American couple couldn’t afford raising a child in the US — so they spent $30K on a home in rural Italy instead. Why they say the math worked

When they started pricing out life back in the U.S., from housing to childcare, the numbers didn’t add up. They decided to plant roots and bought a house in rural Italy.

“I really thought that if I had a kid, I would go back to the States,” Tresl said, “And then it ended up not happening, because I realized how much more expensive it would be if we did go back” (1).

Their decision highlights how housing and child-raising costs can shape where families choose to live, and why some Americans are looking overseas.

How the couple bought and renovated a $30,000 home in rural Italy

Here’s how the couple found their property — and what it ultimately cost to turn it into a livable home.

In 2021, the couple toured about 15 properties before settling on a two-bedroom home in Abruzzo, a rural region in central Italy. They closed in February 2022 for €11,500, which was roughly $13,150 at the time.

But like many low-cost Italian properties, the house wasn’t move-in ready. It had been empty for decades and required major renovations, including resurfacing walls, new windows, electrical upgrades and redoing the kitchen and bathroom. After the renovations, their fully completed home came in at around $30,000.

That’s a fraction of U.S. prices. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median existing home price in the U.S. has hovered around $400,000 in recent years (2).

Housing costs were one factor in the couple’s decision, but the cost of raising a child also played a major role.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that raising a child to age 18 costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, not including college (3). Childcare in the U.S. comes in at an average annual cost of roughly $13,000 per child, according to Child Care Aware of America (4).

In Italy, childcare can look very different. Private childcare fees are often significantly lower than major U.S. cities, with the European Public Service Union reporting an average cost of 301 per month (5).

Tresl shared a breakdown of the home’s ongoing utility and property costs:

• Internet: 12 euros per month
• Heating: 168 per month
• Water: 91 euros every two months
• Electricity: 217 euros every two months
• Property taxes: 61 euros per year
• Garbage: 286 euros annually

Even with utilities, property taxes and heating costs, their annual housing expenses remain far below what many Americans pay for housing.

Visas, taxes and legal realities

While Italy’s shrinking rural towns have encouraged foreign buyers to purchase and renovate homes, relocating to a foreign country isn’t as simple as finding suitable housing or childcare.

According to a Forbes article, financial planning expert and President of International Asset Management Tom Zachystal cautions, “Buying property abroad is a dream for many Americans. But whether you already live abroad or want a vacation property, rental property or "plan B," many Americans underestimate the financial implications” (6).

Many of the homes are advertised at one euro to entice buyers require competitive bidding. Buyers are usually required to complete renovations within a certain timeframe. And navigating Italian building permits, contractors and property law can add unexpected costs (7).

Americans who want to live long-term in Italy typically need an appropriate visa, such as an elective residency visa (for those with passive income) or a self-employment visa. Applicants must demonstrate financial stability and secure housing (8).

Once abroad, U.S. citizens are still subject to U.S. tax laws (9), meaning you may still have to file a U.S. return every year and report certain foreign bank accounts and financial assets, even if you also owe taxes in Italy.

Families also need to consider language integration. Public schooling is free, but classes are taught in Italian. For young children, immersion can be manageable, but older students may face a more difficult adjustment.