Mary Judge's activity

Questions Asked

In anyone's experience which bank gives the best least expensive account to a non resident? (from the US in this case)I am in Pugila.  Bank services offered by the Italian post, recommended ?

Sat, 11/28/2015 - 07:14

Hello! renovating a nice little house in centro storico Nardó, between Lecce and Gallipoli.  I ran a holiday rental situation fromanother home in Umbria for many years, it worked nicely and we had lovely clients!

Mon, 10/06/2014 - 01:51

Comments posted

Sat, 11/28/2015 - 07:53

Great info here! thanks all, I also got a local accountant to help me navigate all this.

Sat, 11/28/2015 - 07:19

Don't rule out "Mailboxes Etc" which is an extension I believe of FedEx in Italy. I recently sent things by courier from Umbria to Puglia and it cost me ALOT, then I did the next shipment with Mailboxes and it cost "nothing":!they even came a picked up and packed it all. 

Sat, 11/28/2015 - 07:06

Super easy, no issues, agree w. other posts, stick to the big companies, pay more you won't be sorry.Also you may be able to drive with just a US drivers license, I have never taken my international one with me in my many years I have been stopped only a few years and the US license was "OK".  Thing to remember about the actual driving part: Italians come up aggresively behind you to drive you to the left of the road and pass with a sharp cut in front of you. Relax just drop back you' ll be fine.  In small cities, they tend to "blend" in and all accomodate each other cutting in. However on circles its very important to remember those ON the circle have the right of way.

Mon, 10/06/2014 - 02:54

Hi: what is AIRE? 

Mon, 10/06/2014 - 02:24

my advice to drivers: stay on the right lane on major highways and always check the rear mirror: worst Italian driving habit is coming up FAST on your rear end, honking or flashing of lights and then passing and then CUTTING sharply back in front of you almost clipping you.Second thing is cell phone drivers: these types drive way too SLOW! they slow down suddenly, are totally unconscious of other drivers. Third: too many big dangerous trucks on roads that are too small with little or no shoulder.Otherwise, I love driving in Italy!

Mon, 10/06/2014 - 02:16

welcome to ask me about my "story" which began 25 years ago when my ex and I bought a tiny place in a tiny town in Umbria, "moved up", made a beautiful home, interacted mostly with local farmers, townspeople and artists (we are artists). Divorce, house sold after 7 years on the market, my choice to then restart in Puglia. That will be my "last" vacation home and I bought there to be someplace warm, near the sea, affordable and in a province that is more forward looking than Umbria, which has a huge piece of my heart.

Mon, 10/06/2014 - 02:04

An American I knew, brought over his huge Volvo with American tags: therefore he was able to drive for many years this way, but technically, say if you buy a car, or bring one in, it can have foreign plates (must be insured in both places) and driven I think for one year, before it has to be "normalized"  Keep in mind however, that IF you do have an italian car registered in Italy, you must also have an Italian driving license!!! THAT is a entire other ridiculous process, long and expensive , the test is outmoded and exremely difficult to pass.  Long and tedious, filled with crazy questions and many friends I know have failed it many times. Oiy.  

Mon, 10/06/2014 - 02:01

An American I knew, brought over his huge Volvo with American tags: therefore he was able to drive for many years this way, but tenchically, say if you buy a car, or bring one in, it can have foreign plates (must be insured in both places) and driven I think for one year, before it has to be "normalized"  Keep in mind however, that IF you do have an italian car registered in Italy, you must also have an Italian driving license!!! THAT is a entire other ridiculous process, long and expensive and the test is outmoded and exremely difficult to pass.  Long and tedious, filled with tenchical questions and many friends I know have failed it many times. Oiy.