with blue eyes. It doesn't matter if you "look Italian" just that you "speak Italian."
You may want to consider Nice or Menton instead, while you work on your language skills.
You will have the same language issues in Barcelona.
Disregard what you have heard will happen "after Brexit." Nothing has been settled and so it is just rumour. If you are a French national your rights in Italy are not affected anyways, so who cares?
Italians come in all colours and characteristics including blond hair with blue eyes. It doesn't matter if you "look Italian" just that you "speak Italian."
You may want to consider Nice or Menton instead, while you work on your language skills.
You will have the same language issues in Barcelona.
Disregard what you have heard will happen "after Brexit." Nothing has been settled and so it is just rumour. If you are a French national your rights in Italy are not affected anyways, so who cares?
Jul 11th 2018, 7:21 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 404
Re: Thinking to move to Milan
You have one advantage over many people who turn up without knowing how to find employment and that is you have a profession. I moved to Italy (Trentino) 3 years ago and have been able to continue working as a translator pretty seemlessly. The only thing to be aware of is the tax implications: taxes are high in Italy (higher than in France as well) and there are always more taxes to pay than you expect. If you can cope with the impact on your income and work out a business plan to find work/clients, or if you have savings to bridge a potential gap in earnings, then I would say "go for it". Personally, I haven't regretted the move at all, even allowing for the frustrations which are an inevitable part of living abroad.
I would guess that Milan is slightly cheaper than London for living costs (particularly rents?) although this is only guesswork. I don't know what area of photography you specialise in or how you work but are there likely to be more opportunities in Milan than Forence?
If you can learn Italian quickly, your multi-lingualism could be a big asset in some industries.
Carcajou - I think the OP might be referring to losing her rights to move back to the UK after 2 years, as per the governments' proposal for EU nationals post-Brexit (though as you say this is not set in stone yet).
I would guess that Milan is slightly cheaper than London for living costs (particularly rents?) although this is only guesswork. I don't know what area of photography you specialise in or how you work but are there likely to be more opportunities in Milan than Forence?
If you can learn Italian quickly, your multi-lingualism could be a big asset in some industries.
Carcajou - I think the OP might be referring to losing her rights to move back to the UK after 2 years, as per the governments' proposal for EU nationals post-Brexit (though as you say this is not set in stone yet).
Jul 11th 2018, 9:15 am
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2018
Location: London
Posts: 2
Re: Thinking to move to Milan
Thanks for reading my loooooong post!
Yes it is to go back to the UK. Maybe. It is now on their website, things are moving fast but there is things we are for now sure before 2019 and that’s those 2 years. Seems fair. But hell, they can come back and make 10 different amends to this rule.
Lots of people who lived there long enough are thinking to get the passport, but this urge has lessen. London with Brexit isn’t so attractive anymore, what in my opinion made London extremely strong was this multi nationality, high diversity and hustle to bring yourself where you want to be, all the keys are here to help you but you will have to bleed for it in some shape or form.
It’s been a Tory gov for years, more luxury flat, less community every year. An example of total waste is what happened to Hackney Wick.
To be completely honest with you all, even if I’m financially grateful, and that I met SO many different people and therefor ended to learn so much about myself, I can feel my adventure has ended in the UK. Well, at least London. I need change.
I agree with the language, I will take classes and be a good student. It’s totally normal to speak the language and make an afford. I will leave anyhow much stronger and smarter than the way I move to London years ago being younger. I don’t want to struggle. I do also agree that knowing who I am first of, and having some career history will definitely help you research to find a job. When I moved to London, I only finished studying, I was working but not really working like now.
I also think that being a freelancing wouldn’t be a priority right now. My priority is Italy. At least for a year and see if I can deal with all the cons to enjoy all the pros. The motivation is much higher than staying here at the moment.
I’m thinking now if things ever turn sour and I really hope they won’t, I will actually perhaps go back to Paris and then see it from there. But I’m done with London. I need and I do miss the humanity in London, it’s a city that offers you everything you ever desire but this is not on the list.
Good luck everyone, being expat is exciting and challenging all at the same time. Thanks for all the tips, I appreciate that
Yes it is to go back to the UK. Maybe. It is now on their website, things are moving fast but there is things we are for now sure before 2019 and that’s those 2 years. Seems fair. But hell, they can come back and make 10 different amends to this rule.
Lots of people who lived there long enough are thinking to get the passport, but this urge has lessen. London with Brexit isn’t so attractive anymore, what in my opinion made London extremely strong was this multi nationality, high diversity and hustle to bring yourself where you want to be, all the keys are here to help you but you will have to bleed for it in some shape or form.
It’s been a Tory gov for years, more luxury flat, less community every year. An example of total waste is what happened to Hackney Wick.
To be completely honest with you all, even if I’m financially grateful, and that I met SO many different people and therefor ended to learn so much about myself, I can feel my adventure has ended in the UK. Well, at least London. I need change.
I agree with the language, I will take classes and be a good student. It’s totally normal to speak the language and make an afford. I will leave anyhow much stronger and smarter than the way I move to London years ago being younger. I don’t want to struggle. I do also agree that knowing who I am first of, and having some career history will definitely help you research to find a job. When I moved to London, I only finished studying, I was working but not really working like now.
I also think that being a freelancing wouldn’t be a priority right now. My priority is Italy. At least for a year and see if I can deal with all the cons to enjoy all the pros. The motivation is much higher than staying here at the moment.
I’m thinking now if things ever turn sour and I really hope they won’t, I will actually perhaps go back to Paris and then see it from there. But I’m done with London. I need and I do miss the humanity in London, it’s a city that offers you everything you ever desire but this is not on the list.
Good luck everyone, being expat is exciting and challenging all at the same time. Thanks for all the tips, I appreciate that
