Yes, you read correctly — we’re leaving Italy. We’re packing up our home in the Tuscan countryside, saying goodbye to sipping wine beside the vineyard and enjoying our last few days of blue skies and sunshine before we move back to Scotland.
But why are we leaving? Let me explain….
The Italian Dream
Living in Italy was a dream come true. We moved here to embrace la dolce vita — to enjoy incredible food, sip wine in the sunshine, and soak up the language, culture, and landscape that make Italy so special.
Four years ago we decided to leave our jobs and head to Milan to find opportunities and see how long we could make this new life work.
Then, unexpectedly, a job came up before we even left. My boyfriend Nathan applied to work on the restoration of a Tuscan villa and got it — but he had to start immediately.
We were excited, nervous and a little naive at 22, so we packed our bags and took a one-way ticket to Tuscany.
Living In Italy
Living in Italy has been the biggest challenge we’ve faced — and also one of the best experiences of our lives. We spent two years by the coast and then two years in the Tuscan hills near Siena.
The Things I’ll Miss and Loved While Living In Italy
- The People – We met wonderful friends, especially my friend Stefania, whose kindness and support have meant so much. I’ll miss our gatherings, picnics and long lunches.
- Food – The food quality in Italy is exceptional. Fruit and vegetables taste so much fresher and more flavorful. Bell peppers and fennel bulbs are huge, and produce often costs far less than back in Scotland.
- Italian Ingredients – Access to authentic Italian ingredients has been a luxury: vast cheese selections, cured meats, and pasta varieties you simply don’t find in UK supermarkets. I’m stocking up on specialties I won’t easily find at home.
- The Weather – Blue skies and warm summers made outdoor living effortless: beaches, barbecues and picnics became everyday pleasures I’ll miss dearly.
- The Landscape – The views are unforgettable: Mediterranean sunsets, rolling Siena hills, dusty orange hill towns, cypress-lined roads, vineyards and olive groves as far as the eye can see.
The Things That Made Life Hard
Despite the romance, living in Italy brought unexpected difficulties. Here are the main challenges we faced.
- Few Job Opportunities – Outside major cities like Florence and Rome, jobs are scarce and often seasonal.
- Payroll Problems – Employers not paying on time, or at all, is sadly common. We experienced significant stress from late or missing paychecks.
- Self-Employment Is Difficult – Setting up as self-employed can be prohibitively expensive due to high taxes and unavoidable accountant fees. After speaking with my accountant, the costs often outweighed the income for small freelance work.
- Poor Customer Service – Practical tasks such as finding rentals, opening bank accounts, or registering with doctors can be time-consuming and frustrating. Some people wait months for basic services.
- Driving – Driving in Italy is intense and unpredictable. Beyond adapting to driving on the right, the traffic culture is challenging, and there are various taxes and fees associated with car ownership.
- Cost and Financial Pressure – If you have money to spare, life in Italy is comfortable. If you arrive with limited savings, low wages and many charges and taxes make day-to-day life difficult.
Personal Reasons For Leaving
Beyond practical challenges, there are personal reasons we decided to return to Scotland. These are comforts and familiar things I’m looking forward to having again.
- Family – Four years away made us realise how much we missed family and how important regular contact is. Seeing relatives only once or twice a year felt increasingly hard.
- Home Comforts – I’ve missed small everyday pleasures: going to the cinema without dubbed films, shopping on the British high street, sharing jokes that translate easily, and popping into drugstores for toiletries. I also love Christmas — the markets, decorations and atmosphere in Edinburgh mean a lot to me. I miss the variety the UK offers too: ingredients and cuisines from many cultures that I can’t always source in Italy.
So What’s Happening To Inside The Rustic Kitchen?
The big question everyone asks is: what will happen to the blog? The short answer is: nothing — I’m staying. This blog has become a huge part of my life, and Italian food remains my passion.
I’ll continue cooking and sharing recipes. In fact, moving away from Italy is an exciting challenge: I’ll recreate dishes without constant access to specialty Italian ingredients and discover practical alternatives that readers can use at home. Expect simpler, more accessible recipes and tips that work outside Italy.
When Is This Move Happening?
We’re moving next week. Right now I’m waiting for the removal company to collect our things for the journey back to Edinburgh. The crazy part is we’re driving — a four-day trip from Siena to Scotland with our dog. Nathan will navigate and I’ll drive. It should be an adventure, and I’ll share how it goes.
So there you have it: we’re leaving Italy and I’m excited for the next chapter. Have you lived in another country? Did you move back, and why? I love hearing stories like this, so please tell me about your experience in the comments below.
In the meantime, I’ll see you next week with more recipes and updates!