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Sorry to see you go. Your blog has been most interesting. Best wishes!

Ram is right... as usual. And you do need a good commercialista to guide you. Best wishes!

Brava, Rachel! Well said.

Sometimes, our original ideas are not the most suitable. Houses need to be lived in so that we may realize what is good and what is bad for them. Best wishes and keep us posted.

I agree with your comments, Penny, Sprostoni and Angie. Many ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs own several houses and small parcels, not worth much and in bad need of repairs and maintenance and I would never say that they are rich, quite the contrary, those properties are a liability. British people who reside in Italy may own a small house in Italy and a similar one in the UK that they keep justbin case their ½ûÂþÌìÌà dream becomes a nightmare. They pay taxes on both their ½ûÂþÌìÌà and their UK properties to the respective governments. I do not think it is fair to them to be taxed twice on the same property by different governments. This was the true spirit of the law behind the double taxation agreements signed by different countries.

Sorry, but that tax money is not going to feed the poor people of the world, but to pay for all the mistakes of and feed the fatcats... To have two houses does not make the owner a millionaire. Their income and the value of any assets is what gives an idea of the money they have. Someone having a second home is already paying taxes on the value of the home plus any income it may generate. I thought that the whole idea was to avoid double taxation and this was why bilateral agreements were in place. On the other hand , Berlusconi made a big mistake when he decided not to charge IBI for Prima Casa. Everyone should pay for that as local government gets its revenue through taxes. To take up residency in another country to save a percentage on taxes at purchase time is another silly mistake.  And we all pay for the mistakes that someone else makes...

Great comment, Sprostoni. I totally agree. Bravo, Ram and Charlotte, most useful points; however, I must confess that it all sounds like a nightmare where everything is left up to interpretation... I am getting a headache....

It is a beautiful area. Difficult to say which is the nicest town.

I hate Marmite, Vegemite tastes better. And I love Italy, but I find Nutella absolutely awful. It is a matter of personal choices and circumstances... or fate. Integration, asssimilation, these are just words. It all depends on how each one adapts to what surrounds us, and how flexible we are. "Ubi bene, ibi patria", where I feel good, there is my home. Currently, I am in Bagni di Lucca and having a great time. We will also go to Praiano. On Sunday, we had a great lunch in Portofino. Enjoying every minute and I think that this is what we have to keep in mind. Life is short... where is the Prosecco? 

Welcome, Russell. I agree with the advice given. Italy, particularly in the current economic climate, can be challenging; however, some people will overcome the difficulties and enjoy their ½ûÂþÌìÌà dream.You will have to find out just by yourself. In any case, take your time and do not burn the bridges.  Best wishes!