The REAL Reason We Left the USA

8 Months ago we left the USA to establish a new life here in the foothills of the Italian Alps and are now renovating this old stone house to be our dream homestead. We have a long road ahead renovating this old stone barn into a house, but this week we wanted to explain the reasons behind why we decided to leave the USA.

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We are Heather, Bradey, Alexa and Chloe. We purchased an abandoned stone barn in the foothills of the Italian Alps and we are working together as a family to renovate and restore this old stone barn into our dream home.

[stefanocapacci]

As Italians we have many flaws, but we welcome with open arms those who love our Italy and have chosen it to live! You are welcome!

[jongarr]

As a 72YO retired nurse of 46 yrs, I can not begin to praise you enought for doing what you are doing, You are putting family first and doing what makes you happy. USA is now so stressed that we have LOST our way. Work and money - how much is enough? To have enough money to live, have family and feel happy - you are rich and will grow, even if in another country. I will be watching your progress. Sending my best.

[stephanieh.]

As someone who emigrated to Europe from the US nearly 40 years ago, I feel qualified to give a bit of advice on the issue of homesickness: Attitude and perspective. You've chosen Italy and your property; that is HOME. Stop thinking of the US culture or conveniences as things to be missed or longed for, or as "home". Obviously, keep in touch with family and close friends; but make friends where you are, and when you think of going home, think of your stone barn, not the States. The sooner you can make that mental step, the easier it will be. Make your life where you are; dig into the culture, history, neighbourhood and community and integrate as soon as you can... Also, if you are missing certain comfort foods or items from shopping in the States, try and find alternatives in Italy as soon as you can - that will help with the feeling of "being home"...

[sapsinsweden]

I am an American living in Sweden and I could not agree more. This move was one of the best things ive done for myself mentally and physically. I had to learn to "relax" at work bc i was still stuck in the US work mentality. My work is always done but just in a more relaxed state. How wonderful for your children to experience life as an adventure.

[peterhowells]

Greetings from Scotland! I can sympathise with you guys because my wife and I went through a very similar process. We married at 18yo and went on honeymoon to the Northern Scottish Highlands - and we stayed! Jobs were abundant and houses also! The first year was really hard and we both wanted to give in and go back home. At the end of last April we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, in Scotland - where we still live, very happily! We are both SO glad we stayed, brought up a family and our children have done the same. Hang on in there guys!

[juttak]

Absolutely correct! I am from Germany and moved to the US with my husband who was in the Army.
As a European I must say that here in the US people live to money more stuff .
In Europe....life and family first. Relax and enjoy life.
Great show!

[Astropaesan]

I am an Italian immigrant whose family settled in Canada. You are raising the next generation so it is vital that you lead by example. I envy you, and I think your logic is sound. I can say, you are leaving a toxic country, which is only getting worse, because to fix it would involve too much change, and as you know, people find it difficult to change. The US is a slippery slope.

[andreaandrea]

You have been incredibly brave and healthy moving out of the US!! (I did it in 1982, when I was 24). What you have done is absolutely extraordinary! The 'missing home' is 100% normal. It dissipates after 2 years. Because you are all together, as a family, it should take far less time. It is the greatest gift you could possibly give your children. It WILL all work out! Don't give up. All of this (what you are going through) is perfectly normal. Irons in the fire, getting stronger.

[jeddbob]

We really enjoyed your reasons. We have enjoyed all your videos. We moved to Italy from America almost five years ago. When we get asked why, we always say that we weren't running away from America, but rather, running to Italy. It is such a wonderful country, filled with wonderful people.

