His ancestors migrated from Italy to the United States in the late 1800s, and a century and a half later, Vito Andrea Racanelli determined to do all of it in reverse — leaving his home in Denver to return to the nation his household left behind.
Unlike many Americans who’ve been shopping for discount houses throughout Italy, Racanell, an lawyer, opted to splash out, spending greater than $1 million on an aristocratic farmhouse in Radicondoli, a tiny village in Tuscany.
He made the transfer in August 2024 with his spouse Lynn, a former dental hygienist, and their kids Vito, 16, and Carmen, 13, after Italy got here “calling.”
The household is at present residing in one part of the property, which is believed up to now from the 1750s, whereas work continues on the remainder of the property.
Racanelli says he determined to maneuver his household to Italy to supply them with an lively, safer and “adventurous” setting surrounded by greenery, the place he might work remotely and stay a much less hectic life.
“I was tired of spending so much time behind a desk, and my wife and I wanted to spend more time traveling in Europe and simply being outdoors…” Racanelli, 47, tells NCS, including that he’s been intrigued by Italy since his first go to on the age of 13.
“It began calling later in life once my friends dispersed across the country, my personal interests matured, and my desire to reconnect with my heritage grew.”
His household had beforehand visited Italy collectively and at all times beloved the landscapes, structure and “the beautiful spirit of its warm people,” says Racanelli.
After promoting their home in Colorado in 2024 and claiming Italian citizenship by descent by way of Racanelli’s grandmother, who was from the mountainous area of Molise in southern Italy, they took a leap of religion and moved to Tuscany round eight months later.
Racanelli discovered the property — as soon as a rural property that functioned as a borgo, or self-sufficient hamlet — after looking on-line. It is positioned near a massive nature reserve.
They selected Radicondoli somewhat than southern Italy as a consequence of its proximity to the Tuscan metropolis of Siena, flying in to view the farmhouse, named “Podere Doglio, in 2024.
“We had a beautiful outdoor lunch on the main street in Radicondoli, where we saw children safely and cheerfully playing together without any oversight,” says Racanelli.
After spending time in the medieval village, they felt it was the perfect place for them because of its full of life vibe, lack of crowds, small dimension and “unsurpassed” pure environment.
“We also noticed that everyone who passed each other on the street stopped to hug and talk — we had never seen a community like that before,” Racanelli says.
He determined to purchase the property — which got here with a pool and 5 hectares of land — that very same day.
Although the farmhouse’s buy value of 945,000 euros — round $1.1 million — was a important funding, Racanelli thought-about it affordable in contrast with Colorado’s hovering home costs, noting that a comparable property close to Denver would most likely have price $5 million to $10 million.
After transferring to Radicondoli in 2024, the household lived in the farmhouse for about 4 months whereas going by way of the acquisition course of, which took nearly a 12 months.
“Buying real estate in Italy is completely different,” he provides, suggesting that one of the best ways for international patrons to keep away from “pitfalls” is to rent a actual property lawyer, an accountant and a geometra, or architect-surveyor, to assist with the method.
According to Racanelli, one of many essential drawbacks is that the Italian system seems to closely shield the vendor, which means due diligence must be accomplished earlier than making any provide.
He provides that there are sometimes no authorized “opt-out” clauses like people who exist in US actual property contracts, which means the client could lose the down fee — typically 10% to 30% of the acquisition value — if a deal falls by way of.
Since buying the property, Racanelli has targeted on managing renovation work and has accomplished a important quantity himself, together with portray and caulking.
He says the standard of workmanship in Italy has been excellent, however admits that the nation’s famend paperwork has been “immense and complicated,” and he depends on attorneys and trusted buddies for steering.
‘Island vibe’
His household at present lives in the primary constructing, which measures about 4,000 sq. toes. The property additionally consists of three outer buildings: a small cottage with a loft bed room, a renovated pigsty with two bedrooms, and a storage annexed to the pool home that has been remodeled into a home gymnasium.
The essential farmhouse options massive picket beams, a Tuscan roof, a large hearth, picket doorways and conventional Tuscan stone colours.
A big photovoltaic system utilizing photo voltaic panels has been added to assist scale back electrical energy prices.
The outer buildings are being fitted with plumbing, heating and air con, and split-level items are additionally being put in.
Because Tuscany has strict rules aimed toward preserving the prevailing look of historic buildings — and structural modifications require municipal pre-approval — no structural modifications have been made to the farmhouse, and none are deliberate. Pre-approval was granted for the photovoltaic and plumbing initiatives.
The restyle of the property is anticipated to be accomplished later this 12 months.
The household, who’ve been studying the Italian language, additionally owns a home in the close by metropolis of Siena, bought after the farmhouse, permitting them to get pleasure from each rural and concrete life.
Renovating has in some methods proved as difficult as shopping for, as a result of language barrier, a scarcity of contractors in Tuscany and the nation’s “piano piano” (slowly, slowly) method.
Racanelli says getting issues completed in Italy could be very completely different from the US.
“There are cultural differences with regard to the basic pace of business,” he says, describing Italy as having “an island vibe but without the bermuda shorts.”
“Nobody rushes and everyone demands whatever is necessary to enjoy each day.”
He says he has grown extra accustomed to employees taking lengthy lunches, frequent holidays and infrequently working brief days, including that, “One must be prepared for a slower rhythm or constantly suffer disappointment by being too optimistic about deadlines.”
‘Idyllic and unique’
This slower rhythm can also be mirrored in life in Radicondoli, which Racanelli describes as quiet and slow-paced.
A number of years in the past, Radicondoli launched a program providing as much as 20,000 euros — about $23,000 — to individuals prepared to purchase and stay in one in every of its vacant houses. The scheme, which was boosted final 12 months, has attracted no less than 60 new residents to the city.
Racanelli’s neighbors embody a princess whom the household has but to satisfy and a farmer who raises sheep and pigs.
In his free time, Racanelli enjoys exploring close by cities, strolling by way of native streets, visiting cafés and eating places, or heading to the seaside for some “ultra-fresh calamari.”
Though he says he misses features of life in the US, Italy is a higher match for him and his household. They recognize the sense of neighborhood, life-style, climate, structure, historical past and meals.
While the renovation course of has been difficult, Racanelli is hopeful issues will calm down in the approaching months.
He seems to be ahead to spending extra time with his spouse and kids — his eldest daughter, Luciana, 18, is at present finding out in the UK — having fun with the inexperienced environment of Radicondoli and embracing the life-style they envisioned after they determined to maneuver.
“I am an optimist, and I believe that 2026 and beyond will be way more peaceful and filling than my life was previously in the US,” he says.
Racanelli’s favourite interest is batik portray, and he hopes to someday open a trip rental in Radicondoli and a small artwork gallery showcasing his personal work.
“The more time that passes, the more I love Radicondoli,” he says. “By far, it is the most idyllic and unique place I have ever lived in.”