Yes, you read that correctly. After four unforgettable years immersed in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, we are indeed leaving Italy. It’s a bittersweet moment as we pack up our home, bid farewell to the enchanting ritual of sipping exquisite wine grown in the very vineyards outside our window, and soak in every last ray of glorious sunshine before embarking on our journey back to the green hills of Scotland.
This decision hasn’t been made lightly, nor was it an easy one to come to. For many, living in Italy embodies the ultimate dream – a picturesque life filled with delicious food, ancient history, and unparalleled beauty. And while our time here has been every bit as magical as we imagined, life has a way of presenting unforeseen turns. So, why are we leaving this idyllic existence? Allow me to explain the full story…
The Italian Dream: From Aspiration to Reality
For years, the thought of living in Italy was a vibrant, persistent dream. We envisioned ourselves fully embracing “la dolce vita” – the sweet life – indulging in the most exquisite regional cuisine, unwinding with a glass of local wine under the warm Mediterranean sun, and immersing ourselves completely in Italy’s rich culture, lyrical language, and stunning diverse landscapes. It was a vision that captivated us, propelling us forward.
About four years ago, my partner Nathan and I, then just 22 years old and perhaps a little naive but full of adventurous spirit, made a life-altering decision. We decided to leave our comfortable lives and jobs in Scotland, with the intention of moving to Milan. Our plan was simple yet daunting: arrive, find jobs, and somehow make our Italian adventure work for as long as humanly possible. It was a leap of faith, an impulsive embrace of the unknown, chasing the dream of expat life in Italy.
However, fate had a slightly different, more immediate plan for us. Before we even had the chance to fully solidify our Milan plans, an unexpected job offer materialized out of thin air. Nathan, almost on a whim, applied for a position working on the restoration of a historic Tuscan villa. To our astonishment, he got the job! The only significant catch? He had to start almost immediately, meaning our carefully laid plans for Milan were instantly rerouted to the rolling hills of Tuscany, specifically a role that would embed us directly in the heart of Italian heritage.
The whirlwind of emotions that followed was immense – a potent cocktail of excitement, sheer joy, overwhelming nervousness, and yes, a good measure of youthful naivety. With barely a moment to process, we packed our essential belongings, bought one-way tickets, and set off on our grand adventure, destined for the breathtaking beauty of Tuscany. This was it: our Italian dream was officially beginning, a move that would define the next four years of our lives.
Life as an Expat in Italy: The Joys and the Trials
Phew! Looking back, I can honestly say that living in Italy has been, without a shadow of a doubt, the single biggest challenge we’ve ever faced. It truly has been an unparalleled experience, pushing us to grow in ways we never anticipated. Yet, amidst the hurdles, it has also been incredibly fun, rewarding, and deeply transformative. Our four years unfolded in two distinct chapters: two blissful years spent living right next to the shimmering Mediterranean Sea in a charming seaside town, followed by another two years nestled amidst the serene, cypress-lined hills of Siena in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Each location offered its own unique charm and its own set of lessons in navigating Italian life.
What I’ll Cherish and Miss Most About Our Italian Life
Despite the decision to leave, there are countless aspects of Italy that have woven themselves into the fabric of our lives, things I will undoubtedly miss and cherish forever. These are the moments, the flavors, and the feelings that made our Italian dream so vivid and so worth pursuing, despite the challenges:
- The Heartwarming People – From the bustling market vendors to the quiet elderly neighbours, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and forging genuine friendships here. Italians, for the most part, possess a warmth and hospitality that is truly special. My friend Stefania, in particular, stands out. She’s not only one of the kindest souls I’ve ever encountered but has been an unwavering source of support and guidance through countless challenges, from language barriers to bureaucratic headaches. Her friendship is a true treasure, and I’ll deeply miss our impromptu get-togethers, sun-drenched picnics, and the long, laughter-filled lunches we’ve shared, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
- The Unrivaled Food Culture – This, naturally, sits at the very top of the list; it was, after all, a primary motivator for our move! The sheer quality of fresh produce available in Italian supermarkets and local markets is simply unparalleled. Tomatoes burst with vibrant flavor, peaches drip with juice, and everything, from humble vegetables to exotic fruits, tastes incredibly fresh and delicious, often having traveled only a few miles from farm to table. Bell peppers and fennel bulbs here are often the size of my head and come at a fraction of the cost we’d pay back in Scotland. It’s a constant reminder of Italy’s rich agricultural heritage and dedication to fresh, seasonal eating.
