Article Written By Haldor

An Expat Life Who Live in Tuscany Italy

exoat life in tuscany

Many have the dream, from all over the world, to live in Tuscany, Italy. Not only holidays, but for months or even all year round. A place for family and friends too. A place to work. A place to live different and healthy. Surrounded by beautiful nature and culture.

But: How is it really to live here?

In this blog we share our experiences and give each other advice and guidance; for those who want to come and for those of us who are already here. Welcome!

More than 50 years ago my family took the long drive from Norway to Rimini, about 2.400 kilometres, each way, to the beaches south of Rimini – tenting! What a long drive for an impatient boy. But staying there, for 2 weeks, by the beautiful beach – “a dream come through”. Fruit, ice cream, soft evenings and spending most of the day in the Adriatic Sea. What an introduction to Italy! (And what a long drive home)!


In the 1980s we took our children tenting all over Europa, travelling by car, also to Italy. And when they “grew out of the house” my wife and I continued. Driving all over Europa and often ended up in Italy. And there was this special feel about Italy. Like being at home. Impossible to pinpoint “what”. And when we got the chance, we terminated our work contracts in Norway and took a year vacation in the hillsides just north of Lucca. Why here? No idea. Must have been that it is close to Florence, Pisa, wine, food, beaches, mountains and the beautiful countryside with alle the farms, small villages and best of all; so nice people.

Understanding a new culture and its people starts by being humble. Coming from Norway we often hear people say “from the best country in the world. Midnight sun, fjords ….”. And we have a well functioning social network and social security. Easy to put yourself on a pedestal. If so, you lose. Do it the other way. Be curious. Be open to other people. Try to understand their way of living and priorities. And to do so you have to do some investment ahead of your move. Learn some basic Italian. That really brings out the smile and the curiosity of every Italian. Makes them proud. Because you do already show that you respect them and want to adapt as much as you can. And invite them for a cup of coffee, in your kitchen or at the local bar.

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The most difficult choice you have to do before moving to Italy is to decide WHERE? Some have relatives and some do it because of work. Or want to study. We did it because we wanted new challenges. But not because we wanted to move to Italy permanent, but to have the option during the year.
After having lived here a year (2004-2005) and had come back every year since for holidays we had not only kept friendships but grown our social life over the years. For us it was easy to choose where in Italy we would buy, and what property we wanted to purchase. An old house in a village with a garden, and a house that needed a lot of work. To keep us occupied. To make us grow even closer to the area. I had started on my life as a pensioneer, so I took my drone with me on the plane, rented a car, met with agencies, made videos and posted them to my wife, who was still working. We could start selecting. And this is what we ended up buying in the late summer of 2019. Should be able to present some challenges this one! (The video I sent my wife of the house we now live in, Petrognano, Lucca).

We actually bought 2 houses, one part some 100 years old, the other part 3-500 years old. They were divided into two flats, but wall could be opened and so we did; now its one house. And a garden with an outbuilding too, with the old bread baking oven as the main attraction. But, the rain was pouring in and new roof with insulation was built the first winter. And the rest of the house; rebuilt. Inside. Repaired and painted outside. Beside the roofs all done by us. Because Corona hit, and we could not go anywhere. And no friends visiting. 24/7 was the new routine.

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Now, 2 ½ years later, we have done it. 10 rooms and a beautiful garden with a pool. And with such an old building there is always something to maintain and repair. But its up to us when. No stress. In our view we now live the perfect “Dolce Vita” in Italy.
If you want to se photos, videos or info about our project please visit our “private” website. We have learned a lot. And we are willing to share our experiences with you here in this blog.

The drone videos from various prospects helped my wife a lot. And it was easy to bring friends onboard as as well for opinions. A lot of scepticism! But we made our choice, and when coming down to Italy summer of 2018 we could visit the property with the agency so my wife could have a real look at it all herself. But the virtual tour I hade sent her was very effective.

Over the last 5 years I have made lots of property videos, both for summer rentals (mostly villas with pool) but also for agencies both in Norway and in Tuscany. And provided walk-through videos both outside and inside, and also 3D Virtual to view the area surrounding the property.

Now I have decided to provide the service here in Tuscany, for potential buyers, where you as a buyer or your agency deal directly with me. Below my new web site for the service.

