LIFE AS SICILIAN EXPATS. Worse or better than we thought? #12
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- Опубликовано: 5 мар 2024
- Join us on our Sicilian Farmhouse adventure!
We're Elizabeth and Brian, a retired American couple from Oregon who quit working in our fifties to pursue our dream of living abroad. So far? Although there have been some bumps along the way, it has been a dream come true. Follow along as we fix up our abandoned old Sicilian farmhouse, discover our surroundings and learn about Sicilian wine and cuisine. Andiamo!
View all of our Sicily Farm House videos:
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/ beeseurotravel
My husband and I bought property in Belize for our eventual retirement. A trip to Italy has changed my mind. With prices so low, I'm seriously thinking of selling and buying in Italy. I've been trying to learn as much as possible, so this video is so timely.
Perfect! Check out Puglia and Sicily. Great weather, great people, great food and wine and not expensive. It’s a dream.
Thank you for your videos. I know it takes time and effort to make this videos. I enjoy watching just a normal easy italian life.
Thanks, Claudia. And thanks for watching. I’m glad you like them. Ciao!
Piano, Piano, Slowly, Slowly. It was the hardest concept as an American I had to ingest.
Yeah… but it makes for a much better life!
I love your videos. For me, I don't need any music--you said it takes extra time. I'm just engrossed in every visual detail and whatever words you want to add. The endless beautiful sunshine gets me.
Thanks 😊 It IS really beautiful here. A lot less music these days but sometimes it’s fun. Like this Sunday I did a little piece on Massimo working with his tractor and it was fun to edit to music. I don’t want to get bored !
You're good with your hands, and not afraid of hard work; people will respect that.
You're striking a great balance. Thanks for helping me live the expat dream vicariously through your reality.
Thank you 😊
Guys! Thank you very much for the stories you share with us! It's very interesting and very positive. We do not miss a single video you post.
Thanks. It makes us really happy to make “happy” videos. There’s so much crap everywhere these days that we just hope we can make a small dent. Thanks for watching 😊
Beth and Brian as an Oregonian, a former Navy sailor who fell in love with Sardinia, and misses Europe in general, I’ve found your sharing to be so close to my heart. I’m 55 and looking at retirement in the face. I’d love to have a few lace in Sicily and enjoy something similar to you. Even as a winter home as my wife is very close to her parents in Idaho. Chow!!
Best of luck. Figuring out family is the hardest part… our kids are scattered all over the US so it’s easier for us.
Again, good to hear how you guys are living the dream in Sicily, regardless of the little bumps. You are doing a fine job with the videos! I have only posted a few simple ones and they took some time to prepare. I agree that the people we meet wherever we may go are an important part of our journeys. Looking forward to your next video!
Thanks so much!
For sure! It was a great place to raise our kids but we got REALLY tired of the gray. Additionally, we got to Portland in the early 90’s when the food scene was taking off, traffic wasn’t a problem and homelessness was virtually nonexistent. Sadly, it’s not such a great place to live anymore…
Your videos are so inspiring! I’ve been to Italy several times and spent 2 weeks on Sicily in the autumn of 2022. I loved Sicily, and you’re right, it is different! You two are so blessed to have each other and share a dream. As a widow, when I relocate it will be alone so won’t be doing the rehab thing. Life is too short, ya got to get to pursuing dreams!
Thank you Bees!
I’m sorry you lost your husband. That has to be really hard and we are very, very fortunate. Good luck with everything and thanks for the kind words 😊
I'm so glad I can live vicariously thru you two.
I go to bed every nite and turn on you tube to see what your up to. Keep up the good work and enjoy!
We’d better ramp up the production! 😳😂
I love that you are living your best life. All work and no play would make you a dull couple. 😜. I’m so envious. I’ve been to Sicily 4 times. If I could be living something similar to what you are both living, ummmm. No words.
You can do it!
We spent 10 days in Sicily and fell in love with everything!
Talk about history!
