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Each morning, Teresa Mastrobuono sets a moka pot on the stove, its rich aroma mingling with the chime of church bells echoing through her open shutters. Leaning against the balcony rail of her townhouse in Castiglione Messer Raimondo, a tranquil hilltop village in Italy’s Abruzzo region, she watches the piazza below come alive. “Buongiorno, come stai?” a neighbor calls up, sparking a warm exchange. For some, it’s a scene straight out of an Italian film. For Teresa and her husband, Greg, it’s the heartbeat of their new home.
In 2022, after decades in Pennsylvania, the couple traded the frenetic pace of American life for the gentle rhythms of this 800-person town. Their journey to this lesser-known corner of Italy, where they live comfortably on $2,200 a month, is a testament to courage, vision, and the allure of a simpler, community-driven existence. From their balcony overlooking the piazza, they’ve woven themselves into the fabric of a place where tradition, connection, and affordability create a life they couldn’t have imagined back home. Learn more about finding your dream property abroad through our international real estate website.
Teresa’s longing for Italy was rooted in her heritage. With dual Italian-U.S. citizenship through her grandfather, Carmine, she dreamed of owning a home in the country of her ancestors. “I’d always wanted a house in Italy, but everything I found was out of reach financially,” she recalls. In 2009, a friend who had recently purchased in Abruzzo urged her to explore this rugged, less-touristy region east of Rome. Known for its dramatic mountains, pristine Adriatic coastline, and affordable properties, Abruzzo offered a chance to make her dream a reality.
Teresa’s search was swift and serendipitous. Six days after beginning, she and Greg visited Castiglione Messer Raimondo. “We parked along the belvedere, the scenic overlook, and I saw the life I’d been yearning for,” she says. “Church bells rang, children pedaled bicycles, cats lounged in the shade, and locals leaned against the railing, gazing at the Gran Sasso mountains. I knew instantly this was home.” The townspeople’s warmth sealed the deal, smiling, curious, they asked what brought her there. When an estate agent showed them a modest townhouse on a small piazza, once a priest’s residence, then a laundry and tabaccaio (convenience shop), Teresa made an offer without hesitation.
For years, Teresa and Greg spent summers in their Abruzzo home, savoring its charm while maintaining their lives in Pennsylvania. But by 2022, retirement loomed, and the soaring cost of living in the U.S. made staying untenable. “We couldn’t afford to retire in America,” Teresa says candidly. “We’d have been working until we dropped.” Selling their Pennsylvania home, they moved permanently to Castiglione Messer Raimondo, embracing a life of intention and affordability.
Their townhouse, nestled against the village church, offers a front-row seat to the piazza’s daily theater. “Parades, festas, baptisms, weddings, funerals, we see it all from our balcony,” Teresa says. “I can even listen to Mass if the church doors are open.” The couple has adopted local customs, from sweeping the pavement outside their door to hanging a red banner with a gold cross for religious feast days. Teresa, a former theater professional, occasionally records voiceovers in a small home studio, but their days are now filled with unhurried pleasures: mountain hikes, kayaking on the Adriatic (a 40-minute drive), and hosting guests in their small guesthouse.
Life on the piazza fosters a deep sense of connection. “I love the conversations from my balcony,” Teresa says. “We chat about the weather, what’s for lunch, family, or health, nothing’s too small.” A neighbor two houses down banters with her while hanging laundry, a ritual that feels quintessentially Italian. The community’s openness isn’t for everyone, some might find the visibility intrusive, but for Teresa, it’s a gift. “There’s a warmth here that’s hard to find elsewhere,” she notes.
The couple joins the passeggiata, the evening stroll through town, mingling with neighbors. They attend tombola evenings (a bingo-like game), communal dinners on the piazza, and vibrant festivals honoring saints. “Almost weekly, there’s a feast,” Teresa says. “I walk in the processions at dusk, with candles and chanting through the alleys. It’s not about religion for me, it’s the ritual, the atmosphere, and practicing my Italian during sermons.” These traditions, coupled with Abruzzo’s rugged beauty, have deepened their connection to the region.
Living in Castiglione Messer Raimondo is remarkably affordable. The couple’s monthly budget of $2,200 covers a comfortable life, including rent, utilities, groceries, dining, and entertainment. Their townhouse, purchased for a fraction of U.S. prices, requires minimal upkeep. A cappuccino at a local bar costs €1.20 ($1.34), a gelato €2.80 ($3.13), and a hearty meal of arrosticini (sheep skewers), pizza, and wine for two at a nearby restaurant runs €40 ($44.70). “In the U.S., I’m shocked by prices,” Teresa says. “Here, we live well without breaking the bank.”
The village, though small, meets their needs. A pharmacy, grocery store, bank, gas station, and two bars, one with a stunning mountain-view terrace, provide essentials. A Saturday market brings fresh produce and local crafts, while restaurants within a short drive offer Abruzzese specialties like maccheroni alla chitarra. For larger needs, the city of Teramo, 30 minutes away, has supermarkets and hospitals. Healthcare, accessed through Italy’s public system via Teresa’s citizenship, is affordable and high-quality, with private options available at low cost.
Living beside the church comes with quirks. The bells ring every 15 minutes, for Mass, and for funerals, “sad bells,” as Teresa calls them. Double-pane windows and shutters muffle the sound at night, but daytime chimes keep her attuned to the hour. Church events, like baptisms, require discretion, no laundry on the balcony during ceremonies, a rule gently enforced by neighbors’ knocks. These nuances, far from bothersome, add to the charm of piazza life.
Teresa and Greg’s guesthouse welcomes travelers seeking an authentic Italian experience. “An American couple stayed with us and loved it so much they bought a home here,” Teresa shares. The village’s magic lies in its simplicity and community, drawing others to its embrace.
Teresa’s journey from Pennsylvania to Abruzzo is a story of bold reinvention. “This move was about living intentionally,” she says. “We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” For those dreaming of a similar leap, she advises researching thoroughly, visiting in person, and embracing the local culture. “Abruzzo isn’t Tuscany, it’s raw, authentic, and affordable. That’s what makes it special.”
Castiglione Messer Raimondo may be a dot on the map, but for Teresa and Greg, it’s the heart of a life filled with connection, beauty, and affordability. Their story shows that with courage and a willingness to embrace the unknown, a dream of Italian living can become a vibrant reality. To start your own journey toward a brighter smile or new beginning, contact us today.
Abruzzo offered affordability, natural beauty, and an authentic, less-touristy lifestyle. Teresa’s budget couldn’t stretch to pricier regions, and Castiglione Messer Raimondo’s community and charm felt like home.
Teresa and Greg live comfortably on $2,200 monthly, covering housing, utilities, groceries, dining, and entertainment. A cappuccino costs €1.20 ($1.34), and a meal for two with wine is €40 ($44.70).
Yes, her dual citizenship simplified residency and access to Italy’s public healthcare and services. Non-EU citizens can pursue residency visas, but the process is more complex.
It’s vibrant and communal, with constant interaction, conversations from the balcony, festivals, and processions. The visibility isn’t for everyone, but Teresa loves the connection.
Church bells ring frequently, and community life requires discretion (e.g., no laundry during church events). Limited amenities mean occasional trips to larger towns, but the trade-offs are minimal.
Teresa joins passeggiate, festivals, tombola nights, and communal meals. Her balcony chats and guesthouse foster connections with locals and expats.
Yes, through visas like the Elective Residency Visa for retirees or those with passive income. A scouting trip and consultation with immigration experts are key.
It allows Teresa and Greg to share Abruzzo’s charm, meet travelers, and earn supplemental income. Guests often fall in love with the town, some even relocating.
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