A New Life in Italy

Samantha Wilson

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. 3 days ago

    How Renting in Italy Really Works

    Finding an apartment in Italy is only the beginning. For foreigners, especially those searching from abroad or needing a rental contract for a visa, getting from an online listing to actually signing a lease and getting the keys can be much more complicated than expected. In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson explains why renting in Italy works differently from what many foreigners are used to. She discusses how landlords evaluate foreign tenants, why your savings or credit score may not tell the whole story, and how to present your financial situation in a way that makes sense to an Italian landlord. She even talks about the timing of your rental search, the possibility of paying rent before you arrive, and the importance of understanding contracts, deposits, fees and other details before you commit. Samantha also explains why your first Italian rental doesn't have to be your forever home. It can simply be your starting point while you get settled and discover what kind of home and lifestyle actually work for you in Italy. Plus, she answers listener questions about rental deposits and visas, cleaning when you move into a long-term rental, and who is responsible for repairs. Planning to rent in Italy? Smart Move Italy Property offers rental assistance to help you navigate the search and secure a home. Learn more about the service and submit your rental search criteria through the following link: www.smartmoveitalyproperty.com/rent/ 👈 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 Renting in Italy Really Works
  2. 30 Sept

    You’ve Studied Italian. So Why Can’t You Speak It?

    Learning Italian can feel like one of the biggest hurdles when you're planning a move to Italy. You can study for months or even years, understand quite a bit, and still find yourself stuck when someone asks you an unexpected question in Italian. In this episode, Samantha sits down with Clara and Martina, co-founders of My Italian Room, to talk about what learning Italian really looks like, especially as an adult. They discuss why mistakes are such an important part of learning, how small wins can build confidence, and why speaking shouldn't be something you leave until you feel "good enough." They also get practical about what you can accomplish with 15 or 20 minutes a day, active versus passive learning, apps like Duolingo, grammar, and how long it really takes to learn a language. If you've been putting off speaking Italian because you're waiting to feel ready, this conversation is a reminder that making mistakes isn't a sign that you're failing. It's part of the process. Guests: Clara and Martina are the co-founders of My Italian Room, an online Italian school helping learners move beyond studying Italian to speaking it with confidence. Through practical, conversation-focused programmes, they've built a global community where learners combine structured learning, authentic Italian, and regular opportunities to speak. Resources: As part of A New Life in Italy, Martina and Clara lead monthly live Italian lessons created specifically for members. These relaxed, practical sessions focus on the language you'll actually use in everyday life in Italy, from useful phrases and cultural context to building confidence when speaking with locals. Lessons are also recorded, so you can revisit them whenever you need. Learn more about A New Life in Italy. Join their Sunday newsletter Explore My Italian Room Follow My Italian Room on Instagram Smart Move Italy offers guidance on visas, Italian citizenship, residency, and building a life in Italy. Learn more and start planning your move to Italy today. www.smartmoveitaly.com Want to keep the conversation going? Join Vivace, a place for people who are curious about life, open to change, and haven't decided that the most interesting part of their story has already happened. 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

    You’ve Studied Italian. So Why Can’t You Speak It?
  3. 23 Sept

    La Dolce Vita vs Real Life with Two Voices No Filter

    What happens when La Dolce Vita becomes real life? Samantha is joined by the hosts of Two Voices No Filter, Georgette Jupe and Valentina Dainelli, for a fun and candid conversation about the gap between the Italy we dream about and the Italy we actually live in. They talk about what happens when Italy becomes everyday life, the realities of building a life here, and why Italy doesn't have to be perfect to feel like home. Guests: Georgette and Valentina are hosts of the podcast Two Voices No Filter where they discuss the topics we're all thinking about but don't always have the courage to say out loud. Listen to Two Voices No Filter Follow Two Voices No Filter on Instagram Georgette Jupe is a Texas native who has called Florence home for more than 18 years. She is the creator of Girl in Florence and the Managing Editor at Vivace Media. Learn more about Georgette Read Georgette's Substack Follow Georgette on Instagram Valentina Dainelli was born in Tuscany and raised in Florence, and spent time living in New York and London. She is a communication consultant, educator, project coordinator, and the creator of TooMuchTuscany. Learn more about Valentina Resources: Smart Move Italy offers guidance on visas, Italian citizenship, residency, and building a life in Italy. Learn more and start planning your move to Italy today. www.smartmoveitaly.com Want to keep the conversation going? Join Vivace, a place for people who are curious about life, open to change, and haven't decided that the most interesting part of their story has already happened. 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

