When the idea of moving to Italy first starts to become a very real possibility in your mind, then the time has most certainly come to transform yourself into an information-gatherer extraordinaire.

Whether it is property, investment, location, schools, employment or healthcare, it is vital that you find out as much as you possible can before you up sticks and move.

There is a lot of information out there, but it is important not to stick just to one source; if it is a personal account of moving to Italy, then it might well neglect to take into account all the criteria that make each person’s experience slightly different. If it is a magazine or a website, then it might well be biased in favour of products or services that are also endorsed within its pages.

That is not to say that these aren’t good sources to start investigating your next steps, just that you should be open-minded in your approach.

The first and possibly most important point of contact should be friends, family, acquaintances, friends of friends and indeed anybody you might know or be able to meet that has already researched and carried out the move to Italy. They will be able to give you invaluable insight into potential pitfalls, and you will be able to learn from their successes as well as from their mistakes.

Browse through the magazine selection of your local newsagents; there is no lack of overseas property publications that will begin to give you an idea of prices, locations and will also probably contain some information regarding the legal and bureaucratic processes involved in purchasing in Italy.

Some of the books written by people who have decided to make Italy their home also make very good reading; although you must bear in mind that there is quite often an element of rose-coloured glasses involved in such writings! Italy has its negatives aspects, just like the UK or indeed any other country. Do not expect an idyllic, olive-grove filled existence; free of all conceivable pitfalls or you will be setting yourself up for serious disappointment.

Many of the Sunday papers in the UK have an overseas property section, another good source of information on current property prices and locations. They often also contain articles, some of which may be pertinent to your chosen destination.

Overseas Property Shows, usually held in hotels and conference centres, are well worth a visit if one comes to a town near you.

The internet is also an excellent source of information, with websites such as this one providing articles on pretty much every aspect of moving to Italy, as well as forums for ex-pats or wannabe ex-pats in which you can ask for advice and guidance from people who have already gone through the entire process that you are just beginning.

There are an increasing number of UK estate agents who are branching out to specialise in properties abroad. Talk to them, but make sure that they are specialised in the area you are interested in – especially the legal requirements involved in a property purchase – before committing yourself.

So there you have it; information there most certainly is, and lots of it, so make a list of all your criteria and start exploring your options!