Why Italy, Why Now?

Leaving the U.S. Behind & Embracing a New Future in Italy

When I came to the U.S. as a teenager, I believed I was stepping into the greatest country on Earth. My family had left behind the struggles of Communist Poland, looking for freedom, opportunity, and a better future—the same things so many immigrants chase when they come here… only to be vilified, shamed, and, under the current administration, deported.

For years, I believed in the American Dream because, for a time, it wasn’t just an idea—it was reality. I worked hard, built a successful career, and carved out a life. But over time, the cracks started showing. The idea that if you just work hard enough, you’ll be rewarded? That doesn’t hold up anymore.

Like many Americans, I was hit with a harsh realization after a layoff: my entire existence—my home, my healthcare, my security—was dependent on whether I was employed. No safety net. No fallback. No room for error.

For years, I traveled the world for work. I lived as an expat in Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Rome. And every time I spent time in Europe, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is it better here? The answer—for most of the past 35 years—was no. The U.S. was still the land of opportunity.

But the U.S. has changed, and now I’m looking at the future not just for myself, but for my kids.

And that future doesn’t look good here anymore.

And now, with my kids’ future on the line, I can’t afford to take the same risks my parents did 40 years ago when they arrived in the U.S. with two suitcases and $300 to their name. They took a leap of faith. I don’t have that luxury. This move needs to be fail-proof—which is why I’ve spent the past two years researching, reading every book I could find, and taking multiple trips to Italy to make sure we get it right.

The Push Factors: Why Leave the U.S.?

The decision to leave isn’t just about wanting to move to Italy—it’s about no longer seeing a future in the U.S..

And, this decision isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to the current chaos in the U.S. or a response to Trump’s second term. It’s not about politics, and it’s certainly not about running away on impulse. This isn’t some well-timed scheme to make money or a rebellious “screw it, let’s leave” moment.

This has been years in the making. It’s about long-term stability, security, and quality of life for my family. It’s about recognizing that the America I moved to isn’t the same country anymore—and choosing to build a future somewhere that makes sense for us.

1. The American Dream is Broken

I look at my kids and wonder: What future will they have here?

• The average home price in Southern California is over $800K. How can someone with crippling student loan debt ever achieve homeownership?

• Wages haven’t kept up with inflation, and unless you’re in the top income brackets, you’re falling behind.

• Massive income inequality means the wealth gap is wider than ever—if you weren’t born into money, it’s almost impossible to catch up.

My parents left Poland because they wanted me to have a better future. Now, I find myself in the same position—but the “better future” isn’t here anymore.

2. The Cost of Simply Existing is Unsustainable

Every year, it gets harder to live a basic, middle-class life in America.

• Housing prices are astronomical—rent or buy, it doesn’t matter, both are unsustainable.

• Healthcare is a financial death trap. Premiums are skyrocketing, and the care isn’t getting any better. One accident, one serious illness, and you’re buried in debt.

• The work culture is relentless. There’s no real retirement unless you’re wealthy. The expectation is to work until you physically can’t anymore.

For me, the wake-up call came when I realized my health and my security depended entirely on whether I had a job. The moment I lost that, I lost everything.

I saw it happening around me, too—friends who spent decades working, only to be discarded by companies in their 50s and 60s, left scrambling for work because they couldn’t afford to retire.

I started asking myself: Is this what I want my future to look like?

3. The U.S. Feels Unstable, Unsafe, and Unrecognizable

I don’t recognize this country...my country...anymore.

• Mass shootings are routine. Schools, malls, concerts—no place is safe.

• Political polarization is at an all-time high. Rational conversation feels impossible, and the government is in a perpetual state of dysfunction.

• Basic rights are under attack, and every year, it feels like society is moving backward instead of forward.

For decades, I dismissed these concerns, thinking, Well, nowhere is perfect. But when I spent time in Europe, I realized that life doesn’t have to feel this unstable.

