We think about moving to Italy and need all information we can get on
Naples.
How can we get an apartment/room before arriving there, some place we
can stay in for the first month or so. How much is the average price
of a 2 bedroom apartment? Any internet pages you can suggest? Anything
else?
We are artists/painters. How is the art scene in Naples, and are there
many connections to Rome?

I think that an average price won't help. Napoli is quite a big town, and
prices vary from 300 to 2000 ? monthly.
The most active artistic life is in the very center of the city, where you
may find some cheap apartments in the "old city" (Quartieri Spagnoli,
Pignasecca, Montesanto). I've checked through the following web site :
http://www.gabetti.it/index_en.htm
and have found a 2 bedrooms apartment (60 mq) at "Vico lungo teatro nuovo"
available at the price of 6180 ? on an yearly basis.
Take a look at the site above or at : http://www.tecnocasa.com
they are the two greatest real estate companies in Italy.

Napoli is well connected by train to Roma (one train each hour). The trip
takes from 1h15' to 1h45'.
I'm usually more interested in poetry and theater, but I've selected some
internet pages that might be useful to you:
http://napoli.lanetro.it/
http://www.exibart.com/Exi_1-4-15.asp?IDCategoria=71
http://napoli.libero.it/index.jhtml?page=P6&city=Napoli

ciao!

Thank you, that was a lot of interesting info.
How is Naples surrounding, are there some nice small towns?

verena wrote in message
[email protected]...
    > Thank you, that was a lot of interesting info.
    > How is Naples surrounding, are there some nice small towns?

Well...I do live in a small town (it's Quarto Flegreo, situated in the north
of the province :-)
I do like the towns of the "Campi Flegrei" zone: Pozzuoli, Arco Felice,
Bacoli are situated along the seaside (the first one quit bigger than the
others and well connected to Naples by "metro"). Quarto is in the landscape
at a few km from Pozzuoli and there is a local train (Circumflegrea) that
leads to the center of Naples in 25 mins.
Also nice were the towns situated in the south: Portici is well known for
the royal palace and for the first railway built in Italy (Naples-Portici).
Nowaday is one of the most crowded towns in Europe :-|. After Portici there
is the "Vesuvian" area...also very crowded, but with some nice towns (San
Sebastiano is my birth place :-). The biggest problem might be the presence
of the volcano...actually it's quiet, but still active...
At a safe distance is of course Sorrento. Quiet, nice, well connected to
Naples (Circumvesuviana railway, buses), at a short distance from Pompei,
Positano and the island of Capri. This would be my first choice after Naples
    :-)

ciao!

I enjoyed reading your description. The towns you mentioned, are they
that crowded that it is very difficult to find a nice, affordable
apartment?
Before moving to Los Angeles, I lived in Hamburg/Germany. You can find
a two-room apartment for about 400 to 500 Euro there. Would that be
possible in these towns? Are they very dependent of Naples, do people
mostly commute to Naples?

And if you like, tell me more about the Vulcano. How far is it to
Naples and how much is a safe distance to it?

How is the job situation in Naples, and do many people speak English?
Of course we would learn Italian, but for the start...

verena wrote in message
[email protected]...
    > I enjoyed reading your description. The towns you mentioned, are they
    > that crowded that it is very difficult to find a nice, affordable
    > apartment?

Well...I guess that Portici is not an issue for your purpose :-|
Usually, the more a town is crowded the more it's expansive to stay there.

    > Before moving to Los Angeles, I lived in Hamburg/Germany. You can find
    > a two-room apartment for about 400 to 500 Euro there. Would that be
    > possible in these towns? Are they very dependent of Naples, do people
    > mostly commute to Naples?

400 Euro would be a fair price for a two rooms in Quarto. 500 could be
enough for a four rooms and certainly for a three rooms. The same is for the
other towns in the Campi Flegrei (north of Naples), excepting maybe
Pozzuoli, unless you choose the "old" zone surrounding the harbour (ferries
connect Pozzuoli to the islands of Procida and Ischia).
I don't know if you'll be car furnished. In that case the choise would
include many nice places (i.e. Lucrino lake along the road connecting
Pozzuoli to the historical zone of Baia. Apartment rental is there quite
cheaper (400 Euro could be the price for a three rooms with terrace).

