I came to Italy from the UK. where I was born, on a one year contract in 1970 to a town called Brescia that is about half way between Milan and Venice. A Northern Italian provincial town much like Novara. After about 5 years I moved to Milan and it has been my base ever since although I've lived and worked for brief periods in a few other European countries as well as a couple of stints in the US. It is difficult to speak about Italy as a compact entity. After all as a unified country it is only a bit more than 150 years old. I think it was Cavour who said after unification in 1870 "We've created Italy. Now we have to create Italians." What most foreigners do not really understand about Italy is not only its diversity but also its level of local governance and decentralisation, Italy has twenty regions several of which are constitutionally defined as "autonomous" like the Val d'Aosta and Alto Adige where French and German have language parity with Italian.for local government employment like Spanish in California. When people say "Italian this" or "Italian that" they have to be asked where were you in Italy. Even the restaurants in the area where I live identify themselves as Tuscan, Sardinian, Neapolitan, Milanese etc, etc. What about language? Most Italians are bilingual, i.e. they speak Italian and their regionsl dialect. Make no mistake these are not dialects in the UK sense of a distortion of the national language. They are distinct and seperate languages that grew up after the fall of the Roman Empire and with the influx of "barbarian" invasions. Even I have a couple of Milanese/Italian dictionaries. After all Standard Italian is itself the Tuscan dialect that owes its institution and predominance to the genius of writers like Dante, Petrarca and Boccaccio whose works that the founding fathers of Italy were brought up on. One could go on but one of the things that most strikes me more than anything else is that most Italians appear to have an innate sense and appreciation of visual beauty which makes living here a constant and ever changing delight. In Italy there is always something beautiful and totally unexpected to see that you cannot see anywhere else and so it becomes ypur "own" very personal idea of Italy.
86% of Italians speak mostly in Italian almost nobody is bilingual, that was in 1861... all the things you said about Italian diversity are bullshit repeated by Italians (expecially in the north) that have no idea how homogeneous italy is compared to other countries.... are you really telling me that uk formed by 4 different nations, different religions and different ethnicities is more homogeneous than Italy?????
The phrase is not from Cavour but from Massimo d'Azzeglio. what you said is true but it needs to be put into context. I am from Bergamo and I love my land very much but this makes me even more Italian, I love my country and I would never want Bergamo to be something in itself, I want it to be Italian like all the other realities of our peninsula are Italian. First of all, I still feel Italian and many like me, but I must say that in my opinion this does not take away the importance of the nation but rather strengthens it. In Italy there are many ways of being Italian, unlike perhaps England where diversity is much less, and this is a bad thing. you mentioned Boccaccio, well even Boccaccio already in 1200 when he spoke of Genoese, Venetians or Neapolitans he literally called them Italians, even though the country had not yet been born. what happened in Italy will perhaps also happen in Europe in the future, united in diversity, all different, and all Italian. which then if you go and see the Italian people are one of the most homogeneous in the world and in Europe certainly among the large European countries. Germany is a confederation of individual states that have a very strong identity (Prussians, Bavarians, etc.), as well as even having different religions (Catholics and Protestants), which is unthinkable in Italy. Spain is made up of many very different states, the same constitution speaks of different nationalities within Spain (which is unthinkable in Italy, a dialect does not make you of a different nationality), the same United Kingdom, which well already from the name it is made up of 4 different states that we don't know for how long they will remain united, just think that in many competitions they play separately, which is unthinkable for an Italian, as if the north, the center and the south had their own national football teams, it would only make you laugh to think about it. The list could go on and on, the core is that diversity, especially Italian diversity, is not divisive but is a fundamental concept to pass on because it constitutes our strength, despite the fact that we are much more similar than we think, and above all in relation to other countries in the world. a greeting.
@@RegioLegio23 Sei uno dei pochi che riconosce l omogeneita Italiana. Ma Fare questa cosa del rimarcare le differenze indebolisce il paese, e’ uno dei segni del declino italiano che non riesce piu’ a sopportare l idea di patria e nazione che sono faticose perche’ devono essere Curate e Rinvigorite costantemente
Left Canada years ago to live in Italy. Best thing I've ever done. Like any country you need a good job to have a decent standard of living. But if you do, Italy is THE place to go. Weather, wine, food, people, culture, places, art, seaside, skiing. It's all there. Absolutely brilliant...
@@freedomforever7252sei sotto ogni commento a fare l hater.. se tu sei dovuto scappare questo non vuol dire che vale per tutti, in Italia si sta bene e voi siete solo dei rosiconi.
The Mosque capital of Europe or the EU, if you prefer. 2750 so I've been told. Neally all before 2016 (Brexit result) We're in demise because we've been open to parasites for decades and the decline in manufactuing has decimated towns over two decades. Hardly a Brexit thing.
I would like the UK to rejoin the EU. I prefer British arrogance to German arrogance. I prefer arrogance like that of a sour English spinster aunt than Nazi German arrogance. More pragmatic and nice.
This video does not show any of the Brexit effects and a lot of the things mentioned are not due to Brexit at all: chain stores in the UK, expensive restaurants (in Italy restaurants may seem cheap but Italian salaries are much lower and the locals do have a hard time going out and purchasing a house nowadays), coffee culture (in the UK it is invaded by chains not because of Brexit). Seriously, the things mentioned are anything but to do with Brexit and things in Italy are not going well since many many years.
@@sevs17 I live and work in Germany 🇩🇪, but I still have freelance projects in the UK. It takes a lot of imagination to counter the anti-Brexit position. Unless you live and work abroad and still have significant ties in the UK, I suggest you have no idea what you are talking about. The UK economic decline, especially in the Midlands and North of England, because of Brexit, is real.
@@roboldx9171 reread my comment. I lived in the UK for many years and know what I am writing about. The comments that this gentleman has made comparing Italy and the UK are like comparing apples and oranges. Italy has been getting worse and worse economically since the Euro. This gentleman is anti Brexit which is totally fine but he cannot compare that with Italy. He should have done a video comparing UK pre and post Brexit rather.
Grazie per il video. I have lived, worked, married, retired in and near Udine, north-east Italy for the past 54 years. We have our problems but not like those of Britain. I would never return to England, I am happy in Italy and Brexit has really dragged the old country further down. It is so sad.
Thank you for such an outward looking video, Michael. As you say, quality of life is all-important. Not only do we live in a rich country where the majority of the population are relatively poor, I can't help thinking that we never saw ourselves as European. Our leaders sat on the sidlelines, carping and blame-shifting for the preservation of power. In the last 14 years, our infrastructure has been dismantled for the extraction of profit. I learned to love Europe, in spite of its flaws. Many countries aspired to work for the people, yet ours had to be fuelled by greed.
Michael, I am in Italy now and can't agree with you more. The UK may be a richer country than Italy GDP wise, but the quality of life of the average Italian is far superior. If the ageing population issue and unemployment rates in some parts were not so much of a problem, Italy would probably be the best place to live in the world. You breathe the quality of life
If, If, if my uncle was a woman, she'd be my aunt. IF we didn't accommodate parasites, there'd be more to go round for us. IF we didn't have traitors in our institutions, we'd be better equipped than we are now. IF we didn't leave the EU, we may have been in deeper shite than we were eight years ago. IF we didn't sell off and close our manufacturing industry under Thatcher, maybe we wouldn't have the unemployment we have know. IF we all loved the EU blah blah
I am Italian National with working experience in Italy and abroad in Europe for many years. Each country as its one plus and minus and the perfect country do not exist. Having said that I still believe that the quality of life I enjoy in Italy is still far better than most of other Europeans countries. The main danger is illegal immigration that can destroy not only Italian society but Europe as a whole.
Hi Mario, nice to read your point, and I agree with almost everything you said. I guess the question is what we should consider illegal immigration to be. Are you talking about those who enter the country hidden on boats, in cars or lorries, or those arriving seeking refuge or asylum? The latter are definitely not illegal. The State is looking after their status, therefore they are not illegal.@@mariorossi3898
I'm italian and I lived in the Uk for 5 years, and I can feel the difference in quality of life. Food, water, housing and weather. London is great for entertaiment and I think there are some beautiful parts of the Uk, but those are accessible to people who can afford them. If you are poor in the Uk you are probably bound to live a very mediocre life.
@@QuoPaperPlane nah UK was always a shitty place. It's a place where you can focus on improving your career and you want to develop professionally. There's a lot of job flexibility and it's pretty meritocratic. Also, on a superficial level british people are good sport. Between 20 and 35 makes sense to live in a place like London. I'm sorry to say that but the standard of living in UK is very low. The lowest I have seen in Europe (excluding eastern Europe, even tho at the moment Poland is better off). Even before Brexit it was like that so it's not really a political matter. For some reasons British people have no expectations out of the services they receive.
I think, Italians don't define quality of life by GDP figures. Italians just know how to live. As long as there is good food, good wine and good weather, life is good. And frankly this is what I like about Italy... as a German. We may have more money, but I think Italians are happier people.
@@QuoPaperPlane Please notice that there are two Italys and also two Southern Italys. I live in the north and I love my land, but I recognize that various towns and some entire regions in the south have even more positive ancient values
For anyone who knows Italy this all goes with out saying. The Italians are stylish, cultured, and appreciative of the quality of everything, food, family, friends art and style, and life!
Once again spotless streets , no people sleeping in doorways or boarded up shops a civilised nice town unlike so many of ours . Thanks Michael for sharing it with us
London used to be full of young Europeans supporting the economy, happy to gain work experience and improve their English. They were hard working and fitted in. Now, after Brexit, the jobs are still there but our European cousins have been replaced by people from the Third World, mostly newly arrived Indians, with poor English. We are becoming an Indian colony. My daughter applied for a position in the NHS and was told “we are prioritizing underrepresented communities” - which basically means, if you are white, don’t bother. Why is that fair? We are committing national suicide.
And was such a vibrant, colourful, innovative, paradise before that everybody around the dusty back yards of the globe still wanted to come here! When you have a bad hair day, always remember that it was Brexit that was reponsible for it😉
I've been a French citizen for several years and I can agree with you, things here are booming. I moved here 20 years ago and haven't regretted a minute. Fluent French speaker now, member of several sports clubs and I write for some UK sailing magazines. Here in Normandie there is a lot of local investment with local shops refitting and expanding and infrastructure projects like new schools, transport hospitals are being funded from E.U. "post covid redevelopment schemes". Never going back !
@@isabellesmith5253 Merci, j'apprécie énormément ma vie ici. Je suis en France depuis plus longtemps que partout ailleurs et je ne me suis jamais senti aussi chez moi de ma vie. Au revoir le Royaume-Uni Repose en paix.😕😕
@@brianferguson7840 je said...j habits en Angleterre depuis 1978....j adorable ce pays mais maintenant je le detested. Je suis marriee a un anglais . Il est merveilleux mais lui aussi est fatigue de l angleterre... avec brexit c est maintenant tries difficile de demenager. Je suis tres contente pour vous. X
As per usual there's plenty of italians in the comments bashing their own country. It's a national sport here. True, we have our problems, but it's far from the mess some people paint it to be. Personally, i had the opportunity to emigrate to USA, and after having had direct experience in that country, i decided that after all, it's not so bad here in Italy. You see, the grass seems always a little bit greener on the other side, but when you start analyzing the details, the cracks always start to appear.
Confirms what economists say, UK people on average £8k year poorer than many EU countries. UK’s rent seeking economy enriches the big asset owners not normal people
The biggest problem that is that brexiters do not travel and prefer to listen to the brexit supporting outlets without venturing there themselves. Travel opens the eyes
Unless all you do it travel to the coastal places with "English pubs", full English breakfasts and yesterday's papers. And many of them do that. They even used to go and live in those places sometimes, in enclaves of "Little Britain" where they would never need to learn a word of the local language.
@@JohnSmith-bx8zb I haven't made a claim, dimwit. What is it about 4x2 remoaners who can never back up absurd statements they claim. God give me strength 😘
@@JohnSmith-bx8zb I see Michael must of deleted my response because he can can if he wants to. Says a lot for those who don't quite follow the EU narrative. I can't verify that those views are incorrect but i wasn't the one making the claims. Do you see the hypocricy?
I live in Italy (Milan) and really see the difference when I go back to the U.K. (Nottingham). Sorry to say but Italy is so much better. Never thought I would say that 20 odd years ago when I first came. I had a hip replacement in Italy on the Italian equivalent of the NHS during the height of the Covid crisis. Total waiting time was 4 months (up from the usual 2 months for such an op). In the U.K. at the same time the waiting time was 2+ years. Anyone with an arthritic hip will tell you which they’d prefer. I agree with everything Michael says.
@liv0003 No, in the south there are many centres of excellence, even state-of-the-art, but after covid many doctors moved to the rest of the world, including nurses. Right now they are hiring Cuban doctors.
Italians in general do not like chain stores or chain restaurants. Italians prefer everything privately owned and local ingredients. You won't find many big chains or fast food places in italy, Italians will always put quality first, they rather lose out on billions just to preserve their quality of food. Their culture comes first before everything. That's why they probably earn less, because there aren't many big chains and corporations destroying their way of life. This is how it should be in my opinion, these global brands from America will take over and you will lose your culture to it, Italians will fight against this with their life.
This is very true, italy kicked out dominos pizza, the people boycotted it basically and they went bankrupt losing over 10million dollars haha. Italians will protest and riot against these types of chains. They're trying to get rid of starbux as well, there are some starbux chains in big city centers and airports, many of the locals don't want them in their country
You're talking about older generations. Most of millenials and almost the total of gen z are highly globalized and likely all the western youth you described in the beginning of your message about ''chains, processed foods, american things, etc''. Gen z italian here. ''Italian food local culture'' will be dead with boomer / older millenial generation. And the trend among Instagram gen z about the ''foodporn'' thing is even worse than fastfood
@@loreCarbonell I truly believe Italians need to fight against this, because it's a crime against humanity, their culture deserves to be preserved, I personally despise all the American processed foods and chains, it destroys European culture, and for what? Just so that these big American corporations can make profits and billions, they are evil. I don't think it wil perish soon because I've been all over Italy, I've seen it, these people cook from scratch, even younger people, it will take a lot more than the boomer generation, domino's tried to take over the pizza market and went bankrupt, these Americans try to destroy their culture but italians are still putting up a fight
The quality of life in Italian small towns is very high, higher than in big cities. More tidy and clean, friendlier people, etcetera. We're not as rich as before but the most of us still have a pretty good life.
The North of Italy is amongst the wealthiest regions in Europe, it is an economic powerhouse with global brands and outstanding small, family companies. It is also very expensive to live there. Go to the south of Italy and it will look a bit different though. But you have still got good weather and good food and strong family and social networks. Do not worry about Italy. It is a great place to live.
