The historic and romantic Italian city of Florence is worlds apart in many ways from the small mining town in Australia where Monika and her husband used to live. Monika describes how they came to be living in Italy, some of the difficulties they experienced before moving, and some of the many things she loves about living in Florence. She also shares some advice on coping with homesickness, an experience many expats undergo.

Monika

-Where were you born?

I was born in Poland but emigrated to Australia when I was 5 years old, so do consider myself an Aussie!

-In which country and city are you living now?

Florence, Italy

I live with my husband.

Seven months

30

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Italy?

We didn't! My husband got a tap on the shoulder at work and was asked to go to Florence as part of his engineering assignment. We couldn't believe our luck as we were living (also on his assignment) in a very small remote mining town in Australia. So this was a welcome change. 

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

Yes, yes and yes and I wish I could skip this question because it was a horrible and stressful time trying to get our visas. And we actually had a migration company helping us.  All in all it took 7 months and we had to live in the UK and my husband commuted to Italy. The worst thing is that I can actually get a Polish passport but I never renewed it as I didn't think I would ever have a need for it. How very wrong was I! My advice to anyone wanting to move here is do it early and have lots of patience.

Medical insurance was included in my husband's assignment so thankfully that was one thing that was easy!

I don't work here. And it's still hard for me to say that as I used to be a marketing specialist and had a good career. So now, I'm a professional cappuccino drinker! Actually that was the hardest part in moving to Italy, giving up my career. I kept threatening my husband that I was going to become a lady of leisure in Australia, and when it happened, I didn't like it!

-Do you speak Italian and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I don't speak the language fluently but I know enough to get by. I am thinking of taking some langauge courses soon but we've had so many guests that I have been too busy being a tour guide. Depending on how long you are here for, I think it is really important to learn at least the basics of the language. I find Italian people really open up more when you are trying to speak their language, even though they are probably laughing at my terrible grammar underneath thier smile! I visit my favourite coffee shop almost daily (I'm still wondering if there are any side effects to that chocolate croissant that jumps on my plate daily) and the ladies in there refuse to serve me in English as they are determined to make me speak Italian! It's funny how quickly you pick it up when you have to and we have a lot of laughs along the way!

I miss home a lot. But then sometimes I wonder where home is as we have been away from 'home' for five years now. But I do miss my family and friends and also I miss the corporate workplace friends I had. But, in saying that, I've realised there are friends on every corner in Florence as long as you put yourself out there and join groups like YAWN (Young Anglo Womens Network), Florence facebook groups, Aussies in Florence group or book clubs. There are plenty of people here in Florence that are just as keen to find new friends.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

Well as part of this project, we are heading back to the mining town of 12, 000 peoople in Australia that I mentioned previously. It will be another big lifestyle change.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

We rent a house in central Florence. 

The cost of living here is ok. As long as you don't convert the money back to the Aussie dollar. Then I would have to stop eating and buying coffee from the shock of it. The funniest thing to me is that a cup of coffee is much cheaper than a pot of tea here - completely the opposite to Australia. When you first live in central Florence, you end up paying way too much for going out and food. But after a few weeks, you become 'local' and shop at the markets and stores where Italians (and not tourists) shop.

-What do you think about the Italians?

The locals vary greatly but over all I think that the Italians are quite direct and can sometimes come across as rude because of that. They are not into 'fake niceness'. In saying that, I think they completely change once they get to know you. If you start going into the same coffee shop every week, pretty soon they will treat you like family, remember what coffee you drink and be genuinely pleased to see you.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Italy?

Positive: ooh the list is long!

• The amazing cuisine from beautiful restaurant to freshest of fresh ingredients at the local market.

• The beautiful buildings on each corner

• The central location in that you can catch a train to Venice in three hours or Cinque Terre in two hours (do not come here and miss Cinque Terre, you will regret it)

• The ability to walk everywhere as everything is close by in Florence

• The ability to fly anywhere to Europe for next to nothing

Negative: the driving around central Florence is a nightmare and my legs still shake when I'm behind the wheel. But that also has to do with the fact that us Aussies drive on the other side of the road usually!

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Italy?

Just enjoy the time here. It goes by so quickly. Try and see as much as you can and ask the locals or long time ex-pats what their favourite local spots are. Someone once also told me to 'look up' which was good advice. Often, I'll walk to the shop and not realise I'm walking past one of the most famous statues in Florence or an amazing church. Stop and admire the beauty. Oh, and one big tip is not to get into the habit of visiting the local gelateria daily (it happened to me, you've been warned!).

But my biggest tip is that you can give yourself the permission to feel lost, sad, and homesick when you first arrive. I felt so guilty for the first few months as I was so homesick and was not in love with Florence like everyone around me seemed to be. Yet, everyone of my friends was emailing me saying I was the luckiest girl in the world and living a dream. However, nearly every ex-pat I've spoken to in Florence says the first few months are hell and it seems I wasn't the only one shedding tears. So, realise that you will get sad at times and you take the good times with the bad times. Overall, Florence is an amazing city and one that will forever be in your memories or if you fall deeply in love, will become your permanent home-town.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Italy?

I write about our experiences in Florence on my blog www.monikapage.blogspot.com I not only write about places we've visited but also share our personal experiences of moving to a new country and how it changes your life.

Another website I really like is my friend Emma's website http://tuscany.angloinfo.com/anglofile.asp  On there is a great forum page, where there are plenty of people to help you out with any questions you have from tips on a good restaurant to buying a car in Italy.