American couple left New York City and bought a house in Italy for $13,000

Like many Americans, my husband and I grew up with the idea that success means constantly improving; bigger houses, newer cars, greater achievements and busier schedules.

Over time, we began to question whether these things really made us happier.

While we weren’t after a fantasy version of life abroad, we wanted more time, more flexibility, and a stronger sense of connection with the people around us.

Italy offered us many things that we felt were missing.

Living in a small town made it possible for us to buy a house with cash without taking on the financial burden of owning a home in the United States.

We paid 11,500 euros, or about $13,100, for our house—a two-story, two-bedroom home of just under 1,076 square feet, with a third bedroom in the basement and an attic—and I estimate we put down another about 15,000 euros, or about $17,100, in renovations.

Food, childcare and other expenses are more affordable here. The low cost of living has given 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 he settled in, I felt free to let him go. I now earn less marketing and creating content for an Italian travel company, but the trade-off is worth it.

My flexible schedule allows me to take my daughter to preschool in the morning, pick her up in the afternoon, and spend most of her childhood gifts in everyday moments. It also gives our family the freedom to travel, discover new corners of Italy and pursue projects we are passionate about.

Our decision to settle here was more than a financial decision. We were struck by the sense of community. Rather than seeking a temporary adventure or an expat bubble, we wanted to be part of a place and contribute to it.

Buying a home felt like a commitment to building a future in a community that welcomed us.

In our town, people don’t keep the distance from each other that we often encountered growing up in the United States

Neighbors stop to talk on the street. Friends drop by unexpectedly. It’s not uncommon for someone to drop in for a quick visit or check in because they haven’t seen you for a few days. It’s not intrusive; It’s part of taking care of each other.

This feeling of connectedness becomes especially evident in the summer months. With schools closed, life shifts to the squares and streets. While families gather outside after dinner, children run from one end of the city to the other and play games. Local festivals fill the calendar, and August often feels like one long community celebration.

It is common to see young children, school-aged children and teenagers still in the square at 11pm or midnight, as parents and grandparents sit nearby and talk with friends.

When we first arrived we felt completely foreign. It feels normal now. In the US, people may assume that children are unsupervised. Here we have the comfort of being surrounded by a community that knows and cares about them.

Our daughter started kindergarten shortly after she turned 2 and was immersed in the local culture for almost her entire childhood. This fall, he will start primary school with children he has known for years.

Along with English, Czech and Italian, he is also beginning to absorb the local dialect, a linguistic tradition passed down through generations in this region. Even if it is small, it becomes a part of the effort to move that culture forward.

For my wife and me, Italy will always be the country we choose, and Italian will be a foreign language we have to study. For our daughter, this is just home.

Life here isn’t perfect. We miss our family and friends in the states. And Italian bureaucracy can be frustrating, with things moving slower than we’re used to. Simple tasks often required more paperwork, appointments, or follow-up visits than I expected. At one point, I even had to provide a copy of my health insurance card when setting up home internet service. I’ve learned that patience is often part of the process.