Dear Barry,
I think I am going to print out your email because it is just filled with lots of good tips. Other people living and going on vacation to Calabria have not had the chance to tell me things like this because they go during the vacation season and many many buy the modern new built apartments in complexes; we call them townhouses or condominiums here in the states. I have read from some that the resorts get empty in the winter. I definitely will keep that in mind to seek out 5000 - 10000 population.It makes sense. I really do not want mydaily life to be always around oler people. We need a place where people are friendly, lively, a little younger. We are a youngish 58 and 61. lol At least, we try!

We had been to Pescara. It had all you would need, although it is not the type of city I want to live in. I want more of a town with les moern buildings, but I also do not want to live in a place where there are all ruins and gray peeling plaster on all buildings. I loved Silva Marina. Passed through it. Citta Angelo was also sweet. We went through many many towns and I took careful notes and rated them. lol

I have all documents I need and have had them for over a year or so. When my mom and died died recently, she had them all in the home. I have my grandparents' original birth certificate, marriage cert, citizenship document, my mom's original birth cert, etc. I was planning to pursue it with my non helpful NYC Consulate and even had a DEcember appointment for last December. But having the appointment does not mean they work on it or take your papers. They simply tell you if ou have the right papers. You have to get apostilles on any document from the US. When I visited Abruzzo last summer, I specifically found the right office and asked the individual if it is easier for me to get Italian citizenship after moving here and living here or by doing it now in my home country, USA. He quickly said it is easier to do it in Italy. My husband was born in France, a war baby, his mother being a French woman, Dad born in US. He is a French citizen, so I guess it makes him a EU national. I am not sure exactly what that gives him the right to.
Would you possibly know, Barry, for I find you very informed?

So, I canceled that December appointment and decided to just bring all my paperwork there when we move and do it there.

I think this trip will help me decide if I should rent there and stay. I don't know, as you get older, things do start seeming like projects. In the last year, I have seen death come early to a number of people. My best friend has had 2 brain biopsies, is 54, protein deposits on the brain blood vessels, and is very unaware of things and does not have her mental capabilities and has decreased in her cognitive abilities greatly; it is an aging process that occurs in the 70's, and is similar to Alzheimer's. So, down deep I probably know I should give it a try and rent a while, but honestly, Barry, it seems like such a project because now it would be a 2 step project to live there for good. Rent there, but then what do I do with my home here? Sell it, keep it empty? Then, if we like it there after being there say 6 mos., then what , more trips back here to sell the house, but then we would have had to look around there for a home to buy, and what order would one logically do anything? It is something to decide, though, because renting is sensible. I would not want to sell all and then hate it over there.

I am going to price out flying to England first then to Rome. I did that last year and it was more money. We paid a high airfare. It was $3300 rt for the 2 of us.

Wow, I went on and on, didn't I? Hope you do not mind. Please do not feel pressured that you must write back, but it is a terrific thing. Barry, thanks for listening Barr, how do you pm someone here? Like everyone is seeing what I write.
MaryAnn