Augusto M. Says:
I just subscribed to International Living and your Postcard by Chip Stites has already convinced me to leave Los Angeles for Rieti, Italy.
I’m scheduled to arrive in Rieti on August 30 and hold dual Italian-American nationality.
What should I do for a smooth transition?
IL Italy Correspondent Chip Stites Says:
Ciao Augusto, great question!
There is a great deal to answer here. Since you hold dual citizenship, I am going to assume you already speak Italian to some degree.
If you don’t, this is a very different list that begins with taking Italian classes daily.
So, with that caveat, here is my step-by-step guide to smoothly transitioning to life in Rieti:
- Apply for an international driver’s license. Italy has no reciprocity with the U.S. on driver’s licenses, so you’ll need this if you plan to use a car.
- Find a place to stay—a hotel or Airbnb—for a month while you look for an apartment. If you don’t have a car, get a hotel in the city center so you can walk to everything you need, which we did for six months.
- Find a long-term rental. Each rental agency has its own listings and they compete with each other fiercely, so be sure to talk to a few. The average rental contract is two to four years. The average down payment is the first and last month’s rent.
My wife and I lived in the Regia Pace area outside the old city when we first arrived. Everything was within walking distance, a good area for us to acclimate. It may work for you!
- Open a bank account. You will need your rental agreement for this. You’ll also need a Codice Fiscale (the Italian equivalent of a Social Security number or tax number), as well as your passport and your Italian identity card. You can set the Codice Fiscale number in the administrative building across from the army barracks in town. You will need to fill out several forms in Italian to do this.
You can use your U.S. debit card until you open your bank account. But be aware that there will likely be fees, and the exchange rate will work against you. So before you leave, get some euro in cash from A.X. Travel as they often have a better exchange rate.
Finally, my best tip:
From the central plaza walk east past the main post office and past the theater (both on the left side walking away from the plaza). You’ll see a bar called Sipario on the right. The owner is Davide. He doesn’t speak much English but is a great friend who knows everybody.
Introduce yourself and tell him that “Alfredo il Americano” sent you!
My best in this great adventure! I hope you’ll love it just as much as I do.
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