Millennials who tried Canada and Italy chose the cheaper, better place

As the expiration date of his working holiday visa approached, they agreed on a solution, Fabiani said: “Let’s do the same thing in Italy. And then, at the end, we’ll decide where we’re going to stay.”

Craparotta, disillusioned with her job and ready for a fresh start, agreed. She quit her job and flew to Rome on a working holiday visa in May 2023 to start a new chapter with Fabiani.

A year later, the couple is still in Rome. There have been challenges, such as converting a dusty old apartment that Fabiani inherited into their home, and many adjustments, but they are not interested in returning to Canada soon – here’s why.

Italy is pedestrian-friendly and a convenient starting point for travel

One of Fabiani’s first questions to Craparotta when he arrived in Toronto was: “Where are the mountains?”

Like many first-time visitors, Fabiani assumed Canada was “covered in nature” and places like Banff National Park were just a stone’s throw away, Craparotta said.

However, the most beautiful lakes are a two-hour drive from Toronto, and expensive flights may be the easiest way to get to hotspots like Vancouver.

As an architect, Fabiani liked Toronto’s “industrial character,” but he was not a fan of the couple’s dependence on cars in the city’s suburbs, where they lived with Craparotta’s parents.

In contrast, Craparotta appreciates how easy it is to explore Rome on foot, even the outskirts, and how close it is to lakes, beaches and picturesque medieval towns.

Another advantage is that the couple does not have to plan European holidays so far in advance.

“Back in Canada, I would have to plan and take a week-long trip to get somewhere in Europe,” she said.

From Europe, it is relatively easy – and inexpensive – to book weekend trips by train or budget airline to Milan or the Amalfi Coast, as well as to international destinations such as London or Paris.

“I can easily travel through Italy or Europe for the same price as a long-distance bus ticket in Canada,” said Craparotta.

Food in Italy is better, healthier and cheaper

Craparotta and Fabiani attach great importance to good food, because cooking is one of their favorite activities together.

But Fabiani wasn’t a big fan of some of Toronto’s restaurants.

Craparotta said her mother was looking forward to taking Fabiani to her favorite Italian restaurant.

Like most Italians she’s met, Fabiani is “brutally honest,” Craparotta says. When a waiter came by and asked how the food was, his response was, “Not the best.”

Only after Craparotta moved to Rome did she understand Fabiani’s concerns.

Italians “cook very simply” and there are fewer fried or sugary dishes compared to restaurants in Canada, Craparotta said.

“I could eat out three days in a row and not gain a ton of weight,” she said.

Craparotta also said that the products in Italy are much fresher and cheaper.

In Rome, she added, she could buy a week’s worth of fruit and vegetables from a local greengrocer for 10 euros (or about $10), while in Toronto a single bag of lettuce could cost up to 10 Canadian dollars (or $7).

Italian social life is less focused on drinking

In Toronto, Craparotta was used to a social life that revolved around drinking.

For Fabiani, it was a culture shock. When they lived in Canada, Craparotta recalled Fabiani being shocked by a wild party where people played beer pong and drank from red Solo cups.

“The first time I experienced something different was when I was in Spain with my Italian friends because they always had dinner parties or wine evenings there,” Craparotta said.

This is what her social life in Rome looks like for the most part these days, and Craparotta prefers this way of life because it is easier to meet people and have deeper conversations.

“When we go out, they only drink one or two glasses of wine, but no more,” Craparotta said.

The Italian job market can be tough, especially if you are used to North American salaries

Craparotta came to Rome on a working holiday visa in the “hope” of eventually finding a full-time job in e-commerce.

Although she felt it was an advantage to have worked for a well-known technology company for years, with each rejection she realized that her lack of Italian was a real problem.

“Italian culture is so sociable, especially in the office,” she said, adding that most of the companies she applied to did not consider her “socially appropriate” because of her language skills.

Craparotta also said it was “difficult” to accept how much lower the salaries were in Rome compared to Toronto.

According to Numbeo, a data-driven website that crowdsources the cost of living in major cities around the world, the average monthly net salary in Toronto is CAD 4,937 ($3,564), while in Rome it is CAD 2,870 ($2,071).

“When I got here, people said my expectations were way too high,” she said.

As the months passed without her receiving an offer, she and Fabiani reluctantly considered moving back to Canada.

“I didn’t want to leave,” she said. “But the job market in Italy is not exactly my friend.”

But after more than a year of applying, Craparotta secured a well-paid job in Rome in the e-commerce sector that she will start in July. Although she makes less than she would in Toronto, Craparotta believes the location is worth the pay cut.

“In Rome, you can do more with less,” she said. “There’s always something to do, fantastic food and people enjoying life.”