A New Life in Italy

Samantha Wilson
  • 4.7 (83)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

A NEW LIFE IN ITALY – THE PODCAST THAT takes you behind the scenes of what it's really like to move and live in Italy and shows you how starting a new life in the bel Paese is possible for you. This weekly podcast is hosted by Samantha Wilson, Italy’s top relocation expert and chief dream maker at Smart Move Italy is for anyone who dreams of adopting the Italian lifestyle, no matter where you are in the process. Tune in every week for some inspiration, and super “ah-ha” moments, and learn how you can live longer, spend less, and smile more in your new life in Italy.

  1. Jul 22

    The Reason Italy Makes Us Rethink Everything

    Italy has a way of making us see our own lives differently. People visit for a week and come home asking questions they weren’t asking before. Not just about Italy, but about themselves. Why am I always in such a hurry? Is this really how I want to spend the next twenty years? When did life become something to manage instead of something to experience? In this episode, Samantha explores why Italy has a way of making us reflect on time, success, connection, and the kind of life we truly want to create. Maybe Italy doesn’t change us. Maybe it simply introduces us to the person we’ve been too busy to become. If you’ve ever returned home from Italy feeling a little different, this episode is for you. In This Episode: Why Italy seems to stay with people long after they leaveThe two competing philosophies of time: efficiency versus experienceHow Italy challenges the invisible rules we inherit about success and adulthoodWhy seeing another way of living can make us question our own choicesHow travel can reconnect us with curiosity, adventure, and growth at any ageWhy people often fall in love with the version of themselves they discover in Italy Resources: Smart Move Italy offers guidance on visas, Italian citizenship, residency, and building a life in Italy. www.smartmoveitaly.com Want to keep the conversation going? Join Vivace, a place for stories, ideas, and connections that inspire a life lived fully. www.vivacenetwork.com Ciao for now! Mentioned in this episode: Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network

    The Reason Italy Makes Us Rethink Everything

  2. Jul 8

    Thinking About Moving to Italy? The Real Questions People Google Before They Change Their Life

    Most people don’t start by making a plan to move to Italy. They start with a Google search. Questions about Italian visas, cost of living in Italy, healthcare, residency, and whether moving to Italy is actually possible. But those aren’t the real questions. In this episode, Samantha breaks down the stages people move through before deciding to relocate, and what they’re actually trying to figure out at each step. If you’re somewhere between dreaming and doing, this will help you understand where you are and what comes next. In This Episode: The question behind every search: “Can someone like me actually do this?”Why visa research feels confusing (and what’s really happening behind the scenes)What people are really asking when they focus on cost of living and moneyThe shift from logistics to lifestyle: “Will I be happy and belong there?”The fear stage: worst-case scenarios, Reddit rabbit holes, and decision paralysisWhy choosing a visa starts with choosing the life you want Resources: Smart Move Italy offers guidance on visas, residency, healthcare, and building a life in Italy. www.smartmoveitaly.com Ciao for now! Mentioned in this episode: Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network

    Thinking About Moving to Italy? The Real Questions People Google Before They Change Their Life

  3. Jun 24

    The Italy Dream Is Easy at 60. What About 80?

    Can You Grow Old in Italy? The Question Nobody Wants to Ask Most people spend years planning how to move to Italy. They research visas, property, healthcare, taxes, and where they want to live. But very few people ask the question that may matter most: What happens twenty years later? In this episode, Samantha tackles a topic that is rarely discussed among expats and future retirees: growing older in Italy. What happens if you can no longer drive? What if your spouse passes away? What if your children live thousands of miles away? What options exist if you eventually need help at home or long-term care? You'll learn how Italy approaches aging differently than many English-speaking countries, why community may be your most important retirement asset, and the practical steps you can take today to ensure your Italian dream remains sustainable for decades to come. Whether you're planning a move, already living in Italy, or simply thinking about your long-term future, this is a conversation worth having. In This Episode: • Why most foreigners focus on moving to Italy but rarely plan for aging in Italy • The surprising ways Italy is designed to support older adults • What a badante is and why many Italians prefer home-based care • The different levels of elder care available in Italy • Assisted living, Casa di Riposo, and RSA facilities explained • Typical costs of caregivers, assisted living, and long-term care • Why location matters more than you may think as you age • The four things Samantha would plan before retiring in Italy • How to build a support network when family lives abroad • The legal documents every foreign retiree should consider • What happens to your residency if your spouse passes away • The regions of Italy that offer some of the strongest healthcare systems • Why community may be the most important retirement plan of all Audience Questions Answered: Can I access assisted living facilities in Italy as a foreign resident?What does a badante cost in Italy and how do I find one?Can I remain in Italy permanently if my spouse passes away?What legal documents should every foreign retiree have in Italy?Which regions of Italy are best for retirees who may need healthcare and support later in life? Resources: Looking for help planning your move to Italy? Visit Smart Move Italy for guidance on visas, residency, healthcare, property, and creating a sustainable life in Italy for the long term. Connect With Us: Website: Smart Move Italy If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who dreams of making Italy their forever home. Ciao for now. Mentioned in this episode: Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network

    The Italy Dream Is Easy at 60. What About 80?