True what you say, but on the other hand, south is much cheaper and more enjoyable. South of Italy, however, has a much much better standard of living than any other town of the north of UK (where I grew up). UK cities and towns are so depressing ( and nit because of the weather)..
I live in Calabria 2 or 3 km from the coast and about three or 400 m up a mountain in a little village . If the locals don’t see me for a few days they get worried and send someone around to check to see if I’m alright , I somehow doubt if that would happen in the UK .
I’ve lived in France for 22 years and, since Brexit, my chums in the U.K. often ask me how I’m managing when they hear Tory politicians say how well the U.K. is doing when compared to the EU …. they send me photos of the barely stocked U.K. supermarket shelves, tell me how they can’t get doctor or dentist appointments etc etc … I am embarrassed to send them photos taken in my supermarket (just like what you showed in Navarro with similar prices), when I tell them I had a blood test the other day at 10.00am and my doctor was sent the results by 16.00 that afternoon and I was texted telling me that I could easily access my results at the same time. My husband had an x-ray the other week and we were asked to wait 15 minutes after which time we were handed the x-rays and a letter from the Radiographer (a Doctor) outlining the results … I asked if I should deliver them to our doctor and the secretary (looking surprised) assured me that the x-rays and the letter had already been emailed to him! I could go on but you get the picture …. Oh and I don’t live in a big town (population around 2,500).
@@PeterHolland-mu7yn Sometimes I try to be kind and think of the words of ‘the big yin’ (Billy Connelly) “they are more to be pitied than scolded” but most of the time I despair at their ignorance 😉. [Oh, btw, we are ‘almost’ neighbours ~ we live in Finistère not far from Concarneau!]
I've traveled to 33 countries in my life, italy is by far my favorite. Ive done road trips all over Italy, It has everything, incredible food, beautiful language, culture, nice people, stunning nature, my favorite parts are Liguria, from cinque terre to Dolceaqua, bordighera, to the dolomites, to the lake district, the medieval villages in Tuscany, the history and omg did I mention the food? Haha everything tastes so fresh and real, I'm in love with italy
@@gaia7240 you don't have to be rich to travel in Europe. You can just hop in your car and drive to another country. Or if you want to travel even cheaper, take a bus or a train and visit another country for a day or a weekend, a bus ticket from Copenhagen to Florence can be less than 15 euros. If hotels are too expensive for you, You can also stay in hostels or refugios which are very cheap, you can find some for 25 euro a night. You can also camp in tents, there are camping sites that have everything you need and are very cheap. Food in italy is top quality and also very cheap, if you buy at local markets which are all over the place you can spend less than 10 euros and have a whole day worth of amazing food.
@@georginagiethoorn6543 Less than 10 euros? What do you eat the air you breathe? It's not about those who come to Italy for pleasure but about living there and you don't live well Because there is no work in many regions of Italy, especially in the south If you don't have money how do you live?
As an adult, I lived over 10 years in the UK after living 13 years in Italy and I truly hated those years in the UK. Too many miserable people, shit weather, social problems, hostile environment towards Europeans, class society, sneaky people. I will not moan about it, it is useless. I just left and I am still glad I did, although it created a lot of troubles financially and in my personal life. This is already 7 years ago and I never went back there again and never will.
Thank you for the video I used to visit Novara frequently when I was working. It has not changed much in the last 20 years. My Immediate response was clean, no litter similar to mid sized French towns. Happy in France since 2011, the quality of life is so much better. I get culture shock going to the UK. Keep trying to convince more people that the EU is the place to be. An uphill struggle I know, particularly when you see people would have Boris back . May the Good Lord help the UK and its people.
I live in Italy and I love my country, I have spoken to many foreigners and our quality of life, at least in the north, is envied by many. Italians often like to complain but they just need to see the world a little to understand how lucky they are.
Yes exactly. I've visited Italy many times in recent years, and I have to say Italians are quite fortunate. Not everything is great in Italy - but on the whole it's a really good country.
I have worked as an airline pilot for the last 25 years and unsurprisingly I spend a great deal of time traveling the world. I regret to have to say that the UK (my country of birth) is in a very sorry state. I feel that most of the inhabitants who don’t get out much aren’t really aware of just how bad it is. I’m fortunate in that I could get out of the UK when Brexit happened and now reside in an EU country. I would also comment that the USA is suffering from the same problem. In the last 10 years it has become a very sorry place too with poverty and dilapidation becoming much more prevalent. The tendency for populism to take hold of the political narrative is a threat that needs to be addressed globally. The EU countries really are becoming the last refuge of the civilised.
It seems to be the trend for most 'great' Empires. They can't deal with the fact that they are no longer 'great. And instead of adjusting (ie 'growing-up') , they use stupid, meaningless cliches like 'take back control' and all it does is accelerate their transition to irrelevance. After all, Rome and Greece had great empires once.
I agree, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that power (and wealth !) is moving increasingly from the West (US and Europe) to the countries of China and East Asia.
The point of Brexit was deregulating the financial sector. Despite the government's assertions of wanting to improve economic competitiveness through Brexit, their real aim was to enhance competitiveness and regulatory efficiency in the financial sector. They chose to ignore the fact that post-Brexit deregulation in the financial sector, alongside a fragile economy lacking decades of public investment, would lead to disastrous consequences Brexit Britain is facing right now.
I am an Aussie expat living in northern Italy and this morning I had a cappuccino in a nice bar and it was perfect €1.70. Back in Australia they charge $5 at least and most of the time it tastes like dishwater and then I have to ask for a 2nd shot but the coffee is still no good. The reason is that in Australia weak tasteless coffee is accepted where here it goes without saying you always get a good coffee everywhere. Italians won’t put up with rubbish coffee
Yes, it's a trade off: on the one hand, great food; on the other hand, low salaries, high taxes, polluted air, disfunctional administration a brain drain of youth and a semi-privatised health service. So that's all right then - so long as the coffee is good.
I have an Italian salary and would not be able to afford to have a coffee every day at the bar. Salaries are too low and cost of living has gone up too much since we joined the Euro.
The damn Tories never cared about our quality of life, they're only concern is how can much can we fleece the public. Greed never made anyhting better.
Do you ever wonder why you feel poorer than you did 10 or 20 years ago ? Its all because of the failure of the EU over decades. Consider how much the EU has already declined relative to the United States. Fifteen years ago, according to the IMF, the GDP of the Eurozone was just under $14 trillion, while the U.S. economy was marginally bigger.Today, the Eurozone’s GDP is just under $15 trillion, a modest rise by any standards. But the U.S.’s GDP has roared ahead to $25 trillion, making its economy 60 per cent bigger than the Eurozone. That’s a lot of relative economic decline for the Euro area in just a decade and a half.The failure of Europe to keep pace with America has taken its toll on living standards. The average EU country is now poorer per head than every state in America bar Idaho and Mississippi. In 1990 America accounted for 25 per cent of global GDP, the EU a little above that. Today, America still accounts for 25 per cent of global GDP but the EU’s share has consistently slipped. It is now just over 14 per cent and falling. America has outperformed the EU on every economic indicator that matters. Since 1990 the U.S. working age population has risen from 127 million to 175 million, a rise of almost 40 per cent, while Europe’s has gone from 94 million to 102 million, a rise of only 9 per cent. We need less EU and a lot more USA
@@garyb455 I don't feel poorer than 20 years ago at all. Really that's on you. No matter who you want to blame for it, you have the same possibility then anyone to actually change your circumstances.
@@garyb455 WOW!!! JEEZ!!! There does not appear to be much under the red baseball cap, and the MAGA sun glasses need cleaning otherwise you would not be plucking such undocumented facts and figures out of nowhere! Your faith is blinding and blanding you!!!
I have no idea why people think that the EU is going to fall apart, or why people believe such BS, I live in Athens Greece and it is very nice here, the people saying these things have no idea what they are talking about
Why? Because this is what the far-right want; when profit, not people are the primary motivator. Remove the EU protections, so that companies can spend the minimum necessary to protect people, more profit for their shareholders.
Because they want to be able to negotiate with countries the same size, or even dominate smaller countries. That is what the UK did all along for centuries. And they over estimate their importance. They tell you for forty years now the EU (or precursor) will implode any minute noew. Hope you guys in Greek get your ducks in a row now-you have such a great weather, food and culture. All invaluable. And hospital people.
Not just Italy. I’ve been in several EU countries including Poland, Austria, Hungary and Denmark and I can honestly say they are all much cleaner, with buildings in a better state, nicer weather, safer feeling streets etc. The UK is quickly turning into the sick man of Europe again. If I had the opportunity in the right circumstances I would leave this sorry country.
Where I live in the UK was a dump before Brexit & is still a dump, the local & national government are incompetent, I would sack all of them & bring in Italians to run everything.
@Alexander Yes it's much better in England where the sewage is dumped in rivers and lakes, or washed up on beaches. It's very beneficial for the owners of UK water companies who are based in Australia or the United Arab Emirates. They don't need to treat sewage and lower their bottom line. I'm sure that makes you very happy.
Hey Michael, i live in Italy in a small town about one hour and 20 minutes from Bologna. Ive lived here for 7 years. I've noticed a huge improvement since i arrived, house prices have gone up, new shops opening, and many new factories are being built. Prices gave gone up nothing drastic but the health insurance has jumped huge for a foreigner from €387 to €2000 a year but the healthcare system is great. I've a better quality of life here fo sure.
Thanks Michael for posting this video. The thing you mentioned was quality of life. Yes that was one of the things I noticed almost from the beginning. The is one of the biggest things was don’t really have in the U.K also the pride they take in their streets was beautiful to see. In the high street where I am Allie see are boarded buildings because no one can afford the rent. It’s just so depressing. The stress shows on peoples faces here. I’m glad you had had a really nice time, and I’m so pleased that you are showing us the real difference in other countries. I mean really showing us not someone just reading out false facts and telling us how other countries are having a worse time than the U.K Thanks again Michael for your time and effort.
Ho sempre criticato aspramente l'italia, poi però ho viaggiato all'estero e ho capito la vera grandezza dell'Italia, non ti abbandonerò mai più mia cara Italia🥰 ❤
Lo penso tutte le mattine quando scendo a prendere il caffè al bancone del bar, do un'occhiata al giornale, scambio due commenti, sento i profumi dei piatti in preparazione: piccoli piaceri della vita da gustare nel più bel paese del mondo
I have noticed that it looks so clean everywhere. They respect their environment. No shops boarded up that I could see. They are proud of their country and probably nicer people. This is what the EU does. It provides trading routes and greater prosperity. People feel that there is a future. The Tories have decimated the UK. I have noticed some of the fruit sold in the UK is passed its best already.
Well I made my home here, and at the age of 75 I think on balance it’s been a positive choice. While the picturesque cities and great food are obvious attractions, other aspects of Italy might surprise some: Healthcare- my partner and I have both required emergency surgery at different times and been treated rapidly and extremely competently at no cost. Bureaucracy - traditionally a nightmare in Italy for document-averse Brits, but my post Brexit Permanent Residence Card was dealt with more quickly than many people going through the equivalent process in Germany. Renewing a driving license- compulsory every 3 years after 70- delivered 3 days after having done my medical. Things have certainly improved! The handling of Covid was also far more decisively managed overall than Boris’s fudging in Britain and the Italians displayed remarkable discipline and tolerance of the necessary measures. Other things I feel are done better here are the excellent high speed train service Milan-Rome, while HS2 remains a mirage, and the overall maintenance of the motorway network. It’s not perfect, where is? But post Brexit I no longer feel the desire to go “home” for my final years.
Yes , the black market in Italy is thriving and if you want something done simply open your wallet . Corruption : the U.K. politicians have nothing on Italy's . Crime : our police are not what they should be but can you tell the difference between the Mafia and the police in Italy ?
I lived in Italy for 5 years in Bassano del Grappa, a northern town much smaller than Navarro, but very similar in terms of cleanliness, beauty and the small shop proprietors that take immense pride in their businesses. I speak Italian, hold Italian and American passports and regret ever coming back to the States. One point not covered is the Italian health care system which I found to be excellent and mere pennies of the dollar compared to USA costs. Thanks for the tour and your thoughts.
I live in France, and have done for 14 years. From the videos, the first thing I noticed was of course how clean and tidy everywhere was, rather like here in France. The range of food items, the cost and the way it was presented is very much like that here as well. I cannot understand, and I have tried very hard to work out, is why the people in the UK have allowed the country to be so deliberately run down by this Govt. And I cannot see any signs, regardless of who wins the next election, of any real changes for the better, which I find very depressing. Another subject you might like to do a blog on would be how (and why?) health provision and services are so much better in Europe than the UK now?
Watching Michael's video, I didn't see any closed shops, unless I missed something. Recently I watched a YT video about Richmond upon Thames. This is the RICHEST borough in the UK, home to various rock and film stars. I used to live in the borough, (in the poorer end. 😏) Although the main shopping street is still pretty busy overall, and the majority of shops are open, as you'd expect, I was struck by how many closed shops there were. That has NEVER happened before.
@@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw there are more and more closes shops in Italy too and the reasons are various: more and more malls, internet shopping, lack of money (unlike it is shown in the video, the Italians have a very difficult time since the country joined the Euro and it is getting worse and worse).
@@sevs17 Is Italy having a difficult time BECAUSE of the EU, or IN SPITE OF the EU ? If you think it's bad now, try being OUTSIDE the EU. Like the UK is now.
@@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw since we joined the Euro and do not have a control of the customs (we have EU customs and cannot control what comes in) the situation worsened dramatically. There are many books and documentaries talking about this and since we joined the Euro the money that people can keep at the side is less and less. The situation is anything but positive and will not improve.
I love my country, I wish our salaries went up by 20-30% only. I lived in Sweden for 6 years and yes, great salaries and conditions at work.. but I didn't see myself in a country with the lack of sense of community. I am sorry for all the northern European who will read this comment but in the south of Europe we may be poorer but we know how to have fun and be with each others, we don't need to constantly plan the next trip abroad to feel alive. The weather, the nature, the beaches, the culture.. I earn less in Italy but i am feeling so much richer as a person. And for all the italians who don't agree, fine, move to northern europe then, most of us will come back after some years anyway
I totally agree. I am an Italian who lived abroad for 25 years (mainly the Netherlands in the past few years) and I moved back to Italy only recently. I much prefer our lifestyle here, despite what others might say.
Your consideration about the "good environment" you notice in the centre of the city made me reflect about the role of architecture. Most Italian cities and even villages have remarkable city centers in terms of agreable (if not beautiful) architecture that, back at the time, was conceived to entertain and gather people activities when they were out of home. I wonder why in modern times architects and urban planner don't give a shit to this very simple and clear principle: you need spaces where it's nice to spend your time, with a nice view if you expect people to stay together in public spaces.
