House Hunters Episode Prompts a Move to Lucca

I am pleased to add this interview to my Taking the Plunge series

Why did this family move from the US to Lucca?

Where do you come from and when did you first have a connection with Italy in your life?

I was born in the Philippines but have spent most of my life in Southern California. My first connection to Italy was food. For as long as I can remember, Spaghetti al Ragu has been my favorite food, and then, later, watching House Hunters International episodes set in Italy always got me daydreaming. But the connection that made the daydreams a reality is through my husband Craig’s ancestry. His great grandfather, Antonio, is from Palermo.

When did you move to Lucca? What motivated you to make the move?

The idea of moving to Italy came up during a conversation about national healthcare and how we believe the United States should have it like European Union countries. We became more serious about the idea of moving to Italy as we watched documentaries, travel shows, and movies about this beautiful country. We grew more determined and we discovered that Craig (and in turn our daughter Jade and I) are eligible for dual citizenship. For a year or so we researched, gathered, and amended document after document until everything was in order for the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles. Eventually, Craig was recognized as an Italian Citizen.  

When Craig watched a House Hunters International episode that was set in Lucca, he became convinced that this was the place for us. It has amazing walls that surround the city that serve as an incredible park. You can run, ride your bike, walk your dog, even do yoga on these walls. Lucca is also close to the beach and the mountains and to two major airports. I too was sold on Lucca!  It took a few years from when this decision was made to finally making the move in 2016. We just celebrated our two-year anniversary in July.

You moved with a pre-teen daughter.  What was her initial reaction and what would you say her adjustment to living in Italy compared to yours?  How was it for her going to school in another language that she did not yet know well?

When we first told Jade about the idea of moving to Italy, she was a lot younger and a lot more excited about the new adventure. But when we were finally ready, she was 11 years old with close friends and a budding social life. The move meant that she wouldn’t finish elementary school with all her friends and that was very sad for her. She cried for days. After lengthy conversations, she began to understand that the move be good for her in the long run. She would have a great opportunity to learn a new language, gain a different perspective, travel to many countries and of course, eat the best gelato. Once she accepted this, she never looked back. 

Jade was courageous in her willingness to take on every challenge including going to school in Italian. Fortunately, the school held her hand through the first year as she adjusted. By the end of the school year she was thriving. We couldn’t be more proud of her! It may have crossed our minds initially to find an international school but we’re glad we decided to completely immerse ourselves into the Italian way of life.  

Is it harder for you guys to support yourselves in Italy?  Do you have any advice for how to make this work for others?  You are teaching yoga, is that something you planned to do in your new life in Italy?

We are fortunate that Craig is a graphic designer and can work anywhere as long as he has good internet connection. But we still spent a great deal of time worrying about the what ifs… what if our clients don’t want to work with us while we’re in Italy? What if our internet connection is terrible? What about taxation?  The bottom line is that even in the US, there really is no such thing as job security. All we can do is continue to work hard, and be creative and resourceful. On the plus side, we find that our expenses here are about half of what they were in the US. 

As we became more serious about the move, we thought it was important to have as many options for supporting ourselves as possible, and I had been wanting to teach yoga so I completed the 200-hour yoga teacher certification. A year after our move to Lucca, I started offering small group classes in our apartment. The donation-based classes that I taught in English were attended by locals, expats and tourists. And now, two years after our move, I have just opened a studio within the city walls.  

What was the process like, getting a yoga studio opened?

It took three months to get the approval. I signed the contract on August 1st and I ordered furniture, yoga mats, and props, and hired a painter, an electrician and a handyman before leaving for our trip to the US. I got back on the 29th of August, and the electrician, painter, and handyman were all efficient and punctual in doing their jobs. The last pieces came together in a week. We are blessed to have met some wonderful people who helped greatly along the way.  

The studio is within the walls very close to piazza Santa Maria. I will be working with a few other yoga teachers to offer various styles and levels of yoga and hopefully form a nice little community. 

What was your biggest fear in making the move?

We determined at the time of the move not to let fear stop us from doing something we truly want. But our fears were:

• That we would miss family and friends and find ourselves lonely here. Fortunately, we do have each other and we made sure to be open to meeting new people.
• That we would miss the conveniences we’re used to having like a car and air conditioning and Target and Mexican, Japanese, and Thai food. We miss these, but it’s been manageable to live without. 

What’s been the most challenging aspect so far living in Italy?

The language. When we first arrived we were more serious and focused in learning the language but as we’ve managed to get by, it became less of a priority. I’d really like to be able to carry a more meaningful conversation or at least joke around with our Italian friends. They are always nice enough to encourage us by saying “piano piano” but after two years, I don’t think that’s going to cut it anymore.

What is something that you have in Italy that you did not have in your home country?

Healthcare! I saw a cardiologist within two weeks from when I called for an appointment and paid less than what I would for a haircut and color in the States. I couldn’t believe it!

Back in California, we were very dependent on our cars but here in Lucca we are able to function and manage our daily lives without one. Sure, there are times when it’d be more convenient but those are the times when we learn to be more resourceful, and become better problem solvers.

It’s easier and more affordable to travel from here. We don’t have to work 60 hours a week year-long to afford one nice vacation. A better quality of life is truly achievable here.

What were the main things you were hoping the move to Italy would give you, and did those things come to fruition?

I had hoped to enjoy a simpler, less busy life, and to have more time to enjoy walks or bike rides or casual visits with friends, and to visit small Italian towns. I do these things, but I’m afraid I do them on top of a whole lot of other things. Because of opening the yoga studio, there’s a lot of work to be done to get it up and running. I love what I’m doing, and I know someday soon, when the studio is established, life will feel simpler again.

What’s your favorite quote about life, as related to your move to Italy?

Respond to every call that excites your spirit. ~Rumi

For more stories about moving to Italy go here

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