    La Dolce Vita vs Real Life with Two Voices No Filter
  4. 9 Sept

    The Part of Moving to Italy Nobody Talks About with Camilla Jackson

    Moving to Italy changes a lot more than your address. It changes your routines, your relationships, your sense of belonging, and even the way you see yourself. In this episode, Samantha sits down with psychotherapist Camilla Jackson to talk about the emotional side of building a life abroad. They explore why expectations can make adjusting harder, why it's normal to feel out of place even when you've achieved your dream, and how understanding Italian culture, building community, and giving yourself time can make all the difference. If you're planning your move, or you've already arrived and are wondering why it feels harder than expected, this conversation will remind you that you're not doing it wrong. You're simply doing something that takes time. Guest: Camilla Jackson is a UK-trained psychotherapist who has called Italy home for more than 16 years. She works with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, relationships, major life transitions, and the emotional challenges of living abroad. Learn more about Camilla Find Camilla on Facebook Follow Camilla on Instagram Resources: Samantha's free Move to Italy Bootcamp takes place September 15, 16, and 17. www.smartmoveitaly.com/movetoitalybootcamp Smart Move Italy offers guidance on visas, Italian citizenship, residency, and building a life in Italy. Learn more and start planning your move to Italy today. www.smartmoveitaly.com Want to keep the conversation going? Join Vivace, a place for people who are curious about life, open to change, and haven't decided that the most interesting part of their story has already happened. 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 Part of Moving to Italy Nobody Talks About with Camilla Jackson
  5. 2 Sept

    If You Want to Move to Italy in 2027, Start Here

    If you want to move to Italy in 2027, now is the time to start figuring out what would actually have to happen to make that possible. In this episode, Samantha breaks down the five things you need to figure out first, and what you can leave for later. Because you don't need to know everything. You just need to know what to figure out next. Resources: Samantha's free Move to Italy Bootcamp takes place September 15, 16, and 17. www.smartmoveitaly.com/movetoitalybootcamp Smart Move Italy offers guidance on visas, Italian citizenship, residency, and building a life in Italy. Learn more and start planning your move to Italy today. www.smartmoveitaly.com Want to keep the conversation going? Join Vivace, a place for people who are curious about life, open to change, and haven't decided that the most interesting part of their story has already happened. 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

    If You Want to Move to Italy in 2027, Start Here
  6. 12 Aug

    What If the Best Part of Your Life Is Still Ahead?

    Twenty-two years ago, Samantha came to Italy with her mother, who was turning 60. She had no idea that the trip would change the course of her life. Now, one week away from turning 60 herself, Samantha is thinking about that first trip, the life she built in Italy, and what it means to reach an age you once thought meant you had already lived most of your story. Because she doesn't feel finished. Not even close. In fact, this is only just the beginning... Resources: Smart Move Italy offers guidance on visas, Italian citizenship, residency, and building a life in Italy. Learn more and start planning your move to Italy today. www.smartmoveitaly.com Want to keep the conversation going? Join Vivace, a place for people who are curious about life, open to change, and haven't decided that the most interesting part of their story has already happened. www.vivacenetwork.com Buon Ferragosto, friends. And happy birthday, Sam! 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

    What If the Best Part of Your Life Is Still Ahead?
  7. 5 Aug

    Seeing Italy Through a Local’s Eyes with Martina Arezzini

    What does it really mean to experience Italy through a local lens? In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha speaks with Martina Arezzini, a licensed tour guide and founder of SunFlorence Tours, about the people, customs, and everyday moments that reveal the character of Italy. Born in Tuscany and based in Florence, Martina shares why Italy cannot be understood from the outside alone. She explains how local knowledge, cultural context, and personal connections help us see a deeper side of everyday life in Italy. Together, Samantha and Martina explore how understanding the character of a place can change the way we experience it, from the traditions that shape daily life to the small interactions that help us feel more connected. They also discuss why slowing down, returning to familiar places, and building relationships with local people can reveal a different way of experiencing life in Italy. In This Episode: Why Italy is shaped by many different local identities and ways of lifeWhat a local perspective can reveal that we might otherwise missWhy understanding customs and everyday interactions changes the way we experience a placeHow relationships with local people create a deeper connection to ItalyWhy slowing down and creating routines can transform your relationship with a cityThe difference between a licensed tour guide and a tour operator Resources: Explore Italy through a local lens with Martina Arezzini and SunFlorence Tours, offering private tours and customized experiences throughout Italy. https://www.sunflorencetours.it/ @sunflorence_tours @martina_sunflorence Smart Move Italy offers guidance on visas, Italian citizenship, residency, and building a life in Italy. Learn more and start planning your move to Italy today. 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

    Seeing Italy Through a Local’s Eyes with Martina Arezzini
  8. 22 Jul

    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

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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.

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