The Real Cost of Renting in Sicily: Our Home Tour

[@TheSicilianLife]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗟𝗬: 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIaUiWN-m65nh5o&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@longislandfanvictor3812]

Carini, my families home town, always heard so much about it growing up in New York. Finally got to visit Carini last year for a private tour on July 4, 2023 of all days, since my Carines family were such patriotic Americans. At times, I felt like I was back in Brooklyn but with Palm Trees and mountains. It really touched my heart to finally go there.

[@TheSicilianLife]

Oh, wow ~ I'm so glad you got to experience such a special time. Sounds wonderful! I apprecaite you watching. 💚

[@dominic6283]

I’m 100% Italian and my grandmother was born and lived in Carini until she was 16. My whole family immigrated to Brooklyn where I was born and raised. I now live in NJ.

[@TheSicilianLife]

@dominic6283 Ciao, Dominic! My husband did the same as your grandmother - moved to Brooklyn when he was 16. That's a great family heritage, and I hope you can get back to Carini soon to visit. 💚Thanks for watching and for the comment. We really appreciate it. Blessings, ~ Carol Amato

[@longislandfanvictor3812]

@@dominic6283 We all moved to Long Island, and my neighbor across the street is from Carini.

[@TheSicilianLife]

@longislandfanvictor3812, that's fantastic! Appreciate you commenting and thanks for watching. 😊 ~ Carol

[@DoItMyselfPeg]

What a lovely place! Thanks for the tour!

[@TheSicilianLife]

@DoItMyselfPeg, it was our pleasure, Peggy. Thanks for watching! We were sad to not be able to hold that place for when we return, but we actually got an even better place if you can imagine that. 💚 Ciao, Carol Amato

[@RetiredNomadAdventures]

That stove outside is fantastic! I love the furnishings too!

[@TheSicilianLife]

@RetiredNomadAdventures, So sorry for the late replies as these comments were held for review, and am just now seeing them. Another learning curve thing, I guess. Now I know to check there immediately when the video is published. Thank you for watching and for your sweet comment. I loved cooking outside! The furnishings were old world Italian, and I loved the atmosphere. We appreciate you both so much. Thanks for the continued support! 😍 Croce & Carol Amato

[@Yes-j6o]

Wow - what a great place!

[@TheSicilianLife]

We think so too! Thanks for watching! ~ Ciao, ciao, Croce & Carol Amato

[@GoCatGo-lp5bq]

What a beautiful place?!! So nice and clean. I follow the vloggers Sara and Luca on "Leave Everything and Wander." I don't remember the name of their little village. They make frequent trips to Palermo. I must admit I'm envious.

[@TheSicilianLife]

Hello and thank you for the kind words. Yes, we found the house on Idealista.it, and it was not in the condition you see on the video. Many days and hours of hard work to make it clean. It had been empty a long time and the owner's mother had died from COVID so completely understandable as to why it was in that condition. They were very sad and reluctant to rent it out, but we struck up a great friendship and the rest is history. I have seen Sara and Luca a bit ~ I'll have to check out their videos more. 💚 There are pros and cons to living anywhere, but we are very blessed.

[@dianamartin9558]

@GoCatGo-lp5bq we just moved to Sicily. We have been watching LEAW for several years now. Maybe we will go help them during their olive harvest.

[@TheSicilianLife]

@dianamartin9558 Oh, yes, I've seen their channel ~ what a sweet family. Wonderful idea ~ if you go, be sure to take some pictures. 💗

[@TravelHungryForLife]

Very nice thanks again for sharing be safe and healthy thumbs up see you soon 👍🏻👍🏻🥰

[@TheSicilianLife]

@TravelHungryForLife, we appreciate that so much! Yes, will do. Have a great day. 💕😊 Ciao, Carol

[@antoninoragazzo9055]

Glad to find your channel! I was born in Sicily but my parents emigrated to Germany. I am planning to retire soon to Sicily. So, you see, another guy that will go "back to the roots", like your Croce did... saluti, Antonino

[@TheSicilianLife]

@antoninoragazzo9055 Buongiorno, Antonino. 😊 That's wonderful! What part of Sicily are you considering? Thank you for your kind words and for watching.

