The Reality of Living in Italy: 9 Honest Cons No One Talks About

If you’re thinking about moving to Italy, it’s easy to get caught up in the dream.

The food, the lifestyle, the weather, the culture…

And yes there are so many beautiful things about living here.

But I think it’s just as important to talk about the other side.

I currently live in Turin in the north of Italy, and in this post I want to share the real, honest cons of living in Italy not to put you off, but to help you come prepared.

Because the truth is, a lot of these challenges apply to living abroad in general.

One of the biggest things you don’t fully realise before moving abroad is how much your relationships will shift.

Your family and friends are back home, and you’re in a completely different country. There’s distance not just physically, but sometimes emotionally too.

People are getting on with their lives, and naturally, things change.

Sometimes you might feel like an afterthought, and honestly, that can be difficult.

But at the same time, this is when you really start to see who your people are.

Food is such a big part of home.

You don’t realise it until it’s not easily available anymore.

For me, it’s simple things like:

• beans on toast
• apple crumble and custard
• tea and biscuits

Yes, you can find some international foods in Italy, but:

• they’re not always easy to find
• and they can be expensive

And when you share your favourite foods with people here… they might not love them the way you do.

This is something I didn’t expect.

Living in a different country especially with a different language can be genuinely exhausting.

Everything takes more effort:

• going to the bank
• buying tickets
• understanding conversations

It feels like your brain is constantly working overtime.

So if you ever feel tired for “no reason”, this is probably why.

My advice: take things slowly and don’t overload your days.

This one can be quite surprising.

A lot of people assume it’s easy to make friends in Italy because people are seen as friendly and they are.

But building real friendships takes time.

For me, a lot of my friendships here have been with other expats rather than Italians.

Not because people are unfriendly, but because:

• language barriers exist
• people can feel shy speaking English
• social circles are already established

It can feel isolating at times, especially in the beginning.

This is something I’ve had to learn.

In certain situations, you need to speak up more than you might in your home country.

Whether it’s:

• getting someone’s attention
• asking for help
• being served in a shop

You sometimes need to be a bit more direct.

If you’re naturally quiet, this can take some getting used to.

This might sound small, but it can be frustrating.

Shops, banks, and services don’t always follow consistent schedules.

For example:

• one shop opens at 9am
• another at 10am (on the same street)
• banks might close during the day

You really have to plan ahead.

It’s a small adjustment, but it does take time to get used to.

This is a big one.

Many expats come to Italy and end up teaching English even if that wasn’t their career back home.

And after a while, you might start asking yourself:
“What’s next?”

Opportunities can feel limited, especially if:

• you don’t speak fluent Italian
• you’re trying to work in a specific field

It’s something you need to be aware of before moving.

Moving abroad can feel like starting from zero again.

You might have had:

• a stable career
• a certain income
• a clear path

And then suddenly, everything changes.

It can feel like you’ve taken a step backwards especially professionally or financially.

And that’s completely normal.

This is probably the most important one.

Settling into a new country doesn’t happen overnight.

In my opinion, you need to give yourself at least 1–5 years to really feel comfortable.

You’re adjusting to:

• a new culture
• a new language
• a new way of life

So be patient with yourself.

Even small progress is still progress.

Living in Italy can be an amazing experience but it’s not always as easy or as perfect as it looks from the outside.

If you’re planning on moving here, understanding the realities of living in Italy as an expat will help you adjust faster and avoid unnecessary frustration.

For me, the biggest lesson has been learning to adapt, be patient, and not be too hard on myself.

Because at the end of the day, building a life in a new country takes time.

See you in the next post !

xoxo Rebeah