American couple quit New York life, bought a ₹12.4 lakh home in Italy: ‘Can’t imagine moving back'

Published 29 June 2026 · us

For many, moving abroad remains a dream. For one American couple, it became the beginning of an entirely different way of life. In an essay

For many, moving abroad remains a dream. For one American couple, it became the beginning of an entirely different way of life. In an essay published by CNBC Make It, an American woman recounted how she and her husband left New York City in 2019 and eventually settled in a small town in Italy's Abruzzo region, where they bought a house for 11,500 euros (around ₹12.4 lakh) in cash. The couple, who had both grown up in the United States, now say they have no plans to return. "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," she wrote. A Move That Started Before Their Daughter Was Born The author said she worked in operations at a tech startup in New York, while her husband, Alex Ninman, was employed as a butcher at Whole Foods. The couple relocated to Europe in 2019 and stayed with her grandfather in the Czech Republic, where their daughter was born in 2020. Today, they live in a lesser-known town in Italy's Abruzzo region, about three hours from Rome. Unlike many expatriates who choose larger Italian cities, they deliberately settled in a small community that attracts few tourists.

"We found a different way of life, and I can't imagine moving back to the U.S. in the coming years," she wrote. How They Bought A House For Just $13,000 According to the essay, the family's home cost 11,500 euros (approximately $13,100). The property is a two-storey, two-bedroom house measuring just under 1,076 square feet, with an additional basement bedroom and an attic. The couple estimated spending another 15,000 euros (around $17,100) on renovations. The author said the lower cost of living in Italy made homeownership possible without taking on debt. "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," she wrote. She initially continued working remotely in the tech industry before switching to a marketing role with an Italian travel company while also creating online content. Although she now earns less, she said the trade-off has been worthwhile because of the increased flexibility. "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." Choosing Community Over Convenience The family said their decision to settle in Italy was motivated by more than finances.