What a lovely video. Just like Germany, everything is so clean, all the shops are occupied and there are no homeless people begging on the streets. I am living on the basic state pension, so I'm unable to afford to travel and see for myself how life is in other European countries. I'm grateful for your videos because I can see for myself how much we are being lied to by our government. Thank you. Much appreciated.
I was referring to Michael's previous video from Aachen in Germany. Same sort of video as the Italian one with clean streets, no homeless beggars and lovely well stocked shops. Perhaps bigger cities like Munich have more problems?
I live in Nice and went through to Ventimiglia today - less than an hour on the clean, reliable train for 12€ return. I went to do my household shop because it is way cheaper - and more fun - than Nice. The sun was shining, the pavement cafes were full and noisy. As is normal l was given a plate of food free with my glass of wine. So yes - Michael is right - sure you can argue statistics - but really it is all down to the quality of life you experience on a daily basis. I am 79 and moved here - alone - 12 years ago. It hasn't always been easy but l've never once regretted it. And l'm even more grateful now!
Wonderful video, Michael. I used to live in Munich and drove to Italy a few times a year. In small towns, and in bic cities, the lifestyle is very laid-back, friendly - and people of all ages congregate socially. In smaller towns many elderly people do their shopping on bicycles. The small supermarkets sell wonderful, freshly made dishes at the counters. Wine shops sell decent wine by the litre, which they fill into any bottle you bring, at about €2/litre. Thanks for your inspirational reportage. ❤😊
A fabulous video Michael, my wife's father was an Italian businessman from the north of Italy and he moved to Wales to open various businesses some years ago, I don't think he would have bothered in these times. It saddens me to think that the youth of today have had their freedom of movement stripped away by a bunch of narrow minded fools, I 've been lucky in my life to have lived and worked all over the world most recently in Spain and France it was a privilege that is now denied to the young people of this country.
Beautiful video Michael and highly informative as always. I do not live in the UK but find the sheer gullibility of otherwise sensible people in the face of obvious government and/or media disinformation both concerning and incomprehensible. Same in the USA and certain other part of the world too.
My husband is English and Australian. I am Italian and Australian. He wants to live in the UK. I would rather live in Italy. My father came from Trieste after the war to Australia. I think northern Italy is very beautiful.
Streets are nice and clean. No sloppy T-shirts and misshapen jogging bottoms to be seen. This already makes all the difference. Everything else you mentioned already.
Agree absolutely. Jealous because on mainland Europe there's still 'optimism about the future'; long term political decisions are being made that benefit many people; people still have a love of good and healthy food; they have a REAL coffee culture; their seaside towns are (mostly) doing well.... unlike ours; things in general function properly; people are still able to move freely between countries; no country considers itself in isolation....but as a link to another country. They also still have stringent regulations governing water quality, good safety standards, and the general environment - we no longer do. But we need to,if we want to avoid the overall health if the British people from declining. Finally, no other European country has an aristocracy that is still so powerful and influential in the politics of a country, as we do. And this is incredibly sad. It should not be the case in 2024. But I'm afraid it is. That's pretty damning. The British love being ruled over by toffs and aristocratic bullies. This has always been the case. Again, we should have moved on from this by now....but sadly we haven't. We're still as hooked on this ruling structure as we have ever been.
@@clarecrawford9677 It's too sweeping even for the English of course. Brexit lovers were from a specific class and educational attainment sector of society on the whole. The rest of us thought of ourselves as British Europeans and allies.
@@clarecrawford9677Danny Dorling always cites Scotland as an example of already doing things differently than England and moving more in the direction of becoming more like a scandinavian country as opposed to England, which is often following the US' example down the drain.
Have a great time in Italy, I live in Spain, people are enjoying life and they are earning enough to go shopping and enjoy meals in restaurants. The towns are very clean, beautiful and have lots of spaces for all the citizens to meet!
My local town, Bristol looks like after some major earthquake or something.. Good graffiti and local resistance apparent, though. Walked by the old Swift Co and beautifully painted mural thar said: ‘Whoever stole my anti-depressants, I hope you are happy’…😂
Io sono di Novara e vivo In Inghilterra. Certamente l' Italia ha mille problemi, ma prima di dire che il signore non capisce niente, dovreste vivere in UK. La vita non è solo lavorare 12 ore al giorno e dormire e scassarsi di alcool nel week end, per chi è fortunato e non lavora nel week end. Purtroppo l Inghilterra non offre molto altro. In Italia la qualità della vita per chi ha un lavoro è più ricca che in UK. Ricca significa molte cose. In Italia ci sono eventi, fiere, sagre, concerti, le bellissime spiagge della Sardegna da godere in estate, e la stagione sciistica magari nelle Dolomiti. Mangiare in un buon ristorante e sorseggiare un caffè al bar sotto casa, e scambiare quattro chiacchiere col barista, e non andare a caffè nero dove tutti si fanno i cazzi loro con le cuffie in testa, servito in bicchieri di carta, e devi chiedere pure un tavagliolo se no non te lo danno, fare la fila al bancone, perché non c è neanche sevizio al tavolo. Come se non bastasse qui piove 11 mesi su 12. Certo si stava meglio qualche anno fa in Italia , ma sempre dire che l Italia fa schifo non sapete cosa dite. Qui hai una stabilità finanziaria, ma solo quella e tutti gli inglesi che sono al secondo posto, come paese più triste appena possono se ne vanno all' estero in vacanza. Piantatela di lamentarvi e soprattutto denigrate un signore distinto inglese, che garbatamente fa apprezzamenti dello stile di vita italiano, rispetto a quello anglosassone e voi a dire che non sa niente. Se si sta così male, come mai sempre più Americani fanno ricerche se possono avere la cittadinanza italiana per fare i pensionati in ITALIA? La dolce vita sarà sempre meno dolce che in passato, ma è percepita più dolce e lenta rispetto ad altri paesi che devono correre ogni SECONDO e fanno i conti con alcolismo e depressione anche se possono non avere problemi finanziari.
Bravo! Io ho vissuto all'estero per tanti anni e sono rientrata in Italia 25 anni fa. È vero, l'Italia è un paese meraviglioso, con cittadine dove la vita scorre lenta, si mangia bene, si respira aria buona e si fa il pisolino dopo pranzo. Non a Milano o a Roma, grandi città come tutte le altre. Il problema dell'Italia, almeno negli ultimi 25 anni, è stata la sua classe politica. I politici, con il loro menefreghismo, sete di potere e corruzione, hanno rovinato l'anima degli italiani, trasformandoli, spesso, in sonnambuli rimbabiti dalla televisione. Però, per chi non si lascia influenzare da tutto ciò, ci sono tante cose da fare, posti da vedere, abbiamo un bellissimo sole e il cielo dell'azzurro più bello che c'è. Almeno, io la penso così, vedo sempre il bicchiere mezzo pieno.
Basta guardare i dati sull’emigrazione. Quanti italiani lasciano l’Italia per andare a vivere e lavorare nel Regno Unito e quanti invece dal Regno Unito emigrano per vivere e lavorare in Italia? In Italia stai bene se hai un posto fisso pubblico e casa di proprietà. Se in Italia perdi il lavoro sei f0ttuto sopratutto se abiti al sud, nel Regno Unito se perdi il lavoro ha la maggiori possibilità di trovarne un altro e spesso pure meglio del primo. Senza contare che i servizi pubblici ed assistenziali nel Regno Unito sono migliori rispetto alla media italiana. Comunque per me il paese migliore dove poter vivere in Europa é la Francia (meridionale) perché il clima è come quello italiano, il cibo é comunque di buon livello, i servizi pubblici sono ottimi ed il mercato del lavoro è dinamico, meritocratico e con paghe dignitose. La Francia (meridionale) é la bella copia dell’Italia.
I thoroughly enjoyed your video Michael. The city you featured is beautiful! Please keep up the great work - many of us are right there with you and I certainly appreciate all you do .
Brexit was voted for by people who don't like foreigners. The ones that have been to continental Europe probably went to lie on the beach and drink cheap beer in Torremolinos or some other tourist spot. They would not try to speak the language or learn anything about the people or places they are visiting. The places they visit become virtually indistinguishable: menus written in English, "Happy Hour", etc.. They do not vist places like Novara.
@@parsonk4041 I am sorry, but when I visit a country I at least learn Hello, Good bye, Thank you, please...it is just something you do to respect the culture. You might see that differently, but then please stay on your rainy Island.
@@RealMash why so sensitive. I would go through the effort, but wouldn't expect it from others. I mean it's more of a detriment to the person who doesn't.
The same assumptions being made as the lefty, snobbish, Pinot Noir sipping rags make, oh, and Eddie Izzard usually while waving a Palestinian and rainbow flag in the background article of an almost obsolete publication. You're in great company.
I'm Italian and I lived in the UK for 3 years. Wonderful country and I love the people, but life in the UK is TOUGH! Cold weather, always raining, very introverted and closed people, decent quality food is expensive so I saw young people eating junk food every day for years and drinking too much alcohol, so many people looked depressed, alcoholic and on drugs...I saw a lot of British people with zero friends and suffering loliness! you have to be a real stoic to enjoy life in the UK if you're born into a working-class family. I admire British people because they're stoic and strong, not easy at all to live in this country! Quality of life in Italy it was always better than UK *IF* you have a decent job. Better quality food at cheaper prices (only junk food and snacks are cheaper in the UK), better healthcare, a more relaxed life, a lot easier to make friends, better beaches, you can enjoy more life...the UK is better than Italy if you are an ambitious person, is more meritocratic and you can get paid if you are really good. Also is much better if you are a freelance or a company owner, corporation tax is much lower, and accountants are a lot cheaper in the UK, and very professional too. For people that want to have a great career, freelance, and entrepreneurs the UK is much better than Italy. But if you are just an average person and can get a decent job, Italy is MUCH better because of the better quality of life, better healthcare, quality of food, easier to connect with people and have a real social life..
I agree with everything you had just said. I lived in the uk, London for 12 years and I am back in Italy for 3 weeks and I feel like a nightmare has ended and I’m back in paradise ahahah
@@domdevil91 if I had plenty of money it would not have any sense to be in "Gotham land" doing what? be in the chaos of London? admiring the boredness of the english countryside where everything is the same everywhere? The gloomy weather? The people who are isolated and very individualistic?
A worthy comparison. The problem I believe is that in mainland Europe there is a different mentality, which Britons don't share. The UK is insular, frequently xenophobic and mistrusting towards "foreigners" and our towns and cities have been governed by big business, often American corporations who have no regard for aesthetics, just the desire to put up as much neon that will bring in the paying customers. What a contrast with countries such as Italy or France. No country is perfect but I think the UK can learn far more from Europe than they from us.
100% correct, I subscribed after 5 minutes of watching. I left the UK in 1982 and have no plans or incentive to return. I've toured the World as a musician and it's difficult not to make comparisons with your own hometown (London).The comparisons would include living standards, infrastructure, intellect, Architecture, income and the general happiness of the locals, so I left. The last time I was there was 2016, 2 weeks after the Referendum and the atmosphere was very hostile. We had many conversations with people pro and anti Brexit and the overwhelming majority were uninformed and misinformed. Very sad. I get my information from family and friends living around the Country and all are unhappy and fedup with the deterioration and inevitable collapse of town centers. Greetings from Germany
It is a very depressing place to live now. I live in a rural area so if I shut my eyes and ears to the news now and then and go outside and just let the countryside flow around me I can restore calm and hope for a while. But it doesn't last long. I am frightened for my old age. Actually frightened.
@@suewilkinson910 I'm so sorry to hear about your situation and many millions like you. The government is responsible for everything that's taken place and the grim future.
Michael, the same goes for the quality of life in France and Germany. I have visited many of the towns and cities there and they never look run down, people frequently visit the shops and the goods are usually reasonably priced and decent quality. I think it comes down to what you value in society. We want more for less and are increasingly influenced by the Americans it seems.
The rot set in with Maggie Thatcher who didn’t like ‘socialist’ Europe. She wanted to be ‘capitalist’ like the USA. Yet another one of her disgusting legacies
Thank you Michael. My twopenny's worth: As someone who had lived for ten years in Germany in the eighties, had a house in the South of France for eight years, until a few years ago, family living in Denmark, and have travelled extensively throughout Europe. Indeed I have just returned from a month's stay in Denia, Costa Blanca..None of this is news to me. But I have a point to make. The Europeans have more disposable income generally, and one reason is 'home ownership' is not as wide-spread as in the UK, I would say. The reason they are content to rent, in many cases for life, is that they are confident that when they retire, their pensions will be at a level that they can sustain their lifestyle. In the UK, our pensions are pathetically poor, so home ownership is a hedge against falling income in later life. The cost of this ownership, as a percentage of income can be crippling, and certainly leads to less disposable income. Finally, tax cuts are a race to the bottom. They adversely and disproportionality impact on the poorest in society, it's a con trick that the voters keep falling for.
Friend, you have no idea what you're saying. I'm Spanish. I own my home. I'm 45 years old and we enjoy my wife's and mine's salary 100%. The southern countries have the highest home ownership rate in Europe, excluding Eastern Europe, always. It is cheaper to pay a mortgage than rent, look on the internet it is easy
The housing problem started with Thatcher selling off social housing and preventing them from being replaced. She reasoned that people who owned their own houses were more likely to vote Tory. That thinking allowed property prices to rise both domesticated commercially, hence money being sucked out of people's pockets at every level. Combine that with the privatisation of utilities and spending money diminishes further. Add in the lack of investment overall plus austerity and shrinking budgets you get the UK. However, a few have benefitted hugely. Revolution anyone?
No, it will not. Ay minute now...for forty years..and you think facts will change anything? That is a faith, a believe. Nothing more. Can't argue with true believers...i wonder where they get their forty virgins from, though. As we know by now, it is a mistranslated fruit basket...which they will not find, either.
I've been here in Italy almost 40 years , its a fantastic place to live ,i only come to Britain to see my 95 year old father, i know Novara quite well and its a beautiful town , like so much of Italy, i would never come back to the UK its an absalute disgrace.
Ciao! Mio marito ed io siamo russi, ma ora viviamo in Turchia. Recentemente siamo stati in Italia...e adesso pensiamo di vivere lì più a lungo ❤ Io adoro il Bel Paese, la gente, la cultura e la lingua 💚
Fascinating! Thank you Michael. What an insight. It’s not just the shops (not boarded up) or the quality of goods, it’s the well maintained streets, the attitude of the people and how they’re dressed, etc. I’m so glad you showed us the supermarket. The size of those lettuces! Great video. Brought a tear to my eye with the réalisation of how broken Britain is. Btw, I can’t see any option for buying you a coffee or superchat.