    > And if you like, tell me more about the Vulcano. How far is it to
    > Naples and how much is a safe distance to it?

Naples is at a safe distance from Vesuvio, don't worry :-)
The last eruption was in 1944 and was neither disruptive neither dangerous
for the inhabitants of the towns situated right at the feet of the volcano.
After the famous eruption of 79 a.c. (one of the hardest, that destroyed the
towns of Pompei and Ercolano, 20 km from Naples) in the history of Vesuvio
there are several eruption, the last one reporting wide distruction was in
1631.
The real problem is nowaday the absurd growth of the towns surrounding the
volcano...800,000 people live inside the "red zone" (Pompei, Ercolano, Torre
del Greco, Torre Annunziata, San Sebastiano, Boscotrecase).
Here you can see the history of its eruptions
http://www.dst.unina.it/vesuvio/veseruzmappa.html
Also the Campi Flegrei (in english "Burning Fields") area surrounds the
volcano "Solfatara" situated above the town of Pozzuoli. But Solfatara is
just a "muddy volcano". You can walk inside the volcano watching the boiling
mud and gas "fumarole" erupting from the earth. Here is a web site with some
photos
http://www.frcreations.it/fabgallery...olfatara/Solfa
tara.htm

    > How is the job situation in Naples, and do many people speak English?
    > Of course we would learn Italian, but for the start...

The job situation isn't very good, here. Things are changing in the last few
years, due to the increased tourism and the better administration, but some
problems are still unsolved.
English is the "second tongue" for 30% (more or less) of neapolitans, mostly
at a scholastic level. Just speak slowly and they'll understand you :-)

ciao and feel free to ask me for any question, advice or help :-)

    > ciao and feel free to ask me for any question, advice or help :-)

That is great, thanks.
For now we plan on arriving in Naples (or rather the greater area) in
August. We have a car and rather live cheaper with more space than
right in Naples. Those towns you mentioned are all about half an hour
to Naples?
I know that many Italians are on vacation in August. Do you think it
is better to arrive in September?

I am not sure if it is possible to find a room (not hotel) before we
get there. Are there roommate-agencies or a newspaper/internet just
for rooms and apartments to rent?

Is it common to buy an apartment or house, or do people have to be
VERY well off for that?!

About the jobs... If one doesn't speak fluent Italian there is
problably not a big choice! In Germany we were working as Computer
teachers (software trainer). Is there a market for that you think? Or
should we better sell our paintings?!!

Is the area around Naples rather green and hilly?

    > Here you can see the history of its eruptions
It gave me a good idea. How far is Pompei from Naples?

What are you doing, you said you usually prefer Theater?

Here is a link to my paintings if you like... www.hilkedettmers.de

Ciao and thanks!

