Rome Unfiltered

ROME UNFILTERED – Building Your Roman Village & the Stages of Being an Expat

Moving to Rome can feel exciting, chaotic, isolating, and overwhelming, sometimes all in the same week. In this episode of Rome Unfiltered, I (Walter) sit down with Kristen to talk about one of the hardest parts of expat life that people rarely discuss openly: building a real support system abroad. How long does it take before Rome starts feeling like home? What happens after the “honeymoon phase” wears off? And how do expat families move from feeling isolated to feeling connected? Together, we talk honestly about the loneliness phase many expats experience, the pressure of starting over socially as an adult, the sometimes too real 'Stages of being an Expat', and the small moments that slowly change everything. From school pickup conversations and WhatsApp groups to neighborhood coffee bars, sports activities, and unexpected friendships, this episode explores how people gradually build their own “Roman village.” We also discuss: • Making friends as an expat parent • The emotional side of relocating abroad • Why kids often adapt faster than adults • School communities and parent networks • WhatsApp groups that become lifelines • Practical ways to feel less isolated in Rome • The routines that help Rome feel familiar This episode is honest, reflective, and practical for anyone trying to build a life abroad while missing the comfort of home. Rome Unfiltered is made by expats, for expats. Real stories. Practical advice. Life in Rome without the filter. If this episode resonated with you, share it with another expat family building their own life in Rome.

Rome Unfiltered: Supermarkets and Grocery Life in Rome

Your first grocery run in Rome tells you a lot about what daily life here is really going to feel like. In this episode of Rome Unfiltered, Walter sits down with Angie to talk about the reality of grocery shopping after moving to Italy. The conversation starts with confusion inside Roman supermarkets and quickly turns into something every expat family recognizes: learning store schedules the hard way, and showing up on Sunday to find everything closed. The group breaks down the differences between supermarkets and the local mercato, how Amazon Fresh is not the go to solution, and the small systems that make life in Rome manageable once the trial-and-error phase ends. They also share practical advice on: • Grocery delivery in Rome • Shopping with kids • Sunday closures and store hours • Hidden gems for international ingredients • Asian supermarkets near Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II This episode is part survival guide, part therapy session for expats trying to figure out everyday life in Rome. Rome Unfiltered is made by expats, for expats. Real stories. Practical advice. Life in Rome without the filter. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone moving to Rome or still trying to understand how grocery shopping here somehow turns into a full-day event.

Rome Unfiltered: Driving in Rome Without Losing Your Mind

ROME UNFILTERED — Episode 2: Driving in Rome Without Losing Your Mind You think you know how to drive. Then you try it in Rome. In Episode 2 of Rome Unfiltered, we sit down with Aimee to break down what driving in Rome actually looks like once you are behind the wheel. ZTL zones that lead to fines days later. Parking rules that change from one street to the next. A traffic system that runs on its own logic. If you have ever circled the same block for 20 minutes, driven into a restricted zone by mistake, or found a ticket waiting on your windshield, this episode will feel familiar. We cover: * What ZTL zones are and how to avoid costly mistakes * How parking really works in Rome * The unwritten rules of Roman traffic * Practical tips that save you time, stress, and money * Tools and apps that help you drive with more confidence This is one of those “only in Rome” experiences. The kind that sounds unreal when you explain it back home, but becomes part of daily life once you are here. If you are moving to Rome, recently arrived, or still figuring things out, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes and unnecessary fines. Rome Unfiltered. Made by expats, for expats. Follow for new weekly episodes and real stories from life in Rome.

Rome Unfiltered: I Missed My Train to Milan… What You Need to Know About Trains in Italy

You think you understand train travel in Italy… until you don’t. In our first episode of Rome Unfiltered, Joanna shares the moment she missed her train to Milan and everything that led up to it. If you’ve ever stood in front of a departure board in Italy feeling unsure, you’ll relate to this. We talk about what train travel is really like between Rome, Florence, and Milan, what catches most people off guard, and the small mistakes that can ruin your trip if you’re not paying attention. Plus, a few useful tips to help you on your first train ride in Italy. This is one of those “only Italy” experiences, the kind that sounds unreal when you explain it back home, but makes perfect sense to anyone who’s lived here. If you’re an expat, planning a move to Rome, or already here figuring things out day by day, this episode will save you time, stress, and at least one missed train. Rome Unfiltered. Made by expats, for expats. Follow the podcast for new weekly episodes and real stories from life in Rome.