American couple ditches life in New York, buys house in Italy for ₹12.4 million: 'I can't imagine going back'

For many, moving abroad remains a dream. For one American couple, it became the beginning of a completely different way of life.

In an essay he published CNBC Make ItThe American woman told how she and her husband left New York City in 2019 and eventually settled in a small town in the Italian region of Abruzzo, where they bought a house for 11,500 euros (approx. ₹12.4 million) in cash.

The couple, who both grew up in the United States, now say they have no plans to return.

Read also | Andy Burnham pledges to ‘give UK a circuit breaker’ for ‘good growth’

“My five-year-old daughter will be starting primary school in Italy this September. Watching her prepare for this next chapter has made me think about how much our lives have changed,” she wrote.

A movement that started before their daughter was born

The author said she worked in operations at a tech startup in New York while her husband, Alex Ninman, was employed as a butcher at Whole Foods.

The couple moved to Europe in 2019 and stayed with her grandfather in the Czech Republic, where their daughter was born in 2020.

Today they live in a lesser-known town in the Italian region of Abruzzo, about three hours from Rome.

Unlike many expatriates who choose the larger Italian cities, they have deliberately settled in a small community that attracts few tourists.

“We have found a different way of life and I can’t imagine moving back to the US in the next few years,” she wrote.

How they bought a house for just $13,000

According to the essay, the family home cost 11,500 euros (approximately $13,100). The property is a two-story, two-bedroom home of just under 1,076 square feet, with an additional bedroom in the basement and attic.

The couple estimated they would spend an additional 15,000 euros (around $17,100) on the renovations.

The author said that the lower cost of living in Italy made it possible to own a home without going into debt.

“Food, childcare and other expenses are more affordable here. The lower cost of living has given us some breathing room and allowed us to focus less on making more and more money,” she wrote.

She initially continued to work remotely in the technology industry before transitioning to a marketing role at an Italian travel company while creating online content.

Although she now earns less, she said the trade-off has been worth it because of the increased flexibility.

Read also | Zerodha Capital’s profit up 20% to ₹14.7 crore as lending business grows

“My flexible schedule allows me to take my daughter to daycare in the morning, pick her up in the afternoon, and spend more of her baby gifts for everyday moments.”

Choosing community over convenience

The family said their decision to settle in Italy was motivated by more than finances.

“We were drawn to the sense of community. We wanted to become a part of a place and contribute to it, rather than looking for a temporary adventure or an expat bubble,” the author wrote.

She described a lifestyle where neighbors stop by the cottage regularly, friends drop in unannounced and residents look out for each other.

According to her, the community spirit becomes even more visible in the summer months, when families gather in the squares after dinner and children play together well into the evening.

Read also | Modi Cabinet Reshuffle Buzz Grows: What We Know So Far

“It is common to see toddlers, school-aged children and teenagers still in the square at 11pm or midnight, while parents and grandparents sit nearby chatting with friends,” she wrote.

The author admitted that such scenes were not known at first after growing up in the US, but gradually became normal.

“In the U.S., people might assume that children are unsupervised. Here, we are comforted by the fact that they are surrounded by a community that knows them and cares about them.”

Raising Your Daughter In Italy

The couple’s daughter has spent most of her life in Italy after starting preschool shortly after age two.

In addition to English, Czech and Italian, they also learn the local dialect spoken in the region.

“It’s just home for our daughter,” the author wrote, contrasting her experience with that of her parents, who still see Italian as a language they continue to learn.

Read also | Neymar donated $250,000 to earthquake-stricken Venezuela

“Living with less and getting more”

While extolling life in Italy, the author also acknowledged its pitfalls.

She wrote that the family misses relatives and friends in the United States, and admitted that navigating the Italian bureaucracy can be frustrating.

“Simple tasks often involved more paperwork, meetings or follow-up visits than I expected,” she said, recalling that she was once asked to provide a copy of her health insurance card when setting up a home Internet connection.

Despite these obstacles, he believes the move has brought lasting benefits.

“But we also gained things that are harder to quantify. We spend less time driving and consuming and more time walking, talking to neighbors, attending local events and being present in the everyday.”

Reflecting on their journey, she concluded, “In our small town here in Abruzzo, we found a place where we could enjoy life and feel connected to the people around us. That’s the kind of life we want for ourselves and our daughter, who we hope will continue to grow up with a deep sense of belonging.”