    > 400 Euro would be a fair price for a two rooms in Quarto. 500 could be
    > enough for a four rooms and certainly for a three rooms. The same is for the
    > other towns in the Campi Flegrei (north of Naples), excepting maybe
    > Pozzuoli, unless you choose the "old" zone surrounding the harbour (ferries
    > connect Pozzuoli to the islands of Procida and Ischia).
    > I don't know if you'll be car furnished. In that case the choise would
    > include many nice places (i.e. Lucrino lake along the road connecting
    > Pozzuoli to the historical zone of Baia. Apartment rental is there quite
    > cheaper (400 Euro could be the price for a three rooms with terrace).
    >
    > > And if you like, tell me more about the Vulcano. How far is it to
    > > Naples and how much is a safe distance to it?
    >
    > Naples is at a safe distance from Vesuvio, don't worry :-)
    > The last eruption was in 1944 and was neither disruptive neither dangerous
    > for the inhabitants of the towns situated right at the feet of the volcano.
    > After the famous eruption of 79 a.c. (one of the hardest, that destroyed the
    > towns of Pompei and Ercolano, 20 km from Naples) in the history of Vesuvio
    > there are several eruption, the last one reporting wide distruction was in
    > 1631.
    > The real problem is nowaday the absurd growth of the towns surrounding the
    > volcano...800,000 people live inside the "red zone" (Pompei, Ercolano, Torre
    > del Greco, Torre Annunziata, San Sebastiano, Boscotrecase).
    > Here you can see the history of its eruptions
    > http://www.dst.unina.it/vesuvio/veseruzmappa.html
    > Also the Campi Flegrei (in english "Burning Fields") area surrounds the
    > volcano "Solfatara" situated above the town of Pozzuoli. But Solfatara is
    > just a "muddy volcano". You can walk inside the volcano watching the boiling
    > mud and gas "fumarole" erupting from the earth. Here is a web site with some
    > photos
    > http://www.frcreations.it/fabgallery...olfatara/Solfa
    > tara.htm
    >
    > > How is the job situation in Naples, and do many people speak English?
    > > Of course we would learn Italian, but for the start...
    >
    > The job situation isn't very good, here. Things are changing in the last few
    > years, due to the increased tourism and the better administration, but some
    > problems are still unsolved.
    > English is the "second tongue" for 30% (more or less) of neapolitans, mostly
    > at a scholastic level. Just speak slowly and they'll understand you :-)
    >
    > ciao and feel free to ask me for any question, advice or help :-)

verena wrote in message
[email protected]...
    > Those towns you mentioned are all about half an hour to Naples?

Yes, half an hour is an average time to reach Naples from the Campi
Flegrei area (Quarto and Pozzuoli are just one step away from its subburbs).
In Naples traffic is very hard in the morning (8-10 a.m.) and in the evening
(5-7 p.m.), but there are some cheap parking connected with the "metro".

    > I know that many Italians are on vacation in August. Do you think it
    > is better to arrive in September?

Yes, unless you want to visit the town without being dazed by its crowded
streets :-)
In August the city is more quiet, but it may be difficoult to find an open
real estate office.

    > I am not sure if it is possible to find a room (not hotel) before we
    > get there. Are there roommate-agencies or a newspaper/internet just
    > for rooms and apartments to rent?

I've found several web-sites, but they looks a little bit expensive (more or
less 60-65 Euro per night a double room)

http://www.bbnaples.it/index11.html
http://www.bbdolcesonno.it/
http://www.tightrope.it/bbnaples/

The link below is the official web site of the tourist office. It's in
italian :-|, but there are some cheaper choises (also some convents or
"religious" guest-houses :-). The right link is "dormire".

http://www.inaples.it/home.asp

Of course there are some magazines were you can read about renting offers,
but their web sites don't allow to read'em :-|
If you wish, I may buy a copy and send it to you (they're written in
italian), or I may look for the range of price and of distance from Naples
you prefer, so I'll make a "digest" of the matching offers. Let me know :-)

    > Is it common to buy an apartment or house, or do people have to be
    > VERY well off for that?!

It's common :-)
I'm not "very well off" (if I can understand what does it mean :-), but my
wife and I have just finished to pay for our own apartment :-)
I guess that in Italy 65% live in their own houses.

    > About the jobs... If one doesn't speak fluent Italian there is
    > problably not a big choice! In Germany we were working as Computer
    > teachers (software trainer). Is there a market for that you think? Or
    > should we better sell our paintings?!!

Your paintings are really very nice, but I don't know how is the paintings
market, here :-|
In Naples there is a big NATO base, that could be a useful target, until
your italian won't be perfect :-)
There are also possibilities both in the tourism and computer
field...but there some italian might be necessary.
You may also give a look at the Goethe Institut web site
http://www.goethe.de/it/nea/itindex.htm
it's the most important german cultural center in Naples.

    > Is the area around Naples rather green and hilly?

