From Wanderer to Settler
What started as a one-week trip to Italy turned into buying my first home—so how did that happen?
It was my first visit to Europe, reuniting with a friend from past travels. Things quickly went south when we had a falling out mid-trip. Sparing the details, this left me at a crossroads deciding where to go next.
I received news about a change in itinerary the evening before my flight, and though not typically one to panic, I was certainly not at ease. Within hours a decision was needed: board my flight to the next country, or stay in Italy. With no plan or booking for the next night, morale was low. However, when I stopped to think about what my soul needed, the answer was surprisingly clear.
‘Nature, peace, and incredible food’
Seemed simple enough. The b&b search began until I stumbled across a home for rent in a hilltop village surrounded by vineyards in the Italian countryside. The rent posting mentioned this was a medieval village, and the host had lovely things to say. It was clear the writer had deep love for the people who lived there. Compelled, I booked without hesitation.
The village is located about an hour outside of Napoli. Getting there by public transport proved difficult since it was Sunday and bus and train schedules were limited, so the host arranged for a local to pick me up from the airport.
As we approached, the driver pointed out the village in the distance, sunlight glinting off its stone buildings. Nestled along the slope of a mountain range, overlooking vineyards and olive groves, it felt almost unreal—I was instantly enchanted.
We drove up a winding road and pulled into the lot of an old church, surrounded by many other residences. The buildings appeared to be connected , with slight variance in decor, materials, and window fixtures — each casita had its own unique character and allure.
The wheels of my suitcase were no match for the cobblestone streets, nor was I prepared for the incline.
The steep narrow road was laden with Juliet balconies and ivy leaves. After a couple hundred steps, I landed at a little door which would welcome me home for the next month.
A few mornings after I arrived, I was out for a walk when I noticed an older man working on a stone building. I stopped to compliment him—the place looked incredible.
His face lit up and he beckoned me to follow him to see the work he was doing inside. He shared his plan to restore and make it a hotel. “Piano piano” , he said — step by step. The work inside was even more lovely; mosaics on the floor, ancient stone sinks, and rustically beautiful wooden beams.
As I was shown through the many rooms, I casually remarked, “I want to buy a house here,” with no real intention behind it.
His excitement spilled into a rapid stream of Italian I couldn’t quite follow, and before I knew it, he was leading me to another property—a small house with a garden.
The house was a cozy one-bedroom, one-bath, with two cantinas (wine cellars) below. A little worn and weathered, it felt like a blank canvas full of possibility.
Upon hearing the price, my jaw dropped, as my 2014 Nissan Altima paired similarly in value.
The rest of the month, I was deep in contemplation. I wasn’t even sure I could share it with anyone—at that price, I assumed people would think it was a scam. I can’t remember in what order, but I remember calling two people right away: the most zealous person I know, and the wisest, my mother and father.
They both had the same point of view — I had to take the chance. And take the chance I did.
One week later, the papers were signed. The previous owner—a lovely elderly Italian woman—and I have stayed connected since the moment we met. She watches many of the renovation videos and cheers me on every step of the way. Though we don’t share a common language, we share a deep love for this home.
I can’t wait to complete this project, not only for myself but also so she can see the home brought back to life. I arrived in this little town as an adventurer, just looking for a place to land for a while, and instead found a community that embraced me and encouraged me to stay. I have so much respect for this place and feel incredibly grateful to now call it home.
Special thank you to the community for your warm embrace, and Roberto, who quickly became my Italian zio, paving the way to make this possible.