PART 112: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.
We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!
We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).
Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems that are worth sharing. Some are well-known tourist magnets, and others are lesser-known but always amazing.
This week, let's explore what has changed so far as we begin our third year of living in Italy.
Step 2: Retirement and jumping in.
I retired two years ago last July, and two weeks later, we began living in Italy. We decided to jump in rather than wait until we had everything figured out because life is short, and we wanted to realize our dream.
We rented a place in Puglia for three months during our first year to test the waters. In our second year, we decided to lease the same place for 12 months, staying for 3 months at a time twice a year. However, during our second year living in Italy (Puglia), everything changed, and we decided to move to Tuscany.
Step 3: Why Puglia?
In previous blog posts, I discussed our initial move to Puglia, what we enjoyed, and why we eventually decided to leave. To sum up, we cherished the friendships we made in Puglia. The lifestyle reminded us of southern California, and we appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and stunning scenery, including beautiful beaches and a peaceful way of life.
As our second year in Puglia unfolded, we started to feel that the region resembled southern California too much. After some introspection, we realized that we were more interested in the historical and cultural landmarks in the north rather than the picturesque beaches reminiscent of those in California.
Consequently, at the end of our second year in Italy, we loaded up our van and set off for Tuscany.
Step 4: Our first three months in Tuscany
During the winter of our second year in Italy, we flew to Tuscany and closed on our house. We immediately started working on renovations with the help of a great contractor. However, living amid the renovation was challenging. Despite trying to do some sightseeing and enjoy field trips, the stress of managing materials, making renovation decisions, and putting the house together took a toll on us. By the end of our stay, we were ready to return home and take a break from Tuscany and from traveling for a while.
Step 5: Back in California
After completing most of the renovation project, we returned to California in April. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to enjoy the house in Tuscany before leaving. We managed to have the kitchen and hot water heater installed a few days before departing, and we were able to get it basically furnished before leaving as well.
Upon our return to California, whenever my partner mentioned a possible trip, I responded, "I don't want to think about traveling!" It was probably due to feeling a little burned out from living through a renovation in another country and lacking basic conveniences like a stove and hot water. However, as the weeks and months have passed, we find ourselves eagerly looking forward to our next three-month stint in Italy. The initial challenges of the renovation have faded, the healing process has taken place, and we are now ready for the next adventure.
Step 6: Year 3 begins
By the time this blog is posted, we will be in Italy, beginning our third year. The differences this time will include:
- We will have a sense of stability from having a renovated house.
- We will not have to think about renovation issues 24 hours a day.
- We will have time to explore Tuscany and other parts of Italy.
- We will take our first international road trip to France.
- We will have our first visitors staying with us.
- We will have more opportunities to spend time with our local friends in Italy.
- We will be open to what our third year in Italy will reveal.
- We will have the opportunity to relish the moment.
**Step 7: Update**
It is now the end of October, and we are deep into our third year in Italy. Completing the house renovations has brought us a sense of stability and joy. While we still have some projects to tackle, they are not urgent, and we don't let them disrupt our peace of mind.
We have been exploring our area both on our own and with friends, and we are increasingly captivated by Italy's beauty, history, and culture, especially Tuscany. Recently, we spent a delightful day in Monticchiello, hiked in the Val d'Orcia, and experienced Gregorian chants at the Monastery of Oliveto.
We also just returned from a road trip to France, where we visited Nice, Monaco, and Lourdes. It was incredible, and the drive was easy. I plan to write a blog post about those experiences.
Our visitors will arrive on Friday, and our local friends have been reaching out to us. We've enjoyed a bonfire dinner and toured a 1,000-year-old abbey with them. We are seizing the moment and are eager to fully experience everything life in Italy offers.
Insights:
Living in Italy has been a journey of learning, understanding, adapting, and being open. We never thought we would end up in Tuscany, yet here we are. We never thought we would be living in Italy, for that matter, and yet it is our reality. I wonder what our third year here will bring!
More next time.
My new novel is on sale now for $2.99! "Onward: A Life on a Sailboat" is a tale that will draw the reader to the Amalfi coast, the deserts of Algeria, the south of France, and beyond. https://a.co/d/3hhJkxE
Amazon Italy- my book “Lei mi ha sedotto. Una storia d'amore con Roma”: https://amzn.eu/d/13nuZCL.
I am a professor of Italian in the U.S. (American origins) and have been following your blog closely. My retirement plan is the same as yours. How were you able to find a home to purchase from abroad? Did you use a buyer's agent? I would love to talk to you about this.