In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Dan shares his journey from a corporate career in the U.S. to pursuing his dream of living in Italy. He discusses his love for travel, the challenges of finding a home, navigating the visa process, and the cultural immersion he experienced in his new community.
Dan also highlights the bureaucratic hurdles he faced while purchasing a property and the ongoing renovation challenges, all while emphasizing the importance of community connection in his new life abroad.
In this conversation, Dan shares his experiences of living and renovating a property in Italy, emphasizing the importance of hiring an architect, understanding the true costs of property acquisition, and the unique lifestyle in a small Italian town. He discusses healthcare, the cost of living, tax incentives for residents, and the challenges of navigating bureaucracy. Dan also reflects on cultural adjustments and the joys of traveling across Europe, offering advice for those considering a move abroad.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 From Corporate Life to Italian Dreams
03:05 The Journey to Finding Home
06:12 Cultural Immersion and Community Connection
09:00 Navigating the Visa Process
12:06 The Search for a Home in Italy
15:09 Overcoming Bureaucratic Hurdles
17:47 Renovation Challenges and Community Life
30:01 The Role of Architects in Italian Renovations
33:28 Cost Considerations in Property Acquisition
37:27 Living in a Small Italian Town
40:02 Healthcare in Italy: A Personal Experience
44:02 Climate and Daily Life in Basilicata
45:04 Cost of Living Comparison: Italy vs. the US
47:22 Tax Incentives for Residents in Southern Italy
49:00 Navigating Bureaucracy: Driving and Residency
51:03 Cultural Adjustments and Lifestyle Changes
55:03 Traveling Across Europe from Italy
56:37 Advice for Those Considering Moving Abroad
CONNECT WITH DAN
***
This episode is brought to you by International Living—trusted since 1979 to help people like you live better, spend less, and move smartly overseas. Their guidance has helped thousands find their perfect corner of the world—from coastal Portugal to mountain villages in Mexico.
Right now, they’re offering listeners a special freebie: when you sign up for their daily postcard e-letter, you’ll get a sneak peek in their brand-new book European Living: The Complete Manual for Americans Over 55
Check out your free chapter: The Loophole That Allows You to Live in Europe 360 Days a Year Without a Visa
Sign up here to grab your free chapter: https://intliving.com/eu360
Big thanks to International Living for supporting the show—and for inspiring so many of us to think beyond borders!
***
Armchair Expat is hosted by Shannon Acton, founder and Chief Bargain Hunter of Bargain Homes Abroad
- Follow on Instagram @bargainhomesabroad
- Visit our Website: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co
- Subscribe to our E-Mail Digest: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co/subscribe
- Join for VIP Access: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co/me
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.