TUSCAN PROPERTY


About the Author(Haldor)

Finding the right property in Italy can be challenging due to various factors like incomplete online presentations, lack of exact locations, and difficulties in contacting owners directly. The properties are often listed by multiple agencies, making it hard to establish a direct connection. Issues like humidity, not investing in property maintenance before selling, and the reluctance of owners to spend on marketing further complicate the process. To assist you, we offer a personalized service where you choose the agent, and we check details, arrange virtual visits via Skype or other platforms, and connect you with a technical/legally consultant (geometra). Our goal is to provide you with more information than available online, facilitating a clearer understanding before your visit. Contacting us is free, and we look forward to helping you navigate the complexities of property hunting in Italy.

2 Comments

  1. Robert

    May 18, 2022

    Very interesting and inspiring

  2. Haldor

    July 12, 2022

    Helping my neighbour to sell this town house in Petrognano, hillsides just north of lucca. Please visit.
    https://anyexpat.com/properties/townhouse-petrognano-in-the-hillsides-north-west-of-lucca/

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The agreement will run for 3 years from the day that you make the initial payment date

After 36 months you have the right to renew and at 0 cost at 25%. This is conditional on the following

When asked to present screenshots for deals, you are able to do so and miss no more than 9x deals through the entirety of the agreement. This means that the work required to grow the network is being done consistently.

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This website is operated by AnyExpat Ltd. Throughout the site, the terms “we”, “us” and “our” refer to AnyExpat Ltd. AnyExpat Ltd offers this website, including all information, tools and services available from this site to you, the user, conditioned upon your acceptance of all terms, conditions, policies and notices stated here.

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SECTION 1 – ONLINE STORE TERMS

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Any use by you of optional tools offered through the site is entirely at your own risk and discretion and you should ensure that you are familiar with and approve of the terms on which tools are provided by the relevant third-party provider(s).

We may also, in the future, offer new services and/or features through the website (including, the release of new tools and resources). Such new features and/or services shall also be subject to these Terms of Service.

SECTION 8 – THIRD-PARTY LINKS

Certain content, products and services available via our Service may include materials from third-parties.

Third-party links on this site may direct you to third-party websites that are not affiliated with us. We are not responsible for examining or evaluating the content or accuracy and we do not warrant and will not have any liability or responsibility for any third-party materials or websites, or for any other materials, products, or services of third-parties.

We are not liable for any harm or damages related to the purchase or use of goods, services, resources, content, or any other transactions made in connection with any third-party websites. Please review carefully the third-party’s policies and practices and make sure you understand them before you engage in any transaction. Complaints, claims, concerns, or questions regarding third-party products should be directed to the third-party.

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We do not guarantee, represent or warrant that your use of our service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free.

We do not warrant that the results that may be obtained from the use of the service will be accurate or reliable.

You agree that from time to time we may remove the service for indefinite periods of time or cancel the service at any time, without notice to you.

You expressly agree that your use of, or inability to use, the service is at your sole risk. The service and all products and services delivered to you through the service are (except as expressly stated by us) provided ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ for your use, without any representation, warranties or conditions of any kind, either express or implied, including all implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, merchantable quality, fitness for a particular purpose, durability, title, and non-infringement.

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Because some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or the limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, in such states or jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

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In the event that any provision of these Terms of Service is determined to be unlawful, void or unenforceable, such provision shall nonetheless be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and the unenforceable portion shall be deemed to be severed from these Terms of Service, such determination shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other remaining provisions.

SECTION 16 – TERMINATION

The obligations and liabilities of the parties incurred prior to the termination date shall survive the termination of this agreement for all purposes.

These Terms of Service are effective unless and until terminated by either you or us. You may terminate these Terms of Service at any time by notifying us that you no longer wish to use our Services, or when you cease using our site.

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SECTION 17 – ENTIRE AGREEMENT

The failure of us to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

These Terms of Service and any policies or operating rules posted by us on this site or in respect to The Service constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between you and us and govern your use of the Service, superseding any prior or contemporaneous agreements, communications and proposals, whether oral or written, between you and us (including, but not limited to, any prior versions of the Terms of Service).

Any ambiguities in the interpretation of these Terms of Service shall not be construed against the drafting party.

SECTION 18 – GOVERNING LAW

These Terms of Service and any separate agreements whereby we provide you Services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Clyde Offices, 2nd Floor, 48 West George Street, Glasgow, BFP, G21BP, United Kingdom.

SECTION 19 – CHANGES TO TERMS OF SERVICE

You can review the most current version of the Terms of Service at any time at this page.

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to update, change or replace any part of these Terms of Service by posting updates and changes to our website. It is your responsibility to check our website periodically for changes. Your continued use of or access to our website or the Service following the posting of any changes to these Terms of Service constitutes acceptance of those changes.

SECTION 20 – CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions about the Terms of Service should be sent to us at [email protected].