We’re not moving today. But this is the plan—in 4 to 5 years, when our kids finish high school and college. The decision to leave the U.S. has been brewing for a long time, but it became a real possibility after I saw how well my parents were living after retiring in Poland, where my dad’s U.S. government pension stretches far beyond what it ever could in America.

And that’s where the pull factors come in.

Italian Stock Exchange, Milan

The Pull Factors: Why Italy?

If I was going to leave the U.S., I wanted to move toward something better—not just different, but better.

1. A More Affordable Life (Without Sacrificing Quality)

Italy isn’t a cheap country, but compared to the U.S., it offers incredible value.

• Housing is reasonable—you can still buy a home in a beautiful town for less than $200K.

• No property tax on a primary residence. Imagine that.

• Groceries, dining, utilities—they cost less than in the U.S., even in major cities.

• Universal healthcare. No fighting with insurance companies. No medical bankruptcy.

  
  

You don’t need to be rich to live well in Italy—you just need to make smarter choices about where you settle.

I’ve lived the American work culture for decades. I know what it’s like to feel guilty for taking time off, to be expected to answer emails at 10 PM, to feel like productivity is the only thing that matters.

Italy operates on a different rhythm:

• Work isn’t the center of life—life is.

• Meals are events, not obligations.

• Taking time off isn’t a luxury—it’s expected.

The idea that you should burn yourself out just to survive? That mindset doesn’t exist here.

3. A Safer, More Stable, More Connected Society

While the U.S. feels like it’s teetering on collapse, Italy feels stable.

• No mass shootings.

  Less political extremism.

• A culture that values community over division.

Walking through an Italian piazza at night, sitting at an outdoor café, watching kids playing freely—it reminds me of the kind of world I want my children to grow up in.

But Europe Isn’t for Everyone

For some, America still promises opportunities they wouldn’t have elsewhere. I know that not everyone can or wants to leave—and for some, this decision doesn’t make sense.

But for us?

It’s about careful consideration of our kids’ future, their well-being, their quality of life. And as long as bread and wine are cheap and the sun is shining, we’ll be happy—as long as our kids are happy.

That’s not to say we won’t miss home.

My kids are Americans—born and raised in the privileged suburbs with good schools and an upper-middle-class family.

They will miss home.

Hell, we’ll miss home.

We’ll miss the palm trees, the beaches, the friendly neighbors, In-N-Out burgers, and fish tacos.

But this is a long-term plan—to give them:

✔ A comfortable life (not rich, but stable).

✔ The personal freedoms they deserve.

✔ A social safety net (healthcare, childcare, retirement).

✔ Longer vacations, a less stressful existence.

No 401(k) stress. No irrational policies. No gambling our future on a moody stock market.

So, why Italy?

For us, it’s proximity to the rest of Europe—while Spain and Portugal are fantastic, they’re too far from family in Poland. It’s about our love of Italian culture, food, and the history you feel on every street corner. It’s about the azure sea, the beaches, and the mountains. And if I’m being honest? It’s about climate—because we’re spoiled Californians, and Italy is about as close as it gets.

Why This Site, This Blog, This "Escape Plan"? Why Now?

This blog isn’t just about me—it’s about helping others who are thinking about making the same move.

I’ve spent my life as a consultant, educator, and advisor, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the right information can save you from years of costly mistakes. That’s why I’m sharing everything I’ve learned—so others can learn from my research, my travels, my lessons, and my experience.

And, if I’m being honest? This isn’t just about the move—it’s about what comes next. Retirement is great, but I know myself—I need something to do. Sitting in a piazza with a glass of wine is fantastic, but having a project, a purpose, a way to help others? That’s what will keep me engaged.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been thinking about leaving, you’re not alone. More Americans than ever are looking at their options—and for good reason.

Italy isn’t perfect, but it offers what the U.S. used to: a chance at a good life, without endless struggle.

So if you’ve been considering it, stop waiting for the perfect time. It doesn’t exist.

The real question is: What are you waiting for?

Escape Plan: How to Move from the US to Italy (eBook)

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