Well, Milan is the Fashion capital of Italy, and relatively close by. The supermarket was a French supermarket chain. But yes, the UK is in decline, we are witnessing the polarisation of wealth on an unprecedented scale. and we are being programmed to put the blame on other poor people because they 'incomers'
The English seem not to appreciate the beneficial effect which beautiful architecture has on the soul. I really enjoyed the tour of Novara, I think I saw in the buildings the relationship of Fibonacci numbers which make things pleasing to the eye. We are much affected by our environment, if it is ugly and harsh it forms the backdrop to a meager life.
The English appreciate architecture but they are too stingy to splash out on fine design. Cheap and practical, that's how they want it. Nice is a welcome bonus but only if someone else pays for it.
@@comdo831 Architecture doesn´t have to be grand either, I love the winding back streets of my Spanish town, with their tall old houses and narrow alleys soaked in history.
My wife comes from that part of Italy. Our quality of life even in the prosperous south of England was lower even when we married 30 years ago. They had better everything: houses (quality of construction, materials craftsmanship from the tradesmen), furniture, transportation (public and private), education (great school system: universities not so good), social cohesion ... clothes (of course), food (incomparable), wine, cafes and restaurants, weather (naturalmente). The difference in fruit and fresh produce generally is so depressing when you return. Plus all the things you mention (lack of charity shops, pound shops, chains, etc. It was much more difficult to find a job there if you lacked family connections. And a lot of Lombardy is spoilt by a complete absence of zoning and care for the countryside.
your typical town in the uk has boarded up shops and those that are open have s lot of charity shops - big difference between italy and the uk - the uk is not on its knees, it's flat on it's back
Visited Milan recently from Winchester and the contrast came as a shock . A vibrant city , it has its problems like anywhere but the feeling of prosperity and happiness is infectious. The U.K. is a mess and depressing in comparison. Silly Brexit politicians and their flags , surrounded by decay.
Yes, after 20 years here in Italy, I can attest there are no evident homeless people. The Catholic Church takes care of a lot of this. We generally have clean streets, independent shops and as good health service, even if it is under strain with an ageing population. I can phone for a doctor`s appointment same day or just turn up and wait. I will never not be seen. Indeed I have my doctor`s and surgeon`s cell numbers. This is one of the things I most appreciate here. The lack of awe with which we regard our professionals. They are here to serve us, is the attitude.
Buon Ciono Michael, wish you a beautiful holiday in Italy. We travel to Italy once or twice or even more every year but still haven’t had enough of this country. Just dearly love Italy. Less obese folks on the roads, less sweatpants on the roads. Nicely dressed people everywhere. Cities and villages are full of beautiful and handsome ladies and gentlemen. Fantastic wines and delicious foods. We are very thankful to have FoM to visit Italy as often as we like. Grazie mille per la bellissima registrazione video dear Michael❤
Indeed, every day when I go down to the café mid-morning, taste the coffee at the counter, quickly leaf through the newspaper, exchange a few words, smell the aroma of the dishes they are preparing for lunch, I understand that I am enjoying one of life's little pleasures 😁
I know it well Michael my brother-in-law comes from there my sister moved to Italy in 1962 she never came back. And I don't blame her she now lives down on the coast😊 just outside of Genova I ❤ Italy I visit Italy often ...i digress she used to run a small hotel on banks of Lago Marjorie I used to help her out when I was young 17 year old in 1964 happy memories.😊
As an Italian I always wonder with curiosity why the United Kingdom has this sort of obsession with my country. We are always brought up as a negative example of bureaucratic inefficiency, economic problems and so on... I remember for example the Economist article "welcome to Britaly". In reality, I believe that compared to the United Kingdom, my country has this advantage: however bad the situation may be, and for reasons that you will never understand, the Italian economy is one of the most resilient in the world.
@@lynnoorman2144Resilience is the ability to face, cushion, and overcome crises and moments of difficulty. For many years you, dear and very nice European neighbors, have continued (with a hint of disappointed expectation) to predict the imminent catastrophe and economic bankruptcy of my country, but strangely this has not yet happened. And you keep asking yourself why. But it is difficult if not impossible for you to understand the reasons for this resilience. These reasons in my opinion (even if I am not an economist) lies in some peculiar aspects of Italian society: the family, the community and the social fabric
@charleswhite758 yes, maybe I went a little too far when I talked about disappointed expectations, it's just that the feeling of always being taken as a negative example beats on nerves after a while. You're right about the rest. I don't live in a big city, but in a highly industrialized area in the north of the country, and I still have a small garden, with a vegetable patch and two chickens for eggs. I don't do it to save money, but because I actually like it, and because I try to eat things that are as natural as possible. So yes, our pillars are family and community, and I would have also added a bit of shadow economy, but I held back because nowadays it's not good to say it, and I thought that foreigners would have misunderstood me anyway 😅
Our neighbours tend to forget that our resilience depends mainly on the fact that we are the second European manufacturer after Germany and still one of the largest exporters in the world. But they are too focused on pizza and expresso and this Dolcevita nonsense. Italy is not only enchanting beauty, is real economy.
I live in central France and our family and friends, who visit us every year, are always commenting on how much cleaner it is here, no litter, that you can park anywhere around town, free of charge and that the fruit and veg is so much fresher and in abundance and how much they love the cafe scene at a fraction of the cost in England............it's a myth that the UK is doing better than the EU.
The only people peddling that myth are the Tory government and the Brexit voters who, seeing their dream dissolving before their very eyes, are keen to believe every word they are told about how great we are in comparison.
Lovely looking town. First I’ve heard of it. I lived in Milan many years ago and this place is new to me. Italy is a charming country with great eating and sunny summers. Nostalgic viewing for me and remorse at seeing what it is I/we have lost access to which came so easily and effortlessly BB. Happy travels.
Italians do everything with style whether its shopping, eating or dressing and puts the UK in a poor light and especially after Brexit and 14 years of Tory dismantling of standards which will take a long time to recover from.
I love your videos. Thank you. I moved to the EU after the vote. I feel your pain. Greed has no boundaries. Here, they laugh at our country. All the best Michael.
My wife (Italian) and I (Not Italian) are going to move to Novara from Dublin next year and this video was very interesting! I know that salaries are lower in Italy but we will be closer to family and friends and will actually be able to afford a house there whereas here in Dublin it’s completely impossible. Thanks for the video! 🙂
As an Italian living in Dublin I can say that real problem in Italy is with low wages for educated people holding a degree. The economy is based on very small business, it’s very challenging to get a decent job you feel over educated all the time. There are still nice towns and lots of things to do on free time, nice food everywhere. But with high taxes, corruption, an awful bureaucracy, demographics problems there is no hope for a bright future
Corruption is everywhere look at the UK and England specifically, also Dublin lives off of the big American corporation that are extented from paying taxes, while the averager Irish man is poorer than us Italians, the economy in Ireland is so infalted and vast majority of the money is taken out of the country
Pure propaganda by Italians incapable of making it in their own country. There is NO comparison Ireland to Italy, Ireland's only economy is being a tax haven and the housing situation is in chaos as is the poverty. A tiny upper class vs giant lower.
Italy is, in EU terms, not a rich country but it's somewhere in the middle. Economywise that is. Italy is very rich in culture though as well as in 'dolce vita'. Italians have freedom of movement, can study in any European country and, when it comes to immigration and asylum seekers, beat pretty much all EU countries (the Isle of Lampedusa). The above translates to a quality of life that is up there. I'm happy to live in a country, The Netherlands, that is in the same category.
Lets be fair here, as a German, they are much sharper dressed than either Germany or the people in the Netherlands;-) Our attire is more...practical, though ;-)
Thanks Michael mmm yes looks terrible doesn't it. We aren't doing quite that well are we? Brexit has been and will remain a nightmare almost wish I could upsticks and leave the country I was once proud to be part of!!!
I never knew the UK was the 2nd worst place to live until I read other comments from the remoaners for the 1000th time. Why is it relevant or is it because you don't really and truly know what you are talking about. weel? expoert? Do enlighten us thickos.
in italy we say 'mourn the dead' "PIANGERE IL MORTO" . It is a strategy. People always say that everything is bad even if things are quite good. In Italy it is one of the national sports.
I just found your content Michael - thank you for providing a balanced view of the differences between life in Britain and towns or cities in other European countries. You are 100% correct, Britain is sinking under the weight of taxation, excessive corporate profits, high energy costs and crazy house prices/rents. I am tired of hearing people like Farage, Rees-Mogg and Tice saying, give Brexit a chance, or it was the wrong kind of Brexit - it was a disaster in slow motion and has rightly made us the laughing stock of Europe. Our politics is broken, our economy is broken and our standard of living is broken.
As a British citizen who has lived in Germany for the last 10 years I am also disturbed by the decline in the UK, and yes it has got worse since Brexit, but it was on a downward trend beforehand. Certain right wing groups in the UK just wanted to blame the EU for what was really UK internal problems, hence getting worse post Brexit. Some commenting on here say that in the EU the UK could not have gone a different path and that Brexit is not to blame. To those I say make sure you know what an EU Regulation is compared to an EU Directive. This shows clearly that the UK could and did have a great deal of flexibility to make its own rules and develop in other areas if it wished to. It just got the decisions wrong. Add to this all, political incompetence, lack of vision, inability to see large projects through to completion, corruption on a massive scale and a total lack of inward investment. the UK was doomed to failure. Someone please explain to me how making a few trade deals overseas that undercut the internal market such as farmers is progress? Investment needed for growth: The UK has the third highest level of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in the world behind the USA and China. So investment is not the problem, maybe it is the type of investment? A foreign investor can invest Billions into the UK Financial Services industry and not create one single job or help the UK grow in any meaningful way. So why can’t the UK attract the right kind of investment? Well unfortunately the UK has one of the lowest outputs per worker in Europe. The infrastructure is poor, and it has become dirty and looks poor, so why would an investor come to the UK then when there are much better options for their business just over the Channel?
I would like the UK to rejoin the EU and instead Germany out.. I prefer British arrogance to Germn arrogance. I prefer arrogance like that of a sour English spinster aunt than Nazi German arrogance. More pragmatic and nice.
I emigrated to sunnier climes four years ago, and have never regretted the decision to do so. I have many happy memories of my life in England, but there you have it, "Past Tense". It gives me no pleasure, even from a distance, to witness, what is undoubtedly, the terminal decline of the UK.
I came to Italy from the UK. where I was born, on a one year contract in 1970 to a town called Brescia that is about half way between Milan and Venice. A Northern Italian provincial town much like Novara. After about 5 years I moved to Milan and it has been my base ever since although I've lived and worked for brief periods in a few other European countries as well as a couple of stints in the US. It is difficult to speak about Italy as a compact entity. After all as a unified country it is only a bit more than 150 years old. I think it was Cavour who said after unification in 1870 "We've created Italy. Now we have to create Italians." What most foreigners do not really understand about Italy is not only its diversity but also its level of local governance and decentralisation, Italy has twenty regions several of which are constitutionally defined as "autonomous" like the Val d'Aosta and Alto Adige where French and German have language parity with Italian.for local government employment like Spanish in California. When people say "Italian this" or "Italian that" they have to be asked where were you in Italy. Even the restaurants in the area where I live identify themselves as Tuscan, Sardinian, Neapolitan, Milanese etc, etc. What about language? Most Italians are bilingual, i.e. they speak Italian and their regionsl dialect. Make no mistake these are not dialects in the UK sense of a distortion of the national language. They are distinct and seperate languages that grew up after the fall of the Roman Empire and with the influx of "barbarian" invasions. Even I have a couple of Milanese/Italian dictionaries. After all Standard Italian is itself the Tuscan dialect that owes its institution and predominance to the genius of writers like Dante, Petrarca and Boccaccio whose works that the founding fathers of Italy were brought up on. One could go on but one of the things that most strikes me more than anything else is that most Italians appear to have an innate sense and appreciation of visual beauty which makes living here a constant and ever changing delight. In Italy there is always something beautiful and totally unexpected to see that you cannot see anywhere else and so it becomes ypur "own" very personal idea of Italy.
Cavour was right. As a born and raised Italian I recognize myself first as Venetian and then as Italian. I'm afraid it will never change.
86% of Italians speak mostly in Italian almost nobody is bilingual, that was in 1861... all the things you said about Italian diversity are bullshit repeated by Italians (expecially in the north) that have no idea how homogeneous italy is compared to other countries.... are you really telling me that uk formed by 4 different nations, different religions and different ethnicities is more homogeneous than Italy?????
The phrase is not from Cavour but from Massimo d'Azzeglio. what you said is true but it needs to be put into context. I am from Bergamo and I love my land very much but this makes me even more Italian, I love my country and I would never want Bergamo to be something in itself, I want it to be Italian like all the other realities of our peninsula are Italian. First of all, I still feel Italian and many like me, but I must say that in my opinion this does not take away the importance of the nation but rather strengthens it. In Italy there are many ways of being Italian, unlike perhaps England where diversity is much less, and this is a bad thing. you mentioned Boccaccio, well even Boccaccio already in 1200 when he spoke of Genoese, Venetians or Neapolitans he literally called them Italians, even though the country had not yet been born. what happened in Italy will perhaps also happen in Europe in the future, united in diversity, all different, and all Italian. which then if you go and see the Italian people are one of the most homogeneous in the world and in Europe certainly among the large European countries. Germany is a confederation of individual states that have a very strong identity (Prussians, Bavarians, etc.), as well as even having different religions (Catholics and Protestants), which is unthinkable in Italy. Spain is made up of many very different states, the same constitution speaks of different nationalities within Spain (which is unthinkable in Italy, a dialect does not make you of a different nationality), the same United Kingdom, which well already from the name it is made up of 4 different states that we don't know for how long they will remain united, just think that in many competitions they play separately, which is unthinkable for an Italian, as if the north, the center and the south had their own national football teams, it would only make you laugh to think about it. The list could go on and on, the core is that diversity, especially Italian diversity, is not divisive but is a fundamental concept to pass on because it constitutes our strength, despite the fact that we are much more similar than we think, and above all in relation to other countries in the world. a greeting.
@@RegioLegio23 Sei uno dei pochi che riconosce l omogeneita
Italiana. Ma Fare questa cosa del rimarcare le differenze indebolisce il paese, e’ uno dei segni del declino italiano che non riesce piu’ a sopportare l idea di patria e nazione che sono faticose perche’ devono essere
Curate e
Rinvigorite costantemente
@@toffonardi7037 veramente ha detto esattamente il contrario. Così tanto per dire.
Left Canada years ago to live in Italy. Best thing I've ever done. Like any country you need a good job to have a decent standard of living. But if you do, Italy is THE place to go. Weather, wine, food, people, culture, places, art, seaside, skiing. It's all there. Absolutely brilliant...
much better Italy than Canada or USA
@Miraofficial no
@@freedomforever7252sei sotto ogni commento a fare l hater.. se tu sei dovuto scappare questo non vuol dire che vale per tutti, in Italia si sta bene e voi siete solo dei rosiconi.
