A New Life in Italy

Is Italy becoming a more dangerous place to live, or are we becoming more frightened by what we see online?
Recent protests, dramatic social media videos and headlines ranking Florence among Italy’s highest-crime provinces have raised questions about safety. But what do the numbers actually tell us, and how different is everyday life from what we see on our screens?
In this episode of A New Life in Italy, host Samantha Wilson looks beyond the headlines to explore what safety really means when you're considering making Italy your home.
She shares her perspective from living in Florence, where recent demonstrations made international headlines while much of the city continued with its usual weekend routine. She also explores why people are protesting, the economic pressures facing younger Italians, and how social media algorithms can distort our perception of danger.
Italy isn't perfect, and understanding its challenges is part of making an informed decision about moving here. But a few dramatic headlines don't tell the whole story.
In this episode, we discuss:
Recent protests in Florence and other Italian cities
Why younger Italians are frustrated by wages, housing costs and limited opportunities
How social media algorithms influence our perception of crime and danger
What Italy’s latest crime statistics reveal, including Florence’s ranking
How serious violent crime rates compare across Italy, the US, Canada and the UK
What everyday safety and community can look like when living in Italy
How to evaluate a potential new home beyond the headlines

If you're planning a move to Italy, already living here, or simply trying to understand what’s happening, I hope this conversation gives you a little more perspective.
Thinking about moving to Italy? Visit Smart Move Italy to explore our resources and support available to help you plan your move.
Subscribe to A New Life in Italy for more honest conversations about what it takes to build a life here.
Mentioned in this episode:
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network

For years, we've advised foreign buyers to be prepared to pay cash when buying property in Italy. Getting a mortgage as a non-resident has historically been difficult, and even buyers with substantial assets and strong incomes have struggled to meet Italian banks' requirements.
But our advice is evolving. Through ongoing conversations with Italian banks and mortgage professionals, we're learning more about financing options worth exploring for foreign buyers, including those who don't live in Italy or earn their income in euros.
In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson explains what's changing, who may qualify for an Italian mortgage, how much you might be able to borrow, and what banks need to see before approving an application.
Sam also explores why paying cash isn't automatically the best financial decision. Keeping some of your capital available could give you more flexibility to cover relocation costs, unexpected expenses, and the life you want to build in Italy.
You'll also learn why property valuations and documentation matter, what additional mortgage costs to consider, and why it's essential to understand your financing options before making an offer.
Plus, Sam answers three listener questions:
Will you pay Italian property taxes if you own a home here but live abroad?
How long does it take to get an Italian mortgage?
Could selling your home and moving into a rental affect your elective residency permit renewal?

Thinking about buying property in Italy?
You don't need to have found your dream home to start exploring your financing options. In fact, understanding what you can realistically borrow before you begin your search can help you make more informed decisions.
To take the first step, complete the mortgage information form mentioned in the episode: Mortgage inquiry form.
Seeking property purchase assistance? Learn more about our service via the following link and set up a call with our team: Smart Move Italy Property.
Mentioned in this episode:
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network

How do the values passed down through generations shape the way we think about quality, the products we use every day, and how we spend our time? And what can we learn from Italy’s approach to slowing down and enjoying life?
In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Host Samantha Wilson speaks with Seth Spears, entrepreneur, product designer, father of six, and founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Wellnesse. Raised in a large Italian American family with Sicilian roots, Seth grew up appreciating quality and ingredients. A recent trip to Sicily with his mother brought him closer to his heritage, including a visit to the home where his great-grandfather lived before emigrating.
Seth and Sam discuss how Italian culture has shaped his views on quality over quantity, slowing down, and making time for the people around us. They also explore Wellnesse, the oral care company Seth founded, and his approach to questioning the ingredients in everyday personal care products.
In this conversation, they explore:
Italian roots and family: Reconnecting with his Sicilian heritage and discovering his great-grandfather's home.
Quality and everyday choices: From craftsmanship and product ingredients to why Seth founded Wellnesse.
Slowing down: What spending two weeks in Cefalù taught Seth about letting go of productivity pressures and enjoying the moment.

Listener questions
Sam also answers three questions about everyday life in Italy: why Italians rarely take coffee to go, whether people still shop at several food shops instead of doing one large grocery shop, and how to organize your day around afternoon shop closures.
Connect with Seth and Wellnesse
Seth Spears
Website: sethspears.com
Instagram: @spearsmarketing

Wellnesse
Website: wellnesse.com
Instagram: @mywellnesse

Mentioned in this episode:
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network

Finding an apartment in Italy is only the beginning. For foreigners, especially those searching from abroad or needing a rental contract for a visa, getting from an online listing to actually signing a lease and getting the keys can be much more complicated than expected.
In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson explains why renting in Italy works differently from what many foreigners are used to. She discusses how landlords evaluate foreign tenants, why your savings or credit score may not tell the whole story, and how to present your financial situation in a way that makes sense to an Italian landlord.
She even talks about the timing of your rental search, the possibility of paying rent before you arrive, and the importance of understanding contracts, deposits, fees and other details before you commit.
Samantha also explains why your first Italian rental doesn't have to be your forever home. It can simply be your starting point while you get settled and discover what kind of home and lifestyle actually work for you in Italy. Plus, she answers listener questions about rental deposits and visas, cleaning when you move into a long-term rental, and who is responsible for repairs.
Planning to rent in Italy? Smart Move Italy Property offers rental assistance to help you navigate the search and secure a home. Learn more about the service and submit your rental search criteria through the following link: www.smartmoveitalyproperty.com/rent/ 👈
Mentioned in this episode:
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network

Learning Italian can feel like one of the biggest hurdles when you're planning a move to Italy.
You can study for months or even years, understand quite a bit, and still find yourself stuck when someone asks you an unexpected question in Italian. In this episode, Samantha sits down with Clara and Martina, co-founders of My Italian Room, to talk about what learning Italian really looks like, especially as an adult.
They discuss why mistakes are such an important part of learning, how small wins can build confidence, and why speaking shouldn't be something you leave until you feel "good enough." They also get practical about what you can accomplish with 15 or 20 minutes a day, active versus passive learning, apps like Duolingo, grammar, and how long it really takes to learn a language.
If you've been putting off speaking Italian because you're waiting to feel ready, this conversation is a reminder that making mistakes isn't a sign that you're failing. It's part of the process.
Guests:
Clara and Martina are the co-founders of My Italian Room, an online Italian school helping learners move beyond studying Italian to speaking it with confidence. Through practical, conversation-focused programmes, they've built a global community where learners combine structured learning, authentic Italian, and regular opportunities to speak.
Resources:
As part of A New Life in Italy, Martina and Clara lead monthly live Italian lessons created specifically for members. These relaxed, practical sessions focus on the language you'll actually use in everyday life in Italy, from useful phrases and cultural context to building confidence when speaking with locals. Lessons are also recorded, so you can revisit them whenever you need.
Learn more about A New Life in Italy.
Join their Sunday newsletter
Explore My Italian Room
Follow My Italian Room on Instagram
Smart Move Italy offers guidance on visas, Italian citizenship, residency, and building a life in Italy. Learn more and start planning your move to Italy today.
www.smartmoveitaly.com
Want to keep the conversation going? Join Vivace, a place for people who are curious about life, open to change, and haven't decided that the most interesting part of their story has already happened.
www.vivacenetwork.com
Ciao for now!
Mentioned in this episode:
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network
Listen Vivace
A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/
Vivace Media Network