  4. Jun 3

    Retiring to Italy in 2026? Here’s What I Would Do BEFORE Selling Everything

    Thinking about retiring to Italy in 2026? Before you sell everything and book the one-way ticket, this episode is your reality check. In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson breaks down what she would personally do right now if she were planning a retirement move to Italy from scratch today. Not the fantasy version. Not the Instagram version. And definitely not the “figure it out later” version. After a recent situation where a client became completely derailed by misinformation they read online about the Elective Residency Visa, Samantha dives into one of the biggest hidden challenges people face during this process: panic, overwhelm, and emotionally reacting to bad information. Inside this episode: • The real financial conversations you need to have before applying for the ERV • Why passive income matters more than savings • The exact spreadsheet Samantha would create before planning a move • Why waiting another year could actually protect your dream • The “February Test” every retiree should do before choosing where to live • Why renting first may save you financially and emotionally • The biggest mistakes people make after reading Facebook advice • How misinformation creates panic and bad decision-making • The practical documents you should begin preparing now • Why Italy is not just a lifestyle move in the beginning… it’s an administrative project • How to prepare emotionally, financially, and realistically for life in Italy long term If you have been researching the Elective Residency Visa, the 7% tax regime, retiring in Italy, or simply wondering if your dream is still realistic… this episode is for you. This is not about fear. It’s about creating a move that actually survives real life. Questions answered in this episode include: • How much passive income do I realistically need for the Elective Residency Visa? • Can investments count toward the ERV? • Should I rent or buy first in Italy? • Is the 7% tax regime really worth it? • What are the biggest mistakes retirees make when moving to Italy? • How do I avoid misinformation and panic online? Want more help planning your move to Italy? Visit Smart Move Italy for resources, support, consultations, and guidance for visas, relocation, property, and retirement planning in Italy. Mentioned in this episode: Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network

    Retiring to Italy in 2026? Here’s What I Would Do BEFORE Selling Everything

  5. May 20

    Buying Property in Italy: What Smart Buyers Are Doing in 2026

    The world feels uncertain right now, and for many people dreaming about Italy, that uncertainty is creating one very big question: Is this actually a smart time to buy property in Italy? In this episode, I’m taking a realistic look at what’s really happening in both the U.S. economy and the Italian property market, why foreign buyers are still purchasing homes in Italy despite global uncertainty, and how buying property in Italy is often more about lifestyle than speculation. We’ll talk honestly about: the current Italian real estate marketwhy Italy behaves differently than North Americathe reality of mortgages for foreignerswhether renting first is the smarter optioncurrency exchange risks many buyers overlookwhat smart long-term buyers are focusing on right nowwhy there may never be a “perfect” time to buy I also answer listener questions about mortgages in Italy, renting vs. buying, and whether Italian real estate is actually “safer” than buying in the U.S. right now. This episode is not about panic buying or chasing trends. It’s about making grounded, realistic decisions if Italy is truly part of your long-term plan. Mentioned in this episode: Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network

    Buying Property in Italy: What Smart Buyers Are Doing in 2026

  6. May 6

    How to Make Italy Work for You (Instead of Against You)

    Well hello there, and welcome back to another episode of A New Life in Italy. I’m your host, Samantha Wilson. Today’s episode is one of those that might completely change how you see Italy. Because if you’ve ever tried to apply for a visa, buy a home, or deal with a comune… and walked away thinking “what is going on here?”… you are not alone. So today we are unpacking why Italy feels so complicated and what is actually happening behind the scenes. This episode is for anyone who is planning a move to Italy, already living here, or feeling stuck in the process and wondering if they’re doing something wrong. My goal with this episode is to give you a completely new lens so you can stop fighting the system… and start understanding how to work with it. So whether you are just starting to explore your move or already deep in the process, you are in the right place. Let’s get into it. In this episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood parts of living in Italy… the system itself. You’ll learn why Italy, despite being a major global country, often behaves like a collection of small communities. We talk about: Why Italy feels slow, fragmented, and sometimes inconsistent The historical reason behind regional differences and local decision-making The “Calimero mindset” and how it shapes how decisions are made Why you rarely get a straight answer and what that actually means How bureaucracy, property, and visa processes really work behind the scenes Most importantly, we shift the way you approach Italy so you can move through it with more ease, more confidence, and far less frustration. Because this is not about finding the perfect checklist. It’s about understanding the environment you’re operating in. And once you do that… Everything changes. If Italy has ever made you feel confused, stuck, or like you’re doing something wrong… this episode is your reset. Italy is not broken. It’s not disorganized. It’s operating exactly as it was designed… shaped by history, local identity, and a culture of negotiation over control. And when you understand that, you can: Ask better questions Build the right relationships Stay flexible in your approach And ultimately… get where you want to go If you’re planning your move to Italy and want support navigating visas, property, or the relocation process, this is exactly what we do every day at Smart Move Italy. And if this episode helped you see things differently, make sure to follow the show and share it with someone who needs to hear this. Because the more you understand Italy… the easier it becomes to build your life here. Audience Questions Segment Why does my visa process look completely different from someone else’s, even when we’re applying for the same thing? How do I know which information to trust when I’m getting different answers from the consulate, the comune, and online? Is there a way to speed things up in Italy, or is it really just about patience? Why does it feel like things only move forward when you know the right person? How do I handle being told “no” when I’ve seen someone else get a “yes”? RESOURCES: Smart Move Italy Mentioned in this episode: Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network