Thanks, Michael. As a Brit living in Germany, once again you have effectively shown the demise of the UK because of BREXIT.
The Mosque capital of Europe or the EU, if you prefer. 2750 so I've been told. Neally all before 2016 (Brexit result) We're in demise because we've been open to parasites for decades and the decline in manufactuing has decimated towns over two decades. Hardly a Brexit thing.
I would like the UK to rejoin the EU. I prefer British arrogance to German arrogance. I prefer arrogance like that of a sour English spinster aunt than Nazi German arrogance. More pragmatic and nice.
This video does not show any of the Brexit effects and a lot of the things mentioned are not due to Brexit at all: chain stores in the UK, expensive restaurants (in Italy restaurants may seem cheap but Italian salaries are much lower and the locals do have a hard time going out and purchasing a house nowadays), coffee culture (in the UK it is invaded by chains not because of Brexit). Seriously, the things mentioned are anything but to do with Brexit and things in Italy are not going well since many many years.
@@sevs17 I live and work in Germany 🇩🇪, but I still have freelance projects in the UK. It takes a lot of imagination to counter the anti-Brexit position. Unless you live and work abroad and still have significant ties in the UK, I suggest you have no idea what you are talking about. The UK economic decline, especially in the Midlands and North of England, because of Brexit, is real.
@@roboldx9171 reread my comment. I lived in the UK for many years and know what I am writing about. The comments that this gentleman has made comparing Italy and the UK are like comparing apples and oranges. Italy has been getting worse and worse economically since the Euro. This gentleman is anti Brexit which is totally fine but he cannot compare that with Italy. He should have done a video comparing UK pre and post Brexit rather.
Grazie per il video. I have lived, worked, married, retired in and near Udine, north-east Italy for the past 54 years. We have our problems but not like those of Britain. I would never return to England, I am happy in Italy and Brexit has really dragged the old country further down. It is so sad.
Thank you for such an outward looking video, Michael. As you say, quality of life is all-important. Not only do we live in a rich country where the majority of the population are relatively poor, I can't help thinking that we never saw ourselves as European. Our leaders sat on the sidlelines, carping and blame-shifting for the preservation of power. In the last 14 years, our infrastructure has been dismantled for the extraction of profit. I learned to love Europe, in spite of its flaws. Many countries aspired to work for the people, yet ours had to be fuelled by greed.
Michael, I am in Italy now and can't agree with you more. The UK may be a richer country than Italy GDP wise, but the quality of life of the average Italian is far superior. If the ageing population issue and unemployment rates in some parts were not so much of a problem, Italy would probably be the best place to live in the world. You breathe the quality of life
If, If, if my uncle was a woman, she'd be my aunt. IF we didn't accommodate parasites, there'd be more to go round for us. IF we didn't have traitors in our institutions, we'd be better equipped than we are now. IF we didn't leave the EU, we may have been in deeper shite than we were eight years ago. IF we didn't sell off and close our manufacturing industry under Thatcher, maybe we wouldn't have the unemployment we have know. IF we all loved the EU blah blah
I am Italian National with working experience in Italy and abroad in Europe for many years. Each country as its one plus and minus and the perfect country do not exist. Having said that I still believe that the quality of life I enjoy in Italy is still far better than most of other Europeans countries. The main danger is illegal immigration that can destroy not only Italian society but Europe as a whole.
Hi Mario, nice to read your point, and I agree with almost everything you said. I guess the question is what we should consider illegal immigration to be. Are you talking about those who enter the country hidden on boats, in cars or lorries, or those arriving seeking refuge or asylum? The latter are definitely not illegal. The State is looking after their status, therefore they are not illegal.@@mariorossi3898
I'm Swedish and live in Italy. Happy to live here🇸🇪🇮🇹👍🏻🙂
I'm italian and I lived in the Uk for 5 years, and I can feel the difference in quality of life. Food, water, housing and weather. London is great for entertaiment and I think there are some beautiful parts of the Uk, but those are accessible to people who can afford them. If you are poor in the Uk you are probably bound to live a very mediocre life.
I agree completely.
And the Brexit connection??? I'm assuming there is one.
@@QuoPaperPlane not everything was caused by Brexit but it certainly wasn't good for the Uk since many companies left the country
@@madameversiera It won't be long before you get your red heart, irrespective of no examples given. Just keep with the narrative 👍
@@QuoPaperPlane nah UK was always a shitty place. It's a place where you can focus on improving your career and you want to develop professionally. There's a lot of job flexibility and it's pretty meritocratic. Also, on a superficial level british people are good sport. Between 20 and 35 makes sense to live in a place like London. I'm sorry to say that but the standard of living in UK is very low. The lowest I have seen in Europe (excluding eastern Europe, even tho at the moment Poland is better off). Even before Brexit it was like that so it's not really a political matter. For some reasons British people have no expectations out of the services they receive.
I think, Italians don't define quality of life by GDP figures. Italians just know how to live. As long as there is good food, good wine and good weather, life is good. And frankly this is what I like about Italy... as a German. We may have more money, but I think Italians are happier people.
In a nutshell 👍👍
Don't believe for one second that Italians don't love money. My mother was Italian, and I have a large Italian family. I speak from experience.
I'm pretty sure Germans are happier than Brits these days.
@@gio-oz8gf Extortion and corruption more than pays the rent in southern Europe!
@@QuoPaperPlane Please notice that there are two Italys and also two Southern Italys.
I live in the north and I love my land, but I recognize that various towns and some entire regions in the south have even more positive ancient values
For anyone who knows Italy this all goes with out saying. The Italians are stylish, cultured, and appreciative of the quality of everything, food, family, friends art and style, and life!
Industry powerful also
Once again spotless streets , no people sleeping in doorways or boarded up shops a civilised nice town unlike so many of ours . Thanks Michael for sharing it with us
London used to be full of young Europeans supporting the economy, happy to gain work experience and improve their English. They were hard working and fitted in. Now, after Brexit, the jobs are still there but our European cousins have been replaced by people from the Third World, mostly newly arrived Indians, with poor English. We are becoming an Indian colony. My daughter applied for a position in the NHS and was told “we are prioritizing underrepresented communities” - which basically means, if you are white, don’t bother. Why is that fair? We are committing national suicide.
It's no wonder the UK is ranked as one of the most miserable places to live
And was such a vibrant, colourful, innovative, paradise before that everybody around the dusty back yards of the globe still wanted to come here! When you have a bad hair day, always remember that it was Brexit that was reponsible for it😉
@@QuoPaperPlane lol you clown
@@QuoPaperPlane
Maybe the UK's never been a paradise, but throw in a sh*te-multiplier like Brexit and it becomes even MORE crappy than it once was...
Offficially, the UK is the second most miserable country on the planet. Even Tajikistan perks people up more frequently.
@@PeterHolland-mu7yn You won't be offered a referendum just the same as other member states.
I've been a French citizen for several years and I can agree with you, things here are booming. I moved here 20 years ago and haven't regretted a minute. Fluent French speaker now, member of several sports clubs and I write for some UK sailing magazines. Here in Normandie there is a lot of local investment with local shops refitting and expanding and infrastructure projects like new schools, transport hospitals are being funded from E.U. "post covid redevelopment schemes".
Never going back !
Brian likes his women hairy
Merveilleux
Passez du beau temps en France....Mon cher pays....😊
@@isabellesmith5253
Merci, j'apprécie énormément ma vie ici. Je suis en France depuis plus longtemps que partout ailleurs et je ne me suis jamais senti aussi chez moi de ma vie.
Au revoir le Royaume-Uni Repose en paix.😕😕
@@brianferguson7840 je said...j habits en Angleterre depuis 1978....j adorable ce pays mais maintenant je le detested.
Je suis marriee a un anglais .
Il est merveilleux mais lui aussi est fatigue de l angleterre... avec brexit c est maintenant tries difficile de demenager.
Je suis tres contente pour vous. X
Excusez les fautes...typos...
As per usual there's plenty of italians in the comments bashing their own country. It's a national sport here. True, we have our problems, but it's far from the mess some people paint it to be. Personally, i had the opportunity to emigrate to USA, and after having had direct experience in that country, i decided that after all, it's not so bad here in Italy. You see, the grass seems always a little bit greener on the other side, but when you start analyzing the details, the cracks always start to appear.
Most underrated comment, It needs more likes so that people can understand and Better comprehend our mindset
As an Italian who came back to Italy from Canada after 20 years, I totally agree with you. Best decision I ever made.
You guys are the one make Italy worst place exactly like like USA horrible place
Confirms what economists say, UK people on average £8k year poorer than many EU countries. UK’s rent seeking economy enriches the big asset owners not normal people
The biggest problem that is that brexiters do not travel and prefer to listen to the brexit supporting outlets without venturing there themselves. Travel opens the eyes
Unless all you do it travel to the coastal places with "English pubs", full English breakfasts and yesterday's papers. And many of them do that. They even used to go and live in those places sometimes, in enclaves of "Little Britain" where they would never need to learn a word of the local language.
And of course you can verify this with statistics.
@@QuoPaperPlaneperhaps you can verify with Statics that those views are not correct?
@@JohnSmith-bx8zb I haven't made a claim, dimwit. What is it about 4x2 remoaners who can never back up absurd statements they claim. God give me strength 😘
@@JohnSmith-bx8zb I see Michael must of deleted my response because he can can if he wants to. Says a lot for those who don't quite follow the EU narrative.
I can't verify that those views are incorrect but i wasn't the one making the claims. Do you see the hypocricy?
I live in Italy (Milan) and really see the difference when I go back to the U.K. (Nottingham). Sorry to say but Italy is so much better. Never thought I would say that 20 odd years ago when I first came.
I had a hip replacement in Italy on the Italian equivalent of the NHS during the height of the Covid crisis. Total waiting time was 4 months (up from the usual 2 months for such an op). In the U.K. at the same time the waiting time was 2+ years. Anyone with an arthritic hip will tell you which they’d prefer. I agree with everything Michael says.
Not all Italy ,the north maybe is better but the south is quite a disaster
@liv0003 No, in the south there are many centres of excellence, even state-of-the-art, but after covid many doctors moved to the rest of the world, including nurses. Right now they are hiring Cuban doctors.
Italians in general do not like chain stores or chain restaurants. Italians prefer everything privately owned and local ingredients. You won't find many big chains or fast food places in italy, Italians will always put quality first, they rather lose out on billions just to preserve their quality of food. Their culture comes first before everything. That's why they probably earn less, because there aren't many big chains and corporations destroying their way of life. This is how it should be in my opinion, these global brands from America will take over and you will lose your culture to it, Italians will fight against this with their life.
This is very true, italy kicked out dominos pizza, the people boycotted it basically and they went bankrupt losing over 10million dollars haha. Italians will protest and riot against these types of chains. They're trying to get rid of starbux as well, there are some starbux chains in big city centers and airports, many of the locals don't want them in their country
You're talking about older generations. Most of millenials and almost the total of gen z are highly globalized and likely all the western youth you described in the beginning of your message about ''chains, processed foods, american things, etc''. Gen z italian here. ''Italian food local culture'' will be dead with boomer / older millenial generation. And the trend among Instagram gen z about the ''foodporn'' thing is even worse than fastfood
@@loreCarbonell I truly believe Italians need to fight against this, because it's a crime against humanity, their culture deserves to be preserved, I personally despise all the American processed foods and chains, it destroys European culture, and for what? Just so that these big American corporations can make profits and billions, they are evil. I don't think it wil perish soon because I've been all over Italy, I've seen it, these people cook from scratch, even younger people, it will take a lot more than the boomer generation, domino's tried to take over the pizza market and went bankrupt, these Americans try to destroy their culture but italians are still putting up a fight
@@georginagiethoorn6543 who told you that? This is really far from true. And yeah, big corps also give you salary. THe small botique does not
America is turning every westener into a braindead, this madness has to stop
The quality of life in Italian small towns is very high, higher than in big cities. More tidy and clean, friendlier people, etcetera. We're not as rich as before but the most of us still have a pretty good life.
The North of Italy is amongst the wealthiest regions in Europe, it is an economic powerhouse with global brands and outstanding small, family companies. It is also very expensive to live there.
Go to the south of Italy and it will look a bit different though. But you have still got good weather and good food and strong family and social networks. Do not worry about Italy. It is a great place to live.
True what you say,
but on the other hand, south is much cheaper and more enjoyable. South of Italy, however, has a much much better standard of living than any other town of the north of UK (where I grew up).
UK cities and towns are so depressing ( and nit because of the weather)..
I live in Calabria 2 or 3 km from the coast and about three or 400 m up a mountain in a little village .
If the locals don’t see me for a few days they get worried and send someone around to check to see if I’m alright , I somehow doubt if that would happen in the UK .
I’ve lived in France for 22 years and, since Brexit, my chums in the U.K. often ask me how I’m managing when they hear Tory politicians say how well the U.K. is doing when compared to the EU …. they send me photos of the barely stocked U.K. supermarket shelves, tell me how they can’t get doctor or dentist appointments etc etc … I am embarrassed to send them photos taken in my supermarket (just like what you showed in Navarro with similar prices), when I tell them I had a blood test the other day at 10.00am and my doctor was sent the results by 16.00 that afternoon and I was texted telling me that I could easily access my results at the same time. My husband had an x-ray the other week and we were asked to wait 15 minutes after which time we were handed the x-rays and a letter from the Radiographer (a Doctor) outlining the results … I asked if I should deliver them to our doctor and the secretary (looking surprised) assured me that the x-rays and the letter had already been emailed to him! I could go on but you get the picture …. Oh and I don’t live in a big town (population around 2,500).
@@PeterHolland-mu7yn Sometimes I try to be kind and think of the words of ‘the big yin’ (Billy Connelly) “they are more to be pitied than scolded” but most of the time I despair at their ignorance 😉. [Oh, btw, we are ‘almost’ neighbours ~ we live in Finistère not far from Concarneau!]
I've traveled to 33 countries in my life, italy is by far my favorite. Ive done road trips all over Italy, It has everything, incredible food, beautiful language, culture, nice people, stunning nature, my favorite parts are Liguria, from cinque terre to Dolceaqua, bordighera, to the dolomites, to the lake district, the medieval villages in Tuscany, the history and omg did I mention the food? Haha everything tastes so fresh and real, I'm in love with italy
It's always the food for me.
If you are rich of course everything is better
@@gaia7240 you don't have to be rich to travel in Europe. You can just hop in your car and drive to another country. Or if you want to travel even cheaper, take a bus or a train and visit another country for a day or a weekend, a bus ticket from Copenhagen to Florence can be less than 15 euros. If hotels are too expensive for you, You can also stay in hostels or refugios which are very cheap, you can find some for 25 euro a night. You can also camp in tents, there are camping sites that have everything you need and are very cheap. Food in italy is top quality and also very cheap, if you buy at local markets which are all over the place you can spend less than 10 euros and have a whole day worth of amazing food.
