NY Couple Bought an Italian House for $13,000 After Leaving the US
Cassandra Tresl and Alex Ninman left New York City, relocated to Europe, and purchased a home in Abruzzo, Italy for just $13,000.
A New York City couple made a dramatic leap away from American urban life, ultimately purchasing a house in the Abruzzo region of Italy for $13,000 — a price point that would be unimaginable in the city they left behind. Cassandra Tresl and Alex Ninman's journey abroad became a defining example of the growing wave of Americans seeking affordable, slower-paced lives in rural Europe.
The pair did not move directly to Italy. In 2020, they first relocated to the Czech Republic, where Tresl's grandfather lived, giving them a foothold in Europe while they evaluated longer-term options. That transitional period allowed the couple to acclimate to life outside the United States before committing to a permanent base.
Read more Vanguard ETF Draws Attention as Retirees Seek Steady Income →
By 2022, Tresl and Ninman had closed on their home in Abruzzo, a mountainous and historically underexplored region in central Italy known for its affordability compared to more tourist-saturated Italian destinations. The couple described the experience as discovering "a different way of life" — a sentiment that resonates with many expatriates who cite quality of life, community, and cost of living as primary motivators for leaving the US.
Their story reflects a broader trend of Americans purchasing deeply discounted properties in rural Italian towns, some of which have offered homes for as little as one euro to attract new residents and reverse population decline. Abruzzo, while not always part of those formal programs, has drawn international buyers with its low property prices, natural beauty, and relatively accessible infrastructure.
For anyone weighing a similar move, the couple's path — gradual relocation, family support networks abroad, and patience in finding the right property — offers a practical if unconventional roadmap. Continue reading at US Top News and Analysis.