[@salvatorespilletti4063]

My Nonna lives in Casteldaccia, and my Nonno lives in Bagheria. Haven't been in awhile

[@TheSicilianLife]

Oh, wow, Salvatore, those are really pretty areas. You should try to plan a trip. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@tammyfitzgerald5336]

Me too Palermo ❤area

[@TheSicilianLife]

@tammyfitzgerald5336 That's awesome!! Thanks for sharing. We love the Palermo Province. ✅😍 ~Carol Amato

[@Shareebysea]

This place is beautiful! And the price blows my mind! This is exactly why I don’t plan on retiring in the US !

[@TheSicilianLife]

@Shareebysea, oh, that's wonderful! Wishing you all the best in your plans!! 💕 Thanks for watching. ~Carol Amato

[@emilymyerly9936]

What a beautiful place, looking forward to when I can visit!

[@TheSicilianLife]

@emilymyerly9936 You would love it ~ especially the food.

[@jeandresley275]

I would love to hear more about finances of living there.

[@TheSicilianLife]

@jeandresley275 Hello Jean. We'll do an upcoming video including all living expenses. Internet in Carini is €17 per month, much less than the U.S. Heating (electric and gas) was no more than €120 per month combined. Well water, so no charge there. More to come. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@evelyneliaz]

Rental prices in my area of sicily are much higher and I also used idealista.

[@TheSicilianLife]

@evelyneliaz Hi, what area are you in? Is it a major city? One bedroom, two? Thanks for watching. 😊

[@evelyneliaz]

@@TheSicilianLife I live in San Cataldo (Mafia headquarters I have been told). I rented a small apartment (kitchen, 2 bedrooms, laundry room and one bathroom), when I first arrived, before moving into my home that I purchased (found on idealista). There is no crime and village life (25,000 people) is relatively quiet. The problem is that my home needs work and I am not able to fix it, due to the cost. So I am reconsidering my options, of returning to the states.

[@TheSicilianLife]

@evelyneliaz, oh, I see. Okay. Well, I just looked for a place, and there are a lot of places in San Cataldo for rent less than €600 per month, and they look nice. And with San Cataldo being inland, it is cheaper than coastal properties. I didn't know you owned your home. Okay. I hope you don't have to leave Sicily. Where we will be, Croce has family and friends, and would use people he knows to do work which is a plus. It's too far from Carini, Sicily for us to recommend someone. Wishing you all the best. 😊

[@evelyneliaz]

@@TheSicilianLifeI own one dog and 2 cats, so I feel more comfortable owning my own home. I just want to own a mobile home in either Texas or Florida, if I leave Sicily. Otherwise, I will just remain here and put up with the house as it is. I am now working with a mortgage company in America and will take things from there. I am just leary about the cost of living as I have not been in the states since 2016. All the best to you as well for your upcoming move. Love your videos! 😃

[@TheSicilianLife]

@evelyneliaz, oh, okay. Pets are so important! We lived in Florida for 23 years. Great state. Mobile home insurance cost is completely out of control due to hurricanes and other 'natural' disasters on the rise. If you do return, I think you'll have reverse culture shock with the prices. If you're on a very limited budget, Sicily would definitely be more affordable. Thank you so much, Evelyn! I appreciate it. I'm getting excited. 😍 Prepping for our next video now. So happy you like our stuff. It's definitely a learning process.

[@BelowTheDallasSkyline]

That sounds really affordable. I pay a lot more than that here in Texas!

[@TheSicilianLife]

Ain't THAT the truth! 💯percent! Thanks.

[@katjaxxx7353]

Love your house & especially the furniture 🩷

[@TheSicilianLife]

Thank you so much. I appreciate it. 😊

[@lauriemogianesi3571]

Looks beautiful

[@TheSicilianLife]

@lauriemogianesi357, thank you so much - we appreciate it. Thanks for watching. 😊 Blessings, ~ Carol Amato

[@FortunateXpat]

I’m a retired American/Swede living in Casteldaccia, about 19 km north of Palermo. I’m lookin to move closer to Palermo but still having good beach access. I like Carini and Serracavallo, but I think I’d like to live in Porticello or Aspra. Have you been to these villages?