[melissareid]

Don't come back it's a hot mess here. You made the right choice for your family. Stay strong family and friends can visit you- your home is coming along and seeing the joy in your family all the stress and hard work will be worth it- #YouWillBeWithFamilySoon

[annburge]

I'm an expat Australian living in Mexico. We built our house and grew a permaculture garden. Getting residency in any country is tricky and many countries don't let you leave during the process or if leaving is allowed, the time restraints are so short, like two weeks in my case, that travelling home was economically impossible. Your house setting is spectacular and the lifestyle extremely valuable. I'd love to live somewhere so beautiful. My husband and I dedicated alot of our time bringing our children up to be Australian as well as Mexican... for example I encouraged reading books in English, playing musical instruments, cooking, gardening, sewing, minding animals (activities rather strange in this part of the world) and my husband brought up our children up to be Mexican which meant building, fixing cars, soldering, electrical work, repurposing junk, making the most of a low income. It's rather hard being between two cultures. I hope you make some close friends. I've found the social aspect rather difficult especially now that my kids have grown up, not going to school and are living in other countries. Some of my friends moved away from this city. Family is not only a social identity but it gives links to other social groups. When there is no extended family, one has to work to be accepted.... I didn't work enough in this area. Love your videos. Hope your back stops hurting soon.

[Allioop_]

Listening to you is like listening to myself. I left California, the city where I was born and it’s such a mess… my son said, Mom, get out of there! Come to Hawaii. I’m so glad I did. The stress level is so much healthier. This is my retirement paradise. I’m glad you found yours! 🙋🏻‍♀️❤️🙏

[tracydarby]

You can't worry about hurting feelings. That's just a part of the unraveling of our nation. Everyone is afraid to speak. I grew up in the America where nobody was afraid to speak. We don't have to share politcal views with you in ordee to support your channel and to enjoy your joyrney. ❤

[danmcbride]

You can’t apologize for wanting a simpler life with less pressure. You have chosen a life in a more relaxed setting. You have set the foundation for your children to live a quality of life, education and culture. The biggest gift Parents can give to their children.

[bookwormextreme]

Hey guys I’m not a regular commenter but I found this video really inspiring.

I grew up in a similar way, sort of - my parents moved from New Zealand to South East Asia with me and my two younger sisters when I was ten years old. Certainly it was difficult at times but the places we got to travel to were absolutely incredible and the perspective it’s given me as an adult into different cultures and points of view has definitely made me a better person, and I’m sure your daughters will feel the same as they get older.

Have a wonderful day 😊

[gbbl]

As European women I would like to say that you chose the very best country to live. Italians have Feeling for family, live, eating. Also for style. I love to make vacation in italy🩷

[brendabreed]

Thank you for sharing. We live off grid in interior Alaska. We are building a place out of pocket and living below our means as a way to simplify our life. Too many people are caught up in the rat race of life and the desire to have stuff. My husband used to be like you working 60+ hours a week and I was an at home mom. We are now working just as many hours BUT we are together, talking, laughing and enjoying each other. I am happy for you to be able to do this adventure while your children are young. They will have incredible memories and skills that most people do not. Thank you for sharing your life with the world.

[shariberry]

I will turn 60 this summer. When I was a kid in the 1970's, people were getting their Licensed Vocational Nurse degree and certification at the local community college, the state picked up the tab for tuition and books because they saw it as a good investment.
Flash forward to now, I worked last year in a restaurant. I got to know a server, a young woman who was really sharp and astute. She was turning 21 and she lived with her mom to save not paying rent. She always told us that she scrimped and saved everything, every spare dime went to tuition because she was trying to avoid taking out student loans. She finally got accepted into our local community college licensed vocational nurse program.
She looks at me, with a straight face, and tells me that she is "Only 6K in student loan debt". I said, "How on earth is it that you have only gone to community college, that you JUST NOW got accepted into the vocational licensed nurse program, yet you had to borrow 6K to make it this far????". She replied that most of her friends owed so much more. I thought, 21 years old and already owes 6K, what is going to happen one day when she wants to get married and have kids? WHY are we saddling our young adults, our CAPABLE young adults who want to become nurses, with so much debt? How is this helpful to our country and our future?

[JNPeace-ctqf]

I'm 65 and always wanted to live in Italy 🇮🇹
Seeing you guys do what I wanted 😢😊 brings me tears of joy. I hold such a regard of respect for the way you four are moving along. Hope one day you can talk about the downfalls to changing your life for such a beautiful country. Thank you for sharing and many blessings on your journey. I'll be watching.😂

[englishrose]

I vividly remember, when I was in the tiny villages in the northern Italian alps, how it felt like time was slower there. It was captivating. There was a shepherd on the hillside with his goats, just like in the movie, Heidi. It was incredible.