A US Navy veteran and his family made the unexpected decision to leave their life in Virginia behind and start anew in Italy. Jason Salesberry, who had never set foot in Italy before, now owns a house in a hilltop town and is planning the harvest from his two-acre grove of olive trees.

A New Life in Italy

The family’s decision to move to Italy was motivated by a desire for a safer and more stable environment. Jason had grown concerned about violent crimes in their hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia, and wanted a better life for his young daughter. After applying for a position at a military base near Naples, Jason was hired, and the family made the move to Italy in 2017.

Initially, the family struggled to adjust to the local culture and way of life. They had to learn to slow down and adapt to the slower pace of life in Naples. However, as they settled in, they fell in love with the local food scene and the beautiful scenery. They also had to navigate the challenges of learning a new language and adjusting to the local customs.

A New Chapter

As the family approached the three-year mark in Italy, they began to consider returning to the US. However, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent global lockdowns made staying in Italy seem like the logical choice. Jason’s wife, Sherry, who had initially been hesitant about the move, began to learn Italian and even started taking formal classes. The family eventually decided to make Italy their permanent home and have since purchased a house and olive grove in the town of Caiazzo.

Today, the Salesberry family is thriving in their new life in Italy. They are learning to maintain their land and harvest their own olives, and they are grateful for the opportunity to experience a new culture and way of life. As Jason reflects on their decision to move to Italy, he says, “Living in the heart of Europe has unlocked a world of adventure for our family.”

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.