Naples, Italy

[MyNavysGirl]

So this is going to be an option for us and we were heavily considering it but now we have a lot of people telling us it is the arm pit of Europe and all sorts of horrible things. When I look it up online it looks beautiful. The people telling us how horrible it is are my family members who would hate for me to go that far.

So I have to ask, is it true? Is it really bad and dangerous or are they just saying that trying to keep us here?

Please be 100% honest we have to make a decision very soon. Thanks ladies!!

[MyNavysGirl]

anyone?? I am looking to have a conversation with my family tonight and any insight would be absolutely AMAZING!

[Peekaboo]

I haven't been there but I know someone that has and he was telling me how bad it was. I forget what words he used to describe it.

[Amber]

UGH, it's great there. I have written all about it in another thread about this.

It's beautiful, but YES there is trash everywhere. There is smog, but on a day after rain you can see Mt. Vesuvius clearly.

The food is amazing, the shopping is amazing, the history is incredible, and there's tons of **** to do. I would LOOOOOOOVE to go back, I lived there 2.5 years.

Don't pass it up if you can avoid it!

[Amber]

From the other thread, here is what I posted:

I lived in Naples, Italy from 1999-2001. The food is amazing, there are so many things to do there. Go to Gaeta when you get the chance to swim in the ocean. We lived on the Support Site at Gricignano di Aversa and they were working on the hotel there and other things. Now it is finished so you probably will stay there while waiting on housing (we waited about a month) as opposed to Pinetamare. Learn as much Italian as you can, the locals love it.

When we lived there it was still Lira as opposed to Euros, so it should be easier to spend there.


Places you MUST go (because they're so awesome)

Sorrento (look at their musicboxes, they are beautiful! and cheap)
Ischia (it's an Island, just beautiful)
Procida- It has buildings in ice cream colors, and there is a lot to do.

Also try to visit Pompei and Rome.

I could go on for days about how I love Italy. Naples is seriously polluted, but it's lovable. You will probably be able to see Mt. Vesuvius from a window in your house. Italian boys love American girls, so try not to go jogging around the edges of the support site, you will more than likely have several cars stop to flirt with you.

Take the train/metro to downtown Naples and go to the markets. The food is so fresh.

Pickpockets are abundant, so you will want to not carry a purse outside base. They sell things you can wear around your neck under your tshirt. Gypsies will try to throw kleenex in your car and expect money, leave your windows up while stopped. They will also try to wash your windows and expect money.

Don't fall for what appear to be hobos there, especially ones with children. They most likely drive a bimmer and live in a fancy villa with the other panhandlers (seriously).

Saturday night is date night, so at the tolls there are usually flowers and things for sale. There is like one mall- the Panarama mall (it's been a while, could be wrong on the name). It's not that great.

Magicworld is a fun waterpark, but there may be couples having sex in the wave pool. I've seen it.

The beaches are filled with topless women, and large hairy men in speedos. When I say topless women I mean women of ALLLLLL ages.

Prostitutes are everywhere. The mob bosses tricked them from Nigeria telling them they would be models or secretaries, they got to Italy and now have to pay the mob back...so they become prostitutes. It's pitiful.

They burn trash there, so you will frequently smell it.

If you get a chance go to the coffee shop called Champs Elysses in Licola. They have the best cappuccino and cornetti (freaking delicious pastries filled with chocolate, orange marmalade or vanilla).


Delicious things to eat:

Pizza Margherita
Bruschetta
Gelato (ice cream is made fresh daily)
Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca (*****'s spaghetti- the prostitutes dreamed it up, it's full of carbs and gave them energy)
Spaghetti alla Frutti di Mare (seafood spaghetti, just fabulous)

Try their table wines when you get the chance and also limoncello. It's a lemon liquer and just fabulous.


Last warning: they do not care about nudity the way we do. You will see tits on billboards and in commercials. There are penises drawn on most statues and buildings. They sell penis candy, and penis and vagina shaped pasta. Do not send said pasta to grandparents, they may not notice it and serve it to company (this happened to us).