Well...the region surrounding Naples is one of the most various you can find
in Europe, I guess. Sea, hills, mountains, beaches, cliffs, islands,
volcanoes, art, architecture, culture, history are strictly connected, here
(I don't know why the tourist office doesn't pay me for this description...
anyway, it's all true :-)
Naples itself has many different faces. Starting from the very center, at
sea level, (Maschio Angioino, Piazza Plebiscito) you'll find hills wherever
you go :-)

    > It gave me a good idea. How far is Pompei from Naples?

Pompei is 25 km from Naples. What idea?

    > What are you doing, you said you usually prefer Theater?

What am I doing...to live? I work in a bank as a business consultant :-|
My main interests are poetry, theater, sport, chess (I've been a
professional chessplayer for a while :-), music, travel...(I've been twice
in Hamburg, but only as a stop going to and coming back from
Kobenhavn).

    > Here is a link to my paintings if you like... www.hilkedettmers.de

As I already said: very very nice! :-)
The reflecting surfaces give an aerial appearance to the images. They look
projected into a different time, a different dimension of life...where human
entity (captured in its uncertain and changing colours) can't be preserved
and only what is real can penetrate the very mistery of its own existence.
Ehm...maybe "nice" was by far a better comment :-|

ciao! :-)

Thank you again!

    > > I know that many Italians are on vacation in August. Do you think it
    > > is better to arrive in September?
    >
    > Yes, unless you want to visit the town without being dazed by its crowded
    > streets :-)
    > In August the city is more quiet, but it may be difficoult to find an open
    > real estate office.

I am not sure if I understand it right, do you think it is better to
arrive in August when it is quiet? When is it easier to find an
apartment, in September? We will look for the areas you mentioned,
outside Naples, not so much in the city. Will it be too empty to find
some place?!

    > The link below is the official web site of the tourist office. It's in
    > italian :-|, but there are some cheaper choises (also some convents or
    > "religious" guest-houses :-). The right link is "dormire".
    >
    > http://www.inaples.it/home.asp

That is a very good side. I looked it up under "camere e residence".
Do you know what it exactly is? The way I understand it is a place in
which one can rent a room for a longer period? A regular apartment
almost?

    > If you wish, I may buy a copy and send it to you (they're written in
    > italian), or I may look for the range of price and of distance from Naples
    > you prefer, so I'll make a "digest" of the matching offers. Let me know :-)

That is so nice! For now, I just like to get an idea of how much we
have to expect to pay for a 3-room apartment outside Naples. Maybe I
could ask you later this year for it again, so I could actually call
an advertisement before we take off.

    > > It gave me a good idea. How far is Pompei from Naples?
    > > Pompei is 25 km from Naples. What idea?

I ment the webpage about the Vesuv!

    > What am I doing...to live? I work in a bank as a business consultant :-|
    > My main interests are poetry, theater, sport, chess (I've been a
    > professional chessplayer for a while :-), music, travel...(I've been twice
    > in Hamburg, but only as a stop going to and coming back from
    > Kobenhavn).

    > Ehm...maybe "nice" was by far a better comment :-|

That is a great combination! And I also liked the description of my
paintings alot! I never find words to talk about them. I guess thats
why I paint!
In literature, I like Robert Walser, I don´t know if he´s translated
into Italien or English though.

Congratulations on the apartment! I think it is a good idea to own a
place, I asked because one day I would like to buy one too.

You should think about being a Tourist consultant, too!

ciao!

verena wrote in message
[email protected]...
    > I am not sure if I understand it right, do you think it is better to
    > arrive in August when it is quiet? When is it easier to find an
    > apartment, in September? We will look for the areas you mentioned,
    > outside Naples, not so much in the city. Will it be too empty to find
    > some place?!

Yes, in August it might be difficoult to find some place. September is a
better choice.
I love Naples in August because streets are not as crowded as usual, but I
don't need to look for a place to stay :-)

    > That is a very good side. I looked it up under "camere e residence".
    > Do you know what it exactly is? The way I understand it is a place in
    > which one can rent a room for a longer period? A regular apartment
    > almost?

