Rating: 
Summary: Highly entertaining and unbelievably useful
Review: Having lived in Italy now for nine years, I only wish that this book had been available long ago. This country is wonderful but dealing with the bureaucracy can be a real minefield. This book tells you how to do it. It's also very broad in the range of subjects it deals with, from buying property to cooking schools. I'd personally like to see guides like this for other countries.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent warning! Read it before you do anything!
Review: I found this book to be an excellent warning to anyone who would contemplate giving up America's advantages to live in Italy. After reading this book, I don't know how anyone in their right mind could decide to move from America to Italy. Thanks to the authors for highlighting, in stark relief, all the shortcomings of Italian living, and making me grateful--yet again--that I am an American, living in America! For Americans who feel like complaining, read this book, and see, despite whatever problems America has, how fortunate you are to be living here.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have for potential expatriates
Review: I got this book in preparation for a six month sabbatical in Venezia. Not only did it get me into the right mindset for my experience, but it gave me all the little details that would otherwise have taken hours, days, weeks, month to find for myself!AND since I have been here (three months now) I find I continue to turn the book at least once a week. Sometimes big things, sometimes little things .... but always steered right. A couple of examples: to get the free internet service from Telecom Italia, you need your own tax number (codice fiscale). Quick look in the book, office to the Ministry of Finance, redirected to a different building, got the number, used it, got on-line (56K for free!), in less than 2 hours. to have a legal stay over 90 days, have to get a visa in advance -- check out the book, contact the appropriate consulate, and everything was done in perfect order then to have a legal right to stay in Venezia, need a Permit of Stay --- check out the book, go the Questura, get the information, appear for the interview, return for the final form ... yes, it all took two different mornings for about two hours each ... but without advice from the book, I would have wasted many days arriving later in the day, etc. Just one little quibble -- the book suggests that you will be confronted by less-than-helpful police: here in Venezia every official I have dealt with, including the police, have been polite, professional, and very helpful! So, if you are planning a non-vacation stay in Italy, GET THIS BOOK! NOW!
Rating:
Summary: I Use It Every Week!
Review: I got this book in preparation for a six month sabbatical in Venezia. Not only did it get me into the right mindset for my experience, but it gave me all the little details that would otherwise have taken hours, days, weeks, month to find for myself! AND since I have been here (three months now) I find I continue to turn the book at least once a week. Sometimes big things, sometimes little things .... but always steered right. A couple of examples: to get the free internet service from Telecom Italia, you need your own tax number (codice fiscale). Quick look in the book, office to the Ministry of Finance, redirected to a different building, got the number, used it, got on-line (56K for free!), in less than 2 hours. to have a legal stay over 90 days, have to get a visa in advance -- check out the book, contact the appropriate consulate, and everything was done in perfect order then to have a legal right to stay in Venezia, need a Permit of Stay --- check out the book, go the Questura, get the information, appear for the interview, return for the final form ... yes, it all took two different mornings for about two hours each ... but without advice from the book, I would have wasted many days arriving later in the day, etc. Just one little quibble -- the book suggests that you will be confronted by less-than-helpful police: here in Venezia every official I have dealt with, including the police, have been polite, professional, and very helpful! So, if you are planning a non-vacation stay in Italy, GET THIS BOOK! NOW!
Rating:
Summary: Practical, no-nonsense guide to living abroad
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect with a book like this. Would the authors be so in love with Italy that they wouldn't be objective? Would they have had such bad experiences that they had nothing good to say about the country? I was pleasantly surprised to see an objective, thoughtful commentary on what you can reasonably expect to find living in Italy. Helpful tips, amusing anecdotes, loads of further resources, and practical--yet encouraging--advice. Recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Great things you can find in the book
Review: Over 900 addresses and Internet sites, from real estate agencies to job banks • Details on visas, banking, taxes, and residency permits • Freelance, seasonal, part-time, and full-time employment options • Volunteer opportunities and internship programs • More than 200 language schools, American colleges, and Italian universities
Rating:
Summary: Very thorough and helpful
Review: This book is great because it gives you things from an American perspective. I've lived in Italy before on a study abroad program, so I was familiar with some things, but the lists of contact information alone are enough reason to buy this book. It covers everything from student visas to getting dual citizenship and from teaching ESL to starting your own business. A must read for anyone thinking about moving to Italy.
Rating:
Summary: What great ideas! Maybe I won't be homeless after all...
Review: This book is literally a goldmine of useful information. I had no idea that the university system began at different times then the university system in the States... no wonder I didn't meet any cute Italian boys until two months into my stay! Hehe. But beyond that, I would recommend this book to anyone who, like myself, dreams of one day calling Italia home. I went through some of the avenues listed in the book (i.e., post-graduate study abroad, mingling with the locals, etc.) before even knowing this book existed, so the authors must be doing something right!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome if you want to move to Italy read this.
Review: This the only book I have seen of it's kind. My familiy and I really that it was incredible. Molto Bene!
Dr. Robert Murgatroyd
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Summary: About the Authors
Review: TRAVIS NEIGHBOR now lives in New York City, where she is a senior editor at Departures Magazine. A writer of both fiction and nonfiction, she lived in Florence for more than four years. MONICA LARNER lives near the Colosseum in Rome, where she is a journalist for Business Week. She has lived in Italy on and off for seven years.
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