working in another country..

hey everyone-

i've been crunching on a problem for a couple of days now and i'd like to throw it out to the group to see if anyone has any advice..

a friend and i are thinking of starting our own business in italy. i can't really go into the details just yet, but it would basically mean that we'd need to live and work in italy for about five years. i'm not sure if this means we'd need to become residents, or if we just need one hell of a visa..

does anyone have any experience with that sort of thing? i've already read up on the local italian consulate's webpage.. the visa application process is pretty lengthy..

anyone have any advice?

-adam

[Alycone]

I've heard the mob can help you bypass all that visa paperwork.

[Aredubjay]

Adam,
I don't have any experience with such things, but, here are some possible resources for your perusal. You ARE taking the SVX, aren't you?

http://www.escapeartist.com/italy/italy.html

http://www.career-plus.com/life/gnit-1.htm

[Seraph]

Dude,

I'd do it in a heart beat. If you leave the country, can I keep your SVX for you? I will drive it around, keep her warm, change oil etc.

Do you speak Italian? I do know the farther south you go the more Italian it gets (less mainstream european)

Anyway... First of all DO IT!!!

Secondly and I don't know if you've lived overseas before. (And I really don't want to p1ss anyone off) If it's not America, it's third world... the longer you're there the more you'll realize it. Compared to Europe, the US has no history and no culture, but we do have superstores, gunshops and the best healthcare on the planet, if you're insured. America is the land of the Big K-Mart. You will have a new perspective when you return. new respect for what is here and what is there. You'll find out the news here is shortsighted and biased, even tho' our first ammendmend is stronger than the whole of all of Europes charters, magna cartas, and constitutions combined. They spend more time on real crime and less time on drug enforcement and speed traps and they don't really care if you're 17 and half and want a pint.

</rant>

From a business perspective. I've been doing the self employed thing for 2 years now and it's great. Patent, incorporated, government sales, marketing, web work. If you need help, I will not have all the answers but I'll know where to send you. Also, try www.state.gov and www.irs.gov for more info. If you incorporate and get registered as a foreign corporation in Italy, you may be able to sponsor yourself... Best of luck and stay in touch!

Collins
too much?
too much.

[Seraph]

Originally posted by ww111
Compared to Europe, the US has no history and no culture, but we do have superstores, gunshops and the best healthcare on the planet, if you're insured.
</rant>
Collins
too much?
too much.

I'd say compare to the rest of the world rather than Europe. America is only 200 years old guys. It came pretty far but it not that rich.

Healthcare and education system wise, I think Canada had that as 1st in the world. I am not talking about the quality but the fact that everyone can enjoy it.

[Noir]

good luck man. that venture (hopefully successful enough so that you can design a turbo or a supercharger kit for the svx that is affordable.) would be classified as a 'once in a lifetime' experience. live it up, that's what it's all about.

[Subafreak]

No way dude if you move to Europe you better give me a great deal on that SVX of yours, after all I'm gona have a tranny for it soon.

Oh Yeah, One more thing... VERY cool cars there... what europeans can do with small engines is amazing. And the time limit for importing to the US is 25 years, No EPA, No DOT... Bring back sumthin fancy!

Collins

[Seraph]

Originally posted by ww111
Oh Yeah, One more thing... VERY cool cars there... what europeans can do with small engines is amazing. And the time limit for importing to the US is 25 years, No EPA, No DOT... Bring back sumthin fancy!

Collins

They don't have EPA but their environment requirments are pretty demanding too. So are the safety ratings. No DOT but they have another agency for that. The reason why their cars are amazing is because they have better gas than we do.

Hai buon fortuna sul viaggio...er something

-Alex

[b3lha]

Originally posted by ww111
If it's not America, it's third world... the longer you're there the more you'll realize it. Compared to Europe, the US has no history and no culture, but we do have superstores, gunshops and the best healthcare on the planet, if you're insured. America is the land of the Big K-Mart. You will have a new perspective when you return. new respect for what is here and what is there. You'll find out the news here is shortsighted and biased, even tho' our first ammendmend is stronger than the whole of all of Europes charters, magna cartas, and constitutions combined. They spend more time on real crime and less time on drug enforcement and speed traps and they don't really care if you're 17 and half and want a pint.
</rant>

As a european who has visited Italy, America AND the third world, I would like to point out that superstores and gunshops are not necessarily a good thing. I guess it really comes down to individual preference. (Although I wouldn't mind getting some of that cheap american gasoline )

I would say definitely do it. There are far too many people who never see what life is like beyond their national borders.

Phil.

You're right... I love the UK and I'm heading back in February to show my girlfriend where I used to hang out... Maybe we could meet at your local for a real pint?

OY!

Collins

Would I trade cheap gas for real beer and real racetracks...

Yep!

Would I trade stopsigns and Red lights for roundabouts...

He!! Yea!

It's gonna be a fun trip

[thumper_svx]

I can't offer much advice in the way of moving to Italy... but let me say that if you have the opportunity... DO IT!

For those who don't know, I'm from Belfast, N.Ireland originally... now living in St. Louis, MO. Moving from your home country to a new one is an experience you'll never regret (or at least, not much)... the chance to broaden your horizons should never be missed. I have friends who've never been out of the midwest... and friends in Belfast who've barely ventured across even the Irish sea... to me they're the ones missing out on a great adventure.

As far as the rest of the world being the third world... well I won't say it annoyed me... it amused me that I saw that comment. In many ways I have to say that I do love living in America... it's been good to me... but there are some things I would trade in an instant. Of course, I'd trade all the American beer I can drink for a month for one good pint of real British ale, but there are plenty of other things too. However, I'm happy here... have friends here... and a pretty decent life here. I can't complain.

Plus... as I've often said I get on SOOO much better with my family since I moved to the other side of the planet from them

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by thumper_svx
I'd trade all the American beer I can drink for a month for one good pint of real British ale,

Yep, but, I've learned to make up for quality with quantity. After about four, you don't care where the darned things come from.