[@TheSicilianLife]

Hi and welcome. No, I have not been to Porticello or Aspra yet, but they look like lovely seaside towns. Each of us has a different preference, and we would like to visit the beach, not live on it or really close to it. 😊 Thank you for coming by.

[@Steven-cg9hu]

Hi again. Where would I go to find an apartment? Did you use a website to find yours? I am also a dual citizen and looking right now.

[@TheSicilianLife]

Hi Steven, it's been a long time since we looked, but I do remember idealista.it website. If you watch the home tour video, I list them all in there. tinyurl.com/yc4bb9er Thank you for watching. 😊

[@tomm9540]

Did you both become residents of Italy, and if so, what were the requirements, financial solvency, etc....? Thanks wonderful place. Did spend some time in Sicily mostly in Catana

[@TheSicilianLife]

@tomm9540, first of all, thanks for watching. 😊 We really appreciate it. Yes, we became residents. We took the lease agreement that was signed by the owner and us and registered with the commune. We were already citizens with all the appropriate info, carta d'identità, Italian passport, codice fiscale. Croce was born and raised in Carini, Sicily, and I became an Italian citizen by marriage in 2006. We need to visit Catania as we have not been to that area yet. Farthest east we've gone is Messina and that was to catch the ferry to Calabria. Have a great day. Blessings, ~ Croce & Carol Amato

[@bonnyvondolores2647]

If you’re not residents.. how can you sign a 1 year lease if you can only stay 90 days/3 months… ? (I’ll see if idealista has 1,2 or 3 month rentals..). Did you rent sight unseen? What is your transportation? Are there train stations close by? The logistics are molte importante. (Do you speak some Italiano? Molte Grazie -

[@TheSicilianLife]

@bonnyvondolores2647, Hello Bonny. Thanks for watching our video. Non-residents can't sign a 1-year lease. They can, however, rent seasonal places, I believe. No, we visited the villa and met the owners, etc. We went through a realtor and made an appointment. We bought a Toyota Yaris, semi-automatic for transportation. Yes, there is a train station right in our town. Yes, my husband was born and raised in Sicily so he does speak Italian and Sicilian. I am fluent in Sicilian. You're welcome. 😊 Blessings, ~ Carol Amato

[@denisedecarlo9311]

Informative and straight forward...thank you so much...xo

[@TheSicilianLife]

You're welcome. Thanks for the kind words. Glad you like the content. 💚

[@luciodeluca3257]

Hi Carol! Great channel! How do you guys handle “Income Taxes”? I thought as a dual citizen, one cannot stay more than 182 days or you’ll be considered a tax resident. I’m going to retire soon and want to do what you guys have done - live and rent for 1 or 2 years in Italy. Thanks in advance! Lucio

[@TheSicilianLife]

Hello, Lucio ~ great question. Italy and U.S. have an agreement to not "double tax" so as long as you have a U.S. address and pay U.S. taxes, it's fine. That's what we were told by a lawyer. Also, if you live in Italy for more than 330 days straight out of the year, there is a foreign exemption rule that you could qualify to not pay taxes. Definitely ask your accountant, though. Thanks ~ glad you like the content.

[@luciodeluca3257]

@@TheSicilianLife That’s wonderful! Thank you so much! Please keep the videos coming!

[@TheSicilianLife]

@@luciodeluca3257 Will do ~ just posted a new one. 🩵

[@leticiarodriguez3455]

Hi Carol and Croce! Our son, who has been living in San Piero Patti (Messina) for 9 months, wannts to move with his family to another place in Sicily. I'd like to recommend your nephew's immobiliare. Could you please remind me their contact?

