Affordable Italy: Living la Dolce Vita on a Bootstring

"Life is too short not to live purposefully." Just one of the many tidbits of wisdom today's guest offered. Not everyone wants to wait months or years for their dream in Italy to begin. And not everyone wants to retire. Today's guest joins me to explain how she obtained Italy's Innovative Startup Visa -- sometimes called the 250K Investor Visa -- and how that Visa offers them opportunities to continue running their US based businesses from Italy, how her husband can maintain his remote work, AND the opportunity to MAKE money on the Italian investment they diligently selected. We'll chat about the villa they've recently purchased in Sicily, the complete rehab they're planning and the general affordability of her adopted Italian home. I hope you enjoy today's rather atypical  episode... with PURPOSE! Want to find out more about and follow today's entrepreneurial guest? Check out her links below: Website: CurdsandCo.com  Website Website and Order to Your Door: Curdbox.com  Follow the Villa rehab on Instagram: @OurPlaceInSicily  Follow the Villa rehab on the Website: OurPlaceInSicily.com and coming SOON.....  projectsicily.com

The odds of getting one work visa make you a unicorn. The odds of getting two are unfathomable.  Professional musicians, authors and travel experts, Matt and Zeneba Bowers of Little Roads Europe, made that magic happen just prior to the Covid lockdowns in Italy. Their new life in the region of Lazio continues to defy imagination as they pursue so many passions including their own travel business, a successful series of travel books and by contributing to the world of classical music so alive and rich in Italy.   LINKS:   WEBSITE: www.LittleRoadsEurope.com  BOOKS: www.littleroadseurope.com/guidebooks  Facebook:  www.facebook.com/LittleRoadsEurope  Their Patreon page:  www.patreon.com/LittleRoadsEurope     

Tax time is stressful. So are potential Year End legislative changes to Italy's Budget Law.  Recent rumors and a few news articles have had people extremely worried and wondering if they should "pull the trigger" on a last minute move to Italy. They're also wondering if its even POSSIBLE to become Tax Residents in Italy with such a short timeframe.  Tax expert and amazing all-around amazing person, Paolo Rigo, shares with us what he thinks may be possible. He also generously covers some issues specific to Dual Citizens and taxation as well as general 7% Flat Tax information. You'll be hearing him again.  But for now, we both REALLY hope this helps to reduce your anxiety and empower you to find balance in seeking YOUR affordable life in Italy. Find Paolo and his wonderful Studio Rigo team at: studiorigo@gmail.com Website: https://sites.google.com/view/studiorigo/contact-us?authuser=0 YouTube (THIS is someplace you need to be Listening...): https://www.youtube.com/studiorigo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paoloesseerre ...... aaaaand He is a member of our wonderful Affordable Italy: Living la Dolce Vita on a Bootstring Facebook Group, as well: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2434142243428283/

Just because you HAVE Italian Residency doesn't mean you have to keep both feet on Italian soil year round. Today's guest, Kim Sutton, and her husband fell in love with sailing while still living in pre-Brexit England. The Mediterranean on their own boat was the goal. Be careful where you park your boat... it just might end up being home! They fell in love with a little slice of Sicily that's HIGHLY connected to everywhere in the Mediterranean and beyond, and is still where sailors from all over the world come to port. It only made sense to take the dream one step further. They found a 7% flat tax qualifying town with a reasonably priced home, and now spend six months of the year sailing the sea, and six months with dry feet near Marina di Ragusa, Sicily.  Join us as we explore one of the best little kept secrets in Italy!