- The Luxurious Italian Ingredients – Having an abundance of authentic Italian produce readily available has been an absolute luxury and a culinary dream come true for anyone passionate about cooking. The cheese sections in any supermarket are enormous, overflowing with an astounding variety: creamy burrata, pungent gorgonzola, salty pecorino, soft taleggio, smoked scamorza, and fresh mozzarella – the list feels endless, and the selection is vastly superior to what’s typically found in UK supermarkets. Similarly, the raw meats, artisan cured meats, and especially the PASTA aisles offer an incredible diversity of shapes, sizes, and regional specialties that has inspired countless meals. Let’s just say I’m making sure to stock up on many of these unique delights that I won’t easily find back home, from premium olive oils to artisanal balsamic vinegars!
- The Glorious Weather – Oh, the endless blue skies and the wonderfully hot summers! The weather in Italy, particularly during those extended summer months, is nothing short of beautiful – a stark contrast to the often unpredictable climate back in Scotland. Suddenly, we could make plans with absolute confidence, knowing the sun would shine. Beach days, lively BBQs with friends, and leisurely picnics in scenic spots became normal, everyday pleasures we often took for granted. I will truly miss that consistent warmth and brightness that permeated so much of our life here, allowing for an outdoor lifestyle that Scotland rarely affords.
- The Breathtaking Landscape – Living in Italy has gifted me with some of the most breathtaking views I have ever witnessed in my life. From the fiery, unforgettable sunsets over the glistening Mediterranean Sea, casting a golden glow across the water, to the iconic, rolling hills of Siena, sculpted by centuries of agriculture and dotted with ancient farmhouses and olive groves. The charming clusters of old, rustic, dust-orange towns clinging to hillsides, connected by winding roads lined with towering cypress trees, create an idyllic scene straight out of a painting. Miles upon miles of lush vineyards and silvery olive groves stretch across the landscape – this is a vision that will remain etched in my memory and that I will definitely miss with all my heart. Every turn in the road offered a new postcard-perfect vista, a constant reminder of Italy’s unparalleled natural beauty.
The Unseen Challenges: What Made Expat Life Difficult in Italy
I’ve painted a picture of the beauty and joy, highlighting everything I’ll miss. But now comes the critical question: WHY are we leaving? The truth is, while the romantic ideal of living in Italy captures the imagination, the day-to-day reality has often been far from easy. It’s important to understand that expat life, especially in Italy, isn’t a perpetual holiday. We’ve encountered our fair share of significant problems and systemic difficulties that have ultimately led to our decision. Here’s an honest look at the challenges that made life hard for us, making us reconsider our long-term stay:
- The Stark Reality of Job Scarcity – Finding stable and meaningful employment in Italy is incredibly challenging, particularly if you don’t reside in a major metropolitan hub like Florence or Rome. Even when job opportunities do arise, they are often seasonal, typically for the summer tourist rush, offering little in the way of long-term security or career progression. For young expats looking to build a future, this constant struggle to find consistent, well-paying work was a huge source of stress and uncertainty for us, hindering our ability to settle comfortably.
- The Unfathomable Issue of Unpaid Work! – Imagine working diligently for an entire month, dedicating your time and energy, only to reach payday, check your bank account, and find absolutely nothing. This wasn’t an isolated incident; it happened to us frequently, and disturbingly, it’s a common occurrence in Italy, especially in certain sectors where casual contracts are prevalent. Employers might claim they simply “can’t afford to pay you” and then proceed not to, sometimes for months. The immense financial and emotional stress this caused cannot be overstated. It forces you into impossible situations, making it incredibly difficult to manage basic living expenses, pay rent, and even afford groceries, fundamentally undermining your financial stability.
- Self-Employment: A Regulatory Minefield – In the UK, becoming self-employed is a relatively straightforward process, encouraging entrepreneurship. Being young and perhaps not having done enough extensive research, we naively assumed it would be similar in Italy. How wrong we were! When you try to work for yourself in Italy, you are immediately hit with incredibly high taxes (often exceeding 40-50% for new businesses, encompassing income tax, regional tax, and VAT), mandatory social security contributions (which are often very high), and unavoidable accountant fees (a “commercialista” is essential here, adding another fixed cost). After all these deductions, you are often left with precious little, if anything, for your hard work. When I first started offering English lessons, I sent my earnings information to my accountant, who then informed me that after taxes and fees, I would effectively have to pay 110% of my wage! Yes, I would literally owe more than I earned, which was already a meager sum. It was an utterly bewildering and disheartening revelation. Every Italian friend I spoke to confirmed: becoming self-employed in Italy is generally considered a “BAD IDEA” unless you have a high-earning, established business. Oh, how I wish I had known that before embarking on this path!
