When I first moved to Florida, I thought I had found paradise. Sunshine year-round, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and no shortage of beaches within driving distance. For a while, it felt like the ideal place to live and raise a family. But as the years passed, I began to realize that paradise wasn’t what it seemed. The fast-paced development, the overwhelming heat, and the sense of constant busyness wore me down. Eventually, I had to admit a hard truth: I wasn’t happy in Florida. So, we made a life-changing decision—we’re moving to a small town in Italy, where life moves at a better, slower pace.
Why Florida Stopped Feeling Like Home
Florida has undeniable beauty, but daily life there can be challenging. The cost of living has climbed, insurance premiums are sky-high, and traffic has become a nightmare in many areas. Even beyond finances, I found myself drained by the lifestyle itself. Everything seemed to revolve around working more, spending more, and rushing from one thing to the next.
I longed for something different. A place where community mattered, where people paused to enjoy meals, and where the pressure to constantly keep up didn’t exist. That longing is what ultimately led us to consider moving abroad.
Discovering Italy as a New Home
Italy had always held a special place in my heart. The culture, the food, the architecture, and above all, the emphasis on living well rather than living fast made it appealing. After visiting several towns and exploring different regions, we realized that a small town in Italy offered exactly what we were searching for: affordability, beauty, and a lifestyle centered on balance.
Unlike the sprawling suburban developments of Florida, these Italian towns are walkable, charming, and filled with history. Cafés spill onto cobblestone streets, markets bring people together weekly, and neighbors know each other by name. It felt like stepping into a world where life wasn’t dictated by urgency but by connection.
A Better Pace of Life
One of the biggest reasons we’re making this move is pace. In Florida, my days were consumed by rushing: rushing to work, rushing through errands, rushing home through heavy traffic. In Italy, life slows down. Businesses close in the afternoons for riposo, families gather for long meals, and conversations stretch well past dessert.
This slower pace isn’t laziness—it’s intentional. It’s about prioritizing relationships, health, and joy over productivity at all costs. That shift in mindset is exactly what I’ve been craving for years.
Financial Benefits of the Move
While our decision was primarily lifestyle-driven, the financial benefits are undeniable. Housing in small Italian towns is often far more affordable than in major U.S. cities or even Florida suburbs. We found a charming home at a fraction of the cost of what we were paying back in the States.
Daily expenses like groceries, dining out, and healthcare are also significantly lower. In Florida, we often felt like we were working just to keep up with bills. In Italy, the cost of living aligns more closely with the kind of lifestyle we want—one where money supports experiences rather than constant stress.
Cultural Richness and Community
Italy offers something Florida never could: centuries of history and cultural depth woven into daily life. Walking down the street means passing centuries-old buildings, historic churches, and family-owned shops that have stood for generations. Markets are not just about buying food but about connecting with neighbors. Festivals celebrate traditions that stretch back hundreds of years.
For our family, this kind of cultural immersion feels invaluable. It’s not just a change of scenery—it’s a chance to live in a place where life feels rooted in something larger than ourselves.
Challenges We Expect
Of course, moving abroad comes with challenges. Learning Italian will take time and patience, especially for day-to-day tasks like shopping or handling paperwork. Adapting to different systems, from healthcare to education, will be an adjustment. We’ll also be farther away from friends and family in the U.S., which means building a new support network from scratch.
Still, we see these challenges as part of the adventure. They’re the price we pay for creating the kind of life we want—one where happiness and peace matter more than convenience.
A Chance to Redefine Success
Perhaps the biggest lesson from this journey is that success looks different for everyone. In Florida, success often meant bigger homes, faster cars, and a busier schedule. In Italy, success feels like something else: sitting at a café with neighbors, enjoying fresh food from the market, and ending the day with a sense of contentment rather than exhaustion.
By moving, we’re giving ourselves permission to redefine success. For us, it’s no longer about keeping up with the pace of American life. It’s about building a simpler, more joyful life in a place that encourages slowing down.
Leaving Florida wasn’t an easy decision. It was the place we thought would be home forever. But as we reflected on our lives, we realized happiness was missing. In a small town in Italy, we found what we had been searching for: community, culture, affordability, and most importantly, a better pace of life.
It’s not about escaping Florida—it’s about choosing a life that feels right for us. And as we prepare for this new chapter, we’re excited not just for the change of scenery but for the chance to live more fully and more intentionally.
