03/07/2026
In 2020, Cassandra Tresl and Alex Ninman decided it was time for a fresh start. After finding out they were expecting their first child, they left New York City and temporarily relocated to the Czech Republic, hoping to build a life with lower living costs and a better work-life balance.
While planning their next chapter, they began searching for affordable homes in rural Italy. In 2022, they found a two-story, two-bedroom house in Italy's Abruzzo region and purchased it for just €11,500 (about $13,100 at the time), paying in cash.
The home needed renovations, so they invested about $17,100 to make it comfortable for their family. Even with those improvements, the total cost remained far below the price of many homes in major U.S. cities.
The move also brought a career change. Cassandra left her corporate technology job and accepted a marketing position with a local company. Although the salary was lower, she has said the reduced stress, slower pace of life, and extra time with family made the decision worthwhile.
Their story has been featured by several news outlets as an example of how some families are choosing affordable rural communities over expensive cities. While this lifestyle isn't the right fit for everyone, their experience has inspired many people to think differently about housing, work, and what they value most in life.
What do you think? Would you trade city life for a quieter, more affordable home in the countryside?