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 always been fascinated by Italian culture, decided to take a chance and move his family to Naples in 2017.
A New Life in Italy
The family, including Jason, his wife Sherry, and their young daughter, settled into a new life in Italy, navigating the challenges of learning a new language and adapting to a different culture. Despite initial reservations, they found that the slower pace of life in Italy suited them well, and they began to appreciate the local food, history, and scenery.
Jason, who owns a house in a hilltop town and is planning the harvest from his two-acre grove of olive trees, says that living in Italy has been a whirlwind of European adventure. The family has enjoyed paragliding in Switzerland, scuba diving in Greece, and exploring the local beaches and gelato shops in Naples.
Challenges and Opportunities
However, the family has also faced challenges, including navigating the complex Italian bureaucracy and dealing with the local driving style, which Sherry found to be intense and unpredictable. They have also had to adapt to a new way of life, including learning to slow down and enjoy the local pace.
Despite these challenges, the family has found that the benefits of living in Italy far outweigh the difficulties. They have been able to live comfortably on a single income, and Jason has been able to pursue his passion for olive farming. The family has also been able to integrate into the local community, with Sherry becoming the most competent Italian speaker in the family.
As they look to the future, the Salesberrys are excited to continue their Italian adventure, learning more about the local culture and way of life. They have recently purchased a new home in the town of Caiazzo, surrounded by two acres of land and a historic grove of olive trees, and are looking forward to harvesting their own olives and producing their own olive oil.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
