A budget-friendly home in a charming Italian town complete with a cleaner and handyman would be enough to tempt many to relocate.
But for American Keith Richardson, one condition was non-negotiable: his new home had to be far from any McDonald’s or Starbucks, which he viewed as symbols of the commercialized lifestyle he was eager to leave behind in the U.S.
After exploring online listings and settling on Puglia—a mostly rural region forming Italy’s “heel”—an expat friend connected him with an American real estate consultant based in the area. She eventually steered him toward Nardò, a peaceful inland town near the coast.
“I gave her a list of homes I liked,” said Richardson, a former educator. “She recommended Nardò specifically because I told her I wanted to avoid being anywhere near a McDonald’s or Starbucks.”
Keith Richardson bought a renovated two-bed, two-bath home in Nardò, Italy, for 100,000 euros about one-tenth the price of a similar coastal property in Southern California. He added just 3,800 euros in upgrades, calling it incredible value compared to U.S. prices that range from $700,000 to $1.4 million.
Nardò is off the beaten track, far from the crowds and unknown even to many Italians. Located at the heart of Puglia’s pristine Salento area, it’s close to “Italy’s Maldives,” some of the country’s best tropical-style beaches. Richardson says it’s the perfect spot to soak up seaside vibes while enjoying a less hectic, carefree life.
“Puglia is definitely the place to live and invest in, if you’re searching for that dolce vita coastal lifestyle,” he says.
“I’ve fallen in love with the Italian lifestyle and domani (tomorrow) attitude. No need to worry because there is always domani. No worries, it will be taken care of domani, so for now, let’s just have a coffee and watch the people promenade by.”
Other plus points were the affordability and lower cost of living compared to the US, the fresh chemical-free produce on sale in local shops, and the gorgeous coastlines and olive groves.
Richardson currently comes and goes between South California and Nardò, but plans, once he gets his visa, to spend more time in Italy, though not on a permanent basis at first. “My parents are currently still living and I do so much want to spend several months out of the year near them” in the US, he adds.
He plans to apply for an elective residence visa in May 2025, which is based on a minimum pension income requirement. At this point, he will have to “surrender” his passport to the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles for three months for processing and approval of the visa.
In Nardò, he loves the small-town vibe and enjoys experiencing cultural clashes as he adapts to local ways of life. He now spends his days in Italy visiting nearby villages, sipping coffee in the morning at the many bars, and savoring local dishes at trattorias in Nardò, where foreign tourists are a rare sight.
Adjusting to the Italian way hasn’t been all smooth sailing though. Particularly when it comes to frank conversational exchanges.
The agency also found him a housekeeper who comes regularly to clean his place and keeps in touch with him. Her boyfriend, who works in construction, has become his go-to handyman, fixing any problems that come up at the house while Richardson’s away.
One big issue for Richardson has been the fact he’s not allowed to buy a car in Italy before acquiring a residence card.
“I really can’t grasp that part of Italian law,” he says. In the meantime, he’s buying an e-bike and using rental cars.
Once he will relocate full-time to Puglia, Richardson says he’ll lease his home in Southern California to his twin brother, so as to always have somewhere to stay when he visits the United States.
He says he’s looking forward to enjoying Puglia’s mild winters, vast olive groves, quaint towns and villages, architectural beauty and amazing cuisine.
Above all, he says he has been won over by the open friendliness of the people, who are “genuine and sincere” and look out for one another.
“I love the fact that on my small L-shaped lane there is a typical ‘Italian alarm and neighborhood watch’. It is a little old man that lives at the bend on the lane. He is out every morning investigating and greeting all throughout the day. He talks to and watches the gas delivery man and construction workers.”
Source: CNN
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