Greetings from Niagara🇨🇦🇨🇦6:15pm
Right? It smacked us on top of the head and slapped us across the face 🤣 This is an amazing place and, although it is starting to get discovered, still has an Old World charm that is incredibly unique. Thanks for watching 😊
Loving these videos! Especially love the connections you’re making with neighbours and people from the surrounding towns and villages. My wife and I are looking at the expat life for our retirement (coming up fast!). We have never been to Italy but something is pulling us and we have been especially enchanted with Sicily. So your videos have been precious for us. Just love the country around you and the views! Thanks for sharing these. Darrell & Julie
Thanks! 😊 No place is perfect but Sicily is pretty amazing…
I was amazed at how great your videos are! So I can only imagine how much time it takes! We are 7 years from retiring and will be looking for a place in Italy. Have watched many videos about Sicily now and have heard many wonderful things about the people!
Thanks! And I’d be embarrassed to tell you how much time I spend editing 🤣
I really love your approach to life and your videos too!!🤩
Thanks 😊
We enjoy watching your journey and your attitudes towards it all! We will be starting ours in 4-5 years and considering Sicily. Will be there in Sept/Oct to get our feel. Just got my dual and were learning the language to prepare. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks! Sicily is a little “raw.” The SE is much chiller than Palermo 😳 But we love it all and feel very alive here. Good luck finding the right spot for you 😊
I’m really enjoying your program, thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights .
Thanks. And thanks for watching 😊
i Absolutely love your videos. Seeing the connections you are making and the work you are doing is inspiring. And rescuing the olive trees is always wonderful, it never gets old to see the amazing trees you uncover
Thanks! 😊
Enjoying your videos, have a great day!
Thanks, you too!
Just watched for the first time. I went to Italy and Sicily and being of Sicilian heritage (paternal and maternal grandparents) it seemed that I connected more (and immediately) with Sicily and as you Said it changed me. I can't wait to go back.
Wait! Is that a Boston red Sox hat?
I'm just 8 miles west.
What makes you stand out is that you show events in the towns around you which is of great interest to those of us with Sicilian roots these are the celebrations that I grew up with
Good. That makes me happy 😊 Lots more to come! And I grew up in Dover, NH. Big Red Sox fan. Even this year 😆
@@beeseurotravel Babe Ruth's daughter said you can't live in New England and not be a Red Sox fan. It's just not possible.
Love your videos and fallowing your journey. I'm in my 50's as well and grew up in Portland. Have been to Italy many mnay times and planning to move there in the next 2-3 years. Thanks agin and keep going!
Thanks! We could’ve stayed longer, worked longer, made a lot more money but why? We have enough for a great simple life and that makes us both really happy. If you’re thinking about moving here then you probably already k ow that 😎
Lots of fun! I am soon to join you but I will be in Umbria. I think your attitude is fantastic. My channel is still in its infancy, mostly just some practice shorts and photo montages. I have 2 1/2 years until I go permanently. I am focusing on language mostly, then the drivers test probably six months before departure. I like your language skills. I feel it really is so important. My name is also Brian. They pronounce it Bree-ahn. Which ends up being Briano (Bree-ahn-o). Fine by me. Bravo!
Thanks Brian 😎 I don’t think you will regret your choice. My Italian isn’t all that great - però stò imperando! And we think it’s really important to learn, too. We know lots of English speakers and we can get help with the bureaucracy, but it’s a really a matter of respect. What makes things a little more complicated here is that people really speak Sicilian, not so much Italian, and it is quite a bit different. So we’ve got that going for us 😝 Good luck with everything. -Brian
And your music research is well worth it. One of the reasons why i enjoy your videos.
It creates the most controversy! Thanks
So nice to just hangout at this pace.. and watch the easy interaction with neighbors and your projects. the religious ceremonies are okay..(maybe have seen too many in Mexico), but its all part of a slower pace of life. Also, your videos are for us older & wiser - and magical travelers of a certain type… grazie mille… I’m now thinking Noto is a perfect spot to base myself on my extended stay… I’ll stay tuned… tante auguri
Yeah. We’re seasoned… 😍 Noto is a little touristic but a good spot. Definitely check out Palazzolo Acreide. It’s a real gem.
