It’s not easy, but there’s no place I’d rather be. — When I moved to Milan in January 2022, I had zero expectations for how this journey would play out. …

A local’s case for ditching Lake Como. — When most people imagine a beautiful and picturesque lake in Northern Italy, they think of Lake Como — and George Clooney’s villa. As a Milan local, I think that’s a shame. If you’re seeking peace, breathtaking landscapes, and an authentic Italian vibe, Lake Orta — known as Lago d’Orta to…

Exploring the current culture of remote work in Italy. — Does Italy Have a Digital Nomad Visa? As of late 2023, it seems that Italy has hit pause on the Digital Nomad visa. However, digital nomads outside of the EU who are eager to move to Italy can still apply for the country’s self-employment visa, provided they meet the requirements. Note: I pursued Italian citizenship by descent…

Breaking down my monthly expenses as a Californian in Milano. — You can read this article for free at layoverinitaly.com. From Oslo, Norway to Milan, Italy, the year of 2022 had a lot in store for me. Oslo is famously known as one of the most expensive cities in Europe, so I didn’t take people seriously when they warned me that…

An American living in Milan Weighs In — If you’re reading this article, it’s probably because you’ve booked a cheap, round-trip flight to Italy via Milan’s Malpensa (MXP) airport, and you’re now wondering if you should book your train to Florence ASAP or spend one, single night in Milan. As an American living in Milan, I’ll be honest…

Explore the Naviglio Grande from the eyes of a local. — Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a booking through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Living in the heart of Milan’s vibrant Navigli District (pronounced Nav-ee-lee) was a complete accident. I found my monolocale on…

Debunking the stereotypes. — When I moved to Milan in January 2022, there was one question that seemed to linger in people’s minds: “Do people in Italy speak English? How will you survive?” Reporting back nearly 1.5 years later, I’ve found that the answer might surprise you! My Life Among the Locals Despite not being a fluent Italian speaker…

I didn’t stick around to find out. — An Unusual Beginning It started off innocent enough. We matched on Tinder after what must have been my hundredth time re-downloading the app, and we quickly bonded over the fact that we were both web developers. I asked if he wanted to take a walk, and he agreed, seemingly surprised that I initiated…

Recounting my last four years in Europe. — Note: All names are fictional to protect the identities of the people involved. In the summer of 2018, I recall waking up next to my former partner, Bjørn, in the bed of an Airbnb in La Spezia, Italy. It was around 10AM, and I marveled at the sight of the…