Catania Sicily, Italy Report of what it's like to live there - 07/13/12
Personal Experiences from Catania Sicily, Italy
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
I have lived in 8 countries, Australia, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Djibouti, Namibia, Canada, the United States and Vietnam.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Denver, Colorado. The hardest part is getting to Frankfurt to fly back to Denver. Flights in and out of Italy are a pain. One hour to Rome, one hour to Frankfurt and seven hours to Denver.
3. How long have you lived here?
June 2008 until November 2010.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Houses and apartments. The base has two housing areas, one near the airfield and one 35 miles away. The closer one has been destroyed several times by flooding. Single military and civilians can live on the economy in Motta, Catania or like I did in Syracusa.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Cheap. We shopped on base and off base, no real cost distinction.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Smaller 4x4 car.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
McDonalds in town, that's about it.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Black flies, scorpions, spiders, but not a lot of problems. Rats are a much bigger problem.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
APO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
I had a house cleaner for $10 Euro per hour.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
The gym on base is fantastic, the Italian ones are lacking.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
I wouldn't do it in small shops, but majors chains in town are fine.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
On base there is every thing imaginable. The Jehovahs Witnesses knocked on my door to recruit me in English, so they all exist.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
None available off base, but on base you have everything. TV is all Italian.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Italian is essential, and on some parts of the island Sicilian is better.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, it's hard to get around in on foot.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Not affordable, but safe.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Something narrow, I owned a Jeep Wrangler and it was a pain in the butt. Small SUV would be perfect as parking can be a nightmare, but you need it for crappy roads.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Not really. They are slow to get into this.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
It is all pre-paid.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
No. Maybe if you spoke Italian.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Italians dress to the nines. So plan on that. On base it is pretty casual.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Smash and grab, break-ins, fuel being taken from your car at night, "pizzos."
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
None.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Great air.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The weather is chilly and rainy during the Spring, Winter, and Fall. Either hot and dry or hot and humid, depending on what way the wind is blowing, in the Summer.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
I didn't have my school age kids living with me, but the base has an excellent DODS school.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
The base school would, the Italian ones would struggle.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes on base or in Italian. Both are good.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, on base there is tons.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Huge, something like 1000 military stationed there.
2. Morale among expats:
Great.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Dining out, BBQ, tons of cultural Opera, Ballet you name it.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes, the best.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No idea on that, Italy doesn't seem to be as friendly to it as other European nations. I don't really know.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
There are a lot of prostitutes from Africa, so Italians are kind of hard on black Americans until they know you.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Diving, food, ancient ruins, WW2 battlefields and tombs.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Ruins, diving, WW2 battlefields and tombs, fishing, Mount Etna, travel, you name it.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Pottery, clothing, rugs, art.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Culture, and it's fairly cheap by Europe standards.
11. Can you save money?
Yes, unless you travel all the time.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes. In a heartbeat. I loved it.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Misconceptions that the Mob is something only in the movies. They run the Island.
3. But don't forget your:
Sunscreen, diving gear, camera, and appetite.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Sicily is best to be explored on your own. The travel guides and Italy for dummies will help, but get out and do some walking. Frommers won't tell you about 99% of what you'll see.
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
Tinto Brass is a movie producer I'd look up, he shoots a lot of fairly racy stuff on the island. But put the kids to bed first.
6. Do you have any other comments?
Keep Italian business owners at arms length until you have been using them for 10-15 times. They get greedy and will try and screw you over after a couple small deals. If you like a cafe or diner, remember to go slow. Never accept the "special" or let them do something special for you. We were eating in a cafe about 2 or 3 times a week and the owner told me he wanted to do something special for me. His normal special was 15 Euros, the "extra special" meal was $150 euros. They get greedy, but the key is to stay away from anything without a price, or agree on a price before you order. You'll be sorry if you don't. In every part of town there exist someone who's taken it upon themselves to "guard" the neighborhood. It doesn't cost much to pay the "pizzo" and keep your house safe. My normal "pizzo" where I lived in a gated community was a case or 2 of cokes and a couple bottles of wine a month. You might drop off a cured ham or a kilo of cheese every couple months. Beats coming home to an empty house.
