The Real Cost of Utilities and Bills in Genoa (as Told by a Sleep-Deprived Street Artist)

okay, so here's the deal with Genoa and your wallet. i'm a street artist, which basically means i live off spray paint fumes and whatever loose change people toss into my hat while i'm drawing on the sidewalk near the old port. and lemme tell you, the bills here? they sneak up on you like a cat in the dark.

first off, electricity. i live in this tiny studio in the *Albaro district, which is basically the "quiet cousin" of the city center. my monthly bill hovers around 60-80€, depending on whether i'm burning through my laptop editing sketches or blasting music while i paint at 2am. internet? that's another 30€, but honestly, the connection here is so bad sometimes i feel like i'm back in 2004.

water? surprisingly cheap. like, 20€ a month cheap. but gas? oh man, gas is the real villain. in winter, my heating bill can hit 150€, and that's with me wearing three sweaters and a beanie indoors. one local i met at a bar in Carignano said, "if you're not italian, you'll think we're all crazy for heating with gas, but hey, that's how we roll."

rent is another story. i got lucky with my studio, paying 450€ a month, but my friend who's a yoga instructor in Boccadasse pays 600€ for a place half the size. and don't even get me started on groceries. i once spent 50€ on cheese alone because i got carried away at the Mercato Orientale. pro tip: shop at the local markets, not the fancy supermarkets near the port.

now, the weather here? it's like the city can't make up its mind. one day it's sunny and you're thinking, "wow, this is the life," and the next it's pouring rain and you're questioning every life choice that led you to this damp studio. but hey, at least it's not Milan or Turin, where the winters are brutal and the rent is even worse.

i overheard this at a café in Prä: "Genoa's not for everyone, but if you can handle the hills and the occasional blackout, it's worth it." and honestly? i agree. the city's got this raw, gritty charm that you don't find in places like Rome or Florence*. it's not polished, but it's real.

here's a quick breakdown of my monthly bills (because who doesn't love a good list?):
- electricity: 60-80€
- internet: 30€
- water: 20€
- gas (winter): 150€
- rent: 450€
- groceries: 200€ (if i'm being frugal)

and if you're thinking of moving here, check out these links for more info:
- Genoa subreddit for local tips and drama
- TripAdvisor for touristy stuff (but skip the overpriced restaurants)
- Yelp for cheap eats that won't break the bank
- Numbeo for a more detailed cost of living breakdown

so yeah, that's the real cost of living in Genoa. it's not cheap, but it's not insane either. just be prepared for the occasional surprise bill and the fact that your internet might cut out right when you're about to upload your latest masterpiece. but hey, that's life in this beautiful, chaotic city.

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