At Cheap Property Europe, we love bringing you inspiring stories of expats who have made the leap to live their dreams abroad. Recently, we were contacted by John and Susan Mitchell, a couple from Minnesota who decided to split their time between the US and a charming village in Tuscany. We invited them to tell us their story so here is their heartfelt account of why they made the move, the challenges they faced, and the joy they’ve found in their new home.

Why We Decided to Move

For most of our lives, we, John and Susan Mitchell, lived a typical American dream. Born and raised in the heart of Minnesota, we built a life filled with love, family, and fulfilling careers. I, John, was a high school history teacher, and Susan was a nurse. Our two children, Emily and Michael, grew up, went to college, and started families of their own. We now have three wonderful grandchildren who light up our lives. But as we approached our 50s and started thinking about retirement, we realized we wanted something more – a new adventure.

Our love affair with Italy began over a decade ago. On our 25th wedding anniversary, we decided to take a trip to Tuscany, and that’s where the dream started. The rolling hills, the charming villages, and the warm, welcoming people captivated us. We visited several times over the years, each trip deepening our connection to the region. On one memorable trip, we spent a week in Monticchiello, staying in a quaint bed and breakfast. The village’s medieval charm and the breathtaking views of the Val d’Orcia valley were enchanting. We wandered the narrow, cobblestone streets, dined at local trattorias, and even participated in the village's annual harvest festival. The sense of community and the slower pace of life were intoxicating. It was during this visit that we started to seriously entertain the idea of making Tuscany our second home.

As our dream grew, so did our research. Emily, our daughter, follows Cheap Property Europe on Instagram and often sent us pictures of beautiful houses in Tuscany. She knew our hearts were set on Italy and wanted to help us find the perfect home. Her enthusiasm and the stunning properties she found online sparked many discussions and fueled our desire even more. By the time we took a property purchasing tour, we had a clear vision of what we wanted. We visited several potential homes, but it was the villa just outside Monticchiello that stole our hearts. Nestled among olive groves and vineyards, it had a rustic charm that felt like it had come straight out of a fairy tale. The decision was made. We finalized the paperwork, and over the next few years, we returned several times to oversee renovations, each visit strengthening our resolve to make this move.

How We Moved

Deciding to split our time between Minnesota and Tuscany wasn’t easy, but the pull of a new adventure was too strong to resist. After retiring, we made our final visit to oversee the last touches on our villa’s renovations. It’s a lovingly restored three-bedroom, two-bathroom villa with ample garden space where we plan to build a pool for those hot Tuscan summers.

The process of moving was daunting. We had to sort through a lifetime of belongings, deciding what to bring, what to store, and what to give away. The logistics of shipping items overseas were complex, but we found a great moving company that specializes in international relocations. They helped us every step of the way, from packing to customs paperwork. One of the most challenging aspects was deciding what sentimental items to bring. Our home in Minnesota was filled with memories – photographs, heirlooms, and mementos from our children’s childhoods. We decided to bring a few treasured items, such as a handmade quilt from Susan’s grandmother and my collection of antique maps. These items now hold places of honor in our Tuscan villa, blending our past with our new life.

Learning Italian has been one of our biggest challenges. We’ve been diligently using language apps and taking classes, but it’s not easy learning a new language in your 50s. The locals in Monticchiello have been incredibly patient and kind, often switching to English to help us out. We make it a point to practice our Italian every day, even if it’s just a simple greeting or ordering a coffee. One of our most rewarding experiences was successfully having a full conversation in Italian with our neighbor, an elderly gentleman who has lived in Monticchiello his entire life. His smile and encouragement meant the world to us.

Challenges We Faced

One of the first challenges we encountered was navigating the Italian bureaucracy. From residency permits to setting up a local bank account, the paperwork seemed endless. Thankfully, we had a wonderful local advisor who guided us through the process. There were moments of frustration, such as when we learned that the office handling our residency permits was closed for an extended holiday. Patience and persistence became our new mantras.

Another challenge was the cultural adjustment. Life in Monticchiello is slower and more relaxed compared to the hustle and bustle of Minnesota. It took some time to get used to the different pace of life. Simple things like grocery shopping were initially confusing – stores close in the afternoon and don’t always stock the same items we were used to. We learned to adapt by embracing the local schedule and discovering new culinary delights. Our first attempt at making a traditional Tuscan meal was both a challenge and a joy. We invited our new friends over and shared laughter and stories over a homemade panzanella and ribollita.

Integrating into the community has been both rewarding and challenging. Monticchiello is a tight-knit village, and at first, we felt like outsiders. But over time, as we participated in local events and made an effort to get to know our neighbors, we started to feel more at home. We joined a local wine club and even started attending cooking classes to learn how to make traditional Tuscan dishes. One of our fondest memories is participating in the village’s olive harvest. It was hard work, but the sense of camaraderie and the satisfaction of tasting our own freshly pressed olive oil made it all worthwhile.

Our New Life in Tuscany

Our villa in Monticchiello is everything we dreamed it would be. With its charming stone façade, terracotta roof, and lush garden, it feels like a little piece of paradise. We’ve spent many evenings enjoying the sunset from our patio, sipping local wine and marveling at the beauty of the Tuscan landscape. The villa’s restoration was a labor of love. We worked with local artisans to preserve its historical charm while adding modern comforts. Our favorite spot is the kitchen, where Susan has perfected her pasta-making skills and I’ve become quite the expert at grilling bistecca alla fiorentina.

The community in Monticchiello has welcomed us with open arms. We’ve made friends with our neighbors, joined local clubs, and even started volunteering at the village festival. The sense of community here is strong, and we’ve come to appreciate the slower pace of life. It’s a stark contrast to our busy lives in Minnesota, but it’s a change we’ve come to love. One of our most cherished experiences was being invited to a local family’s Sunday lunch. The warmth and hospitality we experienced were unforgettable, and we’ve tried to emulate that same spirit of generosity in our own home.

We’ve found that splitting our time between Italy and the US allows us to enjoy the best of both worlds. We spend the warmer months in Tuscany, enjoying the beautiful weather and the outdoor lifestyle, and then return to Minnesota for the holidays and to spend time with our children and grandchildren. This balance has allowed us to stay connected to our roots while embracing our new life. Our grandchildren love visiting us in Italy, and we’ve created new traditions, such as making gelato together and exploring the local countryside.

Comparing Our Lives

Living in Tuscany has given us a new perspective on life. In Minnesota, our lives were filled with schedules, appointments, and commitments. Here in Monticchiello, we’ve learned to slow down and savor the moment. The local lifestyle emphasizes the importance of family, community, and enjoying the simple pleasures in life. We’ve developed new hobbies, such as gardening and painting, and we’ve found joy in the everyday moments – a leisurely walk through the village, a chat with a neighbor, or a quiet afternoon reading in the garden.

Of course, there are things we miss about Minnesota – our family, friends, and certain comforts of home. But we’ve also gained so much from our new life in Italy. We’ve made new friends, discovered new passions, and created a home that reflects our love for this beautiful region. The sense of fulfillment and happiness we feel here is something we never could have imagined. We’ve also found that the challenges we faced have made us stronger and more resilient. We’ve learned to embrace uncertainty and to find joy in the journey.

Would We Do It Again?

Our journey from Minnesota to Monticchiello has been filled with challenges, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. We’ve embraced a new culture, made lifelong friends, and created a home in one of the most beautiful places in the world. While we still have a lot to learn and many more adventures ahead, we’re happy and grateful for the life we’ve built here. Moving to Tuscany was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made, and we look forward to many more years of exploring, learning, and living la dolce vita.

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