Italian Dreams Come True: From Jacksonville to Montefalco
This week, we reflect on an ERV journey, spotlight a lively, ancient town in the Umbrian hills, meet a multilingual property consultant, and more.
How an ERV Helped a Jacksonville Couple Make the Move to Montefalco 🇮🇹 ✈️ 🌻
Michael and Carole Trufant are two adventurous spirits on one amazing journey. Not long ago they were newlyweds enjoying retirement, with no plans to uproot and relocate to Italy…but sometimes things just fall into place.
I recently chatted with Michael and Carole as they sat on their grapevine-covered Umbrian terrace in the autumn evening sun. Even on a FaceTime call, I could sense they were right where they’re meant to be.
In less than 3 years, Michael and Carole met, got married, enjoyed many international adventures, bought a house in Italy, sold all of their belongings, and moved to the quaint commune of Montefalco. Their whirlwind transition is both impressive and inspirational…and not without plenty of hard work.
The Challenge: How to Stay in Italy
Making the decision to retire in Italy and actually being able to stay are two very different things. Like many people, Michael and Carole did extensive online research on their options and ultimately decided to pursue an elective residency visa (ERV).
While looking back on their research phase, they recall, “There’s a lot of bad information out there.” Anyone who has tumbled down the rabbit hole of internet advice knows this to be true, and bad information can easily thwart a carefully crafted plan. Rather than try to sort through all of the free advice (and opinions) available online, the Trufants wisely opted for professional assistance. “I’m a big believer in paying for good information,” says Michael.
The Solution: Partner with Smart Move Italy
Late one night, while browsing the internet for more guidance, the Trufants found Smart Move Italy. The timing was perfect as they were able to participate in Sam’s ERV Workshop. They then signed up for a 1:1 call, which helped them button-up their application. Ultimately, the investment in Smart Move Italy’s ERV service was worth it “to be sure and to be right.”
The Outcome: ERV Success!
When it came time to turn in their application, the Trufants did so with complete confidence. “Sam was flawless in her guidance,” they say. “I’m sure we would have been delayed had we not worked with her.” Their interview at the consulate seemed almost too easy. “I kept hearing about people being asked for more information so we were quite worried when we didn’t hear anything,” says Carole. “But then, one day we ran to the mailbox and there were our visas. We were so excited!”
The Trufants are now able to stay in Italy and weave themselves into Montefalco’s daily rhythm. “It’s always a smart investment to get competent counsel and [working with Sam] proved to be an excellent investment,” says Michael.
Looking Ahead: A Broad Perspective
Michael learned the importance of having a broad perspective from his father who encouraged him to never get bogged down by minutia. Right now, that broad perspective includes enjoying a slower pace, friends (new and old) who support their journey, a home that has stolen their hearts, and an Italian community that embraces them.
Another bonus? “We’re in the Smart Move Italy family now,” he says.
It seems everything has, indeed, fallen into place.
If you’re inspired by their story, let me know in the comments.
Location Spotlight: Montegiorgio (Marche)
Population: ~ 7,200
Elevation: ~ 411 m
Stepping into Montegiorgio may take you back in time. This beautiful hilltop town, dotted with picturesque churches and palazzos, is nestled amongst the rolling green hills of Umbria, between the Adriatic Sea and the Sibilini Mountains. Wandering through the narrow streets of the centro storico is the closest you may get to living in a fairy tale.
It’s difficult to be bored in Montegiorgio as there are plenty of sights to see and activities available, including archeological discoveries from the Bronze Age, Baroque architecture, and Neoclassical art. You’ll also find artisan workshops hosted by bookbinding and gilding craftsmen.
➡️Fun Fact: Montegiorgio is often associated with “Mediterranean” cuisine, as it was featured in a study of the diet’s impact on cardiovascular health.
❗️ Don’t miss the Alaleona Theatre in the Town Hall. Originally opened in 1770, the beautifully frescoed, intimate theater is named after Domenica Alaleona, a distinguished composer from the Umbrian hilltop town.
Curious about the cost of living in Marche? Check out this graph comparing Ascoli Piceno (very close to Montegiorgio) and Tampa, Florida:
Last Sunday’s Vendita newsletter featured this ⬇️ gorgeous house in Montegiorgio. Did you miss it? Be sure to subscribe via email, or join our Telegram channel. It’s completely free!
ASA (Ask Samantha Anything)
Email us at sophia@smartmoveitaly.com to submit your questions.
Dear Samantha: I am feeling overwhelmed. Retirement is about 5 years away. I would love to retire in Italy, but I just don’t know where to start. Can you give me 2 or 3 action items to get the ball rolling? Amy.
Dear Amy: Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. I know 5 years can feel like a lifetime away, but it will go very fast. The good thing is that you have time to plan.
