Funny thing we noticed about Italians. They won’t call an apartment an apartment. It is la casa. I am not sure why. I always thought that was house. I guess technically it is. It also means home. Maybe that is why.
Several people have asked for more pictures. I am posting some below. They just don’t really give the feel of the place. Mainly the big living area with soaring ceiling. I just couldn’t get that in a picture.
This is the room from which you enter the kitchen. I think it would make a splendid kitchen. I’d put the cabinets where the long metal cabinet is. I’d like the floor to be tiles. I’d keep the table in here.
See back on the right side? That is the arched entry through a 3 foot thick wall into the tiny kitchen. The entry to the terrace is next to it.
This is the kitchen.
This is the closed up fireplace in the same room. I think it could be prettied up and opened.
This is the big picture window in the dining end of the living room space.
This is the pellet stove in the living space.
Entry up stairs. Down at the bottom is the front door. Ownership starts there. Notice the closet to the left. Closets are very unusual in Italy.
Arched entry into living room space from entry hall.
Master bedroom
Living room. Sofa end opposite picture window dining area.
Hi Wendy! So nice of you to comment and I’m so happy you’re enjoying the blog. It is pretty darn long now and anyone who can get through the whole thing is amazing 😳 The bureaucracy here can be daunting at first, now it is merely an inconvenience. I love Montreal. Or anywhere in Quebec. We lived for nearly 6 years in Germany and that’s what prompted us to retire here. We enjoyed the time in another culture. And language certainly challenge your brain. Thanks for sharing the Washington Irving story. I didn’t know! Our house here did come with two built in closets. One in the hall which we use for coats and summer clothes/winter clothes swaps. And one in our bedroom. most people have one built in. Or they buy those big units from a place like Ikea. Anyway, thanks for the nice comment and enjoy the blog!
HI Nancy – I’ve recently found your blog as my husband and I (Americans) begin exploring long term travel and possible residency in Europe, possibly Italy, in retirement, in 5-6 years, we hope. Your guidance and “on the ground” view is extremely educational! Thank you for posting and sharing them. The “so you want to move to Italy” post reminded me of our too-brief sojourn in Montreal, Canada. I do recall a LOT of long waits in government offices, after we crossed the border and moved, for various follow-on details. Not so fun, but certainly not the top of my memory at all about our experience as Americans there. Your post did make me recall them! Ha.
Anyway, I wanted to comment on this particular post because you mention that closets are rare in Italy. We learned a few years ago, touring the Washington Irving house on the Hudson River a bit north of NYC, that Irving is apparently credited with “inventing” the closet in that little house on the Hudson! Mid 1800’s or so. He sounds like quite an interesting character, actually. Interesting enough tidbit, however I do wonder that it may be apocryphal. Even so, I thought you might enjoy that share. Thanks again for all your sharing. I’m enjoying going back to the beginning of your story and coming all the way to present. What a wonderful experience it sounds like you’ve been having, and a great mindset to help create that. Cheers.