Usually "residence" is an almost regular apartment, when "camere" are
just rooms to rent.
The latter are quite cheaper, but of course you'll have a
very small space to live in (i.e. I've found a room in a suburb of Naples,
but near the "hill metro line" for 150 Euro...something like that would be
a good provisional place to stay when looking for an apartment)

    > That is so nice! For now, I just like to get an idea of how much we
    > have to expect to pay for a 3-room apartment outside Naples. Maybe I
    > could ask you later this year for it again, so I could actually call
    > an advertisement before we take off.

Today I've bought a magazine and checked the prices. I guess you prefer
completely furnished apartments. Here are some examples:

Quarto (periphery) - 2 rooms + large kitchen + bathroom + car place = 350
Euro

Ischitella (seaside 30 km NW of Naples) - 4 rooms + large kitchen + 2
bathrooms + fireplace + large terrace + car box + garden = 440 Euro

Patria Lake (25 km NW of Naples) - 3 rooms + kitchen + bathroom + garden =
420 Euro

The most usual offer in for unfurnished apartments. Prices are similar, but
choice is by far wider.
Some examples:

Quarto (countryside) - 2 rooms + large kitchen + 2 bathrooms + cellar +
small garden + car place: 413 Euro

Baia (seaside after Pozzuoli; 18 km W of Naples) - (nice view) 2 rooms +
kitchen + bathroom + fireplace + garden + car place = 400 Euro

Quarto (periphery) - 4 rooms + kitchen + bathroom + fireplace = 400 Euro

The above offers are the best I've checked, but many other offers are in the
range of 350-500 Euro.
I've discarded the offers that included an "entry fee" (here it's quite
common to pay 2 months in advance, when renting an apartment. In many cases
the fee is not given back when leaving).
When you'll arrive here (if you won't change your plannings...artists are
sooooo capricious! :-) I may help you on finding and visiting the
apartments,
if you like.

    > That is a great combination! And I also liked the description of my
    > paintings alot! I never find words to talk about them. I guess thats
    > why I paint!

I just find words...I guess that's why my drawings are real disasters :-/

    > In literature, I like Robert Walser, I don´t know if he´s translated
    > into Italien or English though.

In literature I like many "classics" (Kafka, Dostoevskij) and others like
Borges, Saramago...
As a poet I love Emily Dickinson and my best friend Aida M. Zoppetti :-)
I have never read a book by Walser :-|, but I'll look for it as soon as
possible. Thanks for your advice :-)

    > Congratulations on the apartment! I think it is a good idea to own a
    > place, I asked because one day I would like to buy one too.

I agree :-)

    > You should think about being a Tourist consultant, too!

Well...I'm already the tourist consultant of myself :-) I use to organize my
travels searching some nice destinations through the web...Somehow I've some
complaints with myself, but I'm the cheapest travel agency I've ever found,
so I've to be sympathetic with my consultant :-)

ciao!

    > When you'll arrive here (if you won't change your plannings...artists are
    > sooooo capricious! :-) I may help you on finding and visiting the
    > apartments,
    > if you like.

That would be sooo great if you`d help!! I know what you are saying
about those artists moods!! But I can`t hardly wait to get in the car
and go...
For now our plans are that we only stay for two months, though we`d
love to move there for much longer which depends on, well of course
money. Do you think we could easily move out after two months?
We would probably go for an unfurnished place.
Are these apartments rented out immediately usually?
Are they usually rented the first of a month?

What can I say, you are a big help!!!
Thanks, Verena

verena wrote in message
[email protected]...
    > For now our plans are that we only stay for two months, though we`d
    > love to move there for much longer which depends on, well of course
    > money. Do you think we could easily move out after two months?

It depends on the place you'll choose. Usually there's no minimum when
renting a room or a "residence" (but residences are more expensive than
apartments). Many owners like to rent their apartments to "not-residents",
because italian laws about rental is very "protective" with residents (they
have the right to stay in the same apartment for a minimum of 4 years).
Anyway, you might just tell the owner about your idea. If he'd agree there
won't be any problem. I guess it won't be difficoult to find such a place.

