Sunday, April 18, 2010
Apartments
Luca, our Board President, and I have begun the task of looking into accommodation for you. Ideally we would like to match you up with someone who is not new to BES and who can show you the ropes, but that will not be possible due to the availability of bedrooms in the apartments that are sponsored by the school. If you have any special requests or requirements, please let us know now. All of the apartments that will be available will be two-bedroom flats with shared bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas. Apartments are fully furnished, including kitchen equipment, and will be cleaned over the summer prior to your arrival. Each apartment will have a washer, but no dryer. (Driers are not used in Italy. They are just now beginning to be marketed locally.) Utilities are paid, but not telephone or internet connection. All the apartments are within walking distance from the school.
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I was also thinking about the apartments and wondering what they were like? Are they located near amenities like grocery stores, banks, bus stations etc.? Also, what do you think about living Milan? I've heard so many different things but I guess you never really know until you actually experience it for yourself.
ReplyDeleteAntonella (2009)
Hi Antonella,
As for living in Milan, the apartments are really nice and spacious. They are not what you hear about European houses and are spacious and places that you could live for many years. They all have a washing machine along with a full bathroom with shower and bath. They are all within some type of an apartment complex/building within walking distance to school and all the necessities. I usually walk to the grocery store, ten minutes, and then take a tram home because I am too lazy to carry my groceries. We live in a neighbourhood that has everything you could need from dry cleaners to shoe repair, to cafes and pizzerias. You can get to the center of Milan and the famous Duomo and shopping area in 30 minutes door to door and it costs one euro!! Milan is a very safe city and the only danger is downtown in the large tourist areas there are the usual pick-pockets looking to get an unsuspecting soul. I have never even been aware of them and as long as you are street smart then it is fine. I travel the metro by myself all the time even at night. It is a large city and as long as you are street smart and careful, you should have no problems.
As for the food in Milan, you can easily eat out every night but I am not sure your clothes would still fit. :) Good typical family run restaurants will cost you about 15 euros for a meal including wine. It is really cheap here compared to Ontario I think also because you don't tip and there is no tax.
Living Questions: (Antonella and Liz, 2009)
ReplyDelete1. What type of building is the apartment in?
A regular apartment building with an elevator. Very similar to Toronto buildings.
2. Are we the only staff from BES living in our particular building?
If you move into the apartment I am thinking of, yes you are the only BES teachers living there but everyone else lives within 3 blocks from you. We are all scattered around the neighbourhood.
3. Will we have a TV?
Possibly but you will only get Italian stations. Most of us use our laptops for movies and downloading.
4. What size is the bed (for bedding purposes)?
We will let you know as soon as we know what apartment you will be getting. The school also provides you with one a set of sheets, pillows, and duvet.
5. If it's okay with them, can we have the contact info of the couple currently living in what will become our apartment? (This may be helpful for transitioning)
I will put you in touch as soon as we know who it is.