What’s it like to live in…Italy
Art teacher Georgina Flach, 55, from Oakham, Rutland, took early retirement a few years ago and, with her 58-year-old husband, bought an old farm in 11 acres near Farmano, in Le Marche, Italy. Read her account of the move We wanted somewhere warm but beautiful, and had discounted France because I feel there’s a mutual antipathy between us as people. Then one February, after a skiing trip in northern Italy, we zigzagged down here and thought it was wonderful. We still do. We’re on the edge of a national park and the landscape and wildlife is spectacular, including wild boar, deer and even wolves. But the main thing is the way of life. It’s much more relaxed, there’s no crime, people drink modestly and respect each other. It’s like turning the clock back to the early 1960s. Apart from the red tape, it’s an easy place to settle in, and it helps that there are quite a few English people round here – although that can make you lazy about learning the language. The drawbacks are that fuel is incredibly expensive – we keep thinking we’ve got gas leaks! And as a Midlander, I do long for an Indian restaurant sometimes. But that’s about it. I really feel strongly that it’s a mistake to sell up in Britain entirely, unless you really have to. If I was widowed or there was a family emergency, I think I’d follow the old adage ‘east, west, home’s best’. We have friends here but it’s not quite the same as relatives or old, tried and tested friends. Fancy a break in Italy to find out if it's your dream place to retire? Visit Saga's holiday pages
This article was created: 18 July 2006.
This article was last edited: 13 November 2006.
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