Finding Our $130,000 Home Under the Umbrian Sun

Finding Our $130,000 Home Under the Umbrian Sun
Chris and Robin’s European adventure began with an episode of House Hunters International—and now they’re living their Italian dreams.

“While cooped up during Covid, my wife and I watched a lot of House Hunters International,” Chris Russo says. “One evening, she turned to me wistfully and asked if I had ever considered living in Europe. ‘Not really,’ I answered. ‘Besides, where could we go? We couldn’t stay more than 90 days as Americans anyway.’”

Soon after, Chris and Robin happened to watch an episode that featured an American woman who obtained Italian citizenship through her ancestry. Robin asked him if his family had come from Italy, and Chris replied yes—his ancestors had emigrated from Italy a few generations ago. He quickly did some preliminary research and was delighted to learn he qualified.

And thus began their Italian adventure.

After some serious research, they decided to apply for citizenship recognition in an ancient, medieval, walled city of about 50,000 people called Reiti, and rented an apartment there. Rent prices were modest, ranging from $400 to $600, depending on the size of the apartment. They loved living there so much that when Chris’ citizenship was granted, they decided to purchase a home and put down roots.

In 2024, they discovered a charming, authentic Italian house with ancient wood-beamed ceilings, authentic tile floors, and characteristic brick domed ceilings. Offering plenty of space with three bedrooms and two full bathrooms, it also came with a bonus… there are two “cantinas” (small cottages) on-site. They use one cantina as a guesthouse, perfect for when any of their four kids and grandkids come to visit. The other cantina features a cozy fireplace and kitchenette, where they love spending time entertaining their frequent guests and friends. The home also boasts a balcony, where they can sip their coffee and take in the stunning Umbrian countryside, and there’s a fenced garden where they grow fresh vegetables of all kinds. For less than $130,000, Chris and Robin were delighted to find something so affordable and charming. 

Their $130K Umbrian stone home includes vaulted ceilings, cozy guest cottages, and space to host family and friends.
Their $130K Umbrian stone home includes vaulted ceilings, cozy guest cottages, and space to host family and friends.

One of the main reasons they decided to move abroad was financial. The cost of living in Italy was much lower than in Scottsdale, Arizona, where they had been living. “Our monthly budget here in Reiti for the two of us is about $1,750 to $2,300. That includes our mortgage, utilities such as electric, gas, trash pickup, and water, gas and insurance for the car, as well as groceries, entertainment, and miscellaneous expenses. Also, there’s no property tax on your primary residence! We have learned that gas, and energy as a whole, are more expensive than what we were used to, but we take the train and walk often.”

Dining out in their village is a substantial bargain compared to Scottsdale. “We recently had a beautiful dinner in our town with three appetizers, two pasta dishes, and two bottles of wine for just $70!” 

And food is fresher in Italy than what they were used to in Arizona.  “Farm to table is not a new trendy thing here; it’s a way of life,” adds Chris. 

Healthcare, too, is much more affordable—and being on the national healthcare system, many medical services are free, paid for by taxes. A visit to a regular doctor costs nothing, but a specialist and procedures like lab work will incur a minimal additional cost. 

Oftentimes, there is a wait for some services—Chris waited almost two years for a routine colonoscopy. But choosing to go to a private clinic or hospital and paying out of pocket is always an option.

“Recently, my wife needed an ultrasound, and rather than wait six months for the next available appointment, we paid $175 to have it done right away at a private clinic.”

Finding new ways to spend time has been exciting, and activities such as playing padel (similar to pickleball), golfing on the local course where a round of golf costs only $30, and gardening keep them busy. They are enjoying learning how to make their own wine, using grapes from a friend’s vineyard, where they do some work to help out. 

“We make about 300 liters of vino rosso and another 300 liters of white wine per season,” Chris says. “We also have some other friends with olive trees. We help maintain the trees and pitch in with the harvesting of the olives in fall, and they’ve helped us make our own olive oil. It doesn’t get fresher than that!” 

Chris and Robin help friends harvest grapes and olives, making their own wine and olive oil in the Umbrian countryside.
Chris and Robin help friends harvest grapes and olives, making their own wine and olive oil in the Umbrian countryside.

Living in a different country will always have its quirks and surprises. For Robin and Chris, trying to find traditional food for their American holiday celebrations wasn’t easy! 

“You can’t find a ham here,” Chris laughs. “Yes, there is amazing prosciutto and sliced ham, but to find something like a whole ham is virtually impossible! And ordering a turkey at Thanksgiving is much more expensive here since it is not a normal thing for Italians.” 

But, these minor inconveniences aside, the couple say that their experience so far has been worth the move. They traded the humdrum of Arizona for Italian countryside living that feels like something from a movie.

“A perfect day is going to the vineyard and working in the morning with our friend and having an amazing lunch with wine on his terrace overlooking the vineyard, surrounded by his groves of olive and fruit trees,” Chris tells me. “It’s our own little Under the Tuscan Sun but for us, it’s Under the Umbrian Sun!”

When asked what advice he would give others considering a move abroad, Chris said that he has three main lessons to impart. 

“Firstly, learn the language—or at least, get started,” he says. “Especially if you’re not planning to be in a big city with lots of English speakers. 

“Secondly, get familiar with the term ‘piano, piano’ which means ‘slowly, slowly’. Nothing happens quickly in Italy—the bureaucracy is mind-numbingly slow, there are many holidays where services and shops are closed, and restaurants and other businesses close in the afternoon for riposo, the mid-day break. 

“Thirdly, embrace the changes and the new culture. You probably won’t have a clothes dryer, and microwaves are uncommon. Lean into the changes.”

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