Am moving to Naples this summer..

[KirstyM]

Hi, I'm Kirsty. We moving to Naples this summer for 2 years with the forces. We have 5 children.

We did a quick reccy trip this week without the children & we were met with quite a bit of negative feedback from other forces families.

I am quite keen to get to there, but I am not coming Italy to buy Heinz baked beans or to bring the UK with me.

Can someone reassure me please that we will be able to integrate ourselves into the life there. I am really looking forward to my children making friends with local children & joining sports groups etc. And me to make local friends too.

What are my chances? Thanks

[debswad]

hello,
yes the Italians are so nice.
If make efforts with the language. You can easily be integrated..
We are both English , but we have managed to make some lovely friends. it does help with children. They are a topic of conversation, and i meet people at their after school groups they attend and the park

I also attend a dance class and my husband plays football to try and help us on with the langauge and locals

I do know some people who havn't been so lucky though , i am sure with the right positive attitude (and alittle bit of pushiness )

We also could be involved in another English speaking community and sometimes we need this. ( hence the forum) but we have limited it so we can integrate

[Ghianda]

Hi KirstyM

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are probably right. anon

It sounds to me like you think you can.

What a great opportunity overseas posting for you all. I imagine the Forces will even take away a load of the bureaucracy for you, leaving you to have a fantastic time with the locals.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[juliancoll]

You're chances are very good Kirsty.

Naples isn't the easiest of places but your children will give you the inroad needed to make friends easily and quickly. Neapolitans are nosey beggars and will thrust themselves upon you and want to get to know who you are - you may find it quite overwhelming at first - but all you have to do is smile and try your best to understand that all the shouting, screaming, arm waving and hand gestures are just a sign of normality and fiery expression of a generous, kind hearted, loving and wildly passionate population.

A lot will depend on your own character and desires and on the area you choose to live in. Choose carefully and do not automatically go for the obvious. There are many very refined areas in Naples were people can be rather snooty and there are other areas, that on first view may appear somewhat downtrodden, where the people are a real community.

Naples is wonderful - a colourful, interesting, chaotic and vibrant city like no other - full of beauty, culture and sometimes perhaps even danger. The people are the same.

The Forces (especially American) have a big presence in Naples and often huddle together in "gated compounds" to the north of the city where other Force families are located and this can lead to an insular view of Naples. Most seem to complain that the local McD's is crap 'cus the buns don't have the right type of sesame seeds on them and conveniently forget that they can go eat a decent pizza for half the price if they want to.

What an experience this could be, not only for you, but also for your children! It will enrich all of your lives and I'm sure that when the time comes for you to leave, it will be with a very heavy heart.

Which areas are you considering? Do you have a choice or is accommodation provided?

PS. Welcome to the forum.

[KirstyM]

Hi, thanks for your replies.

Julian, we've been allocated a house in a gated parco in the North of the city - probably EXACTLY the kind of place you're thinking of. ANd I think therein lies my problem. We had no choice housing.
We had a look last week at the place & met some neighbours & they didn't leave us with a good impression. In fact I was told in no uncertain terms that 'with the best intentions in the world you will never mix with the Italians' . So that's me told.

However, the backpacker & traveller in me says otherwise.

I just don't see the point of taking a foreign job if you're not going to be challenged & if you're not willing to get amongst it all.

Thanks for the welcome to the site.

[juliancoll]

But you are not wanting to "mix with the Italians" are you? You are wanting to "live with the Neapolitans" so tell your neighbour to go to McD's if they want, but you prefer o' pizz' napuletane.

Being on one of these allocated compounds does isolate you somewhat from the population and I suppose it can make it a little more difficult to integrate - to learn the language, the mindset, the culture - but only if you allow it to. Of course, it is easier to slide into a gated community where everyone else around you speaks the same language and shops at the same stores on an never ending hunt for Heinz baked beans and Bisto.

It's up to you to get out there, go shopping in the real markets, lean how to say "O' guaglione! Vattene!" grab a Nonna by the hand and get her to teach you how to make decent pasta e fagioli.

What options are open to you about schooling the children?

[Gala Placidia]

Kirsty, if you are a sociable person, enjoy interacting with people and try to speak Italian, you should not have any problems. Forget all the wrong advice received. Quite possibly, these people do not wish to mix with Italians and that is their mistake. Your children will help to open doors for you and I am sure that you will have many good friends in a short time.
Good luck and best wishes!

[Bagni]

Kirsty I guess the people you have spoken to may not be in Italy or Naples by choice as I find it extremly difficult to understand their negativness as I have never encounted this personally or from all the Ex Pats I have met in this wonderful city.No its not London or anywhere else in the world for that matter,accept it for what it is and you will have the most wonderfull experiance of a lifetime.Good luck and keep us posted.

[elliven]

The Italians are great people, sure they do some things differently to us but who's to say what is right? Be friendly and polite to the people you meet, learn some Italian and have a bash, the locals will be pleased and flattered that you are trying. Eat local food, it's fantastic quality and enjoy the experience. Treat yourself to the odd expat experience but in general become part of the wider community and the rewards will be tremendous. Good Luck!

[cardi]

Naples is a bit different to other parts of Italy.
If you have visited and liked Delhi or Bombay then you will like Naples. Just don't worry about the piles of decaying rubbish scattered around the city, it's all part of the experience.
The people are friendly enough unless you are in a car.