1. As I have reiterated on numerous occasions, one of the main keys to ensuring a smooth transition into your new Italian life lies in the obsessive gathering of information. The more you know about your new country – its bureaucracy, its culture, its laws and its customs - the more prepared you will be for what lies ahead.

2. You should also not underestimate the importance of trying to gain at least some knowledge of the Italian language. If you are able to understand what is going on around you, and have the tools to enable a minimum of communication with the local people, business owners, bureaucratic employees of the state etc, you will start to feel less like an outsider and more like a genuine part of your new community.

3. If there was a particular activity or hobby that you enjoyed in the UK, then why not take it up again when you arrive in Italy? Group activities will provide you with a wonderful way to meet like-minded people and form the beginnings of a social life, and even continuing the solitary activities that you previously enjoyed will go a long way towards giving you that feeling of normality that will make your new life seem like more of the reality it is.

4. Ensure that you are aware of, and have completed, the bureaucratic steps to making you and your family properly legal and properly protected in Italy. So, take out your Codice Fiscale, get your Residenza, exchange your UK driving licence for an Italian Patente, sign up with a doctor and/or take out private medical insurance. All of these things will give you peace of mind – invaluable in easing you into life in Italy.

5. Make installing a phone and internet connection a priority, whilst sourcing the call package that enables you to ring those people closest to you. Before you start making acquaintances and even friends in your new home, it is important that you have access to your usual support network to get you through the initial struggles.

6. Take the time to get to know your new surroundings. Not only will it help you to become familiar with the local area, but it will also ensure that you are in a position to be an excellent and well-informed tour guide when your family and friends start to visit from the UK!

7. Once you are happy that you are in a position to receive visitors, then start setting dates for your nearest and dearest to come over and spend time with you in your new home, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself – it is most important that you have settled in sufficiently first, otherwise what should be a pleasant interlude, may turn into just another source of stress.

8. Join in with local activities. Italy is an extremely sociable country, and your local “commune” will almost certainly have events planned throughout the year. Get hold of an events calendar for near you, and make sure you don’t miss out on any of the dates that may be of interest to you. There may even be the possibility of volunteering to help out, an excellent way of showing yourself to be a willing member of your new community.

Start your hunt for a home in Italy here…
If you’re searching for an Italian property, a good place to start is the Italy Buying Guide’s new property search facility. To start your search now visit
http://www.italybuyingguide.com/content/italy-properties