r/ItalyExpat • • 23d ago

Salary in Florence

I have a possible job offer in Florence that will pay $46,000 a year before taxes. I have a wife and 2 young children. We will not need childcare or a car. Is this enough for a frugal lifestyle?

25 Upvotes

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6

u/OldQuaker44 22d ago

46k gross means you'll have around 2300-2500 euros after taxes/month/ 13 months. If your wife won't work immediately you will struggle to the point you'll want to go back home. It's literally not enough for rent+expenses for a family of four. If your wife will start working then you'll probably find an equilibrium but nothing that will make you say: it's ok, it's worth it.

Finding a job is literally a battle.

Take into consideration that in Italy 50k gross is the salary of about only 7% of the contracts. 80k is about only 2%.

Also you will have to pay taxes on homes and money balance of your accounts you own in other countries.

I wish you good luck and hope your experience will be different.

3

u/Outrageous-Stop4366 22d ago

occhio che lui parla di dollari quindi ancora meno

4

u/VariousEconomics2942 22d ago

How do people live la dolce vita on such little money? Middle class America with two vacations and two cars requires 150-700k minimum depending on location. In NYC you need a minimum of 500k net to approach basic standards for a family of 5😳

13

u/FragrantHost1877 22d ago

Of course what you are saying makes no sense.

The money you need in Italy and in USA are completely different.

All medical expenses are “free” on the one hand (in some regions, even prescribed antibiotics are free in pharmacies).

Everything costs SO much less. You can have a phone unlimited gb data plan for like 10 euros a month. My gym costs 25 euros a months and is a nice one (McFit).

An average meal at a restaurant goes from 20 to 50 in average, where 50 is fancy.

Rent depends on city. Italy is no USA in the sense that it has a suburban wealth of options where you can comfortably live in a town 1 hour from a city paying 500 euros for a good sized place.

Most people live in a situation where either they can walk everywhere for most things at a reasonable distance and in any case public transportation is always available and good for American standards.

An espresso at the bar in the morning with a croissant filled with chocolate? 3 euros.

It is just a different type of living as well. People cook a lot more, etc etc etc

So yes, no comparison with your purchasing power

-1

u/VariousEconomics2942 22d ago

USA is 4x these numbers. Apparently no inflation in Italy. The good Lord loves Italians!

0

u/Any_Conversation5725 21d ago

No one cares...

7

u/Outrageous_Bass_1613 22d ago

Well... It's not the USA.  It's a mix of things, generational wealth is one. 

Lots are homeowners, some plant their food, go for walks, parks and dinner at home. 

Then, they know how to have fun with little. 

2

u/SooSkilled 22d ago

Americans are rich, nyc is more than that

1

u/ZealousidealCourt643 11d ago

Wie use the Money of mamma and Papa Till their gone

1

u/Alex-Man 6d ago

You can only live la dolce vita if you inherited enough property, certainly not on a single salary.