New York Family Finds Mortgage-Free Life in Rural Italy for $13,000

A New York family found an unexpected escape in rural Italy, purchasing a home for a mere $13,000. This move not only granted them mortgage-free living but also drastically cut their expenses, transforming their outlook on life. With a slower pace and significantly lower costs for essentials like childcare and utilities, they've embraced a new, less stressful existence, with no plans to return to the US.

After leaving New York City and buying a home in rural Italy for just $13,000, Cassandra Tresl said she has no desire to return to America permanently. The mother of one, who moved to Italy with her family in 2023, says the lower cost of living, mortgage-free homeownership and slower pace of life have transformed their future. “At this point in our lives, I could not imagine living back in the US full-time,” she was quoted as saying by the New York Post.

Cassandra Tresl and her husband decided to leave New York behind and move to a small town in Italy after finding a house that cost only about $13,000. The move not only gave them a mortgage-free home but also significantly reduced their living expenses and changed their perspective on work, family, and everyday life.

Why the Family Decided to Leave New York

Tresl, 33, told CNBC that becoming parents during the pandemic prompted a major reassessment of their future.

After welcoming their daughter in 2020, the couple began questioning whether long-term life in New York City made financial sense. At the time, they were paying $2,000 a month in rent for their apartment, which was considered relatively affordable by New York standards.

“I couldn’t imagine realistically saving up for a down payment to buy a house somewhere in New York,” the young woman lamented.

Instead of continuing to rent, the family started looking at alternatives abroad.

Buying a House in Italy for Around $13,000

In 2022, the family purchased a home in Italy's Abruzzo region for approximately 11,500 euros, or about $13,000. They later moved there permanently in 2023.

The purchase price alone felt almost unreal to Tresl. “The fact that we were able to buy a house all in cash honestly at that time felt unbelievable,” said Tresl, who called NYC home from 2015 to 2019.

The family then invested an additional 15,000 euros, or roughly $17,000, to renovate and furnish the property. One of the biggest renovation costs was redoing the home's plumbing system, which cost around $3,000.

Why They Chose Abruzzo Instead of Italy's Tourist Hotspots

While many foreigners gravitate toward famous destinations such as Tuscany, Tresl and her family intentionally wanted something different. They settled in a small village in the Abruzzo region with a population of around 1,300 people. The town sits roughly three hours east of Rome.

According to Tresl, avoiding heavily visited tourist areas was a deliberate decision.

“Abruzzo stood out to us,” Tresl said, explaining that her family shunned “mass tourism” in regions like Tuscany.

Lower Living Costs Made a Big Difference

One of the most noticeable benefits of relocating to Italy was the dramatic reduction in monthly expenses.

According to Tresl:

Full-time preschool for their daughter costs about $70 per month.

Electricity averages around $170 per month.

Water costs roughly $80 monthly.

Wi-Fi costs about $15 per month.

Each cellphone plan costs approximately $14 per month.

The lower cost of living has helped the family enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle without the financial pressure they experienced in New York.

The Family Also Bought a Second Property

The family's investment in Italy did not stop with their first home. Tresl said they purchased a second property for about $20,000 and spent another $17,000 renovating it.

Today, the property serves as a rental managed by her husband. According to Tresl, it generates an average of about $1,100 per month in income.

Career Changes After Moving Abroad

Before relocating, Tresl worked remotely for the same tech startup where she had been employed while living in New York.

Eventually, she transitioned into a marketing role with an Italian travel company. Although the move resulted in a lower salary, she believes it improved her overall quality of life.

“I definitely make less now than compared to working for a New York-based company, but my time is much better spent, in my opinion,” she said.

“I kept thinking what do I want out of my career, and then I kind of realized, maybe I don’t care as much as everyone else might care about their career,” she said.

“Living in a small town has forced me in the best way possible to slow down and really understand that nothing is that important,” she said.

Why She Doesn't Want to Move Back

Although Tresl said she misses family and friends in the United States, she has no plans to return permanently.

“At this point in our lives, I could not imagine living back in the US full-time,” she said. “The best feeling that I continuously get from purchasing a house here is a sense of relief,” she said.

“We own the house in cash, it’s paid for in cash, and it’s just done and I don’t have to think about it.”