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Overseas Removals to Rome with Hamiltons Removals
Rome is known throughout the world as ‘The Eternal City’ – so-called because its citizens (and particularly some of its poets) felt that it would last forever, unlike some of the Empires and governments which ruled over it.
These days, thousands of Britons have chosen to make the city their home, attracted by the warm climate and the job opportunities, particularly in the fields of medicine, engineering and teaching, as well as Rome’s cultural history.
Hamiltons Removals can offer overseas removals to Rome; here we look at the history of the Italian capital, how to get there, and how much it is likely to cost to move and live there.
History and Heritage
One of the myths surrounding Rome is that it was built by Romulus and Remus, a pair of twins; the former is said to have killed the latter after an argument and the city took its name from him in the mid-8th century.
The reality is rather different – the area was a series of smaller settlements (evidenced by various discoveries of Bronze and Iron Age artefacts) and grew gradually after that. It became the focal point of the Roman Empire, which stretched across Europe (including into England). After the Empire collapsed, due largely to various revolutions and wars in occupied countries, Italy was fragmented into various city states. It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that the unified country of Italy was formed.
However, the evidence of the historic importance of the city can still be seen today in the vast array of ancient Roman structures still standing, such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Castel Sant’Angelo and the Arch of Constantine; all of them are incredibly popular tourist destinations in the city.
Getting There and Getting Around
There are two international airports in Rome – Fiumicino International Airport (aka Leonardo da Vinci airport), which is the main one, 30km (18miles) to the south of the city – you can get to the city proper via a shuttle bus, train or taxi. The smaller airport, Ciampino, is closer to the city but is largely used by budget airlines for local and short-haul flights.
While all roads lead to Rome and getting there is quite easy, driving in the city itself isn’t. There is a motorway around the city, known as the GRA, but driving in the city centre is not for the faint-hearted. Driving can be rather chaotic (even for locals), as can finding a parking space.
As with the case with many other metropolitan cities around the world, it’s much better to rely on public transport – if you buy a Roma pass you get access to all forms of public transport in the city, and reduced admission prices to some museums and attractions as well.
There are six tram lines and three metro lines to choose from; many people opt for the bus, although these can sometimes be crowded depending on the time of day. There’s also a suburban overground railway network; the main station in the centre is the Roma Termini.
Cycling is an option, but there isn’t a large network of dedicated lanes and the behaviour of motorists (not to mention the cobbled streets which can be uncomfortable to ride on) mean bike riding isn’t as popular as it is in other European cities.
Traveling on foot may also be an option if you don’t mind avoiding the traffic (and some streets are so narrow, vehicles can’t get down them all anyway) but some of the attractions may be a long way away.
The Main Attractions
Rome is usually divided into a series of districts and, although the Old Rome district does boast the Pantheon, plenty of beautiful squares and several cathedrals, and plenty of evidence of the Renaissance influence on its art and architecture, it’s not home to all the historic buildings in the city.
The Vatican is another district (and Vatican City is actually an independent country, as well as being the home of the Catholic Church); the district also includes the surrounding areas of Borgo, Prati and Monti Mario.
The Colloseum (the famous amphitheatre, pictured) is in the Colloseo district, which also includes the Forum (the ruins of the city’s former seat of Government).
The Modern Centre includes the Piazza della Republica and the Trevi Fountain (which people still throw coins into for good luck) but is now just as well known for its shopping, nightlife and restaurants.
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Italy?
As well as the cost of the moving package, you also have to consider the cost of living in the city and the country.
The websites Statista and ThinkPlutus state that the average wage in Italy is slightly higher compared to the UK and the cost of living is lower too – particularly for items like public transport (although there may be local variations depending on where in Rome you settle down).
How expensive is Rome? In terms of rent, it’s generally less expensive than Milan, but more expensive than cities such as Turin and Florence; and you can expect to pay more for your meal or shopping if you are close to the various tourist attractions.
