‘We wanted to try something new’: This US family moved to Italy sight unseen nine years ago and never looked back
American Family’s Leap of Faith to Italy: Nine Years Later, No Regrets
We wanted to try something new – Jason Salesberry had never visited Italy before relocating there in the autumn of 2017. Now, nearly a decade later, he resides in a charming hilltop community and anticipates harvesting olives from his two-acre orchard. Since arriving in Naples without prior knowledge of the destination, the family’s existence has evolved into an exciting European journey. Their experiences range from paragliding across Swiss skies to exploring Greek waters through scuba diving, alongside leisurely afternoons at nearby beaches sampling authentic Neapolitan gelato. “Living in the heart of Europe has unlocked a world of adventure for our family,” Jason shares with CNN Travel.
The US Navy veteran, who spent his childhood in San Diego, California, and served in both Puerto Rico and Japan, never anticipated such a dramatic life change. Nevertheless, Italian culture had captivated him for years, and he harbored hopes of experiencing it personally. Following his marriage to Sherry, another US Navy veteran hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, and their decision to build a family together, this aspiration transformed into concrete plans. “I never imagined my life’s path would lead to a hilltop town in southern Italy,” Jason reflects. “It really was just an adventure. We wanted to try something new.”
Practical Reasons Behind the Move
Practical considerations also influenced their decision. Jason expressed growing worry regarding violent crime in Chesapeake, Virginia, where they had resided since 2009. Seeking a safer, more stable setting for his young daughter proved essential. “When I compared European crime rates to those in the US, the decision became clear,” he explains. He submitted an application for a role at a military installation near Naples and received an offer soon afterward.
Sherry needed convincing despite Jason’s enthusiasm. “I pretty much protested on coming here,” Sherry confesses. She ultimately consented to one firm requirement: they would remain for merely three years. “I’m an only child, and my mom did not want me to come.” Viewing the relocation as temporary, they retained their three-bedroom Virginia residence instead of selling it. Packing lightly, uncertain about Italian accommodations, they departed for Naples in October 2017 alongside their daughter and canine companion.
Adjusting to Italian Life
Initial anxiety accompanied their arrival, and doubts about their choice surfaced frequently. Jason remembers their inaugural evening vividly when overwhelming unfamiliarity brought Sherry to tears. Eventually, they secured a rental property on the US Navy complex in Pozzuoli, an ancient town positioned atop a volcanic caldera. While the location provided stunning vistas, it also created distance from authentic local experiences, keeping them “in an American bubble.”
Gradually, the family embraced Naples’ culinary offerings and unhurried lifestyle. “Back home in the US, everyone’s busy,” Sherry observes. “You have your nine to five, then you have to prepare to go to school and work the next day. It’s not like that here.” She laughs about learning to accommodate a culture where meals extend two or three hours. “We had to learn the art of slowing down,” Jason adds. “Yet, the benefits have far outweighed the adjustments.”
Naples, celebrated as pizza’s birthplace, presented endless gastronomic opportunities. The family delighted in sampling neighborhood establishments, amazed by how each kitchen offered unique interpretations of traditional pasta and pizza dishes. However, local timing created occasional culture shock. Dining establishments seldom opened before 7 p.m., conflicting with the family’s earlier evening routine. Complicating matters further, Jason and Sherry, who employed herself at a bank, frequently adhered to American working hours.
Naples’ aggressive driving style initially frightened Sherry considerably. It required eight months before she felt confident enough to drive herself. “I still can’t get used to it,” she remarks, noting that local motorists seem remarkably “unpredictable” and she constantly monitors her surroundings. “In America, you know what the other driver is doing,” she continues. “Here, they do whatever they want.”
Even disposing of garbage presented challenges. The waste management system demanded sorting trash into five distinct categories, with regulations shifting between neighborhoods. Financially though, the family discovered their American currency purchased considerably more than it had in Virginia. The reduced expenses for fresh produce and daily necessities made their budget stretch remarkably, confirming that their bold decision to embrace Italian life had been entirely worthwhile.
