‘We wanted to try something new’: This US family moved to Italy sight unseen nine years ago and never looked back
A Cross-Continental Leap: An American Family’s Unforeseen Journey to Italy
We wanted to try something new – Jason Salesberry stepped onto Italian soil for the very first time in October 2017, embarking on a life-altering adventure that would reshape his family’s future. Nearly a decade later, the US Navy veteran has established roots in a picturesque hilltop community, where he tends to his two-acre olive grove and anticipates the annual harvest. What began as a bold experiment has blossomed into a rich tapestry of European experiences, ranging from paragliding across Swiss skies to exploring Greek waters through scuba diving. Daily life now includes leisurely afternoons at the beach and indulging in authentic Neapolitan gelato.
“Living in the heart of Europe has unlocked a world of adventure for our family,” Jason shared with CNN Travel, reflecting on the remarkable transformation his household has undergone. The journey began in San Diego, California, where he grew up, before his military career took him to Puerto Rico and Japan. Yet it was Italy that captured his imagination, a country whose culture he had admired from afar for years. After meeting Sherry, a fellow Navy veteran hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, the couple decided to build a life together and start a family. That dream gradually evolved into a concrete plan to relocate across the Atlantic.
Seeking Safety and New Horizons
“I never imagined my life’s path would lead to a hilltop town in southern Italy,” Jason reflected. “It really was just an adventure. We wanted to try something new.” Beyond the desire for novelty, practical considerations played a significant role in their decision. Since 2009, the family had resided in Chesapeake, Virginia, where Jason increasingly worried about rising violent crime rates. He envisioned a safer, more stable setting for his young daughter.
When Jason compared European statistics to American figures, the choice became evident. He submitted an application for a position at a military installation near Naples and received an offer shortly thereafter. However, convincing Sherry required considerable effort. “I pretty much protested on coming here,” she confessed. Ultimately, she consented to one crucial stipulation: they would remain for merely three years. “I’m an only child, and my mom did not want me to come,” she explained.
Navigating the Unknown
Viewing the relocation as temporary, the couple decided to retain their three-bedroom Virginia residence rather than sell it. They traveled with minimal belongings, uncertain about Italian housing conditions. Upon arriving in Naples with their daughter and canine companion, anxiety filled the air. Jason remembers their inaugural evening vividly, when the overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity brought Sherry to tears. Eventually, they secured a rental property on the US Navy complex in Pozzuoli, a historic settlement perched atop a volcanic caldera. While the location provided stunning vistas, it also created an “American bubble” that somewhat separated them from authentic local experiences.
Gradually, the family grew fond of Naples’ culinary offerings and unhurried lifestyle. “Back home in the US, everyone’s busy,” Sherry observed. “You have your nine to five, then you have to prepare to go to school and work the next day. It’s not like that here.” She humorously noted their adjustment to dining customs where meals could extend for two or three hours. “We had to learn the art of slowing down,” Jason added. “Yet, the benefits have far outweighed the adjustments.”
Cultural Adjustments and Daily Life
As the birthplace of pizza, Naples presented endless opportunities for gastronomic discovery. The family delighted in visiting neighborhood restaurants, each offering unique interpretations of traditional pasta and pizza dishes. However, local routines initially caused some friction. Establishments seldom opened for dinner before 7 p.m., a time when the family typically relaxed. Complicating matters further, both Jason and Sherry—who works for a bank—maintained American business hours. Traffic patterns posed another challenge. Sherry found the local driving style so intimidating that she waited eight months before feeling confident enough to drive herself.
“I still can’t get used to it,” she remarked, describing local motorists as highly unpredictable. “In America, you know what the other driver is doing. Here, they do whatever they want.” Waste management systems also required adaptation, with trash needing separation into five distinct categories, and regulations varying between neighborhoods. Financially, however, the family discovered their dollars carried more purchasing power than they did back in Virginia, particularly regarding fresh produce and everyday necessities.
Nine years later, the Salesberry family looks back with gratitude on their decision to embrace uncertainty. Their journey from San Diego to southern Italy exemplifies how stepping outside one’s comfort zone can yield extraordinary rewards, transforming ordinary lives into extraordinary stories.
