Moving to Italy: Retirement, Second Home, Visa to Italy

La dolce vita is not a slogan in Italy — it is a way of life that has endured for centuries.

In Italy, this way of living still exists. In historic cities shaped by the oldest European culture. Along coastlines where the sea defines the rhythm of the day. In mountain villages where time moves gently. In countryside homes surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and silence.

People don’t come to Italy to escape work — they come to restore balance. To live where meals are long, communities are real, and life is measured in experiences, not schedules.

USA2Italy exists to help you step into that life — not as a visitor, but as someone who truly belongs.

Moving from USA to Italy: Why Bordighera?

Why So Many Fall in Love with Bordighera

Bordighera is a refined seaside town in Liguria, just minutes from the French border and one hour from Nice Airport.

It offers something rare in Italy:

🌴 Palm-lined promenades and sea views
☀️ Mild climate year-round (one of the warmest in northern Italy)
🏛️ Elegant villas, not mass tourism
🍷 Authentic Italian life — not a tourist bubble
🚆 Easy access to France, Monaco, and the rest of Italy

This is Italy for people who want quality of life, not chaos.

A Short History of Bordighera

A Town Loved by Artists, Writers & Thinkers

Bordighera rose to international fame in the late 19th century when European elites discovered its climate and beauty.

🌿 Became a winter refuge for British aristocracy
🎨 Inspired Claude Monet, who painted Bordighera multiple times
🏛️ Home to Villa Garnier, built by Charles Garnier (architect of the Paris Opera)
🌍 A long-standing international community — English, French, Italian

This is not a “new trend” location. Bordighera has been quietly prestigious for over 150 years.

Famous & Notable People Connected to Bordighera

Bordighera’s Quiet Prestige

Bordighera has long attracted thinkers and creatives who valued privacy, beauty, and calm.

Claude Monet — Painted Bordighera’s light and gardens
Charles Garnier — Architect of the Paris Opera House, built Villa Garnier here
Clarice Lispector — Celebrated writer who spent time in the area

European diplomats, artists, and modern entrepreneurs have long chosen Bordighera for the same reasons.

Today, many international residents continue to settle here for peace, elegance, and authenticity.

Why Americans Are Moving to Italy: Buy property in Italy as an American

Why Move to Italy (Instead of Just Visiting)?

Americans are not just retiring to Italy — they’re rebuilding their lives here.

Common reasons we hear every week:

🍝 Better food quality (and lower grocery costs)
🧘 Less stress, more human time
🏥 Affordable healthcare
🏡 Real homes, not inflated housing markets
👨‍👩‍👧 Strong family and community culture
🕰️ Life that isn’t ruled by work schedules

Italy isn’t cheaper because it’s worse.
It’s cheaper because life is structured differently.

Cost of Living Comparison (USA vs Italy)

Real Numbers. No Romantic Filters.

Expense (Monthly Avg)	USA	Italy
Rent (2-bed apartment)	$2,800 – $4,500	€700 – €1,300
Utilities	$250 – $400	€120 – €200
Groceries (2 people)	$800 – $1,000	€300 – €450
Health Insurance	$500 – $1,200	€0 – €200
Dining Out (2 people)	$80 – $120	€30 – €50
Property Taxes	High & annual	Very low
Healthcare Visit	$150 – $400	€20 – €40