OUR FAMILY LEFT UNAFFORDABLE AUSTRALIA BEHIND AFTER SNAPPING UP A HILLTOP ITALIAN HOME FOR A BARGAIN

• Amanda and Paul Nedza purchased an abandoned property in Italy
• The couple moved Lazio, a region of central Italy, with their 11-year-old son

Amanda and Paul Nedza always dreamed of owning property in Italy.

What started as a series of family holidays to the stunning European country eventually led to a life-changing decision to leave Australia behind indefinitely.

The couple, both 38, inspected 15 places across several locations before finding their dream home in Lazio, a region of central Italy, on the border of Tuscany.

The pair purchased an abandoned three-storey, four-bedroom villa for €200,000 (AU$328,600) after they sold their family home in Melbourne. The median price of established family homes in Melbourne spans from $1.3million to over $1.6million.

'Buying our home in Italy was significantly cheaper than what we had in Australia and not having a mortgage has made a huge difference,' Amanda told Daily Mail.

The couple and their 11-year-old son Stefan uprooted their lives, sold most of their belongings, and travelled to Europe on a one-way ticket with just a few suitcases. 

After years of visiting Italy as tourists and embracing its rich culture, seasonal produce, and slower pace of life, the young family of three now calls it home. 

'We wanted slower days, more time together, a change of scenery and a life that felt more intentional. So we packed up our life, stepped away from our businesses and work and started again somewhere unfamiliar but deeply meaningful to us,' she said. 

It's been nine months since the family moved abroad, but the couple has already noticed how much more affordable life in Italy is compared with Australia, particularly when it comes to groceries. 

Amanda, who has Italian heritage, and her Polish husband Paul both have European roots so the idea of living in Italy 'felt familiar rather than completely foreign'. 

She said knowing they have family living around Europe only made the decision to move 'feel easier and more realistic'.

'It was something we had talked about for years, and Italy naturally felt like the right fit,' the mum said.  

'We had holidayed there several times as a family and each visit strengthened our connection to the country. We were drawn to the lifestyle, the sense of community, and the importance placed on food, family and daily life.'

Before their major move abroad, the family was living a 'busy life' that was 'very much part of the hustle culture'. 

'We were always running in and out the door and trying to keep up with a structured routine,' Amanda explained. 

With 20 years' experience as a hairdresser, Amanda owned three businesses - a hair salon, a barbershop, and even a café - while her husband worked as a cabinet maker.

Cost of living in Australia

Life was looking good for the couple, as they owned a house in Melbourne and kept up with their mortgage repayments, usual household bills, and living expenses.

But the family started to feel the pinch as grocery costs rose while they maintained a healthy, organic lifestyle. Amanda said she cooks 90 per cent of their meals, so buying fresh, high-quality ingredients accounted for a large part of their budget. 

'Groceries were becoming one of our biggest costs, particularly because we prioritise whole foods and try to buy organic, pasture-raised, and grass-fed where possible. Shopping that way in Australia was becoming increasingly expensive for us,' she said.

'Food and lifestyle played a big role in our decision to move to Italy. We were drawn to the idea of eating more seasonally, sourcing food locally and avoiding as many additives as possible.

'Achieving that in Australia felt costly and harder to maintain, whereas the Italian way of living naturally aligned with how we wanted to raise our family.'

Two years before the relocation, the mum stepped back from work to homeschool her son Stefan and prepare him for the transition abroad. 

'One of the reasons we decided to homeschool Stefan was to slow things down and create a more intentional daily lifestyle,' she said. 

'During that time we sold our businesses and began planning our move as a family.'

In September 2025, the family boarded a flight to Italy - with no plans to return to Australia.

Affordable life in Italy

As Amanda enjoys cooking everything from scratch, including traditional Italian dishes, she said groceries are now 'noticeably cheaper' for her family. 

'In Italy, everything is very seasonal and locally sourced so we are buying fresh produce, dairy and meat without the same cost we were used to in Australia. It feels simpler and more affordable,' she said.

'Utilities are probably the one area that feels higher. Heating a large house in Italy, especially in winter, can be expensive, and gas and electricity are slightly more than what we were paying before.

'But overall, with cheaper food, fewer big expenses and a more local lifestyle, we are finding Italy costs less for us than Australia.'

Back in Australia, Stefan's soccer academy was quite expensive. But now his activities in Italy are much more affordable.

House hunting in Italy

When they began their search for a new home, the couple set a budget of under $100,000, hoping the property would only require minor renovations before they could move in.

However, that 'simple Italian dream' quickly changed when they began viewing properties in the lower price range in person, only to discover major issues - including mould, water damage and structural problems. 

And showing up for home inspections wasn't as simple as it is in Australia.

'We would meet the agent on the side of the road, sign paperwork to show we were serious buyers, and then follow them to the property,' Amanda said. 