[@TheSicilianLife]

@leticiarodriguez3455 - Hi Leticia. 😍 Rosario Amato is a realtor in Carini, Sicily. He is Croce's distant cousin. His info is: www.immobiliarecarini.it/it/ Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Hope to help! 💚 Buon Natale! Blessings, ~ Croce & Carol Amato

[@leticiarodriguez3455]

@@TheSicilianLife Grazie mille! Buon Natale!

[@TheSicilianLife]

@leticiarodriguez3455 You're welcome. 😍 🎄

[@johnnyjiang3953]

A great place qualified the name HOME

[@TheSicilianLife]

Thank you ~ appreciate you watching. 😊

[@janetlombardi2314]

Beautiful ❤️

[@TheSicilianLife]

Thank you! 😊

[@katjaxxx7353]

Yes please (finances)

[@TheSicilianLife]

Will do. We'll do an upcoming video including all living expenses. Internet in Carini is €17 per month, must less than the U.S. Heating (electric and gas) was no more than €120 per month combined. More to come. We have well water, so no charge there. Have a blessed day. 😊

[@diannelake580]

How long are you able to stay per year

[@TheSicilianLife]

Hi Dianne. Croce was born and raised in Carini, Sicily, and I have dual citizenship so we have no limitations at all. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@tammyfitzgerald5336]

My grandfather had a sponsor and came to USA then went back and got my grandmother and my aunt and uncle am I entitled to dual citizenship just retired ❤🎉

[@TheSicilianLife]

@tammyfitzgerald5336, that is absolutely fantastic, Tammy! Hope you enjoy your retirement! 😊 ~ Carol Amato

[@SharonRepici]

@@tammyfitzgerald5336 you may want to double check those requirements. There was a ruling in October that rendered many people ineligible based on when/if their Italian ancestors became naturalized (and renounced Italian citizenship) before the next generation were adults.

[@TheSicilianLife]

@SharonRepici Thank you for your thoughtful comment. We appreciate it. ~Croce & Carol Amato

[@kaypie3112]

Great channel. I just discovered it. Are you two living there on the elective residence Visa?

[@TheSicilianLife]

Hi, we are both dual citizens so no need for a Visa. We appreciate you watching and thanks for the kind words. 😍

[@kaypie3112]

@@TheSicilianLife That was a quick response 👍😎 In another video, I heard you state that your husband was born there, so that’s easy enough. How, may I ask, did you receive your Italian citizenship?

[@TheSicilianLife]

I applied for Italian citizenship through marriage many years ago. It took many months, but it was worth it. Thanks, Kay! 😊

[@kaypie3112]

@@TheSicilianLife Yes. That’s what I thought. You have a beautiful apartment there. So nice! Grazie Mille e Buona Notte

[@TheSicilianLife]

Anche a te ~ buona serata. 💞

[@jayajaya788]

How do you get residency in Italy as a retiree...What kind of income are they asking for so that you can live in Italy?

[@TheSicilianLife]

💚 Hello. I'm not sure - I'm an Italian citizen so this doesn't apply to me. Sorry. I do appreciate you watching.

[@SharonRepici]

Check out Italy's Elective Residency Visa (ERV) which allows non-EU citizens to live in Italy long-term without working. It's often called the Italian Retirement Visa. The income requirement can change, but it's around 32.000 Euro for one person, 38.000 for a married couple and then some more for each additional person.

[@TheSicilianLife]

@SharonRepici Thank you for adding to the conversation and providing clarification. Since the answer I gave, I have learned about all that. 😍 Appreciate it! Blessings, ~ Croce & Carol Amato

[@gloriabaker4626]

❤

[@TheSicilianLife]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@SalDiMarco-k9z]

carinessssiiii

[@TheSicilianLife]

Ciao ~ come stai? Sei di Carini? Thank you for watching! 😍

[@SalDiMarco-k9z]

@@TheSicilianLife no from baucina PA but have lots of friends form Carini here in NY

[@TheSicilianLife]

@user-jp4hu7ly7z Ho capito. Okay. Great. Thank you. 😊

[@fv1291]

Want to adopt a 66 year od? 😉

[@TheSicilianLife]

🤣Got my medicine (laugther) for the day. Thanks for watching. You should visit ~ sure!