American couple left New York City and bought a house in Italy for $13,000
My 5-year-old daughter will start primary school in Italy this September. Watching her prepare for this next chapter has made me reflect on how much our lives have changed.
My husband, Alex Ninman, and I were both born and raised in the U.S., but our daughter wasn’t. We left New York City, where I worked in operations at a tech startup and my husband was a butcher at Whole Foods, to move to Europe in 2019. We were staying with my grandfather in the Czech Republic when we welcomed our daughter in 2020.
Today, we live in a small town in Italy’s Abruzzo region, about three hours outside Rome. While many Americans who move abroad are drawn to larger cities or well-known destinations like Florence, we chose a place that most tourists have never heard of.
We found a different way of life, and I can’t imagine moving back to the U.S. in the coming years.
Going abroad
Like many Americans, my husband and I grew up surrounded by the idea that success meant constantly upgrading — larger homes, newer cars, bigger achievements, and busier schedules.
Over time, we started questioning whether any of those things were actually making us happier.
Cassandra Tresl, her husband Alex Ninman, who were both born and raised in the U.S., now live with their daughter live in the Abruzzo region of Italy.
Martin Errichiello for CNBC Make It
While we weren’t chasing a fantasy version of life abroad, we did want more time, more flexibility, and a stronger sense of connection to the people around us.
Italy offered us so many of the things we felt were missing.
Buying a house in Abruzzo
Living in a small town made it possible for us to buy a home in cash without taking on the kind of financial burden that often comes with homeownership in the U.S.
We paid 11,500 euros, or about $13,100, for our home — a two-floor, two-bedroom house just under 1,076 square feet, with a third bedroom in the basement as well as an attic — and I’d estimate that we put in another roughly 15,000 euros, or about $17,100, toward renovations.
The fact that Tresl and her husband were able to buy their home in cash “felt unbelievable,” she says, adding that she feels “a sense of relief” not to have a monthly rent or mortgage payment.
Martin Errichiello for CNBC Make It
Food, childcare, and other expenses are more affordable here. The lower cost of living gave us breathing room and allowed us to focus less on earning more and more. I kept my tech job and worked remotely at first. But once we settled in, I felt free to let it go. I make less now doing marketing for an Italian travel company and creating content, but the tradeoff has been worth it.
My flexible schedule allows me to take my daughter to preschool in the morning, pick her up in the afternoon, and spend more of her childhood present for the everyday moments. It also gives our family the freedom to travel, explore new corners of Italy, and pursue projects we’re passionate about.
Tresl and her family live in a traditional hilltop town, she says:…
Read More: American couple left New York City and bought a house in Italy for $13,000