@@georginagiethoorn6543 yeah no nothing is cheap like that
@@georginagiethoorn6543
Less than 10 euros?
What do you eat the air you breathe?
It's not about those who come to Italy for pleasure but about living there and you don't live well
Because there is no work in many regions of Italy, especially in the south
If you don't have money how do you live?
As an adult, I lived over 10 years in the UK after living 13 years in Italy and I truly hated those years in the UK. Too many miserable people, shit weather, social problems, hostile environment towards Europeans, class society, sneaky people. I will not moan about it, it is useless. I just left and I am still glad I did, although it created a lot of troubles financially and in my personal life. This is already 7 years ago and I never went back there again and never will.
Yes, the UK has a lot of poorly educated people.
They can't see beyond their own nose. Yes and very sneaky.!
Sneakiness is the defining trait of the English.
@@geraldwagner8739 And cunning plans, never forget that ;-)
@@RealMash
😂👍
you're right. I'm english and 72 years old. I've never seen it so bad. I want to leave too ! it truly is an embarrassment
Thank you for the video I used to visit Novara frequently when I was working. It has not changed much in the last 20 years. My Immediate response was clean, no litter similar to mid sized French towns. Happy in France since 2011, the quality of life is so much better. I get culture shock going to the UK. Keep trying to convince more people that the EU is the place to be. An uphill struggle I know, particularly when you see people would have Boris back . May the Good Lord help the UK and its people.
I live in Italy and I love my country, I have spoken to many foreigners and our quality of life, at least in the north, is envied by many. Italians often like to complain but they just need to see the world a little to understand how lucky they are.
Not too bad here in Tuscany too ❤🌳❤️
Yes exactly. I've visited Italy many times in recent years, and I have to say Italians are quite fortunate. Not everything is great in Italy - but on the whole it's a really good country.
I have worked as an airline pilot for the last 25 years and unsurprisingly I spend a great deal of time traveling the world. I regret to have to say that the UK (my country of birth) is in a very sorry state. I feel that most of the inhabitants who don’t get out much aren’t really aware of just how bad it is. I’m fortunate in that I could get out of the UK when Brexit happened and now reside in an EU country. I would also comment that the USA is suffering from the same problem. In the last 10 years it has become a very sorry place too with poverty and dilapidation becoming much more prevalent. The tendency for populism to take hold of the political narrative is a threat that needs to be addressed globally. The EU countries really are becoming the last refuge of the civilised.
It seems to be the trend for most 'great' Empires. They can't deal with the fact that they are no longer 'great. And instead of adjusting (ie 'growing-up') , they use stupid, meaningless cliches like 'take back control' and all it does is accelerate their transition to irrelevance. After all, Rome and Greece had great empires once.
'The EU countries really are becoming the last refuge of the civilized.'
As long as we can avoid the unholy combination of populism and greed...
Well said from a permanent resident in Spain
I agree, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that power (and wealth !) is moving increasingly from the West (US and Europe) to the countries of China and East Asia.
@@keithhardy8513 To (East) Asia where the majority of all humans live!
Nothing wrong with it.
The point of Brexit was deregulating the financial sector.
Despite the government's assertions of wanting to improve economic competitiveness through Brexit, their real aim was to enhance competitiveness and regulatory efficiency in the financial sector.
They chose to ignore the fact that post-Brexit deregulation in the financial sector, alongside a fragile economy lacking decades of public investment, would lead to disastrous consequences Brexit Britain is facing right now.
You'r nearly there. I was about transparency and anti money laundering regulations the UK had to evade. The rest is make belief.
Italy is beautiful. I spent a long time when I was young studying the architecture. I'm so pleased it has not been trashed. Well done!
I am an Aussie expat living in northern Italy and this morning I had a cappuccino in a nice bar and it was perfect €1.70. Back in Australia they charge $5 at least and most of the time it tastes like dishwater and then I have to ask for a 2nd shot but the coffee is still no good. The reason is that in Australia weak tasteless coffee is accepted where here it goes without saying you always get a good coffee everywhere. Italians won’t put up with rubbish coffee
Yes, it's a trade off: on the one hand, great food; on the other hand, low salaries, high taxes, polluted air, disfunctional administration a brain drain of youth and a semi-privatised health service. So that's all right then - so long as the coffee is good.
G'day, mate. That's great but what are the sheila's like and did the didgeri do?.
I have an Italian salary and would not be able to afford to have a coffee every day at the bar. Salaries are too low and cost of living has gone up too much since we joined the Euro.
The damn Tories never cared about our quality of life, they're only concern is how can much can we fleece the public. Greed never made anyhting better.
Do you ever wonder why you feel poorer than you did 10 or 20 years ago ? Its all because of the failure of the EU over decades. Consider how much the EU has already declined relative to the United States. Fifteen years ago, according to the IMF, the GDP of the Eurozone was just under $14 trillion, while the U.S. economy was marginally bigger.Today, the Eurozone’s GDP is just under $15 trillion, a modest rise by any standards. But the U.S.’s GDP has roared ahead to $25 trillion, making its economy 60 per cent bigger than the Eurozone. That’s a lot of relative economic decline for the Euro area in just a decade and a half.The failure of Europe to keep pace with America has taken its toll on living standards. The average EU country is now poorer per head than every state in America bar Idaho and Mississippi. In 1990 America accounted for 25 per cent of global GDP, the EU a little above that. Today, America still accounts for 25 per cent of global GDP but the EU’s share has consistently slipped. It is now just over 14 per cent and falling. America has outperformed the EU on every economic indicator that matters. Since 1990 the U.S. working age population has risen from 127 million to 175 million, a rise of almost 40 per cent, while Europe’s has gone from 94 million to 102 million, a rise of only 9 per cent. We need less EU and a lot more USA
@@garyb455 I don't feel poorer than 20 years ago at all. Really that's on you. No matter who you want to blame for it, you have the same possibility then anyone to actually change your circumstances.
@@garyb455 WOW!!! JEEZ!!! There does not appear to be much under the red baseball cap, and the MAGA sun glasses need cleaning otherwise you would not be plucking such undocumented facts and figures out of nowhere! Your faith is blinding and blanding you!!!
@@parsonk4041 You read what he wrote? He obviously lacks some faculties to better himself...
@@RealMash I gave up 3 lines in.
I have no idea why people think that the EU is going to fall apart, or why people believe such BS, I live in Athens Greece and it is very nice here, the people saying these things have no idea what they are talking about
Why? Because this is what the far-right want; when profit, not people are the primary motivator. Remove the EU protections, so that companies can spend the minimum necessary to protect people, more profit for their shareholders.
Because they want to be able to negotiate with countries the same size, or even dominate smaller countries. That is what the UK did all along for centuries. And they over estimate their importance. They tell you for forty years now the EU (or precursor) will implode any minute noew.
Hope you guys in Greek get your ducks in a row now-you have such a great weather, food and culture. All invaluable. And hospital people.
@@RealMash I am an Englishman I've been living in Athens for 30 years which is why I can't understand how come we have become so foolish 😁
Greece? I know this is a pro EU channel/upload but please, don't insult even the average thickos!
@@QuoPaperPlane if people are going to vote to be poorer, sicker, have less food and more taxes, and lose all their rights, they need to be insulted
Not just Italy. I’ve been in several EU countries including Poland, Austria, Hungary and Denmark and I can honestly say they are all much cleaner, with buildings in a better state, nicer weather, safer feeling streets etc. The UK is quickly turning into the sick man of Europe again. If I had the opportunity in the right circumstances I would leave this sorry country.
Where I live in the UK was a dump before Brexit & is still a dump, the local & national government are incompetent, I would sack all of them & bring in Italians to run everything.
Great video Michael. The uk is going backwards. But keep pushing for European unity ❤
On the continent don't they use their sewage as fertiliser ? 🤮 I think I prefer it here
@Alexander-br7vh. But on the continent, they have at least not let their drinking water be contaminated with sewage!
@@Alexander-br7vh What are you speaking about, ? this reality was in China 50 years ago...I am sure EU has an eficiente sewer system...😉
@Alexander
Yes it's much better in England where the sewage is dumped in rivers and lakes, or washed up on beaches. It's very beneficial for the owners of UK water companies who are based in Australia or the United Arab Emirates. They don't need to treat sewage and lower their bottom line. I'm sure that makes you very happy.
@@Alexander-br7vh😂😂😂
They are using the manure which is great for agriculture, but don't bother yourself with the truth 😂
Hey Michael, i live in Italy in a small town about one hour and 20 minutes from Bologna. Ive lived here for 7 years. I've noticed a huge improvement since i arrived, house prices have gone up, new shops opening, and many new factories are being built. Prices gave gone up nothing drastic but the health insurance has jumped huge for a foreigner from €387 to €2000 a year but the healthcare system is great. I've a better quality of life here fo sure.
Thanks Michael for posting this video. The thing you mentioned was quality of life. Yes that was one of the things I noticed almost from the beginning. The is one of the biggest things was don’t really have in the U.K also the pride they take in their streets was beautiful to see. In the high street where I am Allie see are boarded buildings because no one can afford the rent. It’s just so depressing. The stress shows on peoples faces here. I’m glad you had had a really nice time, and I’m so pleased that you are showing us the real difference in other countries. I mean really showing us not someone just reading out false facts and telling us how other countries are having a worse time than the U.K Thanks again Michael for your time and effort.
Ho sempre criticato aspramente l'italia, poi però ho viaggiato all'estero e ho capito la vera grandezza dell'Italia, non ti abbandonerò mai più mia cara Italia🥰 ❤
Lo penso tutte le mattine quando scendo a prendere il caffè al bancone del bar, do un'occhiata al giornale, scambio due commenti, sento i profumi dei piatti in preparazione: piccoli piaceri della vita da gustare nel più bel paese del mondo
Però ti arrivano le bollette arretrate del gas e ti svegli tutto sudato...
I have noticed that it looks so clean everywhere. They respect their environment. No shops boarded up that I could see. They are proud of their country and probably nicer people. This is what the EU does. It provides trading routes and greater prosperity. People feel that there is a future. The Tories have decimated the UK. I have noticed some of the fruit sold in the UK is passed its best already.
Well I made my home here, and at the age of 75 I think on balance it’s been a positive choice. While the picturesque cities and great food are obvious attractions, other aspects of Italy might surprise some: Healthcare- my partner and I have both required emergency surgery at different times and been treated rapidly and extremely competently at no cost. Bureaucracy - traditionally a nightmare in Italy for document-averse Brits, but my post Brexit Permanent Residence Card was dealt with more quickly than many people going through the equivalent process in Germany. Renewing a driving license- compulsory every 3 years after 70- delivered 3 days after having done my medical. Things have certainly improved! The handling of Covid was also far more decisively managed overall than Boris’s fudging in Britain and the Italians displayed remarkable discipline and tolerance of the necessary measures. Other things I feel are done better here are the excellent high speed train service Milan-Rome, while HS2 remains a mirage, and the overall maintenance of the motorway network. It’s not perfect, where is? But post Brexit I no longer feel the desire to go “home” for my final years.
Absolutely spot in. I also cose to live here and have never regretted the decision
Yes , the black market in Italy is thriving and if you want something done simply open your wallet . Corruption : the U.K. politicians have nothing on Italy's . Crime : our police are not what they should be but can you tell the difference between the Mafia and the police in Italy ?
@@johngaskell1467 UK politicians have nothing on Italy’s? Michelle Mone anyone?
Well written, people speak in stereotypes.
I lived in Italy for 5 years in Bassano del Grappa, a northern town much smaller than Navarro, but very similar in terms of cleanliness, beauty and the small shop proprietors that take immense pride in their businesses. I speak Italian, hold Italian and American passports and regret ever coming back to the States. One point not covered is the Italian health care system which I found to be excellent and mere pennies of the dollar compared to USA costs. Thanks for the tour and your thoughts.
It looks so beautiful Michael.have a great trip
I live in France, and have done for 14 years. From the videos, the first thing I noticed was of course how clean and tidy everywhere was, rather like here in France. The range of food items, the cost and the way it was presented is very much like that here as well. I cannot understand, and I have tried very hard to work out, is why the people in the UK have allowed the country to be so deliberately run down by this Govt. And I cannot see any signs, regardless of who wins the next election, of any real changes for the better, which I find very depressing. Another subject you might like to do a blog on would be how (and why?) health provision and services are so much better in Europe than the UK now?
Watching Michael's video, I didn't see any closed shops, unless I missed something.
Recently I watched a YT video about Richmond upon Thames. This is the RICHEST borough in the UK, home to various rock and film stars. I used to live in the borough, (in the poorer end. 😏)
Although the main shopping street is still pretty busy overall, and the majority of shops are open, as you'd expect, I was struck by how many closed shops there were. That has NEVER happened before.
When a nation accepts decline as normality, it takes more than a change of government to turn things around.
@@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw there are more and more closes shops in Italy too and the reasons are various: more and more malls, internet shopping, lack of money (unlike it is shown in the video, the Italians have a very difficult time since the country joined the Euro and it is getting worse and worse).
@@sevs17
Is Italy having a difficult time BECAUSE of the EU, or IN SPITE OF the EU ? If you think it's bad now, try being OUTSIDE the EU. Like the UK is now.
@@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw since we joined the Euro and do not have a control of the customs (we have EU customs and cannot control what comes in) the situation worsened dramatically. There are many books and documentaries talking about this and since we joined the Euro the money that people can keep at the side is less and less. The situation is anything but positive and will not improve.
I love my country, I wish our salaries went up by 20-30% only. I lived in Sweden for 6 years and yes, great salaries and conditions at work.. but I didn't see myself in a country with the lack of sense of community. I am sorry for all the northern European who will read this comment but in the south of Europe we may be poorer but we know how to have fun and be with each others, we don't need to constantly plan the next trip abroad to feel alive. The weather, the nature, the beaches, the culture.. I earn less in Italy but i am feeling so much richer as a person. And for all the italians who don't agree, fine, move to northern europe then, most of us will come back after some years anyway
I totally agree. I am an Italian who lived abroad for 25 years (mainly the Netherlands in the past few years) and I moved back to Italy only recently. I much prefer our lifestyle here, despite what others might say.
You forgot the food!👋
È assolutamente così, l'Italia è un paese stupendo, molto spesso ce ne dimentichiamo❤
Italy is NOT poorer than northern Europe overall, ONLY Germany is richer and Italy is on par with France, Britain and richer in some categories.
Your consideration about the "good environment" you notice in the centre of the city made me reflect about the role of architecture. Most Italian cities and even villages have remarkable city centers in terms of agreable (if not beautiful) architecture that, back at the time, was conceived to entertain and gather people activities when they were out of home. I wonder why in modern times architects and urban planner don't give a shit to this very simple and clear principle: you need spaces where it's nice to spend your time, with a nice view if you expect people to stay together in public spaces.