The first thing to do is to decide “how” you are going to move to Italy. By this I mean what is your immigration pathway? If you hold another EU country passport or are an Italian dual citizen you do not need a Visa. However, if you need to apply for an Elective Residency Visa, you will need to ensure that you have enough passive income to support the visa. Although the amounts can change in 5 years, the type of income will remain the same. So plan for your pensions, annuity, and rental incomes to come in at least six months prior to applying.
The second is to take a few trips to Italy to narrow down where you will want to live. Italy has many beautiful places and deciding on your favorite can take some time. Try to spend longer periods of time, up to 90 days if you can to really dig into the culture.
Finally, when it is getting closer to your retirement, be sure to speak to an Italian commercialista (Accountant) about the tax liabilities of moving to Italy and how they will impact your personal situation. This is very important to do early, before you buy or rent a property as your location can have an impact on your taxes.
Marco wants to help you find an Italian property. 🏠 🇮🇹 💕
If you’ve decided to look for a property in Italy, auguri! You’re about to embark on an adventure. Real estate transactions here probably work a little bit differently than you’re used to. However, it should still be a fun experience that gives you hope and gets you excited about the possibility of finding your place in Italy. Truth be told, the process can be tricky, complicated, and sometimes even risky, but it doesn’t have to be.
In addition to assisting with visas and citizenship, Smart Move Italy also has a full-service real estate and relocation team representing foreign buyers in Italy. Our team is passionate about helping clients with all aspects of their property journey. From hunting to negotiating, closing to renovating, we’ve got you covered.
This week, we’d like to introduce you to Marco ⬇️, one of our talented property consultants.
Marco speaks FIVE languages and is an extremely talented videographer. If you are looking for a 7% town, he’s a tremendous resource as he focuses a lot in the south, especially in Puglia.
If you’re looking to purchase, schedule a FREE consultation with our property team. Click the button ⬇️ to grab a 15-minute discovery call.
The Elective Residency Visa Workshop - Last Call! 📢 🕰️
Sam’s live ERV workshop is finally here! Don’t miss your chance to sign up for this interactive event which, for many, is life-changing.
Applying for an ERV is not always a slam dunk. Many people are disappointed to have their applications rejected for one reason or another. Fortunately, Sam and the Smart Move Italy team have extensive experience with visa acquisition and can help skyrocket your chances for success!
Want a peak behind the curtain? Here, Sam talks about one of the biggest areas of confusion when it comes to ERV qualifications:
Not sure if you qualify for the ERV?
La Lingua Italiana - Halloween Edition 🎃 👻
Halloween is fast approaching, which typically isn’t that big of a deal in Italy as it’s not widely recognized. Although the holiday has gained some traction in recent years, the extent of celebration really depends on where you live (or visit).
In some areas, the focus remains on the traditional holidays of La Festa di Ognissanti (All Saints’ Day) on November 1 and La Festa dei Morti (All Souls’ Day) on November 2, but don’t be surprised to see Halloween-themed events and decor in many Italian neighborhoods. This could include carved pumpkins, zombie parades, haunted tours, costumes, and trick-or-treating.
Some holiday-inspired Italian phrases that may come in handy include:
👻 Ho paura! (I’m scared!)
🍬 Dolcetto o scherzetto? (Trick or Treat?)
🎃 Sapore di zucca (Pumpkin spice)
🏚️ Mi sono vestito/a da ….. (I’m dressed up as ….)
🌽 La festa in maschera (Costume party)
❗️Halloween (Halloween) [tip: Keep in mind, the H is typically silent in Italian so even though the spelling is the same, the pronunciation is not].
In Italy, Family is Everything 💗
If you are at all familiar with Smart Move Italy’s mission (and I know you are…because you’re here!), you’ve heard Sam talk about the importance of relationships. Italy is a very relational country so personal interactions are crucial. Need evidence? Just ask some of our clients who have moved here. They’ll probably tell you that their new neighbors treat them like family.
In the spirit of celebrating our extended Italian “family,” Sam and her team recently hosted an apertivo at the Angel Rooftop Bar and Terrace in Florence. It was truly an honor to celebrate Di Vita community members, Vita Italia Alumni, and clients across our services. The beautiful evening was filled with food, wine, and plenty of laughter.
This is an annual event and truly a highlight for all of us. The best part is being able to meet everyone in person since a lot of our interactions are done remotely. If you didn’t make it this time around, we’ll save a seat for you next year.
Feeling chatty?
Here’s your weekly invitation to share what’s on your mind. Italy Per Te is a labor of love and, honestly, it’s nice to get some feedback so I know this newsletter is serving you, the reader.
That being said, when it comes to discovering your life in Italy, what are you curious about? What is it about Italy that speaks to you? Leaving a comment will help shape the content of newsletters to come. We truly appreciate your feedback because, after all, we’re family! 🇮🇹
P.S. Follow Samantha on Insta or Threads.