As a military spouse, I have been blessed with the opportunity to live in Naples, Italy. My family and I have been living in Naples, Italy for almost a year as a military family.
Living in Naples, Italy as a foreigner has been an amazing experience and I truly LOVE living in Italy!
While living in Italy as a foreigner, I have learned a lot about Italian houses. The good, the bad, and the absolute UGLY. Living in Italy is a dream come true but to have a pleasurable experience living in Italy, there are a few housing essentials you need.
In this blog, you will learn all about the Italian housing essentials and must-haves when living in Italy.
After learning about the 9 Italy Housing Essentials You Need When Living In Italy, you will be fully prepared for your upcoming move to the beautiful country of Italy.
This post is all about the Italy Housing Essentials: 9 Housing Necessities You Need
Italy Housing Essentials: 9 Housing Necessities You Need
1: Universal Outlets
If you’re moving to Italy from the United States, you will need to stock up on universal outlets. The outlets in Europe are different from the ones in the States. Having an abundance of universal outlets on hand is also good when traveling throughout Europe. However, please be
aware that you may occasionally trip the breaker since it seems that American appliances require more power to operate.
Important Note: for larger appliances such as space heaters, crockpots, etc. you will need an appliance referred to as a transformer. Sometimes, the landlord should provide you with one or two when you move in.
2: WiFi Extender
Contrary to what you may think, the homes in Italy are very big. Not only are the homes in Italy large, but they are often built from stone, concrete, and bricks. Since the houses are large and made of concrete it is very likely that wherever your internet rotor is located in your home will not maintain a strong signal throughout the home. With that in mind, when living in
Itay you will need a wifi extender to ensure the signal is accessible throughout your home. Even if you opt to live in a small apartment, you will need a wifi extender.
3: Multiple Trash Cans
One of the many things I love about living in Italy is their commitment to doing their part to help the planet and the Italian recycling system reflects their commitment. You are required by law to recycle in Itlay. The Italian recycling program is very thorough and ensures all citizens and individuals living in the country, recycle rubbish in the appropriate bin. With that being said, when you begin living in Italy you will need to purchase multiple trash cans for your home. Since my family and I started living in Italy as foreigners, we currently maintain five different trash bins in our house to ensure we are properly recycling.
4: Ice Tray Maker
If you are someone who loves an ice-cold beverage, then you will need to stock up on ice tray makers. Since I started living in Italy, I have noticed that most refrigerators in Italy do not come with an ice maker. Except for cocktails, I have also noticed that Italians do not generally keep their drinks extremely cold. Since I love a good cocktail and that requires ice, I think having a couple of ice tray makers in your Italian home is a MUST.
5: Dishwasher Salt
If you are fortunate to find a home in Italy with a dishwasher you will need dishwasher salt. Since I started living in Italy, adding dishwasher salt to each load was a new thing for me. Dishwasher salt helps to soften the water, prevents limestone, and in general helps dishes to come out cleaner.
6: Reusable Bags
Having reusable bags in your home and your car is a must when you are living in Italy as a foreigner. Italy is committed to helping the planet. In Italy, you have to pay for bags at stores. Regardless of whether you are shopping at the grocery store or the mall, if you request a bag at the store you will be charged.
7: Clothes Pins
As someone who has been living in Italy for almost a year, I unequivocally believe the appliances in Italian homes suck. Whether it’s the stoves or the home heating unit, they are not what I’ve grown accustomed to back home in the United States. The number one appliance that I hate the most while living in Italy is our dryer. The dryers do not dry your clothes thoroughly and you’ll spend an enormous amount of time trying to figure out how to use the Italian dryers.
This is why I think having clothes pins in your home is a housing essential. Hang-drying laundry is a very common thing here in Italy. Once you find your Italian home, it will most likely come equipped with a clothesline to hang dry your clothes. This is why having clothes pins in your home while living in Italy is a must.
8: Mosquito Traps
A reality check for anyone looking forward to visiting and potentially living in Italy, the MOSQUITOS ARE HORRIBLE IN ITALY. It is a must to equip your Italian home with mosquito traps. There are a few different options, such as mosquito plug-ins, sprays, and even machines that are designed to kill mosquitos. Whichever trap is your preferred method, it is an absolute must to have mosquito traps in your home while living in Italy.
9: Dehumidifier
Having a dehumidifier while living in Italy is a must, especially in southern Italy. The homes are older in Italy and are not constructed with newer mechanisms in place to help keep moisture out of the air. In my experience, having a ton of moisture in the air causes mold to build up. And trust me, the last thing you want to do is throw away your clothes, shoes, and personal items because mold has started to grow on them.
Video Link: https://youtu.be/zkEaMwbZll4
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