Rome for Beginners: A practical guide to moving to the Eternal City (Studies in Macroeconomic History)

UPDATED 3RD EDITION (AUGUST, 2013) NOW AVAILABLE!!

Are you planning (or dreaming) of living in Rome?

Making the big move is a great adventure, but can also be a bit daunting. Imagine sipping a cappuccino outside your local coffee bar each morning, shopping for produce at Campo de' Fiori market, or eating a thin-crust wood-fired pizza at one of Rome's many pizzerie. Rome for Beginners will help get you there!

Rome for Beginners guides you, step by step, through setting up a new life in one of the world's most exciting (and overwhelming) cities. From some essential preparations and mastering the basics, to finding work, dealing with Italian bureaucracy and handling Culture Shock - Rome for Beginners has plenty of practical advice and resources to help you feel at home in Rome. The guide also has handy information on teaching English in Rome, in order to fund your dream!

Moving to Rome? The following seven tips will make moving easier:
 
1. Choose the time of year wisely
Depending on your plans, the time of year you arrive in Rome matters. If you'd like a long summer break before working then June is a good choice. For those wanting to job hunt, September/October or January/February are better.
 
2. Learn some Italian before you go
This might seem elementary, but you would be amazed how many English-speaking foreigners move to Italy without more than ten words of Italian - and then complain about how hard life is! Remember that becoming fluent in and mastering a language takes patience, dedication and time. This brings me to the third piece of advice...
 
3. Be prepared to feel stupid most of the time
You are about to embark on a massive learning curve. Be prepared not to understand basic language and cultural differences, to stand bemused while everyone laughs at a simple joke that you did not understand a word of, and to get a knotted stomach at the thought of using your newly acquired Italian on the phone.
 
4. Organise your first few weeks' accommodation in advance
Organising a place to stay in advance will make your move a lot less stressful. Just the knowledge that you have a room booked for a few weeks, while you orientate yourself, will make you feel as though you already have a 'home' in Rome.
 
5.  Plan your finances
A common error (and one that I have repeatedly made!) is moving to a new city without enough cash. Money, and struggling to survive financially, is one of life's great stressors. Believe me - because I have lived it - trying to make a life for yourself in Rome, while having nightmares about how you are going to afford groceries this week, will quickly sap all the enjoyment out of life.
 
6.  Make sure you have the right documentation
Apart from the obvious of having a valid passport, make sure you are able to live and work in Italy. Find out if you will need a Permit of Stay (Permesso di Soggiorno) to reside in Italy and what visas are available for those without an EU passport.
 
7.   Pack lightly!
They have shops in Italy. This means that you do not need to pack ten bottles of your favourite shampoo - because they probably stock it in Italian supermarkets! The old adage of taking half of what you initially intended to pack, and twice the money, is as true as ever.
 
Want more details on all of the above?Rome for Beginners has them!

Chapter Outline - Rome for Beginners

Preface - Why Rome?
Chapter One - Before you go
Chapter Two - The Basics
Chapter Three - Learning the language
Chapter Four - Finding somewhere to live
Chapter Five - Getting a job
Chapter Six - Teaching English in Rome
Chapter Seven: Getting around Rome
Chapter Eight - Dealing with Culture Shock & Integrating
Chapter Nine - Exploring Rome
Conclusion - Staying on?
Resources and Appendices

Would you like to find out more about Rome for Beginners before purchasing? Click on the book's cover on the top left of this screen to "Look Inside".