Interview with BryanS in Ascoli Piceno
Name: BryanS
Blog: www.2italy.blogspot.com
Date of Interview: Dec. 3, 2006
Area of Italy you live or will live in?
Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche
Let us know a little about yourself?
Mid 40's and married for 20 years with no children. Both me and my wife grew-up in Ohio but lived in New Mexico for 19 years before moving to Italy
Why did you decide to move to Italy?
After our first trip to Italy we had the desire to spend more time in Italy and with each trip after that our desire to move was confirmed. We are not retired and not wealthy, we just decided to make this move now while we can enjoy Italy.
What type of process did you go through to be able to move here?
We searched the options for jobs, citizenship and visas and an elective resident visa was our only option. We sold our house to finance our move, applied for an elective resident visa (were denied by LA but approved by Detroit), moved our belongings to Chicago and moved to Anzio in May 2006. Expats in Italy was an in valuable tool in this whole process.
What problems did you run into during the initial process and how were you able to fix them ?
Living in New Mexico we applied through LA for our visa. As we were in the process of moving across the US we were advised our application was denied without sound reason. We established residency in Ohio with family and applied at the Detroit Consulate with same documentation and were granted our visa within two weeks.
How long have you been here?
We arrived in Roma on May 19, 2006. We lived at a friends house in Anzio until relocating to Ascoli Piceno in September
What type of adjustment problems have you had?
Learning Italian has been my biggest challenge, I have not advanced in my speaking skills as I had hoped to this point. We had no other really unexpected adjustments.
What do you wish someone had told you before you made the leap?
That the PdiS goes through the provence, not the comune, and that Roma Provincia would take so long for the PdiS which we still do not have
What inside secret could you pass on to others looking to move over?
If you are looking to make the move from the US and are in the LA Consulate jurisdiction - move now! Having friends in Italy who are Italian citizens is an invaluable assets in dealing with many aspects of "the system".
Do you have any disappointments, things you thought would happen but haven't for whatever reasons ?
Just my lack of language skills which I can only blame on myself. Result is related to effort.
What has changed about you since you have been here ?
Nothing that I have noticed.
Do you think that you will stay forever?
If we can figure a way to legally produce income with our ER visa to support us then we will stay.