Moving to Europe? Our Journey to Buying a House in Italy

I bet you think this is going to be just another article on “How to move to Europe?” Well, do you want to move to Europe? A lot of people do. Today’s article is about our recent real estate and cross-continent experience. I can’t speak to other expat journeys, this is just our journey on buying a house in Italy. So if you are thinking of moving to Europe here are some things to know before you go!

As a travel writer, blogger, podcaster, vlogger, etc. I live and love to travel. After living in Germany for a total of nine years, you could also say, “I’ve been Europeized” I’m pretty sure that is not even a word, but my Jon came up with it and it sounds pretty funny and it is true.

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How we began?

After moving back to America in 2019, I knew that part of my heart and soul would remain in Europe. Eventually, we would return to Europe part-time or full-time because there was a shift in my thinking sometime between 2014-2019 while living overseas during those years my global world view changed.

Also, once I learned the German language this opened up opportunities that I would have otherwise missed. From potato festivals to wine festivals to local celebrations of cabbage and many more countless experiences, my time in Europe was much different than just a 7 to14 day visit hitting the highlights. The collective mind-set of health, hiking, outdoor recreation, art and history appreciation really spoke to my soul.

Also, once I was immersed in the culture, the country and the continent, I wanted more of it. So moving to Europe and eventually buying a house in Italy, well, it was in my future and destiny.

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Why?

Why we wanted a European location as a second home is a loaded answer. With family ties to Europe and my travel business, it made financial sense to have a stationery European location to avoid the very expensive back and forth. As well to rest our head during tours and exploring.

Another why? Well, a big why was the Food

I’m a foodie. Once a restaurateur, Around Your Table in Huntsville, and before moving to Germany in 2014, I created with a local non-profit called Deep Roots of Alabama here in Huntsville, Alabama. This was a small non-profit focusing on educating children on how to grow their own food. At the time, we were teaching over 10k students a three-tiered program on how to grow, harvest and prepare fresh food. We were headed in the right direction, until we weren’t. State funding was denied and the program ceased. My heart was broken.

With orders for Stuttgart, Germany, it kinda seemed like a new window was opening. It really kicked started ©Travel with Wendy too. My love for travel and sharing the world with others was re-ignited.

Another why? Regardless of your political affiliation over the past ten years in America I have felt it can be very divisive and honestly I am shielded from that division when I am overseas. When I share that I’m American with Europeans, it is almost always received with curiosity and compassion. Moving to Europe as an American could not be more on the rise, right?

Really think about your why before taking this big step! Culture shock is real and does happen.

The Search – Finding which country fit!

I believe finding the right place is a personal preference and we began our search in Germany. First, we began looking at the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) because Jon and I both love this region and we would be closer to family there. However, the cost of homes in Germany plus utilities was similar to stateside prices and it became cost prohibitive very early on in our search.

Then we chose to look at Portugal. We both love Portugal and Jon recently had friends retire in Spain for golf. With the knowledge and tours I have done in this wonderful country, I was confident we would find something we both enjoyed.

However, on our “search visit” last spring for moving to Europe, I was involved in a little car accident. Nothing huge, I was o.k. it was just texting teen. Honestly, it could have happened anywhere. I did have a trip to the ER. The hospital experience turned out to be a bit horrific. We waited over an hour for emergency services to arrive at the scene of the accident and the conditions of the hospital in the Algarve was very unsanitary. It was also a four hour wait at the hospital. I am confident they would have had better facilities closer to the bigger cities. But, as we are aging this is something to consider. My experience is anecdotal.

The requirements for the retirement visa also jumped. The Golden Visa has increased to €500k instead of €350k, so that was a deterrent too.

So on to Italy, I was very excited because I have dear friends from the north to the central part of this country and visit several times a year. As my friend Candy said, “Italy is easy, because we love the wine!” Well, we also love the natural beauty and slower pace of life, the “il dolce far niente.” The sweetness of doing nothing. Definitely, not my American pace. Great weather and love the culture!

We used the idealista app to help us search for houses within our price range and location. We also took our time and six weeks to really explore areas from Piemonte to Rome to Apuglia to find the right fit.

