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A bargain-price house in a stunning city — with a cleaner and a handyman thrown in for good measure — would be sufficient of a deal for many individuals to make the leap to Italy, however American Keith Richardson had one different key requirement.
The property the place he meant to begin his new life should not be anywhere near a McDonald’s or Starbucks, for him two symbols of the commercialized world he was attempting to escape within the US.
Once he’d selected Puglia, the primarily rural area that stretches down into the heel of Italy’s boot, after viewing on-line properties, an expat pal launched him to an American actual property guide residing within the space, who directed him towards Nardò, a quiet city simply inland from the coast.
“I gave her a list of homes I like,” Richardson, who used to work within the US schooling system, informed NCS. “She suggested including Nardò because I told her that I didn’t want to be anywhere near a McDonald’s or Starbucks.”
And, after some shrewd low-ball bidding, he secured the property he hopes to spend the remainder of his retirement in for barely one-tenth of the price of a equally located property again house in Southern California.
“The house was listed for 138,000 euros ($153,000) but I negotiated and paid €100,000 ($111,000). I put in another 3,800 euros to restyle it to my liking and give it a fresh look,” he tells NCS.
“It was a very pleasant surprise. I was willing to pay more, but started at 100,000 euros to see if the sellers would counter offer.”
They didn’t.
The 667-square-foot home (62 sq. meters) he purchased is a two-bed, two-bath house on the bottom ground of what was initially storage or dwellings for the servants working in Palazzo Tafuri, one among Nardò’s landmarks.
The dwelling is made with Puglia’s typical pinkish-golden stone blocks. It got here with a fire, three stellar ceilings, limestone partitions, and had been utterly renovated by the unique house owners.
Richardson’s solely main addition was a everlasting roof over the patio, and powerful, long-lasting bamboo privateness screens. A really small value to pay, he says, contemplating the worth for cash the home represents.
“Homes in Southern California within three miles from the coast, in such a desired area, would cost anywhere from $700,000 to $1.4 million,” he says.
Nardò is off the overwhelmed observe, far from the crowds and unknown even to many Italians. Located on the coronary heart of Puglia’s pristine Salento space, it’s shut to “Italy’s Maldives,” a few of the nation’s greatest tropical-style seashores. Richardson says it’s the right spot to absorb seaside vibes whereas having fun with a much 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 factors had been the affordability and decrease price of residing in contrast to the US, the recent chemical-free produce on sale in native retailers, and the attractive coastlines and olive groves.
“It’s reminiscent of Southern California in the 1960s,” Richardson provides. “I remember as a child passing through orange groves to get to Disneyland, Riverside, Santa Barbara.”
He says his love for Italy initially stemmed from his ardour for studying languages — he taught Spanish for a number of years at college earlier than working in administration.
Richardson retired as director of analysis and curriculum for a highschool district within the Los Angeles suburbs in 2015 after which later started to journey to Italy twice a yr, exploring by rental automotive with pals and falling in love with the nation’s life-style and what he calls the “candidness” of locals.
By 2023, he was home-hunting and narrowed his search down to Puglia, finally selecting Nardò for its non-touristy enchantment — and its absence of US quick meals chains.
He says he needed a place the place every little thing was genuine and “local,” with nothing linked to mass tourism or main manufacturers. Puglia was the plain reply: “Beautiful beaches and coastlines, picturesque cities and towns, great weather (even in winter), and not full of the tourists that are found throughout Tuscany, Venice, Milan and Rome. In fact, most tourists tended to be Italians or other Europeans. The Dolce Vita was genuine.”
After nearly a yr of trying round, in March 2024 he flew over from Orange County and in simply a few days purchased the home of his desires in Nardò’s historic middle, surrounded by majestic church buildings and lavishly adorned palazzos.
Part of the property’s attraction was its proximity to the primary Piazza Salandra, lined with café terraces. Another plus was that it was situated on the bottom ground with a patio, with none stairs — older properties in Italy’s historic facilities are sometimes unfold over a number of flooring, with steep, slim staircases which might be tough to navigate with buying or different gadgets.
Richardson at the moment comes and goes between South California and Nardò, however plans, as soon as he will get his visa, to spend extra time in Italy, although not on a everlasting foundation at first. “My parents are currently still living and I do so much want to spend several months out of the year near them” within the US, he provides.
He plans to apply for an elective residence visa in May 2025, which is predicated on a minimal pension revenue requirement. At this level, he can have to “surrender” his passport to the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles for 3 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 native methods of life. He now spends his days in Italy visiting close by villages, sipping espresso within the morning on the many bars, and savoring native dishes at trattorias in Nardò, the place overseas vacationers are a uncommon sight.
Adjusting to the Italian means hasn’t been all easy crusing although. Particularly when it comes to frank conversational exchanges.
“Several individuals have actually told me that they’re not being rude, but trying to save me time and money” in getting issues sorted out.
He says it additionally took him a whereas to adapt to native closing occasions — with shops closing in the midst of the day.
“I still haven’t gotten used to shops closing and opening when the proprietor feels ‘ready.’ I now just shrug it off, go for a coffee and relax. It’s part of the dolce vita.”
Richardson’s path to a new life in southern Italy additionally appears to have prevented lots of the bureaucratic pitfalls that some folks complain of when shifting to the nation.
The course of of shopping for a home was “a breeze,” he says.
“Horror stories only exist because most people don’t do their homework. Before purchasing, the consultant and friends told me about the need of a codice fiscale (tax identification number). When I arrived in Italy I was told where to go to obtain an Italian number, which is mandatory as well.”
He says the actual property company in Nardò assisted him in acquiring a checking account, which proved harder and time consuming than shopping for the home.
“Banks need either your SSN (national health insurance number) or federal tax code number or both. The process took some three hours, but even now I am greeted with smiles from the representative that set up my account.”
‘Genuine and sincere’
The company additionally discovered him a housekeeper who comes usually to clear his place and retains in contact with him. Her boyfriend, who works in development, has change into his go-to handyman, fixing any issues that come up on the home whereas Richardson’s away.
One massive situation for Richardson has been the actual fact he’s not allowed to purchase a automotive in Italy earlier than buying a residence card.
“I really can’t grasp that part of Italian law,” he says. In the meantime, he’s shopping for an e-bike and utilizing rental vehicles.
Once he will relocate full-time to Puglia, Richardson says he’ll lease his house in Southern California to his twin brother, in order to all the time have someplace to keep when he visits the United States.
He says he’s trying ahead to having fun with Puglia’s gentle winters, huge olive groves, quaint cities and villages, architectural magnificence and superb delicacies.
“If you haven’t tried a bombette, you haven’t lived!”, he says. These are one among Puglia’s iconic recipes and road meals: savory recent pork meatballs filled with cheese and pepper.
Above all, he says he has been gained over by the open friendliness of the folks, who’re “genuine and sincere” and look out for each other.
“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.”