DAILY POSTCARD | SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2026 |
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Dear International Living reader, They had dreamed of living in Europe for years. But when Nancy and Luther Hampton finally made the move, they chose a very different path from most expats. Rather than settling in crowded Tuscany or pricey Florence, they discovered a little-known Italian town that is walkable, and rich in Renaissance charm—yet goes under the radar for most people. Here, their monthly expenses are just a fraction of what they once paid in the US Property taxes? None. Dinner with wine? Around $17 per person. Pizza that rivals the best in Rome? Just $8 for an entire pie. Best of all, they are surrounded by neighbors who welcome them like family, not tourists. |
P.S. Today is the last day to get your hands on a copy of my book, Live Better Overseas. If Europe's been on your mind—don't wait. This book could be your guide to getting there while the window's still open. Grab yours now. |
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Reserve your print copy now—last day for this special offer—and we'll bundle it with a bunch of other useful bonuses, too! The books are on their way to the warehouse now. Special deal for the first 500 to request a copy... let us know you're in, and we'll ship one to your door! Yes! Show Me How to Get a Copy |
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Our Dream Retirement in the "Real Italy" |
By Valery Fortney-Schneider |
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Back before the internet age, Nancy Hampton eagerly anticipated her print subscriptions from International Living, so she'd clearly fostered a dream to live overseas for a long time. In the 1990s, she and her husband, Luther, managed to garner some good work gigs in Germany; Nancy as a graphic artist and Luther in IT. They loved immersing themselves in a new culture. When their work opportunities ended, they returned to the Washington, D.C. metro area, where they endured heavy traffic, a high cost of living, and crazy pace, while looking for a place to retire abroad. "We knew we wanted to be back in Europe," Nancy said, "and we tended to return again and again to Italy. We decided that was the place. We loved the beauty, the food, and the lifestyle, as well as the friendliness of the people." Nancy and Luther quickly settled on the region they now call home for its central location. They also loved the bucolic lifestyle and food. "It offered the same qualities as Tuscany, but was less expensive, and less crowded. We felt there were too many foreigners already in Tuscany," Nancy says. "We ultimately chose our new home because it was a 'real' town with regular Italians going about their lives." The town Nancy and Luther moved to has about 16,000 residents and a tangle of streets in the compact historic center. While it's a rather small town, it has a beautiful castle, an active community, and some headliner Renaissance art that includes Pomarancio, Pinturicchio, and Signorelli. |
Nancy says the size was right for them. "Everything we needed would be in walking distance." There are also a couple dozen expats in the area for socializing and help with bureaucratic matters. "We are friends with all the local shopkeepers, and we have some good Italian friends here; we like to cook for each other," she says. "I still have some difficulty speaking Italian, so it's nice to also have expat friends." Nancy and Luther have been here for over three years now. She says they're having a happy retirement here, learning Italian and enjoying daily life. "We have lots of festivals here, which we enjoy a lot. We like having an aperitivo on the piazza [square], and never miss the two weekly markets." It's also a good location for touring around, and for access to airports for trips around Italy and Europe. Since winter can be damp and dreary, that is when they usually visit other cities. Their new home affords the Hamptons a more affordable retirement than life in the US. Housing, groceries, healthcare, and dining out, are all less expensive. While their property tax in the US cost them $7,500 a year, Nancy rejoices that in Italy you pay no property tax on your primary residence. They dine out more, too. "Many places cost just $17 per person for a three-course meal, including house wine. Great pizza is around $8 for a whole pie." Travel around Europe is within geographic and financial reach, too, with low-cost airlines offering easy flights. Europe's rail system offers another choice for vacations. They recently hopped on a train to Venice for $60 each way. This overlooked region of Italy has been a good choice for the Hamptons, which they say has absolutely met the expectations they envisioned as they endured those last working years while planning for a retirement in Europe. |
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We're going back to Costa Rica for our Fast Track Costa Rica Conference in July. And we want you to join us. We'll show you where you can enjoy a lifestyle upgrade for less than $2,200 a month. From the lush valleys, to the dazzling beaches, we'll show you a way of life that's hard to beat anywhere. Click here for more details. |
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