ABRUZZO, Italy — An American couple’s move from New York City to a small town in Italy’s Abruzzo region has drawn attention to how some U.S. residents are seeking lower-cost housing and alternative lifestyles abroad, with the couple saying the relocation allowed them to buy a home at a fraction of U.S. property prices.
Cassandra Tresl and her husband Alex Ninman, both U.S.-born citizens, moved to Europe in 2019 and later settled in Abruzzo, an inland region about three hours from Rome, according to an interview Tresl gave to CNBC Make It. The couple said they were looking for a different pace of life and found housing opportunities that were significantly more affordable than those available to them in New York.
The couple purchased a home in the region for about $13,000, according to reports about their relocation, and invested additional money into improvements. Their experience has become part of a broader discussion about Americans exploring overseas property markets, particularly in smaller Italian towns where housing costs can be lower than in major cities.
Tresl said the family chose a rural area rather than more expensive destinations popular with international buyers, citing affordability as a factor in their decision. She told CNBC Make It that they now live in a small town in Abruzzo and could not imagine returning to the United States full-time in the near future.
The move reflects a wider pattern of foreign buyers looking at Italy’s smaller communities, where local governments and residents have sought ways to attract newcomers and address population decline in some rural areas. However, relocation experts and residents have noted that low property prices can come with challenges, including renovation costs, access to services, language barriers and the need to navigate residency requirements.
Italy’s cost of living varies widely by location, with major cities such as Milan and Rome generally costing more than smaller towns and rural areas. Analysts of overseas relocation say housing is often the largest factor influencing affordability, while expenses can differ depending on transportation, healthcare, employment and lifestyle choices.
The couple’s story has been highlighted as an example of Americans reconsidering traditional assumptions about home ownership and expenses, but it does not represent the experience of all expatriates. Successful relocation decisions often depend on individual finances, legal status, employment arrangements and local conditions.
Tresl and Ninman remain living in Abruzzo, where they continue adapting to life in Italy after their move, according to accounts of their relocation.