- The Frustrations of Customer Service and Bureaucracy – Simply trying to accomplish basic administrative tasks in Italy can feel like an insurmountable quest. Whether you’re searching for a new apartment, attempting to open a bank account, or registering with a local doctor, these processes can take an incredibly long time – and I’m not exaggerating. I personally know people who have waited six months or more just to open a simple bank account, due to endless paperwork and slow processing times. Our own experience trying to find a new apartment to rent was an absolute nightmare; real estate agencies often wouldn’t reply to emails or answer phone calls, leaving us in limbo for weeks. The sheer amount of paperwork, the often opaque bureaucratic system, and the lack of responsive customer service are incredibly stressful and draining, making basic life necessities feel like a constant battle.
- The Utter Chaos of Driving in Italy – When I first started driving here, I naively thought the biggest hurdle would be adapting to driving on the right-hand side of the road. Little did I know, that would be the easiest part! Driving in Italy is, for lack of a better word, absolutely CRAZY! There’s an aggressive, often unpredictable style of driving that defies conventional rules of the road. While it no longer scares me, I’ve simply learned to expect the unexpected whenever I get behind the wheel, from sudden lane changes without indicators to cars speeding through narrow village streets, or cars parking wherever they please, blocking traffic. I will never truly understand it. And then there’s the annual car tax – a payment you make simply for owning a car, irrespective of its use or the condition of the roads. No, it doesn’t directly contribute to road repairs or toll fees; it’s just another obligatory expense, adding to the financial burden of car ownership without clear benefit.
- The Pervasive Cost of Money – To thrive financially in Italy, it seems you need a substantial amount of money to “throw around.” If, like us, you arrive in Italy driven by a spirit of adventure and with little more than a suitcase and modest savings, you’re likely to encounter significant financial hurdles. Jobs pay notoriously low wages (if you can even secure one), and there seems to be a tax or charge for absolutely EVERYTHING. From household bills to service fees, if it’s not a direct government tax, then it’s a “charge” levied by some company, well, “just because.” This constant chipping away at your earnings makes it incredibly difficult to save, plan for the future, or even enjoy the simple pleasures that life in Italy supposedly offers without constant financial worry.
Personal Longings: Why We’re Choosing to Return Home
Beyond the systemic and practical difficulties I’ve outlined above, there are profoundly personal reasons driving our decision to leave Italy. These are the comforts, the familiarities, and the intangible elements of “home” that have begun to tug at our hearts with increasing intensity – the things we’ve realised we deeply miss and are now eagerly looking forward to having back in our lives, shaping our decision to move back to Scotland:
- The Irreplaceable Bond of Family – Four years is a significant amount of time to be separated by thousands of miles from friends and family. While we initially arrived in Italy with the romantic notion of perhaps living here for the rest of our lives, the reality of only seeing our loved ones once or twice a year slowly but surely began to weigh heavily on us. It became increasingly difficult with each passing visit and each missed family event, from birthdays to simple weekend gatherings. We gradually, but profoundly, realized how vital it is for our emotional well-being to have our family physically present in our lives, for those everyday moments and larger milestones alike. The emotional cost of distance became too high to ignore.
- A Deep Craving for Home Comforts – I started to miss so many seemingly trivial, yet deeply comforting, everyday things:
- Cinema and Culture: The simple pleasure of going to the cinema and watching a film in its original language, without the distraction of dubbing, is something I genuinely crave. While Italian films are wonderful, the consistent dubbing of international movies can be quite jarring for an English speaker.
- British High Street Shops: Yes, I truly miss the convenience and variety of British high street shops. The ease of browsing different styles and brands, the diversity of product offerings – it’s something I didn’t realize I’d miss so much, making everyday shopping a more enjoyable experience.
- Shared Humor: Being able to tell a joke or make a witty remark to someone who instinctively understands the cultural nuances and responds in kind is a joy that can be surprisingly hard to find when navigating a foreign language and culture. That instantaneous connection and shared sense of humor is invaluable for true belonging.
- Accessible Drugstores: The Italian system for pharmacies is very different; there aren’t convenient “drugstore” chains like Boots or Superdrug where you can easily pop in for a wide range of makeup, toiletries, and everyday essentials all under one roof. That quick, convenient, and affordable shopping experience for personal care items is definitely something I’ve missed.