Love your videos. The warmth of your neighbours is infectious. I've restored houses in France and Spain and have often looked at Sicilia for a final project ... umh :)
Someone commented earlier that channels like ours can ruin a place. I can see that, but net population growth is way down in Sicily. If you come with the right attitude you will love it here 😎
@@beeseurotravel Beth and Brian, good morning. Great to hear from you. There are too many negative folk on social media.I lived in a French hamlet with 40 other souls. One of the neighbours had a pet 'sanglier' which he walked through the hamlet on a lead. Other neighbours, who had a flock of goats and made goat's cheese, had a fireplace in the kitchen you could sit in. The husband sported a mustache birds could perch on. It was pure Marcel Pagnol 😂. Right now I'm in Thailand, which is wonderful, but I do miss the architectural wonder of the Med. I can apply for the elective visa in Bangkok but need to sort out driving as I cannot exchange a Thai licence for an Italian one and my UK licence has expired. As the Spanish say, arriba! It's 33 degrees in Bangkok and my view of the Temple of the Dawn is enchanting. Have a great weekend.
Buona sera! You seem to be enjoying life and that's good!
Always! Thanks 😊
Hey great to have found your Channel - watched all your videos and liked them a lot - I admire you how you manage to find and buy this rural property in the Sicilian country side with your little Italian and not afraid to start a new life in a completely different country and culture. I plan to buy a house in Sicily as well but still need to figure out where exactly and therefor we will come for a trip in may this year and if we ever are in your region I might contact you and visit you. Looking very forward. Take care and enjoy your life in Sicily.
Thanks 😊 We LOVE our lives here. If you are near here I’d be happy to meet you for a beer or coffee or whatever and fill you in on what little I know 😝
You are living a life. Enjoy!
Thanks, and yes. REALLY fortunate and we don’t take it for granted.
😂😂😂😂😂I love the way the theft was done of the wild asparagus 😂😂😂😂& 'swiping' your mushrooms
Right? 🤣
My grandparents are from the north and east of Sicily but I have never been so love all of your content. I garden and love the outdoor stuff but I agree on the music that is loud and rock, not calm or fitting. I'll be watching
Sorry. I like to do it once in a while. Especially when I’m working 🤷♂️
Just discovered your videos and absolutely loved them. You’re making me dream. The place is gorgeous and so spiritual. If it can help make the task of editing easier for you, you could very well incorporate less music… the sound of life and nature is music in itself… peaceful! Keep on enjoying yourselves, you make us happy❤
Thanks. That’s all we want to do. Too much negativity in our world!
Love the Boston Red Sox Hat!
Funny. Nothing from Yankees fans yet 🤣🤣
I love your videos, i contemplate moving or at least keast buying a property, I will be turning 67 in a few weeks so i need to get off the pot so to speak. I just have to find my piece of heaven.
I love how you two love each other, a blessed marriage.
Thank you for all your videos
You’re so nice. Thank you. Get off the pot!! 😉🤣
Thank you!
Noto is interesting area would like to visit again 😀
You should!
I don’t mind that you are not always achieving things. I like watching the everyday life and your interactions with neighbours. You are not as arrogant and annoying as some Americans 😊 I don’t much like your music though. I’d rather it were less loud rock and roll and more fitting to the surroundings. That would probably make me switch off more than your content which I’m finding interesting and varied.
So not « as… ? » LMAO. Thanks for watching. We’ve chosen more talking and less music, so moving forward you should be happier 😉
Hi Brian enjoying your videos in Sicily .❤It might be Wise to wear safety Goggles and A protective Mask while your cutting and sanding your rocks Just to Keep Safe 😊 thanking you I want to make the Lemon Cello I have a Set of Jars and Containers equipment already ,You made the process look not Complicated! Cheers Wendy
Ciao ragazzi, my name is Paul, I'm 55 and from Wisconsin. I now live half the year in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily. Doing the whole 90 days in 90 days out thing until I'm hopefully able to get an Elective Residency Visa. I agree that the people here are some of the warmest, kindest I've ever met. How is your Italian/Sicilian coming along? I will subscribe to your channel today and look forward to watching your journey in comparison to my own. Grazie mille, Paul Edit: As I watched further I see that your Italian, Brian, is a bit further along than mine. Ciao!