Agnano was where the NEX was, I don't know if it's still there.

I hope this helped. I got excited.

[Navgirl]

Even if it was somewhat bad, i wouldn't friggin pass it up because of all the travel opportunities there!!
And for me personally I would not let family hold me and my husband back from going because then I would resent them. Sorry but mom can live without me being near by because I am an adult married to a military man.

I live in Korea and some people love it, some hate and some in between. I am in between, I don't hate ot but I don't love but I am very happy I came just for the experience.

[Nie]

Every city in every country has its good areas and it's bad. You have to look at it from your own point of view - do you want to miss the chance at living there? You wouldn't believe the things people told me about Germany - I love it here, I just wish my family were closer.

[bb1982]

If it makes you feel any better, it's usually only known as just the armpit of Italy, not necessarily Europe.

I lived there for two years (that's where I graduated high school) and that was ten years ago. It has improved tenfold since then. The support site is really built up, with a great exchange/commi. They have great schools on base (not sure if you have kids or not)

I ditto everything Amber said above. There are so many awesome things to do in the area. Yes it's dirty in most places, yes there are prostitues in many, many places (they would wait outside with us at our bus stop in the mornings before school, they were that predominant) and yes you may miss a lot of the conveinences of the states and your family, but I would NOT pass up an opportunity like this.

The driving is horrendous- stop lights are optional and car horns are used more frequently than blinkers. There's a "speed limit" on most roads but are not followed by most. I am so glad that I wasn't able to drive when we were there because I don't think I could have handled it. You really need to be a very, very defensive driver and close your eyes if you're a passenger. Good news is that it's relatively easy to take public transportation around there.

I'm not sure if it's still open, but MWR has a recreation area called Carney Park which is in an extinct volcano. They have great 4th of July festivities, Halloween events, etc. There is also a pool there which was great during the summer time. (summers there are very hot and muggy)

Even though you may not be fond of Naples and the surrounding area, traveling throughout Europe is made so easy. There are so many awesome cities to visit that are within driving distance. Rome is super close. You can take a ferry to visit Ischia. Venice is like a 6 or 7 hour drive. There is so much to see and do! And even better if you get the chance to travel out of Italy and really experience Europe.

Shopping is awesome there. They have a great place called Shoe Alley where you can find cute, inexpensive clothing and brand name shoes. Italy is THE place to find great leather finds such as purses and shoes.

The pizza is to die for. I tell my husband all the time that I would give ANYTHING for a pizza margherita. We have never, ever been able to find anything close to it in the states. Not to mention the gelato!

I'm turning this into a novel. But seriously, I would love if we ever had the chance to get stationed there. PM me if you want any more info!

[villanelle]

We tried so very hard yo get orders to Naples, but at the last second, the Navy changed its mind. We know they guy who went in our place though, and spoke to him recently. He could not say enough good things about it. He loves it. He's done all sorts of traveling and is having the time of his life.

There are people who won't like it, of course, just as there are people who hate any location you can think of. Not every place if for every person, but this guy adores Naples, and if we had our way, we would absolutely go. Dh said there might be an opportunity to go there after our next set of orders, and if there is, he is going to do what he can to get us there.

[MyNavysGirl]

Thanks so much ladies!! You have no idea how much it means that you took the time to type this for me!! It made me excited!

As far as family goes I am their ONLY child. So yes I am not a child but I know they do not want me to go. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to travel and have been since I was young... my parents don't like to fly so I would find ways to go without them. I really want the experience. DH is not as sure. He was but after hearsing all of the awful things my parents said became not as sure again since we are guaranteed orders in San Diego again. I am going to send him your responses since you ACTUALLY know!

One last question, if I am fluent by the time we get there how hard do you think it will be for me to find a job? We don't have children and I would hate to be home alone all day especially since I won't know anyone when we move! I have my bachelors from a top university if that helps. Thanks ladies!!