Things People Don’t Tell You About Moving Abroad

It had been our dream for a long time to move back to italy with the family, and when the opportunity finally came, we knew we couldn’t say no. Now that we’ve settled in, we’re so happy we made the move. But there are plenty of things we wish we had known before packing up our lives and starting fresh in another country.

Matt and I had already lived in Italy once before, back in our twenties. He was playing rugby here, and I was focused on recovering from a big accident. A decade later, we’re back but this time, with a nine-year-old and a seven-year-old in tow. Moving abroad as a young couple was one thing. Moving abroad as a family? A whole new challenge. So I thought it was time to share the goof the bad and the ugly (there is not ugly!)

The Hard Parts

The Paperwork, piles of! 

Nobody warns you about how much paperwork is involved in moving abroad. Endless back-and-forth trips to council offices, waiting in lines, and trying to decipher legal jargon became our new normal. Things rarely happen quickly, and patience is an absolute necessity. The problem we face as a brit is Brexit, it has done us zero favours and even though it well and truly in motion it is still unclear how to the actual process works. 

Language Barriers Grow Over Time

At first, getting by with basic phrases like “Hello” and “My name is…” seems easy enough. But as time passes, the more you stay somewhere, the more you realise how much you need to truly learn the language. Whether it’s navigating school meetings, doctor’s appointments, or simply making local friends, fluency becomes key to feeling at home. I mean how am I meant to tell my brilliant jokes without learning the langage! 

Cultural Differences Sneak Up on You

Some changes are obvious, while others take a while to notice. Schooling in Italy is vastly different from what we were used to. The kids have much more homework, and the learning style is far more formal. They’ve also had to reduce the number of sports they do since extracurricular clubs are structured differently here. We are much more involved in their learning, helping them manage their load as well as learning in another language. 

Making Friends Is Hard—Especially for the Kids

As an adult, you accept that building friendships takes time, but it’s tough to watch your kids struggle with the same thing. Settling into a new country means adjusting to new social circles, and that process isn’t always easy. They are only the shiny new thing for so long. 

Dressing for the Climate Is Trickier Than Expected

Just because the sun is shining doesn’t mean it’s warm. We were surprised by how cold it could be, in fact we forgot!  The only coat that kept me warm was my grandma’s fur coat there is a reason you see so many nona's wearing fur!

Grocery Shopping Becomes a Whole New Experience

Yes, eating out in Italy is incredible, but family life still means regular home cooking. Grocery shopping took a while to adjust to, and we now stick to the markets for most of our weekly shop, adding in bits from the supermarket as needed. Our diet has changed in a positive way, but we do sometimes miss certain foods and shops from back home. They are probably the ones we should leave at home though! 

The Unexpected Wins

New Daily Rituals

One of the things we’ve come to love is making time for a morning coffee in our favourite café. It’s a simple pleasure, but it’s become a comforting part of our routine. Yes we had great cafe culture back home but it wasnt a daily treat because it was too expensive. 

A Healthier Way of Eating

Our diet has naturally shifted toward fresher, more seasonal ingredients. Shopping at the market has made us more mindful about what we eat, and we love how much it has improved our meals. I love seeing the season food displayed so beautifully and the stall holders always want to tell us what the best foods are and how to cook them. 

Living More in the Moment

One of the greatest gifts of moving abroad has been learning to embrace a slower pace of life. Enjoying time as a family, doing new things together and learning so much as a team. Skiing has been such a treat to be able to do together and seeing the children do so well is a dream. 

Moving to another country with a family has been an adventure filled with surprises, challenges, and joys. While the hard parts have tested our patience, the rewards have made it all worth it. If you’re considering a big move, know that it won’t always be easy

 

we are hoping it will be an experience we never forget.