- The Magic of Christmas: I am, unashamedly, a massive Christmas enthusiast! It’s pretty much on my mind all year long. Edinburgh hosts the most enchanting Christmas market, which I’ve missed desperately. I’ve also missed the shops brimming with festive decorations, cozy clothes, unique gifts, and the constant hum of Christmas music that begins weeks before the actual day. I found little of that quintessential festive atmosphere in Italy, where Christmas traditions are beautiful but different. While I know some people find it overly commercialized, for me, it’s about the joyous atmosphere and the pervasive Christmassy feeling, not just the gifts. This feeling of collective anticipation and celebration is a big deal to me.
- Cultural Diversity: The UK, particularly its major cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, boasts incredible cultural diversity. While I adore cooking and eating Italian food, the majority of the time, I truly missed being able to easily buy specific ingredients to whip up an authentic Indian curry, or simply walk into a restaurant and enjoy delicious Mexican, Thai, or Japanese food. That culinary and cultural variety, the melting pot of different traditions, is something I’ve come to appreciate deeply and missed having at my fingertips.
The Future of Inside The Rustic Kitchen: A New Chapter for the Blog
The question I’ve been asked most frequently since sharing our big news is, of course, “But what will happen to your blog, Inside The Rustic Kitchen?” Let me reassure you with absolute certainty: I am going nowhere! This blog isn’t just a hobby; it’s a profound passion, a significant part of my life – truly, it feels like my baby. And my passion for Italian food? That’s an unshakeable, lifelong commitment that began long before our move to Italy and will continue long after we’ve left.
I genuinely cannot imagine my life without blogging and creating delicious recipes. I will, without fail, continue to cook and share Italian food with all of you, just as I always have. Expect many more *happy dance* moments and culinary adventures, exploring the rich tapestry of Italian cuisine, from classic pasta dishes to regional specialties!
In fact, I believe that not living directly within Italy will actually empower me to help you, my wonderful readers, even more when it comes to preparing authentic Italian dishes. It was often too easy for me to simply pop to the local shops and pick up incredibly specific or rare Italian ingredients that aren’t readily available to everyone outside of Italy, making some recipes potentially inaccessible. This move represents a thrilling new challenge for me, and I’m incredibly excited about it!
I’ll now be in a position to truly understand the experience of trying to create delicious Italian recipes without the luxury of immediate access to every single authentic ingredient. This will push me to find the best, most accessible solutions and substitutions, focusing on ingredients that are more widely available internationally, without compromising on flavor or authenticity. The result? Easier-to-follow, equally delicious Italian recipes for you, and a deeper, more empathetic understanding of your cooking journey for me. It’s a win-win, allowing me to bring authentic Italian flavors into kitchens all over the world, no matter where you live!
The Journey Home: When and How This Move Is Happening
Our big move is happening next week! Ahh, it feels surreal just typing that. As I write these very words, I’m literally waiting for the removal company to arrive, ready to carefully pack up all our belongings and transport them on their long journey all the way back to Edinburgh. And for an extra layer of “crazy,” there’s the small matter of our personal journey: we’re driving! Or, to be more precise, *I’m* driving!
Yes, I’ll be navigating the extensive four-day road trip from our home in Siena, Italy, all the way to Scotland. This somewhat epic undertaking is born out of necessity: we have our beloved dog with us, and driving is the only viable and comfortable way for her to travel such a distance, avoiding the stress of flying. Nathan, bless him, isn’t a driver, but he’s my indispensable co-pilot – the human map, ensuring we stay on track while I handle the wheel, guiding us through winding European roads. It’s undoubtedly going to be an experience, filled with long hours, potentially a few wrong turns, and countless service station coffees, but I genuinely think it will be an adventure to remember, and yes, even fun (I’ll definitely keep you updated on that!).
So, there you have it – the full, candid story of why we’re closing this incredible chapter in Italy, a country that has taught us so much and given us so many unforgettable memories. I am SO excited for what comes next, to finally go home, reunite with loved ones, and eagerly embrace the next chapter of our lives back in Scotland. It’s a mix of emotions, but primarily, it’s hope and excitement for the future and the new opportunities it will bring.
I’m so curious to hear from you, my readers. Have any of you moved to or lived in another country? What was your experience like? Did you eventually move back to your home country, and if so, what were your reasons? I absolutely love talking about these kinds of experiences and the journey of expat life, the highs and lows of cultural immersion, so please don’t hesitate to share all your stories and thoughts in the comments below! In the meantime, I’ll be back next week with more yummy recipes and, of course, updates on our big journey home!