What a lovely video. Just like Germany, everything is so clean, all the shops are occupied and there are no homeless people begging on the streets. I am living on the basic state pension, so I'm unable to afford to travel and see for myself how life is in other European countries. I'm grateful for your videos because I can see for myself how much we are being lied to by our government. Thank you. Much appreciated.
not sure about Germany, I was shocked to see homeless people on the streets in Munich. just a few months ago.
I was referring to Michael's previous video from Aachen in Germany. Same sort of video as the Italian one with clean streets, no homeless beggars and lovely well stocked shops. Perhaps bigger cities like Munich have more problems?
@@Nnomadd Why shouldn't Germany have homeless people? Just go to the bigger cities and you'll see.
Would choose living in Italy over England at any time. Fortunately some countries enjoy the freedom of movement....
I live in Nice and went through to Ventimiglia today - less than an hour on the clean, reliable train for 12€ return. I went to do my household shop because it is way cheaper - and more fun - than Nice. The sun was shining, the pavement cafes were full and noisy. As is normal l was given a plate of food free with my glass of wine. So yes - Michael is right - sure you can argue statistics - but really it is all down to the quality of life you experience on a daily basis.
I am 79 and moved here - alone - 12 years ago. It hasn't always been easy but l've never once regretted it. And l'm even more grateful now!
Lovely place. Many years ago, used to 'commute' between there and Mone Carlo 😃
Wonderful video, Michael. I used to live in Munich and drove to Italy a few times a year. In small towns, and in bic cities, the lifestyle is very laid-back, friendly - and people of all ages congregate socially. In smaller towns many elderly people do their shopping on bicycles. The small supermarkets sell wonderful, freshly made dishes at the counters. Wine shops sell decent wine by the litre, which they fill into any bottle you bring, at about €2/litre.
Thanks for your inspirational reportage. ❤😊
Thanks 😊
A fabulous video Michael, my wife's father was an Italian businessman from the north of Italy and he moved to Wales to open various businesses some years ago, I don't think he would have bothered in these times. It saddens me to think that the youth of today have had their freedom of movement stripped away by a bunch of narrow minded fools, I 've been lucky in my life to have lived and worked all over the world most recently in Spain and France it was a privilege that is now denied to the young people of this country.
Beautiful video Michael and highly informative as always. I do not live in the UK but find the sheer gullibility of otherwise sensible people in the face of obvious government and/or media disinformation both concerning and incomprehensible. Same in the USA and certain other part of the world too.
My husband is English and Australian. I am Italian and Australian. He wants to live in the UK. I would rather live in Italy. My father came from Trieste after the war to Australia. I think northern Italy is very beautiful.
Yes it is!
Streets are nice and clean. No sloppy T-shirts and misshapen jogging bottoms to be seen. This already makes all the difference. Everything else you mentioned already.
Snobs that all hate each other and can't trust each other
The reason the British dislike eruopeans so much is jealousy it's unspoken but deep down it's just jealousy
Agree absolutely. Jealous because on mainland Europe there's still 'optimism about the future'; long term political decisions are being made that benefit many people; people still have a love of good and healthy food; they have a REAL coffee culture; their seaside towns are (mostly) doing well.... unlike ours; things in general function properly; people are still able to move freely between countries; no country considers itself in isolation....but as a link to another country.
They also still have stringent regulations governing water quality, good safety standards, and the general environment - we no longer do. But we need to,if we want to avoid the overall health if the British people from declining.
Finally, no other European country has an aristocracy that is still so powerful and influential in the politics of a country, as we do. And this is incredibly sad. It should not be the case in 2024. But I'm afraid it is. That's pretty damning.
The British love being ruled over by toffs and aristocratic bullies. This has always been the case. Again, we should have moved on from this by now....but sadly we haven't. We're still as hooked on this ruling structure as we have ever been.
‘The British’ is too sweeping a term. People living in Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain in Europe.
Not only jealousy but also open enmity! They actually regard them as enemies.
@@clarecrawford9677 It's too sweeping even for the English of course. Brexit lovers were from a specific class and educational attainment sector of society on the whole. The rest of us thought of ourselves as British Europeans and allies.
@@clarecrawford9677Danny Dorling always cites Scotland as an example of already doing things differently than England and moving more in the direction of becoming more like a scandinavian country as opposed to England, which is often following the US' example down the drain.
Have a great time in Italy, I live in Spain, people are enjoying life and they are earning enough to go shopping and enjoy meals in restaurants. The towns are very clean, beautiful and have lots of spaces for all the citizens to meet!
My local English town is a vision of (presumably) what it was like living in Eastern Europe in the 1970s.
Eastern Europe is a big place.
My local town, Bristol looks like after some major earthquake or something.. Good graffiti and local resistance apparent, though. Walked by the old Swift Co and beautifully painted mural thar said: ‘Whoever stole my anti-depressants, I hope you are happy’…😂
Io sono di Novara e vivo In Inghilterra. Certamente l' Italia ha mille problemi, ma prima di dire che il signore non capisce niente, dovreste vivere in UK. La vita non è solo lavorare 12 ore al giorno e dormire e scassarsi di alcool nel week end, per chi è fortunato e non lavora nel week end. Purtroppo l Inghilterra non offre molto altro. In Italia la qualità della vita per chi ha un lavoro è più ricca che in UK. Ricca significa molte cose. In Italia ci sono eventi, fiere, sagre, concerti, le bellissime spiagge della Sardegna da godere in estate, e la stagione sciistica magari nelle Dolomiti. Mangiare in un buon ristorante e sorseggiare un caffè al bar sotto casa, e scambiare quattro chiacchiere col barista, e non andare a caffè nero dove tutti si fanno i cazzi loro con le cuffie in testa, servito in bicchieri di carta, e devi chiedere pure un tavagliolo se no non te lo danno, fare la fila al bancone, perché non c è neanche sevizio al tavolo. Come se non bastasse qui piove 11 mesi su 12. Certo si stava meglio qualche anno fa in Italia , ma sempre dire che l Italia fa schifo non sapete cosa dite. Qui hai una stabilità finanziaria, ma solo quella e tutti gli inglesi che sono al secondo posto, come paese più triste appena possono se ne vanno all' estero in vacanza. Piantatela di lamentarvi e soprattutto denigrate un signore distinto inglese, che garbatamente fa apprezzamenti dello stile di vita italiano, rispetto a quello anglosassone e voi a dire che non sa niente. Se si sta così male, come mai sempre più Americani fanno ricerche se possono avere la cittadinanza italiana per fare i pensionati in ITALIA? La dolce vita sarà sempre meno dolce che in passato, ma è percepita più dolce e lenta rispetto ad altri paesi che devono correre ogni SECONDO e fanno i conti con alcolismo e depressione anche se possono non avere problemi finanziari.
Brava! Sono inglese, vivo in italia. Hai spiegato il perchè.
Συμφωνώ
Bravo! Io ho vissuto all'estero per tanti anni e sono rientrata in Italia 25 anni fa. È vero, l'Italia è un paese meraviglioso, con cittadine dove la vita scorre lenta, si mangia bene, si respira aria buona e si fa il pisolino dopo pranzo. Non a Milano o a Roma, grandi città come tutte le altre. Il problema dell'Italia, almeno negli ultimi 25 anni, è stata la sua classe politica. I politici, con il loro menefreghismo, sete di potere e corruzione, hanno rovinato l'anima degli italiani, trasformandoli, spesso, in sonnambuli rimbabiti dalla televisione. Però, per chi non si lascia influenzare da tutto ciò, ci sono tante cose da fare, posti da vedere, abbiamo un bellissimo sole e il cielo dell'azzurro più bello che c'è. Almeno, io la penso così, vedo sempre il bicchiere mezzo pieno.
@paolocassina6031 Bravo grazie 😊
Basta guardare i dati sull’emigrazione. Quanti italiani lasciano l’Italia per andare a vivere e lavorare nel Regno Unito e quanti invece dal Regno Unito emigrano per vivere e lavorare in Italia? In Italia stai bene se hai un posto fisso pubblico e casa di proprietà. Se in Italia perdi il lavoro sei f0ttuto sopratutto se abiti al sud, nel Regno Unito se perdi il lavoro ha la maggiori possibilità di trovarne un altro e spesso pure meglio del primo. Senza contare che i servizi pubblici ed assistenziali nel Regno Unito sono migliori rispetto alla media italiana.
Comunque per me il paese migliore dove poter vivere in Europa é la Francia (meridionale) perché il clima è come quello italiano, il cibo é comunque di buon livello, i servizi pubblici sono ottimi ed il mercato del lavoro è dinamico, meritocratico e con paghe dignitose.
La Francia (meridionale) é la bella copia dell’Italia.
I thoroughly enjoyed your video Michael. The city you featured is beautiful! Please keep up the great work - many of us are right there with you and I certainly appreciate all you do .
Thank you Angela 😊
Brexit was voted for by people who don't like foreigners. The ones that have been to continental Europe probably went to lie on the beach and drink cheap beer in Torremolinos or some other tourist spot. They would not try to speak the language or learn anything about the people or places they are visiting. The places they visit become virtually indistinguishable: menus written in English, "Happy Hour", etc.. They do not vist places like Novara.
It's normal to see menus in english anywhere. Also it's not a bad thing to not learn about culture or language when you go there for the sun.
I don’t think your average Brexit voter would visit Italy, it’s too cultured
@@parsonk4041 I am sorry, but when I visit a country I at least learn Hello, Good bye, Thank you, please...it is just something you do to respect the culture.
You might see that differently, but then please stay on your rainy Island.
@@RealMash why so sensitive. I would go through the effort, but wouldn't expect it from others. I mean it's more of a detriment to the person who doesn't.
The same assumptions being made as the lefty, snobbish, Pinot Noir sipping rags make, oh, and Eddie Izzard usually while waving a Palestinian and rainbow flag in the background article of an almost obsolete publication. You're in great company.
I'm Italian and I lived in the UK for 3 years. Wonderful country and I love the people, but life in the UK is TOUGH! Cold weather, always raining, very introverted and closed people, decent quality food is expensive so I saw young people eating junk food every day for years and drinking too much alcohol, so many people looked depressed, alcoholic and on drugs...I saw a lot of British people with zero friends and suffering loliness! you have to be a real stoic to enjoy life in the UK if you're born into a working-class family. I admire British people because they're stoic and strong, not easy at all to live in this country!
Quality of life in Italy it was always better than UK *IF* you have a decent job. Better quality food at cheaper prices (only junk food and snacks are cheaper in the UK), better healthcare, a more relaxed life, a lot easier to make friends, better beaches, you can enjoy more life...the UK is better than Italy if you are an ambitious person, is more meritocratic and you can get paid if you are really good. Also is much better if you are a freelance or a company owner, corporation tax is much lower, and accountants are a lot cheaper in the UK, and very professional too.
For people that want to have a great career, freelance, and entrepreneurs the UK is much better than Italy.
But if you are just an average person and can get a decent job, Italy is MUCH better because of the better quality of life, better healthcare, quality of food, easier to connect with people and have a real social life..
I agree with everything you had just said. I lived in the uk, London for 12 years and I am back in Italy for 3 weeks and I feel like a nightmare has ended and I’m back in paradise ahahah
"IF you have a decent job in Italy" this doesn't exist in Italy, the ones that have a decent job are grossly underpaid and live with "mamma"
You got the point!
Pure truth I am italian living in uk and I agree with all you say, this country is not designed for decent human life
@@domdevil91 if I had plenty of money it would not have any sense to be in "Gotham land" doing what? be in the chaos of London? admiring the boredness of the english countryside where everything is the same everywhere? The gloomy weather? The people who are isolated and very individualistic?
A worthy comparison. The problem I believe is that in mainland Europe there is a different mentality, which Britons don't share. The UK is insular, frequently xenophobic and mistrusting towards "foreigners" and our towns and cities have been governed by big business, often American corporations who have no regard for aesthetics, just the desire to put up as much neon that will bring in the paying customers. What a contrast with countries such as Italy or France. No country is perfect but I think the UK can learn far more from Europe than they from us.
100% correct, I subscribed after 5 minutes of watching.
I left the UK in 1982 and have no plans or incentive to return. I've toured the World as a musician and it's difficult not to make comparisons with your own hometown (London).The comparisons would include living standards, infrastructure, intellect, Architecture, income and the general happiness of the locals, so I left.
The last time I was there was 2016, 2 weeks after the Referendum and the atmosphere was very hostile. We had many conversations with people pro and anti Brexit and the overwhelming majority were uninformed and misinformed. Very sad.
I get my information from family and friends living around the Country and all are unhappy and fedup with the deterioration and inevitable collapse of town centers.
Greetings from Germany
It is a very depressing place to live now. I live in a rural area so if I shut my eyes and ears to the news now and then and go outside and just let the countryside flow around me I can restore calm and hope for a while. But it doesn't last long. I am frightened for my old age. Actually frightened.
@@suewilkinson910 I'm so sorry to hear about your situation and many millions like you. The government is responsible for everything that's taken place and the grim future.
Thank you very much for subscribing @Deleba333 😊
Michael, the same goes for the quality of life in France and Germany. I have visited many of the towns and cities there and they never look run down, people frequently visit the shops and the goods are usually reasonably priced and decent quality. I think it comes down to what you value in society. We want more for less and are increasingly influenced by the Americans it seems.
You have hit the nail on the head ..America has nothing to offer..
The rot set in with Maggie Thatcher who didn’t like ‘socialist’ Europe. She wanted to be ‘capitalist’ like the USA. Yet another one of her disgusting legacies
@@Redsleather- 👏👏👍✌️
Thank you Michael. My twopenny's worth: As someone who had lived for ten years in Germany in the eighties, had a house in the South of France for eight years, until a few years ago, family living in Denmark, and have travelled extensively throughout Europe. Indeed I have just returned from a month's stay in Denia, Costa Blanca..None of this is news to me.
But I have a point to make. The Europeans have more disposable income generally, and one reason is 'home ownership' is not as wide-spread as in the UK, I would say. The reason they are content to rent, in many cases for life, is that they are confident that when they retire, their pensions will be at a level that they can sustain their lifestyle.
In the UK, our pensions are pathetically poor, so home ownership is a hedge against falling income in later life. The cost of this ownership, as a percentage of income can be crippling, and certainly leads to less disposable income.
Finally, tax cuts are a race to the bottom. They adversely and disproportionality impact on the poorest in society, it's a con trick that the voters keep falling for.
