So, you’ve either made it through all the red tape or are thinking ahead to happier days when you can focus on the joys of daily living in Umbria if you’ve made this far in our journey to moving on a whim (or more planned out approach!).
What’s the cost of living?
I always think this is such an interesting and somewhat strange question that people ask. It is always going to depend on your lifestyle, family size, dietary requirements, etc. Therefore, an adequate estimate is never going to be attained.
However, a package of 10 eggs (they don’t come in dozens) will range between 2 to 4 euros. Regular cow’s milk in the refrigerated section will cost about 2 to 3 euros for about 500ml. A cup of coffee in a local cafe will be either 1.50 euros or a maximum of 2.50 since it is regulated. However, bottled water when seated at a restaurant will be between 2 and 5 euros as this is a kind of table charge and trick for restaurants to make an easy few euros off of their patrons. (By the way, you can refuse the water and ask for regular water – it is just not a common thing.)
So, perhaps this gives you a general idea of what it might cost you, but I repeat – it depends!
Can I get the same products I would at home for cooking/baking?
This is another common question that comes up in social media groups with varied answers. For the most part, bigger cities will have more available. However, smaller and more Italian towns will have limited options compared to what you are used to. The best thing to do is to explore and then learn what you absolutely cannot live without from home. For those “must haves”, either order on Amazon (yes, there’s an Italian version), ask visitors to bring you supplies, stock up on your next visit, or be willing to pay for the shipping and import costs. However, as some people suggest, see if you can adapt to what the locals do to spice up or create similar dishes.
For baking, it is generally best to do some research of the local ingredients as yeast, baking powder/soda, flour types will vary according to the climate. Besides that, I never knew there were so many different types of flour before moving abroad!!!
Insider’s tip: Many spices that are familiar in US cuisine can be found in the Asian shops located in bigger cities. So, explore those before spending a fortune to import them.
Grocery Shopping
While there are no Costcos or large bulk item type of stores (that I have found), there are sufficient grocery stores that will provide your needs. Most towns have small local shops for the basics or emergency ingredients. Larger towns will have a Coop or large Conad for a big weekly/monthly shop.
Better yet, most towns will have a local market once or twice a week where farmers and artisans will come set up in a town square to sell their produce or wares. These are a great way to learn about the culture of the area, meet your neighbors, practice some Italian, and get in touch with seasonal products.
Eating Out
This is one of the great mysteries and yet most wonderful aspects of life in Italy. It can often cost just as much to eat out as it does to cook in. Somehow, most local restaurants are “cheap” and you never leave feeling hungry or lacking in any way. Even when we have gone out with a large group, a three or four-course meal with drinks will usually be no more than 50 euros a person. Although it is not economically viable to do this all of the time, it is still a fairly reasonable price for a lively night out now and then.
So, explore the local cuisine and shops when you can as Umbria and all of Italy has so much to offer!
Daily life will have its ups and downs as you will find out, if you haven’t already. However, don’t be afraid to embrace the local life and try out new things. After all, isn’t this why you decided to move abroad – whether on a whim or not?!
You can find even more information in Umbria on a Whim: Volume 1 The Basics – an Insider’s Guide for Moving to Umbria.