Texas woman, 62, says she moved to Italy because it is too expensive to retire in the US, revealing she bought a three-bedroom home for just $123K
Barbara Barto, from Fort Worth, moved to the Abruzzo region in October 2022
Her three-bedroom home sits on two and a half acres of land with 200 olive trees
Barto says her 'money goes a lot further' in Italy, and she hopes to remain there
By ERICA NARDOZZI FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 17:53 EST, 18 October 2023 | UPDATED: 18:28 EST, 18 October 2023

A 62-year-old woman has opened up about her decision to abandon her life in Texas and move to Italy by herself after realizing it was too expensive to retire in the US.

Barbara Barto, a former office manager from Fort Worth, had always dreamed of living abroad, but it wasn't until she lost her job of 10 years that she considered taking the leap.

In an interview with CNN, she explained that she was at a crossroads in her life back in 2020. Her mother had died, her divorce was being finalized, and her job search had been fruitless.

Barto was ready for retirement, but she worried about the rising cost of living in the US. That's when she recalled the brief time she spent in Italy in the 1980s.

_________________
Some things can never be unsaid, so don’t say them in the first place.
If it were not for British news sources, I would never know what was really going on here in the States.

Barbara Barto, 62, left her home in Fort Worth, Texas, to retire in Italy after realizing it was less expensive to live abroad

The former office manager bought a three-bedroom home outside of Palombaro, a village in the Abruzzo region of Italy, for just $123,000

The home sits on two and a half acres of land with 200 olive trees and offers a stunning view of the Maiella mountains

After attending a few live-streams hosted by A Home In Italy, a company that helps foreigners buy property in the country, she realized it was a more cost-effective option than staying in Texas.

Retirees need roughly $60,000 a year to live comfortably in Texas, which is slightly less than the national average of $68,000, according to study by GoBankingRates.

'I put pencil to paper and saw that I could afford it, and it was going to be more affordable than living in the United States,' Barto told CNN.

'Because everything’s more expensive there. When I put the numbers together, I saw I could live there more comfortably with my retirement and the inheritance that I have. And I thought, "Well, why not?"'

Barto traveled to Italy to search for apartments in April 2021, and after viewing six houses, she chose one located outside of Palombaro, a village in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

Sitting on two and a half acres of land with 200 olive trees, the three-bedroom home cost just €123,000, which amounted to $123,000 due to the equal conversion at the time.

'You couldn’t buy something [like that] in the United States for what I paid [for it],' she noted.

After filling out the paperwork, she applied for an Italian Elective Residency Visa, a long-stay authorization for non-European Union citizens to live in the country under the requirement that they have self-sustaining incomes and financial assets.

Barto (pictured with her niece) packed up and moved to her new home with the help of her younger sister and ex-husband in October 2022
packed up and moved to her new home with the help of her younger sister and ex-husband in October 2022

'You couldn’t buy something [like that] in the United States for what I paid [for it],' she told CNN of her home in Italy

Barto recalled how the locals greeted her with coffee and cake, immediately making her feel welcome in her new home

The retiree keeps busy by doing work around her house and traveling across Italy

In October 2022, Barto packed up and moved to her new home with the help of her younger sister and ex-husband, whom she is still friends with following their divorce.

She recalled how the locals greeted her with coffee and cake, immediately making her feel welcome in her new home.

The retiree admitted that learning Italian hasn't been easy, but thanks to modern technology, she is able to communicate using Google Translate.

Before calling or frequenting a business, she will write out what she has to say in Italian and practice her speech until she feels confident.

She noted that when she has to call and make a hair appointment, the staff at the salon will recognize her voice and say, ‘Oh it’s Barbara from Texas.'

Barto has also had to adjust to cultural differences, including most businesses being shut down in the middle of the afternoon and not having access to fast food.

Barto had to prove that she had enough money to live in Italy without working in order to qualify for an Elective Residency Visa

Over the summer, she had the opportunity to soak up the sun on the beach in Abruzzo

'I really enjoy living here,' she said. 'I love getting out and looking at my balcony views... You’re like, "Wow,’ every day"'

Despite the challenges that come with living in a new country, she couldn't be happier about her decision.

'My money goes a lot further here,' she said. 'Groceries are a lot cheaper here. You save a lot more money here, which I like.'

Barto has noticed that she has also become more active and is able to travel across Italy, visiting various cities and villages thanks to the country's train system.

