With a cost of living of just US$1,246 per month, Italy feels much more affordable than New York.
WASHINGTON — In 2020, far from the United States, Cassandra Tresl and her husband, Alex Ninman, found themselves living a life they had never imagined. Staying with Cassandra’s grandfather in the Czech Republic, the couple received life‑changing news: Cassandra was pregnant with their first child.
According to CNBC, Friday (27/2), the birth of their daughter changed everything. They briefly considered returning to the United States, but the reality of housing costs and childcare made them rethink the plan. During their search for alternatives, Italy unexpectedly emerged as an option — sparked by Tresl reading about the country’s one‑euro home schemes.
Before moving to the Czech Republic, they had lived in the heart of bustling New York City. Tresl worked in tech, while Ninman was a butcher at Whole Foods. City life had always been their dream, but its relentless pace gradually shifted their priorities.
“If we stayed in New York, I’d have to keep pushing my career. But that wasn’t what I wanted to think about in my spare time,” Tresl said.
Life in New York made her question what truly mattered. She eventually requested permission to work remotely, a decision that opened the door to living outside the United States.
The desire to leave the US is not unique. A 2025 Gallup poll showed that around one in five Americans wanted to live abroad permanently. Italy has become an appealing destination, with a cost of living roughly 9.5% lower than in the US, according to Numbeo.
Since the late 2010s, several small Italian towns have offered dilapidated properties for one euro to attract new residents and revitalise local communities. This programme prompted Tresl to seriously begin searching for a home in Italy.
But a one‑euro price tag does not mean zero cost. Tresl carefully calculated the real expenses, aiming to keep the total below 20,000 euros. Most properties required major renovation after years of abandonment or severe damage.
In October 2021, they travelled to Italy and toured homes in Abruzzo and Tuscany, viewing around 15 properties. They eventually chose a two‑storey, two‑bedroom house of nearly 1,076 square feet — not only for the price but also for the view from its terrace.
They bought the house in cash in February 2022 for 11,500 euros (about US$13,150). They moved in July 2022 and completed most of the renovations in the autumn, spending around US$18,000 in total.
Without a mortgage, owning the home outright gave them financial security, a key factor in their decision to relocate. This freedom also allowed Tresl to leave a career she no longer felt fully connected to. She now focuses on a travel blog, a newsletter, and operational management work for other bloggers.
Life in a small town brought other changes: lower daily expenses and a lifestyle shaped by local economic habits.
In 2024, the couple bought a second property in Italy and began renting it out on Airbnb for up to 85 euros (about US$101) per night. Ninman left his job as a butcher and now manages the rental property.
The second property is a single‑storey house with two bedrooms and one bathroom, sitting on its own land with a private garden. They purchased it for 17,000 euros (about US$20,083), with an additional 10,000 euros spent on renovations.
Their monthly living costs in Italy are around US$1,246, including utilities and daily needs. In winter, heating can reach 200 euros (US$237) per month. Each year, they pay 286 euros (US$338) for waste management and 61 euros (US$72) in property tax per home.
Their rental property generates around 8,000 to 10,000 euros (US$9,486–US$12,000) per year. According to Tresl, the largest income comes from long‑term guests — couples or small families working remotely for three to six weeks.
Because they clean and maintain the property themselves, monthly Airbnb operating costs only include utilities such as electricity, Wi‑Fi, and winter heating. Property tax and waste fees are paid annually. (DK/LM)
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