    > We would probably go for an unfurnished place.

Unfurnished? Here it means no bed, no chairs, no table, no freezer....really
nothing! :-)

    > Are these apartments rented out immediately usually?

Yes, just the time to sign a contract and the keys will pass to your hands.

    > Are they usually rented the first of a month?

Usually yes, but I guess that if an apartment will be empty, the owner
wouldn't wait one day more, before to rent it.

    > What can I say, you are a big help!!!

What can I reply, you're welcome!!! :-)

ciao!

    > Unfurnished? Here it means no bed, no chairs, no table, no freezer....really
    > nothing! :-)

We are not sure if unfurnished or furnished is better, but we like to
work on our paintings in the apartment so we could use an empty room.
Also, we have a van and will bring some basic things (matress etc.).
But unfurnished means that there is no refrigerator and kitchen
furniture?? (I guess we have to think about this one again!)

    > > Are they usually rented the first of a month?
    > Usually yes, but I guess that if an apartment will be empty, the owner
    > wouldn't wait one day more, before to rent it.

Would it be a smart thing to arrive some days before the first of the
month, is there a better chance on finding an apartment that way you
think? (is the choice bigger?)
It would be great if we could move right into our own space! The way
you describe it the apartment hunt doesn`t seem that difficult. Isn`t
there a big competition among people looking for apartments? (In
Germany it is crazy!!) It almost sounds as we could find something
within days or am I exaggerating?!

Ciao!

In article , [email protected]
(verena) writes:

    >We are not sure if unfurnished or furnished is better, but we like to
    >work on our paintings in the apartment so we could use an empty room.
    >Also, we have a van and will bring some basic things (matress etc.).
    >But unfurnished means that there is no refrigerator and kitchen
    >furniture?? (I guess we have to think about this one again!)

Unfurnished mean exactly that, also it may not have kitchen cabinets, I lived
there for some years and was expected to provide my own cabinets.The hassle of
finding an Apt was not nearly so stressful as looking for a place in Germany,
the land lord may want to meet you , and talk to you and it would not hurt to
take an appropriate gift for him either.
Rosie

verena wrote in message
[email protected]...
    > But unfurnished means that there is no refrigerator and kitchen
    > furniture?? (I guess we have to think about this one again!)

As Rosie already said: yes, usually an unfurnished apartment is absolutely
empty.
Unfurnished apartments might be the first choice for longlasting leases,
when furnished ones or "residences" are the best solution for provisional
situations.

    > Would it be a smart thing to arrive some days before the first of the
    > month, is there a better chance on finding an apartment that way you
    > think? (is the choice bigger?)

Yes, it would be a good idea....also because probably I'll be away from 1 to
10 september :-| (I'll go to the "Festival of Literature" held every year in
Mantova - northern Italy).
Well...also not considering my absence a very important point (ok, ok...I
know that's right the case! :-|), I agree that the choice would be bigger,
arriving here before the end of august (or do you mean the end of
september?)

    > It would be great if we could move right into our own space! The way
    > you describe it the apartment hunt doesn`t seem that difficult. Isn`t
    > there a big competition among people looking for apartments? (In
    > Germany it is crazy!!) It almost sounds as we could find something
    > within days or am I exaggerating?!

It depends on the area where you are looking for the apartment.
If you asked me about an apartment situated in the very center of Naples or
Portici...ehm...I couldn't be so optimist :-)
The seaside area where I've found several offers (Licola, Patria Lake) is
only crowded on summer (July-August). Apart those two months it's a quiet
area, but there are almost no schools, so it's not the best place for a
family with children. Quarto is the youngest town of the Campi Flegrei area,
then there are also good possibilities to find a nice apartment...
That's why I guess that you would really find something within days, if
you'll be a little bit lucky :-)
Reading the magazine I've found hundreds of offers that could be
interesting...many apartments weren't well described (then I skipped them),
but when you'll be here it would be quite easy to visit them before to
choose.

ciao!