'There were no styled homes, no open inspections, no fresh flowers on the bench. It felt more like, here is the house, just step over the dog and have a look around.'

After finding their dream home, the couple put in an offer. 

'This was the only house we made an offer on because once we saw it, we knew it was the one,' she said. 

'It then took about five weeks of going back and forth to agree on a price. Everything moved slower and involved a lot of paperwork, which is very true to Italy.'

When it came time to sign the paperwork, the couple sat in a room with the seller and a lawyer while the entire contract was read aloud from start to finish.

'It took over two hours. Amendments were made, everything was explained, and then we all signed together,' she said. 

'Once it was done, everyone clapped, we were handed the keys, and just like that, the house was ours. It felt very personal and a little chaotic but also really memorable.'

Unlike Australia, where only the seller pays the real estate agent's commission, in Italy both sides of the property transaction are required to pay a fee. 

'One thing that surprised us was that in Italy both the buyer and seller pay the agent,' she said, adding that the fee is typically around three to five per cent.

Living mortgage-free in Italy

The couple were able to buy their Italian property outright using the money from the sale of their family home in Melbourne.

'Our home is very architectural and completely different to anything else we saw while we were looking. One of the things that drew us to it straight away was the high ceilings and open plan layout. We loved how airy this one felt,' Amanda said. 

'The house itself is quite large and set across three levels. Downstairs there is a cantina and garage. The middle floor is our main living space with the kitchen, dining area, bathroom and a big sunroom that we are still deciding how to use. 

'Upstairs there are four bedrooms and balconies that wrap around the house, so we have views from almost every angle.'

The home sits on a hill with stunning mountain views at both the front and rear.

'There is also a beautiful olive grove, and when I open the back door or even look out from the bathroom window, it still feels like a pinch me moment,' she said. 

'Sometimes I genuinely cannot believe this is where we get to live.'

From abandoned property to forever home 

As the property had been left vacant and neglected for about 15 years, the couple are working to restore it through a major renovation.

'Our home in Italy already feels really special, and once the renovations are finished, it is going to be incredible,' she said. 

'Structurally it was in good condition, but it needed a lot of work to make it comfortable and fully functional. There was no gas connected, so we had to arrange that, and we also needed to install a water tank and pump to create water pressure. 

'We also had to paint throughout.'

When they got the keys to their home, they were shocked to discover the previous owners had taken all the light fittings, bathroom mirrors, shelves, and even the entire kitchen, including the built-in appliances.

'The property had been emptied entirely, including shelving, mirrors and other fixtures that would typically remain in an Australian home,' Amanda said.

'We have to install a completely new kitchen, as homes in Italy often do not include one... We were effectively starting from scratch inside.'

The couple expect that the total renovations will set them back somewhere between €100,000 (AUD$165,000) and €150,000 (AUD$245,000). 

Visa roadblocks 

Moving hasn't been smooth sailing, with the family splitting their time between Italy and the UK over the past few months while waiting for Amanda's Italian citizenship to be approved. 

'We are not moving to Italy on a visa. We did look into visa options, but we did not qualify for any of them. Because this is not a short-term move for us, we knew we needed to find a pathway that would allow us to stay permanently,' she said. 

'My husband and son are applying through Paul's Polish heritage, and I am applying through my Italian ancestry. That allows us to work towards living in Italy long-term rather than relying on temporary visas. 

'For our family, that pathway is citizenship by descent. This has always been intended as a permanent move for us, so pursuing citizenship felt like the most secure and realistic option.'

With Amanda's brother living in the UK, it was easier for her family to travel between there and Italy rather than return to Australia. 

'It also allows us to stay relatively close so we can continue working on renovations and return when needed,' she said. 

'We have been managing our time using the 90 days in 180 rule, travelling between the two countries.'

She said it has been a 'whirlwind navigating everything' but she has received promising news that her citizenship application is now officially being processed. 

'It finally feels like things are moving in the right direction and hopefully not too far off being completed now,' Amanda said. 

'The hardest part has honestly been that my family and I were separated during the process because their tourist visa came to an end, so that's been incredibly tough.

'But we're pushing through, and it will all be worth it once everything is finalised and we can properly settle here together.'

School in Italy

One of the biggest challenges was moving her son to the other side of the world.  

'It definitely comes with some big emotions. Stefan was very excited about Italy, but also sad to leave his friends in Australia,' Amanda said. 

'We had travelled to Italy and Europe several times before, so he already loved the country and had always been open to the idea of living there, which helped.'

Stefan has just started school in Italy.  

'He's absolutely loving it, which has been really special to see,' the mum said. 

'The school he attends run from around 8:30am in the morning until about 1pm. Students then go home for lunch, and activities like soccer happen earlier in the afternoon rather than late at night like in Australia. 