She plans on returning to Texas for the holidays, and while she is looking forward to seeing her family and eating her favorite foods, she admitted that she doesn't miss having to worry about her safety.

'Crime has gotten so crazy over there,' she said. 'Texas has one of those open gun laws and there’s just way too many angry people with guns.'

After a year abroad, Barto has met a number of expats, including single women like herself, and she hopes to remain in Italy permanently.

'I really enjoy living here,' she said. 'I love getting out and looking at my balcony views... You’re like, "Wow,’ every day."'

_________________
Some things can never be unsaid, so don’t say them in the first place.
If it were not for British news sources, I would never know what was really going on here in the States.

Морковка слаще всегда где-нибудь.

В штатах тоже можно дом купить за 123т. Только понятно, что это будет за район, и что за дом.

Причем, все очень дорого, еда, рестораны, и прочие радости.
В тех местах, где я была, отношение к туристам такое, чтоб только обобрать и содрать побольше денег, и такси, и рестораны, дурят только так, прямо цыганье. Может в какой деревне, милое отношение к чужакам. я была разочарована очень.

А чтоб дом там отремонтировать, посмотрите видео, чего это стоит, нервов, бесконечное ожидание.

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Чтобы жить и радоваться, нужны две вещи:
Во-первых, жить!!! Во-вторых, радоваться!!!

Италия никогда не была привлекательнои для релокации. Там жуткая бюрократия. Там надо быть женои. я встречала жен но у них семья на базах. Смотрите НомадКапиталист.

Ну- типа- как в фильме : Под солнцем Тосканы.
Акры не прельщают уже, оливковые деревья тем более. Они и тут растут.
Дом требует мужских рук по- любому.

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Мой продюсер говорит, что я - звезда,
Кстати, кто не знает, мой продюсер - я!
(Н. Бабкина.)

Я твердо уверена, что покупать недвижимость надо только там, где есть гражданство..Вон смотрите , чего в Турции творится. А лет 5 назад , народ продaвал свои квартиры , там покупал , пенсии вполне хватало. А сейчас их под попу мешалкой...И цены взлетели до небес.

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People who project negativity typically have low self-esteem. They feel badly about themselves, and their negativity is simply a reflection of those feelings.

Hendrie Weisinger

а что в Турции творится? Неужели уже трудности и что народ должен возвращаться?

да, конечно.
но если иметь в виду героиню данной статьи, мисс Барто, так у нее по-видимому американское гражданство. она родилась в США.
никакого другого гражданства ей вообщем-то и не надо. вид на жительство в Италии - устраивает полностью.
стоит ли Италия такого риска - купить квартиру с видом на жительство? да, Италия стоит!
какая другая страна - не могу сказать с точностью.

_________________
Some things can never be unsaid, so don’t say them in the first place.
If it were not for British news sources, I would never know what was really going on here in the States.

само собой, женщине трудно одной в доме.
но можно приспособиться.
и ведь эта статья больше, чем только - как переехать в Италию.
Мисс Барто стукнуло 62 года, завершен развод с мужем и на работу не берут.
но она увидела и осуществила другие возможности!
Вот как!

_________________
Some things can never be unsaid, so don’t say them in the first place.
If it were not for British news sources, I would never know what was really going on here in the States.

А еще может быть, что она вообще не работала в своей жизни - полно сил, может построить с 0 новый дом по кирпичику.
Я не пойму, зачем на себя примеривать чужую шкуру - живите сами как можете!

Я общалась с американкой пенсионеркой год назад , она переехала во Францию , очень довольная говорит что все дёшево и медицина дешёвая, ждёт когда получит там вид на жительство, много друзей. Но как я поняла ей политически тут не нравится, она очень довольная - такая ухоженная , симпатичная с собачкой чихуахуа сюда приезжает, тут дети и внуки.

это во Франции все дешево??? Ну-ну. Там все в 2 раза дороже, чем в США, хотя если она живет в каком-нибудь медвежьем углу, может и не так все печально.

Ни фига там не дороже, особенно еда- хотя если приезжать из амер. дыры какой-нибудь. то конечно все дорого будет. :))

Мне было дорого. Хорошо, что вам нет, у вас видимо в крови уже - обязательно поднасрать надо, жительница не дыры.
Ланч (без напитка) в открытом кафе за столиком,на котором помещается одна тарелка - 25 евро. Причем так себе и по вкусу и по размеру порции. Это было в 2016 году, когда цены на все были умеренные. Это дешево что ли?