Friend, you have no idea what you're saying. I'm Spanish. I own my home. I'm 45 years old and we enjoy my wife's and mine's salary 100%. The southern countries have the highest home ownership rate in Europe, excluding Eastern Europe, always. It is cheaper to pay a mortgage than rent, look on the internet it is easy
The housing problem started with Thatcher selling off social housing and preventing them from being replaced. She reasoned that people who owned their own houses were more likely to vote Tory. That thinking allowed property prices to rise both domesticated commercially, hence money being sucked out of people's pockets at every level. Combine that with the privatisation of utilities and spending money diminishes further. Add in the lack of investment overall plus austerity and shrinking budgets you get the UK. However, a few have benefitted hugely. Revolution anyone?
Not Italy. Basically everybody owns a house. Renting is limited and seen as a waste of money.
@@culocabra Just like Italy.
The architecture also plays a role. Beauty is important and feeds the mind.
An Italian friend once said to me that; we (the Italians) can’t stand the EU, but we know it would be a disaster if we left.
That's probably a pretty common view. But Brits like to think they are exceptional. Exceptionaly deluded more like.
Nice video, you shouldn't show this though, it may break the brexiters illusion of Europe falling to bits 😂 thanks Michael I enjoyed that.
No, it will not. Ay minute now...for forty years..and you think facts will change anything? That is a faith, a believe. Nothing more. Can't argue with true believers...i wonder where they get their forty virgins from, though.
As we know by now, it is a mistranslated fruit basket...which they will not find, either.
I've been here in Italy almost 40 years , its a fantastic place to live ,i only come to Britain to see my 95 year old father, i know Novara quite well and its a beautiful town , like so much of Italy, i would never come back to the UK its an absalute disgrace.
UK is disgrace but you let there your 95(!) old father to rot rather than care for him to his old age. What a good "son" are you. Shameful.
My Grandfather was Italian..I think soon I will be heading back to my roots..Brexit island is no longer in my soul...
Sooner rather than later, eh?
Ciao! Mio marito ed io siamo russi, ma ora viviamo in Turchia. Recentemente siamo stati in Italia...e adesso pensiamo di vivere lì più a lungo ❤ Io adoro il Bel Paese, la gente, la cultura e la lingua 💚
спасибо, вам будут рады здесь, в Италии🇮🇹❤️🇷🇺
Fascinating! Thank you Michael. What an insight. It’s not just the shops (not boarded up) or the quality of goods, it’s the well maintained streets, the attitude of the people and how they’re dressed, etc. I’m so glad you showed us the supermarket. The size of those lettuces! Great video. Brought a tear to my eye with the réalisation of how broken Britain is.
Btw, I can’t see any option for buying you a coffee or superchat.
Well, Milan is the Fashion capital of Italy, and relatively close by. The supermarket was a French supermarket chain. But yes, the UK is in decline, we are witnessing the polarisation of wealth on an unprecedented scale. and we are being programmed to put the blame on other poor people because they 'incomers'
This is what should have been illustrated in the Remain campaign .....was there any Remain campaign?
Thank you Jo 😊
The English seem not to appreciate the beneficial effect which beautiful architecture has on the soul.
I really enjoyed the tour of Novara, I think I saw in the buildings the relationship of Fibonacci numbers which make things pleasing to the eye.
We are much affected by our environment, if it is ugly and harsh it forms the backdrop to a meager life.
The English appreciate architecture but they are too stingy to splash out on fine design. Cheap and practical, that's how they want it. Nice is a welcome bonus but only if someone else pays for it.
@@comdo831
Architecture doesn´t have to be grand either, I love the winding back streets of my Spanish town, with their tall old houses and narrow alleys soaked in history.
My wife comes from that part of Italy. Our quality of life even in the prosperous south of England was lower even when we married 30 years ago. They had better everything: houses (quality of construction, materials craftsmanship from the tradesmen), furniture, transportation (public and private), education (great school system: universities not so good), social cohesion ... clothes (of course), food (incomparable), wine, cafes and restaurants, weather (naturalmente). The difference in fruit and fresh produce generally is so depressing when you return. Plus all the things you mention (lack of charity shops, pound shops, chains, etc. It was much more difficult to find a job there if you lacked family connections. And a lot of Lombardy is spoilt by a complete absence of zoning and care for the countryside.
your typical town in the uk has boarded up shops and those that are open have s lot of charity shops - big difference between italy and the uk - the uk is not on its knees, it's flat on it's back
Visited Milan recently from Winchester and the contrast came as a shock . A vibrant city , it has its problems like anywhere but the feeling of prosperity and happiness is infectious.
The U.K. is a mess and depressing in comparison. Silly Brexit politicians and their flags , surrounded by decay.
But, but, but, ... sovereignty, and blue passports. And...er, er...
Yes, after 20 years here in Italy, I can attest there are no evident homeless people. The Catholic Church takes care of a lot of this. We generally have clean streets, independent shops and as good health service, even if it is under strain with an ageing population. I can phone for a doctor`s appointment same day or just turn up and wait. I will never not be seen. Indeed I have my doctor`s and surgeon`s cell numbers. This is one of the things I most appreciate here. The lack of awe with which we regard our professionals. They are here to serve us, is the attitude.
Italy is a wonderful country,as you can tell I am Italo Scots and proud of Scotland the country I love.My parents are from Toscana.Lorenzo.❤
Yes I feel for all who lost out because of Brexit.Europe is amazing.Lorenzo.
Italian economy is doing pretty well at the moment.
Buon Ciono Michael, wish you a beautiful holiday in Italy. We travel to Italy once or twice or even more every year but still haven’t had enough of this country. Just dearly love Italy. Less obese folks on the roads, less sweatpants on the roads. Nicely dressed people everywhere. Cities and villages are full of beautiful and handsome ladies and gentlemen. Fantastic wines and delicious foods. We are very thankful to have FoM to visit Italy as often as we like.
Grazie mille per la bellissima registrazione video dear Michael❤
Grazie Johanna 😊
You can't compare Italian coffee to Starbucks. The first coffee I had in Rome, I sat there seriously considering staying there forever.
Rome does not judge, it absolves
Indeed, every day when I go down to the café mid-morning, taste the coffee at the counter, quickly leaf through the newspaper, exchange a few words, smell the aroma of the dishes they are preparing for lunch, I understand that I am enjoying one of life's little pleasures 😁
We drink tea so it doesn’t matter
Starbucks coffee is toilet water
Consider that 90% of coffees in center Rome are shit for Italian standards.
I know it well Michael my brother-in-law comes from there my sister moved to Italy in 1962 she never came back. And I don't blame her she now lives down on the coast😊 just outside of Genova I ❤ Italy I visit Italy often ...i digress she used to run a small hotel on banks of Lago Marjorie I used to help her out when I was young 17 year old in 1964 happy memories.😊
As an Italian I always wonder with curiosity why the United Kingdom has this sort of obsession with my country. We are always brought up as a negative example of bureaucratic inefficiency, economic problems and so on... I remember for example the Economist article "welcome to Britaly". In reality, I believe that compared to the United Kingdom, my country has this advantage: however bad the situation may be, and for reasons that you will never understand, the Italian economy is one of the most resilient in the world.
OK, try to explain the resilience please.
@@lynnoorman2144Resilience is the ability to face, cushion, and overcome crises and moments of difficulty. For many years you, dear and very nice European neighbors, have continued (with a hint of disappointed expectation) to predict the imminent catastrophe and economic bankruptcy of my country, but strangely this has not yet happened. And you keep asking yourself why. But it is difficult if not impossible for you to understand the reasons for this resilience. These reasons in my opinion (even if I am not an economist) lies in some peculiar aspects of Italian society: the family, the community and the social fabric
Well said!
@charleswhite758 yes, maybe I went a little too far when I talked about disappointed expectations, it's just that the feeling of always being taken as a negative example beats on nerves after a while.
You're right about the rest. I don't live in a big city, but in a highly industrialized area in the north of the country, and I still have a small garden, with a vegetable patch and two chickens for eggs. I don't do it to save money, but because I actually like it, and because I try to eat things that are as natural as possible.
So yes, our pillars are family and community, and I would have also added a bit of shadow economy, but I held back because nowadays it's not good to say it, and I thought that foreigners would have misunderstood me anyway 😅
Our neighbours tend to forget that our resilience depends mainly on the fact that we are the second European manufacturer after Germany and still one of the largest exporters in the world. But they are too focused on pizza and expresso and this Dolcevita nonsense. Italy is not only enchanting beauty, is real economy.
I live in central France and our family and friends, who visit us every year, are always commenting on how much cleaner it is here, no litter, that you can park anywhere around town, free of charge and that the fruit and veg is so much fresher and in abundance and how much they love the cafe scene at a fraction of the cost in England............it's a myth that the UK is doing better than the EU.
The only people peddling that myth are the Tory government and the Brexit voters who, seeing their dream dissolving before their very eyes, are keen to believe every word they are told about how great we are in comparison.
Lovely looking town. First I’ve heard of it. I lived in Milan many years ago and this place is new to me. Italy is a charming country with great eating and sunny summers. Nostalgic viewing for me and remorse at seeing what it is I/we have lost access to which came so easily and effortlessly BB. Happy travels.
Italians do everything with style whether its shopping, eating or dressing and puts the UK in a poor light and especially after Brexit and 14 years of Tory dismantling of standards which will take a long time to recover from.
I love your videos. Thank you. I moved to the EU after the vote. I feel your pain. Greed has no boundaries. Here, they laugh at our country. All the best Michael.
Thank you Frank 😊
My wife (Italian) and I (Not Italian) are going to move to Novara from Dublin next year and this video was very interesting! I know that salaries are lower in Italy but we will be closer to family and friends and will actually be able to afford a house there whereas here in Dublin it’s completely impossible. Thanks for the video! 🙂
As an Italian living in Dublin I can say that real problem in Italy is with low wages for educated people holding a degree. The economy is based on very small business, it’s very challenging to get a decent job you feel over educated all the time.
There are still nice towns and lots of things to do on free time, nice food everywhere.
But with high taxes, corruption, an awful bureaucracy, demographics problems there is no hope for a bright future
Corruption is everywhere look at the UK and England specifically, also Dublin lives off of the big American corporation that are extented from paying taxes, while the averager Irish man is poorer than us Italians, the economy in Ireland is so infalted and vast majority of the money is taken out of the country
Pure propaganda by Italians incapable of making it in their own country. There is NO comparison Ireland to Italy, Ireland's only economy is being a tax haven and the housing situation is in chaos as is the poverty. A tiny upper class vs giant lower.
Italy is, in EU terms, not a rich country but it's somewhere in the middle. Economywise that is.
Italy is very rich in culture though as well as in 'dolce vita'.
Italians have freedom of movement, can study in any European country and, when it comes to immigration and asylum seekers, beat pretty much all EU countries (the Isle of Lampedusa).
The above translates to a quality of life that is up there. I'm happy to live in a country, The Netherlands, that is in the same category.
Lets be fair here, as a German, they are much sharper dressed than either Germany or the people in the Netherlands;-)
Our attire is more...practical, though ;-)
@@RealMash I have to agree 😁
Northern Italy is pretty rich in EU terms
@@Alice-rc2hw Yes, there are huge differences between the north and the south.
Thanks Michael mmm yes looks terrible doesn't it.
We aren't doing quite that well are we?
Brexit has been and will remain a nightmare almost wish I could upsticks and leave the country I was once proud to be part of!!!
Well Sally can't even do that now, fair play brexit was a roaring success 😢.
Italy is doing very weel, GDP, expoert, standard of living. Much, much better than UK. The UK has been voted as the second WORST place to live in.
Who is worse 😅lucky them 😊
@@gullygullible9774 probably Russia🙄
@@matthewrice3432 Russia is doing very well
I never knew the UK was the 2nd worst place to live until I read other comments from the remoaners for the 1000th time. Why is it relevant or is it because you don't really and truly know what you are talking about. weel? expoert? Do enlighten us thickos.
in italy we say 'mourn the dead' "PIANGERE IL MORTO" . It is a strategy. People always say that everything is bad even if things are quite good. In Italy it is one of the national sports.
Yeah, absolutely true, after Football there's 'complaining'.
Ahahaha chi sa perché siamo culturalmente lamentosi
I just found your content Michael - thank you for providing a balanced view of the differences between life in Britain and towns or cities in other European countries. You are 100% correct, Britain is sinking under the weight of taxation, excessive corporate profits, high energy costs and crazy house prices/rents. I am tired of hearing people like Farage, Rees-Mogg and Tice saying, give Brexit a chance, or it was the wrong kind of Brexit - it was a disaster in slow motion and has rightly made us the laughing stock of Europe. Our politics is broken, our economy is broken and our standard of living is broken.
Thanks @lakelife8757 - I am glad you found me 😊
And you think the UK got like that since we left the EU four years ago? The UK has been declining for decades.
It looks very clean compared to UK's cities.
Quality of life in Italy has always been better than in UK and will be for the foreseeable future Brexit or not
Only in Italy you can find in a supermarket 5 different kinds of zucchini.
As a British citizen who has lived in Germany for the last 10 years I am also disturbed by the decline in the UK, and yes it has got worse since Brexit, but it was on a downward trend beforehand. Certain right wing groups in the UK just wanted to blame the EU for what was really UK internal problems, hence getting worse post Brexit.
Some commenting on here say that in the EU the UK could not have gone a different path and that Brexit is not to blame. To those I say make sure you know what an EU Regulation is compared to an EU Directive. This shows clearly that the UK could and did have a great deal of flexibility to make its own rules and develop in other areas if it wished to. It just got the decisions wrong.
Add to this all, political incompetence, lack of vision, inability to see large projects through to completion, corruption on a massive scale and a total lack of inward investment. the UK was doomed to failure.
Someone please explain to me how making a few trade deals overseas that undercut the internal market such as farmers is progress?
Investment needed for growth: The UK has the third highest level of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in the world behind the USA and China. So investment is not the problem, maybe it is the type of investment? A foreign investor can invest Billions into the UK Financial Services industry and not create one single job or help the UK grow in any meaningful way.
So why can’t the UK attract the right kind of investment? Well unfortunately the UK has one of the lowest outputs per worker in Europe. The infrastructure is poor, and it has become dirty and looks poor, so why would an investor come to the UK then when there are much better options for their business just over the Channel?
I would like the UK to rejoin the EU and instead Germany out.. I prefer British arrogance to Germn arrogance. I prefer arrogance like that of a sour English spinster aunt than Nazi German arrogance. More pragmatic and nice.
So glad I got out of the UK, it's so sad to see how bad it is now 😐
Still waiting for a Brexit benefit. What a joke 😂
You just don't appreciate 'avin yer sovruntee back
I emigrated to sunnier climes four years ago, and have never regretted the decision to do so. I have many happy memories of my life in England, but there you have it, "Past Tense". It gives me no pleasure, even from a distance, to witness, what is undoubtedly, the terminal decline of the UK.