
Moving to Italy from the USA: Here’s How I Did It
Each year, thousands of Americans visit Italy, drawn by its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. While many come as tourists, an increasing number take the plunge and make the move. According to recent estimates, Italy welcomes over five million American visitors annually, with a growing subset making it their permanent home. For anyone considering moving to Italy from the USA, understanding the process and hearing real-life success stories can make all the difference.

For Shayne Albright, buying a home in the Le Marche region of eastern Italy this year was the realisation of a long-held retirement dream. Yet, as with any big move, the journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. Shayne shares her story of how she found a unique property in a small hilltop town, navigated the complex Italian bureaucracy, and successfully arranged renovations—all while living in the US.
“I have had a love for Italy for decades,” Shayne, a realtor from Atlanta, Georgia explains. “I’d dreamed of buying a vacation home there and spent hours researching homes for sale online. But each time I planned a viewing trip, something came up and it had to be cancelled.”

Frustrated by the delays, Shayne decided to try a different approach. Instead of organising her own house-hunting trip, she attended a five-day workshop hosted by D&G Design, local property renovation experts based in Le Marche. “I subscribed to The Local and joined several Facebook groups about moving to Italy,” Shayne says. “When I came across the D&G Design retreat, I thought a group event in Italy could be just what I needed as a single traveller.”

Moving to Italy from the USA: Falling for Le Marche
From the moment she arrived, Shayne was smitten with Le Marche. “It was beautiful,” she recalls. “I could instantly see myself owning a vacation home there.”
The region is a treasure trove of diversity, offering everything from charming beach towns to remote mountain hideaways. But it was the tiny hilltop towns, with their medieval walls, narrow cobbled streets, and sweeping views of rolling landscapes, that captured Shayne’s heart.
Among the properties she viewed during the workshop was a two-storey apartment in the historic centre of Montedinove. Nestled on a cobbled street, the medieval stone-brick home boasted wooden ceiling beams, cotto flooring, a spacious loft, and an external courtyard. “It was partially restored and full of character,” Shayne says.

Navigating the Italian Buying Process
Back in the US, Shayne decided to make an offer on the apartment. With the help of the lawyer and estate agents she had met during the workshop, her offer was accepted.
While the process was mostly straightforward, Shayne did face a hiccup: a bureaucratic mix-up. The local council had mistakenly classified the house as uninhabitable after a 2016 earthquake. “It turned out the council had mixed up this property with another,” explains David, a building restorer from D&G Design. “Our geometra carried out a full inspection, and our lawyer managed to have the classification revoked.”
Planning for Renovations
To make the two bedroomed apartment habitable, Shayne needed some repairs to the roof and windows. Before purchasing, she had a geometra draw up a detailed list of projected works. “We always insist that clients have a full renovation quote before making an offer,” says David. “It avoids nasty surprises later.”
Shayne also hoped to add a rooftop terrace. While not guaranteed, the local planning office gave a verbal indication that it might be possible. “It’s always worth having your geometra check what’s likely to be approved before committing to major changes,” David advises.

An Italian Dream Taking Shape
Shayne’s renovations have since been carried out by D&G Design, transforming her long-empty apartment into a beautiful home. The team painted the living room, bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchen; fitted a new kitchen; replaced ceiling beams removed during a 1980s remodel; repaired the leaking roof; restored fading window shutters and the front door; and even revamped the courtyard into a welcoming summer retreat. Together, they worked with Shayne to furnish the property with carefully chosen pieces that made it feel like home.
“I would suggest anyone attending the Move to Italy Retreat feel confident about every aspect of the process,” Shayne says. “From finding the perfect home to navigating the legalities and planning renovations, I couldn’t have done it without the experts I met.”
Now, Shayne is settling into her new life. “I’ve shared meals with neighbours, been to local events and started to feel part of the community. My sister and nephew have travelled with me for vacations and we feel like we all have a home away from home here, in this quiet hilltop village in a secret corner of Italy. I’m looking forward to decorating my home and building a life here.”
Moving from the USA to Italy: How to Follow in Shayne’s Footsteps
Inspired by Shayne’s story? You can turn your Italian dream into reality by joining our Move to Italy Retreat. This workshop connects you with trusted experts—lawyers, estate agents, renovation specialists, and more—to guide you through every step of the process. Why not take the leap and make your Italian dream a reality? Click here to learn more!