    How to Make Italy Work for You (Instead of Against You)

  7. Apr 22

    Italy 7% Tax Regime Explained (2026 Update): New Towns, Rules, and Who Qualifies

    Thinking about retiring in Italy or reducing your tax burden? Italy’s 7% tax regime sounds almost too good to be true… and for some people, it is incredible. But for others, it can lead to the wrong move for the wrong reasons. In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson breaks down exactly how the 7% flat tax works, the recent expansion that added 74 new towns, and the lifestyle trade-offs most people don’t consider until it’s too late. This is not just about saving money. This is about choosing a life that actually fits. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What the 7% tax regime in Italy actually is and how it works Who qualifies and the key eligibility requirements What counts as foreign income and how it is taxed Why there is no wealth tax on foreign assets under this regime The recent change increasing town population limits from 20,000 to 30,000 How this expansion added 74 new qualifying towns Examples of newly eligible locations like Ostuni and Noto The reality of living in smaller towns in southern Italy Who this tax incentive is really designed for Common mistakes people make when choosing this option What happens in couples where only one person qualifies Why timing and residency setup are critical Resources Mentioned: Our top pics in qualifying regions and newly added towns Smart Move Italy resources for visas, relocation, and property Commercialista consultations for tax planning Who This Episode Is For: Retirees with foreign income considering Italy Individuals looking to reduce tax on investments or pensions Couples planning a move and needing clarity on tax implications Anyone exploring a slower lifestyle in southern Italy If you’re considering this move, don’t just focus on the 7%. Look at the lifestyle. Look at the location. And make sure the decision fits your life, not just your spreadsheet. Subscribe to A New Life in Italy for weekly insights, real stories, and expert guidance on moving, living, and building your life in Italy. Mentioned in this episode: Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network

    Italy 7% Tax Regime Explained (2026 Update): New Towns, Rules, and Who Qualifies

  8. Apr 8

    How to Teach English in Italy and Build a Real Income

    Thinking about moving to Italy but not planning to retire? Then at some point, probably soon, you'll face the question: what am I actually going to do for work? In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson sits down with Aisling, an Irish expat who moved to Italy, changed careers in her late 30s, and built a successful freelance business teaching English to corporate clients. If you’ve ever considered teaching English in Italy, freelancing, or starting over in a new country, this episode gives you a real, honest look at what it actually takes. Because the truth is… it’s not just about speaking English. It’s about qualifications, bureaucracy, relationships, and building something sustainable over time. Aisling shares her 10-year journey from working in the arts in Ireland to teaching business English in Milan, and eventually creating a flexible, location-independent career from her home in Tuscany. You’ll learn how she got started, what surprised her most about working in Italy, and why relationships matter more than resumes in the Italian business world. This episode is essential listening if you are planning your move to Italy and want to understand how to realistically support yourself once you arrive. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to teach English in Italy and what qualifications you actually need The difference between working for a language school and freelancing How to set up a freelance business in Italy, including Partita IVA Why you need a commercialista and how taxes work for freelancers How to find clients in Italy and why networking is everything The reality of Italian bureaucracy when starting a business How long it takes to build a stable income as an expat Why business English is one of the biggest opportunities in Italy How COVID changed remote work opportunities across the country What it really takes to build a sustainable career in Italy Who This Episode Is For:Anyone planning to move to Italy and needing to work Expats considering teaching English in Italy Freelancers and remote workers looking to relocate to Italy People changing careers later in life and starting over abroad Listeners who want a realistic view of working and living in Italy Resources Mentioned:Aisling’s book: Freelance English Teaching in Italy: How to Find High-Paying Clients and Build a Sustainable Career If you’re serious about moving to Italy and want expert guidance on visas, relocation, or building your life here, you’ll find everything you need at Smart Move Italy. And if this episode helped you, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who’s dreaming about their own life in Italy. Because this move is possible… when you know how to do it right. Mentioned in this episode: Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network Listen Vivace A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network

    How to Teach English in Italy and Build a Real Income
See All (95)

Trailers

4.7
out of 5
83 Ratings

About

A NEW LIFE IN ITALY – THE PODCAST THAT takes you behind the scenes of what it's really like to move and live in Italy and shows you how starting a new life in the bel Paese is possible for you. This weekly podcast is hosted by Samantha Wilson, Italy’s top relocation expert and chief dream maker at Smart Move Italy is for anyone who dreams of adopting the Italian lifestyle, no matter where you are in the process. Tune in every week for some inspiration, and super “ah-ha” moments, and learn how you can live longer, spend less, and smile more in your new life in Italy.

Information

  • Creator
    Samantha Wilson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Smart Move Italy
  • Show Website
    A New Life in Italy

You Might Also Like