Overseas Removals to Rome with The Moving Partnership
At Hamiltons Removals we can help you if you are interested in house removals to Italy; as well as Rome, we also offer European removals to Milan, Naples, Turin, Palermo and all the major cities.
We offer a variety of packages to fit your needs and budget – for instance you could have a dedicated service (sole use of the vehicle), or a part-load or groupage which is shared with other consignments; we can also pack and unpack your items for you
If you click here, you can receive your own free online removal quote by completing the various forms; you can also call us on 01379 855203.
Key Differences if You Are Moving to New Zealand or Australia
Australia and New Zealand are two of the most popular countries to move to, particularly from the UK, but there are some important distinctions between the two nations. Here Hamiltons Removals, who can help with house removals to Australia and New Zealand, highlight some of the key differences.
The Flags
Both national flags are similar but with some subtle differences. – both have the British union flag in the top left corner signifying the close links both have to the UK and the Commonwealth.
However, Australia’s flag, above right, has six white stars, and New Zealand’s (above left) four red ones (with white outlines). The extra-large star on the Australian flag has seven points – one for each of the six states, and one for the Northern Territory of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Both flags have the Southern Cross star on the right-hand side – representing the constellation which can only be seen from the two countries.
The Local Fauna
As it’s often famously commented on, Australia has more dangerous native creatures than New Zealand – although the former may be known for its marsupials such as kangaroos and koalas, there are a lot of dangerous smaller animals and insects roaming around in Australia.
These include spiders (the Sydney funnelweb and the redback are probably the most famous), brown snakes, tiger snakes and Taipan snakes, plus sea creatures (saltwater crocodiles and box jellyfish). In most cases, although bites are often venomous, they aren’t always deadly (and antidotes do exist).
However, you are unlikely to run into any of these creatures, particularly if you live in one of the big cities such as Sydney or Adelaide.
If you are considering house removals to New Zealand, then you won’t have to worry about so many dangerous animals – you’re more likely to see seals and dolphins than crocodiles. There are plenty of birds (penguins particularly), but no snakes and nothing that should pose a threat to your life.
The Scenery
New Zealand sits on a major fault line which has shaped the geography and topographical features of the nation; its volcanoes, mountains, its fjords and lakes (not forgetting the occasional earthquake) are all a result of it’s positioning over the Earth’s tectonic plates.
In contrast, Australia is much warmer and drier and has all the deserts (although it also has tropical rainforests) as well as the red dirt of the outback.
Of course, the scenery between various parts of each country can vary greatly, so make sure you do plenty of research on the area you are looking to move to.
The Various Cultures
Australia’s indigenous aborigine culture is not particularly prominent in the big cities, which are generally quite cosmopolitan and have plenty of expats from different countries (although the country as a whole is more respectful of the aborigines than it used to be).
Generally speaking, the New Zealanders are more aware of the Maori culture – the Maori language is an official language of the country, alongside English, there’s a dedicated TV station, and the national rugby team perform the Haka (a Maori ceremonial war dance) before every match.
How Much Does It Cost to Move to NZ or Australia?
The cost of moving to either of the countries will vary depending on which of our deep sea removals packages you opt for – dedicated use of a shipping container, or part-load or groupage (where it’s shared with other consignments) and how much you send via air freight.
There are also other optional extras such as insurance, packing and unpacking services to consider, all of which we offer to help your move go smoothly.
But what about the cost of living in the two countries? Compared to the UK, Australia and New Zealand generally have higher prices but much higher salaries. There’s not that much difference in the cost of living when comparing Australia with New Zealand. The former is generally thought to be more affordable, but NZ is actually cheaper for a lot of consumer goods and services.
And, in both cases. the average price of property (buying or renting) is skewed by the big cities (as with most other countries), so it’s much higher if you’re looking to live in Wellington or Sydney.
House Removals to Australia and New Zealand with Hamiltons Removals
If you’d like to know more about removals to Australia, then click here; for more information on moving to New Zealand, follow this link. You can also call us on 01379 855203.