20 rules you need to survive in Milan (and that no one tells you)

Changing cities is always a big step. A major change in a person’s life. And it involves rules, every city has its own and you need to know them to learn how to live, indeed how to survive well. Especially in a big city. Milan is certainly beautiful, magical, fashion, events, chic restaurants, lights and various delights. But it is also a wild jungle in which one must learn to maneuver in order not to topple to the ground crushed. Milan as it gives so much also takes away so much if you are not careful. But don’t worry, it is beautiful to live there. Once you get there, you won’t be able to do without it, and don’t listen to the malicious tongues that say otherwise. The capital city of Milan is always the right choice to make. So, let’s cut to the chase. What are the basic rules for living in Milan? Let’s look at some of them:

Rule No. 1: On escalators you always stay to the right

It is important guys to know this when you arrive in the city. Otherwise you will be heavily insulted. In Milan, whoever is fastest wins, and staying right leaves room for those who want to get on faster without getting in line. It is a sign of respect. Unfortunately, many people miss it. Among the rules for living in Milan, this one deserves the first place.

Rule No. 2: the streetcar is always right

If you want to drive in Milan you should know that rail vehicles are like the rulers of the road, they always have the right of way and are always right. May you never happen to park your car in such a way that it gets in the way of a streetcar passing by. Zeus’ wrath is nothing compared to that of the drivers or passengers (rightly so).

Rule #3: prefer public transportation

A rule that is sure to find many naysayers, but I am a fan of the means and favor them even if they are sometimes a hindrance (many people hate the poor shifts as they are nicknamed). If you can, use your car as little as possible. Traffic is detrimental and takes up a lot of your time. And then the parking lot… Mama mia. Milan is fortunate to have a public transportation network that works quite well, barring strikes or various unforeseen events. Like fashion bloggers taking photos in the middle of the street during fashion week paralyzing everything. Or the genius on duty walking through the tunnel on the subway. Capt. But to a certain extent it amuses.

Rule #4: rent a parking space

If you can find a place to put your car, a garage to rent, any hole. That finding parking is sometimes really a nightmare. If you go out to Isola on Saturday night, you can shoot even an hour.

Rule #5: Don’t dwell on appearances

Milan is beautiful. True it is not like Rome, which has monuments and pieces of history everywhere. Milan you have to discover it. There is not only the Cathedral, indeed. He has a heritage to be envied. Get out of the house and find out what it has to offer.

Rule #6: be curious

Among the rules for living in Milan this one connects to rule No. 4 in some way. The beauties of the city are there and should be discovered. Don’t be timid, don’t get lazy and get lost in the city. In places you wouldn’t think of you might discover incredible gems.

Rule #7: Running

Even if you are not in a hurry, run anyway. If the saying the slow and steady wins the race is true, then it does not apply to Milan. Keep the pace always that otherwise you risk lynching.

Rule #8: Watch your bank account

Milan is a bit of a toyland, as soon as you arrive it is easy to feel like doing everything, going out, making, eating, trying. But in moderation. There is time. They don’t run away from things to do. And to the eye that here for a Saturday night you have to apply for a mortgage. If you are from a small town, forget the prices you are used to.

Rule #9: Watch out for bags and backpacks

Whatever, rule that applies just about everywhere. All good, good, good, but we live in difficult times. Milan is a big city and there is everything. On vehicles, don’t get on with your backpack on the back without checking or your designer handbag zipped open and your wallet nice and bulging in sight. Pickpockets and pickpockets are there, yes. But you can live in Milan and never get robbed if you take the proper precautions.

Rule #10: Watch out for neighborhoods

In Milan, you don’t have to live with fear. Otherwise, don’t even come and live there. It can be yes dangerous, but like everywhere. Live, be careful and if it gets late a cab just in case. As in Rome, Naples, Palermo, Florence, Turin, Genoa and other Italian cities, the suburbs are never a pleasant world to go to. If it can be avoided, better. That then even the Navigli (Gola Street especially) is sometimes a sketchy neighborhood, and we’re downtown. So there too. It depends. All areas around train stations, Rogoredo, San Donato, Gratosoglio, Quarto Oggiaro-you will learn in time.

Rule #11: watch out for bifurcations of subways

Important rule if you are not practical, when taking the subway always check the direction it is going but especially the fork. Sometimes the subway splits and goes in two different directions, if you make a mistake you have to get off and go back. For example, the M1 (red subway) at Pagano splits and one side goes to Bisceglie and the other to Rho Fiera. So does the M2 (green) that splits between Abbiategrasso and Assago Forum. I have made mistakes hundreds of times losing a lot of time, but by making mistakes you learn!

Rule #12: cobblestones and rails are killers

If you enjoy biking, single-wheeling, or scooting, beware of streetcar tracks that create ruts as deep as the Grand Canyon in Arizona that if you step into them with your wheel you will fly. Ditto for the cobblestones. On a bike they are a delight.

Rule #13: be multitasking

In Milan, one does not rest on one’s laurels as they say, one must always be on the ball. Be ready to answer the work call while putting on your socks or while riding in an elevator. Always go. There is no stopping.

Rule #14: take care of the style

Come on we are in Milan, the fashion capital. It takes a sense of style, of taste. You don’t have to live a life like The Devil Wears Prada, unless you work for some big name. In that case, exaggeration is allowed. If not, be groomed, clean, impeccable (although that is a bit of an exaggerated word). True, the clothes do not make the man, however, it is pleasant to look at. And Milan cares. And he observes you. Not the most important of rules for living in Milan but a suggestion.

Rule #15: Take advantage of sharing services

In Milan, you can rent your bike, scooter, or car thanks to apps that allow you to use these vehicles and then leave them when you are done using them. You pay by the minute. Type Enjoy. Sharenow, Cooltra, Bykemi. And other valuable services, convenient and easy.

Rule #16: avoid restaurants in the downtown area

And by downtown we mean those filled to capacity with tourists. With nothing against these activities, on the contrary. However, they are not authentic Milanese establishments, and the city has a very high level of culinary offerings. Escape to some unfamiliar street. Find a typical tavern. In short, comb through and find authenticity, which exists even in such a sophisticated city. Which is then a rule that applies to all places with high rates of tourism.

Rule #17: pay attention to riders

Here the riders run at the speed of light, and if you are not careful you risk getting run over. Poor them who have inhuman work rhythms, but poor us if we come up against one of them. Sometimes they really reach speeds outside the normal range with a bicycle.

Rule #18: No free roses on the street

Rose sellers are everywhere, as are bracelets. If they approach you and show charity by “giving” you a rose or a bracelet, politely decline because otherwise they will chase you until you give them a coin. Free nothing at all.

Rule #19: Breathe in culture

Absolutely important. Milan has a cultural offering worthy of praise. You cannot arrive in Milan and not see La Scala, the Piccolo, the Palazzo Reale or the Duomo, as well as all the various places of culture that naming them all would be difficult. Inconceivable and inexcusable.

Rule #20: find the silence

Other key thing among the rules for living in Milan, well. Carve out time for you, to be at peace or to stop. Silence in Milan is not easy to find but there are places where you can stay collected. Or the churches, such as the Carthusian Monastery of Garegnano, the sacellum of Santa Maria alla Fontana or the Temple of St. Sebastian, in addition to the many others. Or a green space: North Park that is decentralized and very large. Portello Park with its hillock, Monte Stella. Also Simplon Park but it is very busy.