Hi,
I'm Carole, a 'not so young' expat and I live near the top of Lake Como. I know that there are quite a lot of English, Canadian and North American expats in the area around the lake and towards Bergamo, Como,Lecco and Lugano in general.
The question is this....is there an Expats club of any kind around here. A group, or individuals who would welcome the opportunity for a 'cup of tea and a chat' - the chance to perhaps swap English language paperbacks (very expensive here), or are there groups that may hold 'get togethers' or 'club nights' on occasion?
If there aren't any clubs, then why don't we start one? Is anyone else 'up for the challenge'?
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Valtellina oldie 

Hello Carole,
Recently found Expat Focus and signed up. As we are moving to Gravedona in early 2008 was interested in your message but notice it was dated 2005 - did you have any success with organising ´get togethers´. My husband is Italian - born in Como City - I am English (born in Gibraltar) and we are currently living in Spain. You mentioned English language paperbacks being expensive - here it is the reverse - there are so many expats here that one wouldn´t think we were living in Spain. Look forward to reply. Anita  

Hi Anita...

Yes I do still live here and I love Gravedona.

As for getting group meetings off the ground - well no not really.... there were no responses from this forum/site at all. There was a 'get together' that I arranged on Expats in Italy but that was in 2005 too.

However since living here I have made friends with three couples - on e that live here full time like me, and another two that come from the Sunderland area and have bought hilday apartments here at Boschetto - which is just across the river opposite Sorico (Just east of Gravedona). I see them four or five times a year when they're over.

This is a lovely place to live. I lived in Milano for a number of years (married a Milanese) but now I'm retired.
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Valtellina oldie 

on
Hello Carole,
Thanks for replying. With the forthcoming move we have a lot to organise as you can imagine. We will be coming to Gravedona mid December to finalise purchase of apartment, then return to Spain to pack the goods and chattels returning sometime in February as friends will be helping us to move. I will take the opportunity of ensuring to ´collect/buy´ as many paperbacks as possible whilst back in Spain - what do you like reading ? We can then arrange to meet. Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a happy, healthy 2008. Anita  

onHello Carole,
We finally made it to Gravedona. Have been here since early Feb. It was a long winded, protracted affair - another of life´s experiences. Would like to meet up if you are interested in doing so.

with best wishes Anita Saibene  

Hi - After recently registering on the site I too am interested in any activities/get- togethers etc that may happen. My husband and I moved to Tremezzo just 1 year ago, after having our house for about 6 years as a holiday home, after having the opportunity of taking early retirement from work I grabbed it with both hands!! but would enjoy some contact with other ex pats to exchange any info etc.

JoannaP  

Last edited by JoannaP on Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:50 am; edited 1 time in total

Hi Carole, Anita, and Joanna,

Looks like there are 4 of us at least. Would love to get involved in some sort of expat get together. Nothing too onerous of course, but a coffee and a chat wouldn't go amiss.

I've heard that there is some sort of expat thing that happens every month but I need to talk to my boyfriend's boss (who is Croatian) for more information. Will let you know when I find out. In the meantime, would be nice to get together with some people. Only moved out here in December 08, to Como town, and am just missing English conversation and a sense of humour. And when will this rain stop ......

Sarah