Ha! Thanks. I have a long ways to go and my Sicilian? Probably never. One Sicilian phrase I have that always gets a smile is "FOO TEE TEE NEH" (no clue on the spelling). In Sicilian, it basically means "Don't worry, be happy." Congrats on Castellammare del Golfo. Beautiful place! Thanks for watching the videos -- I hope they give you a small fix until you're able to come back. Ciao.
@@beeseurotravel I'll have to remember that phrase! Grazie
Had to chuckle at Massimo asking you for an Italian version of your first name. How about Briano or Bruno?
Funny. Still working on that 🤣
Brad Lancaster is the Godfather of greywater systems out of Tucson.
Watershed Mgmt Group out of Tucson has numerous resources.
How is the drought and water restrictions working out?
Thanks for that. We have a 20,000 liter tank under the garage that’s full. We’re fine. Had a lot of rain last week and that helped, but people are still worried. 🤞
I'm not envious. Nope. Not in the least. Would love to follow in your footsteps. But I'm getting the world's latest start. Very likely won't retire for another ten years. By then, I'll be seventy five. No spring chicken. You folks musta done well for yourselves to get to this place at mid-life. I'm curious about your professional histories. Anyway. Ciao. A presto. Maybe.
I was an insurance broker and Beth was a middle school teacher. We worked hard and saved money. Paid the price. Then I sold my insurance agency to a bank and that helped a lot. Very fortunate and we are well aware… don’t give up the dream. You can live here easily on social security.
I hope you are reciprocating the meals, dinners whatever. It's good manners and expected. If your house isn't up to it yet, take them to a restaurant.
That and then some
People are weird on the internets, lol imagine telling a couple of lovely people to mind their manner.😂😂😂😂
Did you use an agency for the transition from the US to Sicily? If you did could you recommend one. We are looking into Italy very seriously, by next year.
No. We gutted it out. It’s not that hard really… just a lot of busy work. The most complicated part is figuring out how much passive income you’ll have to show to meet your local embassy requirement.
New subscriber and really enjoying videos and getting caught up. You probably said somewhere, how are you able to live? Do you have dual citizenship?
Thanks! Continued joy!
Thanks. We’ve applied for an Elective Residency visa
Please let us know if there are any local properties for sale!! ❤
www.hsh-realestate.it/en/real-estate.html
😊
Have you lived in other parts of italy? My wife and I (in US right now) are looking at properties north Rome, Viterbo area. We also love Sicily and wonder if we're better off looking there.
Nope. Just a lot of visiting. Some in Tuscany, lots in Puglia and even more in Sicily.
Just bought a house close to Viterbo, great area, mountains, Tuscany so close, food, Rome one hour away and especially great people.
@@avivaekklesia1097 Really happy for you. We grinded really hard fior a lot of years and this is an amazing country.
We've been thinking about this, but have younger kids. In your opinion, what do you think of raising kids there?
Not sure. The lifestyle is amazing, but school-wise? Just don’t have enough knowledge to give you great advice. I’ve heard/seen really good and not so good. We have a couple of friends that are teachers and they are great people. We have another friend who has her son in a Montessori school and they love it. The kids seem really, really happy so 🤷♂️ I’d like to believe it’s all good but I’m sure it’s very unlike American schools (Beth was a middle school teacher for 15 years 😉)
The difference is that the Sicilians have a great respect for Americans, not found all over Europe!
You’re 100% right. Libération Day is April 25th and there are celebrations all over Sicily 😎
I’d say the closest translation in italian of your first name might be Brianno (double n), from latin Brianus
Thanks 😊
You twp are great. You really do look like you're living your best lives. Is there a reason you haven't engaged a contractor to rehab the place? Keep up the videos, even if difficult because they are appreciated. Ti August il meglio. (Cheated using Google, so hope that is correct)
Thanks 😊 Well… I guess because I’m just used to doing everything? We’re talking about adding a small addition next year and if that happens then I think we will have contractors. I’m kind of getting over it.
Considering a month in Sicily next January. Would love to find a rental in an area like yours. Any recommendations on who to contact?
