Dreams to Live Abroad Start Early
Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed about traveling the world. Back in the early 60s, I remember my parents sitting at the kitchen table looking at resort brochures for our annual family vacation to either the Catskill Mountains or the Poconos.
After looking at the brochures with them, I very seriously announced “I want to go to London, Cairo, or Venice!” My parents looked at each other and tried not to laugh! At that point, I’m sure my mother was convinced I was switched with another baby in the hospital! She looked at me and firmly said “We’re going to the Catskills or the Poconos.”
In my early tweens, I got involved with theater. It was a transformative experience for me. It became the center of my world.
And then I became obsessed with London drama schools, not one through a university program, but an independent program through one of the “big four” schools (there are only three now).
I was accepted to a summer program and decided to arrive early in London and leave after the program ended; I might as well make the most of the time! In total, I spent six months in London. And I never wanted to come home! I did, for a number of reasons, but that’s another story for another time! I loved the whole experience of exploring a new city, meeting new people, learning about a different culture, etc.
And I knew it was something I’d want to repeat again and again.
My Heritage Makes it Possible to Live Abroad in Italy
Fast forward to where I am now! I’m a 1st generation Italian and extremely proud of my heritage. From my first trip to Italy till now, I’ve never tired of exploring this amazing country.
Through my heritage, dual citizenship with Italy was available to me. I spent a two-year period working with a lawyer on my application and paperwork. And finally the day arrived when I received notification of my Italian citizenship being approved!
Fast forward to where I am now! I’m a 1st generation Italian and extremely proud of my heritage. From my first trip to Italy till now, I’ve never tired of exploring this amazing country.
Through my heritage, dual citizenship with Italy was available to me. I spent a two-year period working with a lawyer on my application and paperwork. And finally the day arrived when I received notification of my Italian citizenship being approved!
Lots of Planning to Make My Dreams a Reality
I was smart enough to know that my life wasn’t going to be Under The Tuscan Sun so during that two-year waiting period, I spent a lot of time researching life in Italy from a practical perspective:
- Where will I live?
- How much does it cost?
- Should I rent or buy?
- What are the transportation implications?
- Should I maintain a home in the US?
- What are the tax implications?
- What is healthcare like?
- How easy is it to assimilate?
- How quickly can I learn Italian?
Expat Exchange became my Bible. People on the site were incredibly helpful, but with each question, I had three more. I also started reading blogs of other expats which was eye-opening.
When the time finally came to flip the switch, retire, and go, I realized this was not an ‘all or nothing at all’ situation. I didn’t have to leave my life in the US behind. I did, however, need to simplify it.
Taking the First Steps
The first thing I did was sell my little cottage in the Poconos. I had it for 35 years and always considered it my real home. I loved that house with all my heart but it was no longer practical for me. The steps were becoming difficult due to my arthritis as well as the outdoor maintenance.
It was time. And the change in the housing market due to Covid made that easy. Country properties were flying off the market.
The first thing I did was sell my little cottage in the Poconos. I had it for 35 years and always considered it my real home. I loved that house with all my heart but it was no longer practical for me. The steps were becoming difficult due to my arthritis as well as the outdoor maintenance.
It was time. And the change in the housing market due to Covid made that easy. Country properties were flying off the market.
Being Flexible to Find the Right Fit
Then I decided to just go to Italy and rent an apartment in a Sicilian city I absolutely adored, Siracusa. This would give me time to see what it was like to really live there without making a full commitment. I rented a place on Ortigia Island for one month and another place on the mainland of Siracusa for three months, with an option to extend.
It was one of the smartest decisions that I made. As much as I adore the beauty of Ortigia, I found it was overrun with tourists all the time.
Fishmonger in Oritiga
On the more sedate mainland, I had a wonderful apartment with a balcony overlooking the Ionian Sea, but I was terribly bored. There wasn’t enough to keep me busy and socially it was difficult to meet people not being part of a couple.
A month into my stay on the mainland I began to think about what’s next. And that’s when I decided to come to Palermo for a month. It was the best decision I ever made!
Palermo is the capital of Sicily on the northeast coast of the island, well-served by a few key airlines as well as ferries and trains. And although it’s a big city, it’s quite spread out and they are just under one million residents living here.
I did my research and found what has become the ideal neighborhood for me, the Politeama. It’s a real neighborhood, not a tourist mecca, yet walkable to the center. I also have the option of taking a local train, which is a five-minute walk from my apartment. I found a one-bedroom rental on the ground floor which my knees are thankful for! This is my second year in the apartment and just renewed for next fall.
On the more sedate mainland, I had a wonderful apartment with a balcony overlooking the Ionian Sea, but I was terribly bored. There wasn’t enough to keep me busy and socially it was difficult to meet people not being part of a couple.
A month into my stay on the mainland I began to think about what’s next. And that’s when I decided to come to Palermo for a month. It was the best decision I ever made!
Palermo is the capital of Sicily on the northeast coast of the island, well-served by a few key airlines as well as ferries and trains. And although it’s a big city, it’s quite spread out and they are just under one million residents living here.
I did my research and found what has become the ideal neighborhood for me, the Politeama. It’s a real neighborhood, not a tourist mecca, yet walkable to the center. I also have the option of taking a local train, which is a five-minute walk from my apartment. I found a one-bedroom rental on the ground floor which my knees are thankful for! This is my second year in the apartment and just renewed for next fall.
Feels Like Home
The neighborhood is safe, and I never fear coming home at night by myself. I have access to two great supermarkets, numerous bakeries, fish markets, and green grocers. And then there’s the restaurants; the food here is incredible!
Like NYC, there is always something to see or do in Palermo. I can walk to the symphony or the opera house. I’ve joined some local Facebook groups which helped too, meeting people and learning about local events.
And this year, I was blessed with many visitors from the U.S.! I was happy and proud to play tour guide of my new home!
For the foreseeable future, Palermo is my home in Italy. It really feels like home. And if the time comes that I need a change, I’ll go somewhere else and won’t have to worry about selling or moving. I will just pack my bags and go.
I also found I really love the split between living in Italy and living in NYC. When I’m back in the US, I spend time with friends and family, and travel leisurely through the US. No more rushing to cram everything into one weekend. And I enjoy the best of NYC: theatre, museums, restaurants, etc.
Honestly, I am so blessed; I truly have the best of both worlds!
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