American Couple Bids Farewell to Home and Embraces New Life in Italy
Glenda and Randy Tuminello from Washington State sold their house amid pandemic travel bans, embarking on a new chapter in southern Italy Discover their inspiring journey towards a dream retirement abroad
Reimagine your life and retire to the sunny southern Italy, as an American couple did, after the pandemic forced a period of no travel.
Glenda and Randy Tuminello, a couple in their seventies from Spokane, Washington, decided to retire in Polignano a Mare, a beautiful cliffside town in the Puglia region of Italy. This picturesque town is known for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The couple stated that the pandemic outbreak prompted them to reassess their long-term plans and search for a tax-friendly location to fulfill their Italian dream.
"We had initially intended to spend a year in Italy, celebrating our retirement, but our plans took a turn due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the two years of restricted travel, we started reconsidering our original idea," says Glenda Tuminello, a former high school math teacher and home designer, speaking to CNN Travel.
Ultimately, we made the decision to sell our house, car, and any unnecessary belongings, in order to establish Italy as our permanent retirement destination. After careful consideration, we chose the captivating town of Polignano a Mare, enticing us with its appealing flat tax rate of 7%, introduced by the government to attract foreign retirees.
The town's impressive historic center, amiable residents, and picturesque coastal location, combined with the affordable lifestyle, were among its other advantages. Meanwhile, a family abandoned America to settle in their ancestral Italian cave.
"We don't require a car here. It's only a short stroll to the train station, which can effortlessly transport us to any desired destination in Italy, as well as any European country we wish to explore," she states.
The couple has developed new friendships, including fellow American inhabitants, and absolutely adore Polignano's vibrant atmosphere with its constant lively festivities and enchanting music filling the picturesque piazzas.
"Locals gather by the Adriatic in the evening, setting up lawn chairs on the promenade to socialize, chat, and share laughter well into the wee hours. The atmosphere is charming, lively, and centered around family. We always feel completely secure here; there is never even a hint of danger when strolling along the picturesque streets at night," she says.
Retracing their roots
The Tuminellos have moved into a pretty house in central Polignano.
Randy Tuminello, a former architecture consulting manager, was drawn to his ancestry by his grandparents who immigrated to the US from the Sicilian fishing village of Cefalù in the early 1900s and made their home in Louisiana.
"Italy has always felt like home to us because of our strong roots, and we feel an even stronger connection here than we ever did in the US. Additionally, my wife has always had a deep affinity for all things Italian," he explains. After considering various regions in southern Italy that offered a 7% flat tax for new immigrant retirees, the couple ultimately chose Puglia.
They purchased an affordable property in Italy and later acquired another one. The rental house, situated in the historic center of Polignano, costs $1,200 per month. They discovered the advertisement online and instantly fell in love with it. The house was impeccable, down to the smallest particulars. It even came partially furnished, including the tableware.
"We initially planned to purchase it, but considering the current uncertain state of the economy, opting for renting seemed like the wisest choice," according to Randy Tuminello. "This decision was made just in time, as the rental market has witnessed a dramatic surge, while the available homes for sale are predominantly expensive and scarce due to many being converted into bed and breakfast establishments."
Living the dream
The rental house came semi-furnished.
Glenda Tuminello
The two-bedroom house has an office, spacious dining room, balcony, front porch with a little garden, and another covered terrace area where the Tuminellos enjoy morning coffee.
The couple's strong desire to move to Polignano a Mare was motivated by their preference for Italian culture over American. They discovered a charming white stone house nestled in a scenic winding alley, featuring an arched portal entrance, vaulted ceilings, terracotta floors, and sturdy walls adorned with protruding rocks.
He says that in Polignano, Italy, the focus is less on materialism like it is in the US, and there is a stronger sense of community, with an emphasis on family and friends.
Despite leaving their children and grandchildren behind at home, the couple insists that their new life is incredibly comfortable and fulfilling. Their daily priority is simply to enjoy themselves, as if they were on a perpetual vacation. Their preferred activities include going out for dinner and taking leisurely walks along the promenade that overlooks the beautiful Adriatic. Interestingly, despite living on the coast, the couple does not have a preference for going to the beach. Even though they have resided in Polignano for almost a year, they have not yet visited the charming little beach enclosed by cliffs, resembling a fjord. Additionally, they have not experienced the pleasure of a refreshing swim in the clear, translucent sea, which they instead prefer to admire from a distance.
The downsides of paradise
Polignano is a famously pretty coastal town.
Michal Ludwiczak/iStockphoto/Getty Images
However, southern Italy's allure is not without its challenges, as exemplified by the need to repair the air conditioner on a hot summer day. The soaring temperatures in this region are so intense that even individuals from Louisiana, known for their tolerance of heat, struggled to cope. Consequently, they were forced to alter their routines and commence their activities early in the morning, while the temperature was still relatively manageable.
And they long for certain American culinary delights, such as barbecue sauce, peanut butter, and lemon curd - although they have discovered a spot in Polignano where they can obtain some American condiments.
Furthermore, the language barrier poses a challenge. Glenda Tuminello believes that they should learn Italian as a sign of respect towards the locals. Currently, when they visit the grocery store to purchase pecorino cheese, they are constantly anxious about requesting the correct quantity, resulting in either an excess or insufficient amount. Similarly, they often encounter confusion and difficulty in communication at the yogurt shop.
The Tuminellos have observed a positive aspect in the exceptional driving abilities of southern Italians, who can effortlessly come to a complete stop at a moment's notice.
According to Glenda Tuminello, relocating to Italy was an obvious decision that one should seize the opportunity without hesitation.
The couple received continuous support during the entire relocation process from Finding La Dolce Vita, an Italy-based firm that helps prospective expats. "Living in Italy requires extensive legal preparations," explains Glenda Tuminello.
The couple submitted an application for the elective residence visa, which necessitates a combined passive income of 38,000 euros ($40,700). They encountered numerous challenges in the process.
"It took nearly a year to properly and thoroughly complete all the necessary background paperwork. We were determined to ensure our application was flawless," she explains.