'That rhythm really suits the lifestyle we are hoping to create.'

After being homeschooled for two years, she knows it will be an adjustment for Stefan to return to a school environment. 

'We are still learning what the Italian school system will be like,' she said. 

'From what we have heard, it is more focused on getting the academic work done in the morning, with family time and activities happening later in the day. That actually aligns quite well with how we have been homeschooling.'

Tight-knit village

One of the things she loves most about living in Italy is its tight-knit community. 

'Everyone is incredibly warm and helpful, and nothing really happens online. Instead of Googling a service, everybody knows a guy,' Amanda said.

'If you need renovations, someone introduces you to one person, then that person knows someone else for gas, someone else for electrical, and before you know it you have met half the town just trying to get a few jobs done.

'People genuinely want to help, and they love that we chose to move from Australia to their little village.'

Amanda said one of the most difficult aspects of adjusting to the new country has been dealing with the paperwork, rules and official processes. 

'The biggest culture shock, probably not in the best way, has been the bureaucracy. Things can take a long time and even simple tasks feel more complicated than you expect,' she said.  

'You might go to pay a bill at the post office and be there for an hour because everything is done in person. But then someone is making coffee, chatting, and talking to everyone waiting, and it turns into this whole social moment.

'It is slower in every sense, and that can be challenging at times, but it is also what we love about it. If you want a slower pace of life, you really do have to embrace slow in everything, and that is exactly what Italy gives you.'

Their new life abroad has forced the family to slow down and step away from the hustle and bustle of a life that felt 'defined by work'. 

'It has shifted our focus to lifestyle, family time and being more present in our day to day lives,' she said. 

Living off savings 

The couple are funding their life in Italy with savings expected to last up to two years.

'I actually have not worked for the two years leading up to our move. During that time, we sold three businesses as well as our family home, so this move has been funded through those sales along with savings we built over time,' Amanda said.

'It was not an overnight decision. We spent about two years planning, selling, and making sure we had enough set aside to give ourselves roughly 18 months to two years without needing to work.

'A big part of that was wanting to properly settle in. Stefan was homeschooled for the past two years, and transitioning back into school in another language is a big adjustment.

'We wanted the flexibility to support him, slow down a little, and not jump straight into work the minute we arrived.'

Starting over

The couple plan to start a new business in Italy once they are settled.  

'We are exploring ideas like short term rentals, property investment, and building something new once we are settled,' she said. 

'This is the exciting part for us. It really feels like starting over, which means we get to dream big and decide what we want this next chapter to look like. 

'There is something fun about not having everything mapped out. We are giving ourselves the space to figure it out, try new things, and create something that fits the lifestyle we moved to Italy for in the first place.'

Since settling into life in Italy, Amanda said one of the simple luxuries has been her son seeing how food is actually made. 

'We had our first olive harvest... and it was a full circle moment. The olives grew on our land, we harvested them ourselves, then took them a couple of minutes up the road to the local mill and watched them being pressed into olive oil,' she said.

'Then we brought it home and poured it over salads and fresh bread. It sounds simple but experiencing that whole process felt really special and grounding.'

Living in a new country has pushed the family outside of their comfort zone - but for good reason.

'Learning a new language, meeting new people and starting from scratch has been confronting at times. You have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable quite quickly,' she said. 

'But it has also opened us up to new friendships and experiences. When we first arrived, we did not know anyone in the area, and now we are slowly building connections and becoming part of the community.

'We also find ourselves getting out more, but in a different way. Instead of big planned outings, we go to local festivals, town events and seasonal celebrations.'

For those looking to buy a property in Italy, Amanda said: 'My biggest advice would be to really do your research. Make sure you have a good lawyer and have any property properly checked before committing. 

'There can be issues with planning permissions, boundaries, existing debt, or work that has been done without approvals. We saw properties that had been altered without permits, and even one that was not fully compliant, which can create problems with insurance, resale, or financing later on.'

Amanda said it's important to have a clear pathway to permanent residency in Italy, something she only learned later when she encountered a few surprising roadblocks. 

'Buying a property is one thing, but staying there is another,' she said.

'We found the rules and advice varied depending on who we spoke to, and it can feel like a grey area at times. 

'In our case, I ended up purchasing using my British citizenship after being told by some professionals that buying as Australians could be more complicated. 

'It really highlighted how important it is to speak to multiple people, understand your specific situation, and always contact local agents directly rather than relying only on websites.'

Once you find an area you're considering buying property in, Amanda said it's best to stay in Airbnbs and visit in different seasons to get a feel for daily life.

'That helped us feel confident in our decision,' she said.

'Most importantly, enjoy the process. Look at lots of properties, explore different regions, and take your time working out what is right for you.'

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2026-06-13T13:50:33Z