Not really… we always use Airbnb and don’t have any of those connections yet. Soon hopefully! Sorry I couldn’t be if more help.
@@beeseurotravel thank you. Will check Air BB
Hi, if you don't mind answering our question. How did you apply to get residency? We are Americans living in Panama who want to move to Sicily, but we will need residency. Thanks in advance.
It all starts with your “local” embassy in the US. Whatever your showing for a US address is what will determine your embassy. Lots of paperwork which isn’t hard but you do have to show quite a bit of regular income to get the ball rolling. In Boston we had to show quite a bit more than the advertised ~$40,000 and I’m still not sure why 🤷♂️Beth said it has something to do with median income of the embassy region but… it’s the one question I’d get answered right at the beginning.
Hi, thanks for your reply. We should be o.k. as far as income goes. Did you need FBI reports to show the embassy? If you do not mind, can you tell me how much land you got with that property and approximate price. Everywhere in Italy is seems people just ask any price as there is no appraisal service that could give a real property value. Thanks and keep the videos coming we like them.@@beeseurotravel
No FBI reports for us. We got 7.5 acres and a 500 square foot 1960’s block house for less than the price of a Tesla Model X. But that’s Sicily. Tuscany would be 5x what we paid. Real estate is the Wild West here, but if you spend enough time looking online and find a good realtor you’ll be ok.
Thank you very much for your replies. We are only looking at Sicily and a small farm like yours. Have you guys now received your residency cards?@@beeseurotravel
How big is the property?
3 hectare (7.5 acres)
I’m watching all the videos to get my expat wishes fulfilled. I’m not sure my husband will ever be on board. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
@@sharonwalshthompson8185 Good luck, but don’t give up. It took me 15 years with Beth!!
Can you get a decent detached house for 200k euros?
Easy
I just found this one in a quick search 😉
www.hsh-realestate.it/en/habitable-house-in-noto-for-sale-hsh-722.html
@@beeseurotravel thanks ☺️ what areas would you recommend (that you could buy a house) that you could get a taxi to and from? Or is Sicily generally well covered? I ask as I wish to buy somewhere which I could live in for 6 months of the year and not have to worry about the general maintenance of a car
Public transportation is lacking. You’d want to be close to a city.
quanti ettari hai?
3
you NEEEEEED to figure out your Italian name!!!!!.... OMG!😵💫😵💫😵💫....🤌🤌🤌🤌
Hi Guys, just found you. would like to know why Sicily is different from mainland Italy?
I find it to be more raw, more real. Italians are generally very friendly but here they are exceptionally so. It’s very underdeveloped which is good and bad, but for us mostly good. The weather is exceptional. Finally, it’s very affordable here.
Again working with no mask on a stone his bad. You better smoke two cartrages of cigarettes will have the same effect. Your are not at your office. Take CARE.😢😢
It’s windy here and I position myself so the wind carries all of the dust away from me outside. In the house I am wearing a heavy mask with dust filtration. Thanks
Siete entrambi fantastici 😊
sei troppo gentile…
Why Sicily instead of the mainland? Lived in Vicenza for 7 years in the 70's. Thinking about Abruzzo. Enjoyed your video and your interactions as a couple. I bet you could rent a bush hog @ CO.GE.MA.C. SPA
Building equipment hire service in Misterbianco,
A few things. For us, the weather was really important and Sicily has sunshine in spades. Also, we try to avoid touristic places and for now Sicily fits the bill perfectly. I can’t imagine us in Tuscany. It’s also very affordable here. Though we looked hard at Puglia, what we were able to get here for the money was unbeatable. Finally, the people we have met here are the friendliest we have met in ALL of Europe. Tough to beat!
Thanks for the reply.
Brian I wanted to ask if the weather is a reason for leaving the Pacific northwest? It plays a role for us!@@beeseurotravel
You both have a great attitude. One day at a.time. You will get there. With a very good support network, you won't be short of help. Good luck with your new lives. Life goes by quickly. Enjoy 😊❤
I was stationed in Vicenza for 3 years with the US Army. It changed my life, and I plan on retiring in Italy when my military career is over. My preference is Northern Italy.