If I could give you only ONE person to talk to regarding building a new life in Italy, it would be this guy. Unfortunately, I'm giving you THIS guy 4 months after our initial recording (my tech-NO-bility issues). Mark Hinshaw, successful author, artist, architect, urban planner, journalist and for many years now, immigrant to Italy, joined me to discuss the affordability of his life with his Italian-blooded wife, Sunny Savina Bertollini, in San Vittoria en Matenano, a 7% flat tax town in the region of Marche'. (Mark and Sunny are not recipients of Italy's 7% Flat Tax regime as their arrival predated the tax offering's birthdate.) Although this episode is full of great information on cost of living and other monetary issues that we love to explore, I'd invite you to listen DEEPLY, as I know noone who has mastered the art of assimilation and acculturation as well as they have. Enjoy this gem of a person hiding high on a hilltop in this beautiful region tucked closely behind the Appenine mountains and overlooking the beautiful Adriatic Sea. Acclaimed Book: Navigating Paradise Currently available in Italian at IBS.IT https://www.ibs.it/navigating-paradise-nuova-vita-in-libro-mark-l-hinshaw/e/9788897912927?queryId=62b7a54394bc9f3e6664370771703fe1 and at Amazon.IT https://www.amazon.it/Navigating-paradise-nuova-vita-Italia/dp/8897912923/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_it_IT=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=1VAYO2ZDTMAYH&keywords=navigating+paradise+hinshaw&qid=1699234935&sprefix=navigating+paradise+hinshaw%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1   Find a collection of Mark's ink drawings depicting life and landmarks of the Marche' region at: Instagram: @urbanistamark https://www.instagram.com/urbanistamark/   Books from his life as architect/urban planner in Seattle, Washington: True Urbanism (2007) https://www.amazon.com/True-Urbanism-Living-Near-Center-ebook/dp/B07YNVGQKQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1699235164&sr=8-1 Citi-State Seattle: a Shaping of the Modern Metropolis (1999) https://www.amazon.com/Citistate-Seattle-Shaping-Modern-Metropolis/dp/1884829236/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Affordability is generally NOT a concept much associated with Italy's Tuscan region. The epicenter of all things Renaissance is often depicted in films with heavenly landscapes and hilltop towns, and books often describe its idyllic setting amidst some of Italy's most delightful sensory experiences. Many of us have swooned for decades. But affordable?? Can someone ACTUALLY live in Tuscany affordably? Believe it or not, Gary and Ilene Modica of Our Italian Journey do. They are accomplished authors and bloggers sharing their own journey to a life in Italy with a mission to help enourage others to make a way.   Lucca is incredible. In addition to telling us all the secrets the walled city holds, this episode includes some amazing tips and insight into increasing personal comfort in a rental home while lowering costs in heating and cooling. It also covers a topic SO close to my heart:  grandparenting from afar. I hope you enjoy an energetic chat with these two wonderful people, and then indulge yourselves in one of their two books and a "next level" blog experience. Find Gary and Ilene at: https://ouritalianjourney.com/   Their books are currently found everywhere, but here is your Barnes and Noble link! Our Italian Journey (first book): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-italian-journey-ilene-and-gary-modica/1138421889?ean=9781735376103 When Your Heart Finds Its Home (stand alone memoir which follows the first book): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/when%20your%20heart%20finds%20its%20home Ilene's "Doors of Italy" Travel planner for your next trip! (and there are MANY more) https://www.amazon.com/Doors-Italy-Notebook-Composition-notebook/dp/B097D1Z3P3/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2JE32AYADF1Q7&keywords=ilene+modica&qid=1696437712&sprefix=ilene+modica%2Caps%2C280&sr=8-5 Gary and Ilene's interview with my darling friends at "Retire There With Gil and Gene":  https://www.retirethere.com/    

Italian taxes are notoriously challenging. So are Visas. Misinformation abounds. This episode highlights many areas someone interested in moving to Italy MUST know in order to navigate successfully. With discussion from “the basics” like “Is it true that Italy Taxes income at 43%” (NO!) to special tax saving opportunities like the 7% Flat Tax for Retiree. It also touches on factors that someone would need to know BEFORE they move to Italy. Nicolò Bolla shares his expertise. PLEASE NOTE: This episode has been edited from its original content to reflect information changes provided by Nicolo' Bolla of AccountingBolla.   WEBSITE: https://accountingbolla.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/accountingbolla?mibextid=LQQJ4d INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/accountingbolla?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== BOOKS on Amazon.com: Italian Taxes Made Easy: A simple and effective guide to make taxes affordable in Italy. (Relocation to Italy Book 3) https://a.co/d/4jtyR73   Italian Taxes Made Easy: A simple and effective guide to make taxes affordable in Italy. (Relocation to Italy Book 3) https://a.co/d/8KHspR8   How to run your Airbnb in Italy: The Ultimate guide to manage your holiday lets in full compliance with the Italian laws (Relocation to Italy Book 5) https://a.co/d/gKVsOJY   and JOIN ME on our Facebook page at  https://m.facebook.com/groups/2434142243428283/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF

Monica Dalton, our guest for today's 7% Flat Tax episode, lives in Silvi Marina, Abruzzo. She obtained her Dual-US Citizenship and moved her Florida lifestyle to a more affordable waterfront venue. The entire region of Abruzzo is subject to Italy's 7% flat tax offering as long as the town in question has NOT been absorbed by a larger town (frazione) AND as long as the population is less than 20,000 when someone moves there. (*There are many other rules to consider when evluating Italy's 7% flat tax status, so I ALWAYS recommend consulting with a qualified Italian commercialista prior to making ANY move -- neither Monica, nor I are experts.)  Monica enjoys the Adriatic Sea stretching before her, and tells us skiing in the gorgeous mountains behind her is just minutes away.  She does a tremendous job of sharing with us SO many ways in which Silvi Marina (and Silvi Alta, the old town above Silvi Marina) are so very affordable!  Join us on Facebook to meet Monica, and to find resources for more information about Italy's 7% Flat Tax regime. Affordable Italy: Living la Dolce Vita on a Bootstring Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2434142243428283/ More information regarding Italy's 7% Flat Tax regime can be found here, as well: All Things 7% Flat Tax for Retirees Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/586657949856850/  

Have you seen"No Time to Die", the recent James Bond movie? The 007 isn't the only one who knows where to find beauty and a little bit of action. Greg Foster, a local living in Matera, Basilicata, gives us great insight into a region not much known amongst immigrants. Many towns in the region qualify for Italy's 7% Flat Tax, and Greg helps us better understand what the region offers in healthcare, housing, recreation and potentially, a HUGE tip on how residents might save money on utilities. Basilicata is not only beautiful, it's affordable.   Please  contact Greg or Sylvia by email at  info@lalucana.com La Lucana (their multi-day full escorted tours):  Lalucana.com About Our Tours Matera Cooking Class (our cooking and food experiences): https://www.materacookingclass.com/ Agriturismo L'Assiolo Home | L'Assiolo

Snugly tucked between the Adriatic Sea and skiing in nearby mountains, Chieti, Abruzzo, boasts everything both ancient and modern. Rino Di Bernardino of One Stop Abruzzo on YouTube explains how Trains, Buses and Planes can connect you in 2.5 hours to Rome and the entire Adriatic coast in less. Don't miss his HOT tip on the cheapest and most local of beaches.

Consider being 40 minutes from Rome by train and 1.5 hours from Florence by fast train. Your darling apartment in the Centro Storico of a hilltop town with every amenity most expats would need cost less than you'd ever imagine. Join me with Cindy Wilhelm and discover what the amazing and affordable town of Orte', Lazio, has to offer. 

This, our first exploration of affordable places to live, is a surprising episode. Ken and author, Barbara Palermo, retired from Oregon State to Taormina, Sicily, a 7% Flat Tax town. Barbara wants to share with listeners their experiences enjoying accessible and excellent healthcare, as well as a beautiful life running their Sicilian Farm Stay on ancient lands 10 minutes from the Ionian Sea... affordably!

Italian Visas are tricky, and precious. American expat, Mary Hanson, shares her journey obtaining the Elective Residence Visa (ERV) and preparing her dog, Diggy, for a new life in Italy. She wants to help you avoid pitfalls along the way. Mary's now enjoying her life affordably in the 7% flat tax town, Carovigno, Puglia, Italy.

A how to move your household goods to Italy tutorial by US expat, Mary Hanson, who moved first to Thailand and later to her 7% flat tax home in Puglia, Italy. Mary shares tips to save thousands of euros, and how she almost lost her shipment.