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Embracing the culture

Whether it has to do with all those military family moves (17) or learning how to adjust in new environments early on I learned how to adapt. I look forward to it now because it is like new chapters in a book, so one chapter ends and another begins. Here are a few things I do to embrace the culture of the country I am joining.

Learn the local customs

Some of the local customs are VERY important to learn if you are planning to move to Europe. For instance in Italy there is a “pause” or “pennichella” little nap in during mid-day. Years ago during farming this was the hottest time of the day so they rested. I find this to be a very welcome rest when I am there. Not much can be done, most businesses are closed for this short period. Closer to Rome businesses tend to be open during these hours.

Not just Italy but many European businesses close during religious holidays, weekends, and traditional rest periods, reflecting a cultural emphasis on work-life balance and community well-being. When traveling or living in these countries, it’s essential to respect and adapt to these customs, as they represent centuries of tradition and social values that prioritize rest, family time, and community connection.

Festivals are often and may or may not be big or small! Similar to Germany there are several festivals in Italy. I have gone to the “Bianco Tartufo Feste” in Alba several times, that festival is HUGE!

I will be attending next year in 2026 the EuroChocolate Festival in Perugia for sure. Again these are huge.

Sometimes the local festivals are quite small and might not be as organized but quaint. I am excited to find out more in our area once we are a bit more settled.

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Learn the language

I can’t emphasize this enough and Jon and I argue a bit about having a propensity for languages or doing the hard work. It is not easy learning another language. Linguists say it takes about 500 hours to master a second language. I had about 200 hours of German and could communicate and be understood. I will just keep plugging away. But, moving to Europe is huge and learning the language is imperative in my book. Don’t be afraid. Most native speakers are thrilled you even try.

I use a program called Fluenz, I prefer it to Pimsleur or Rosetta Stone. It conversational software with every day discussions that are super helpful. However, you still have to invest time to learn. Immersion is key as well. The longer I am in a country the better my language skills become. I would encourage you to spend some time in the country you plan to move to this really helps with learning the language and customs. I think this is how most of us are, immersion is best.

Join and participating in the community

To be respectful and learn about our local communities one of the first things I do is introduce myself to the small businesses and neighbors. Even if it is to say, “Sono la tua nuova vicina Wendy Payne.” Most of my new neighbors just grinned and said “certo,” certainly. After we settle in too, I will join other groups as well, from hiking to volunteering too.

I would encourage you to make friends in your community before you leap or jump into the area that you would like to settle in. One potential expat that we met on our recent visit had been visiting back and forth to the community for years. He built this network of friends with his visits who are now close confidantes. He even speaks very good Italian and understands it as well. Understanding the language, customs, culture and rhythm of your area will boost your adaptability to the area.

Get your ducks in a row

Moving to Europe will depend on where you decide to purchase these are some potential road blocks if you are unfamiliar with the customs and/or procedures of the country of your dreams.

• Do you want to be a resident? Do you want to be a Schengen Shuffler? What is the difference, each country has different visas available be sure you know which ones you would qualify applying for. What’s a Schengen Shuffler? Our US Passport allows us to be in Italy 90 days during a 180-day period. I use an app to help me out. Schengen Simple this helps me as I begin my planning.
• Finding a realtor you trust we found the most amazing realtor that I have now become friends with Juliane Deppe – you can reach her on Instagram @polidori_immobiliare or through her email – immobiliarepolidori@gmail.com
• Finding a bank that works with International Bank Transfers (speaks English)
• Find the right cell-phone plan – if you have chosen your house location, be sure to ask where the towers are located and importantly “WHOSE Tower is it?” That may help your decision on internet coverage
• How far is local transportation? Access to local transportation? Will you need a car? What is the process to have a car/own a car in the country you are moving to.

Til next time, what else would you like to know? This article was just a teaser and some preliminary intel to share. I will also be recording a podcast to go along with this and recording a vlog to help understand our journey. Thanks for being here, following and sharing my content! I will continue to have intel I share about this move and living part-time in Italy so be sure to follow.

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