Brianm's activity

Questions Asked

Can anyone give me a rough idea of how much a 'APE'  (House Energy cerificate) should cost me here in Northern Tuscany. I've been quoted €250 plus IVA by two Estate agents.Many thanks 

Mon, 05/21/2018 - 03:32

Hi AllWe have had a property in a small village in the Bagni di Lucca area.The Local Log supplier would like to dig a small trench across our Garden to run a water pipe to his animals (goats & sheep) the other side of our property.If we said y

Fri, 05/26/2017 - 13:11

House for SaleSunny Position in its own Large Private GardenLarge Bright Sitting-room2/3 double bedrooms, (1 ground-floor, 2 1st floor)Full Bathroom (Shower & Bath)Fully fitted kitchen/dining-room with inset Halogen hob, Under counter Oven, Gr

Mon, 08/01/2011 - 10:57

After living here in the Bagni di Lucca area of Tuscany for a few years, I have just spent a glorious week in the Correglia/Modena area of Emelia, What a difference, Tuscany now feels like a backward region. I have just enjoyed some of the best Pa

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 03:29

After living here in the Bagni di Lucca area of Tuscany for a few years, I have just spent a glorious week in the Correglia/Modena area of Emelia, What a difference, Tuscany now feels like a backward region. I have just enjoyed some of the best Pa

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 03:28

A short query regarding Residency.

Sun, 05/29/2011 - 03:37

After being here as a resident for 4/5 years, things are now getting tight Financially with the loss of the £/€ exchange rate and now inflation with food, fuel and services. So, I'm looking at renting my house in the Summer as I have found a summe

Wed, 03/30/2011 - 07:33

Jusd a quick query that someone might know the answer to, do the Supermarkets here do 'Cash Back' similar to the UK. Brianm

Wed, 02/02/2011 - 05:56

I Have a 135cm diametre Satillite Dish with LNB and mounted on a Heavy-duty ground support, all in good condition.  €75 complete Thanks Brian

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 05:05

Comments posted

Wed, 04/20/2011 - 03:49

Thankyou 'SirTK

Tue, 04/19/2011 - 16:00

RAM, Your quite correct, my mistake, I meant to say 3 million total immigrants including turks., in a country of 17 million. It still doe's not get away from the fact that the Italians like to 'pass the buck' I worl with Itailans all time on a campsite, tradesmen, office workers etc and the will always try eiter not do the work or pass the buck or just let it ride and let someone else take the responsibity. You only have to look at Venice, They want the EU to give funds towards saving Venice as it's a World heritage site and yet for years we have had 'The Venice in Peril' fund, and Millions of Euro's pour into Venice every year with World tourists......and they want help. Believe me, I work in Tourist business here, the Italians get the Money!!!!!!  

Tue, 04/19/2011 - 03:57

Sorry Ram, but therre is no comparison between the countries you put forward, these countries are miniscule parts of another country that was broken-up. The size and population of Croatia is roughly 56500 sq/Km, Pop: 4.5 Million. Albania's size is roughly 28500 sq/Km Pop: 3.5 Million. Even Croatia only just equates to the size and Population of all the Yorkshire Counties in the UK. The countries of France, UK and Holland have all had Millions of Immigrants..Legal & Illegal over the years in comparison to Italy. Holland has over 3 Million turkish in a population of on 17 Million, and they don't say 'This is a europe problem' and hand it over to one of the other Countries.

Mon, 04/18/2011 - 15:12

Sorry 'Sprostoni'There all the questions every Country has to ask, each Country (Uk, Holland, Germany, France etc has to deal with this problem. The UK do'es not operate the way the Italians have ...'pass the buck' attitude, as yiu say in their own time or way, it's just that Italy has never had to deal with mass imigration like the rest of us, so it comes with a bit of a shock.The Italians hung on to Lampedusa as part of the Empire they never had, if they had given it back! but hey were all guilty of that.At the end of the day they are Illegal Immigrants so why did Italy give them carte d'identita

Sun, 04/17/2011 - 16:30

This is typical of the Italians who are not particularly good at dealing with situations and if a job needs to done or if something invovles abit of extra work will always try and get out of it by passing the Buck. I work on an Italian campsite in the summer and have just arrived on it this weekend....they are still trying to complete works that were supposed to have been done over the Winter period. Ciao

Answer to: Intasure
Sun, 04/17/2011 - 16:21

Of course it's a bit bit more difficult, you usually need to speak a little Italian, but you can do it over the Internet and translate your emails etc on'Google translate'. I'm amazed at the sort of money expats are prepared to pay for things like this over here! recently heard someone paid €100 for there Geometra to calculate their ICI, when you can have done at thofficial agency for €30! Your obviously all financially well endowed. Ciao    

Answer to: Satillite Dish
Sun, 04/17/2011 - 03:40

Hi agin Zoe are you still interested in the dish as it is still available if you are. Many Thanks Brian

Answer to: Intasure
Sat, 04/16/2011 - 15:13

You Guys should all try www.Groupama.it They are part of the old GA in the UK and are very resonable. House insurance in Italy is usually cheaper than through the companies your talkingabout as mos italians do not bother with house Insurance. Try them!

Mon, 03/28/2011 - 07:25

This seems to becoming more and more common, I get fed-up reading and hearing about this sort of thing. The stunts that Italians seem prepared to go to take money off people. Most are Foreigners such as Brits who are trusting of so called "geometra's" and the Like, these geometra's are a registered body who seem to just do as they want. In the Bagni di Lucca area it seems to now be 'Rife'. You should only hand money over to them when you have had a proper itemised list of what the charges are for, this also applies to a lot of tradespeople who also seem to see Foreigners as just 'cash cows'. Be wary and do not trust any of them!!!!!!  

Answer to: Italian Rugby
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 03:57

Italy winning a Rugby Match......the end is Nigh!! on the Celtic Nations