Moving To Sicily Italy: Housing Struggles & A Last-Minute Fix

Relocating to a new country is a thrilling adventure filled with hope, discovery, and, inevitably, a few unexpected challenges. Our journey to Sicily was no exception. After an exhausting journey, we arrived with high spirits, eager to reunite with family and immerse ourselves in the island’s renowned seafood cuisine.

However, what we envisioned as a seamless transition quickly evolved into an unpredictable rollercoaster ride—one that tested our resilience, patience, and adaptability.

Despite the hurdles, we finally found our dream home through perseverance, faith, and the kindness of the local community.

In this blog, we’ll share an update on our housing situation and the steps we’re taking to settle into our new life in Sicily, Italy.

Finding Housing in Sicily

From the moment we decided to make Sicily our permanent home, we envisioned ourselves in a beautiful villa with an ocean view. The dream seemed within reach when we secured a 2,200-square-foot villa with breathtaking views, three bedrooms, and two baths. The owners agreed to provide a formal rental contract upon our arrival, and we eagerly anticipated moving in.

However, life often takes unexpected turns. Concerns about job security and unforeseen health issues forced us to reconsider our decision. Maintaining such a luxurious property with flights of stairs suddenly felt like an unnecessary financial and physical burden, so we opted for a more conservative and long-term solution—a ground-floor cottage. This decision allowed us to live within our means while still enjoying the beauty of Sicily. We also needed a ground-floor living space to accountant for health issues that will potentially get worse.

An Unexpected Setback

We were all set to transition into the cozy cottage, relieved that the owners had confirmed a legal rental homes contract would not be an issue. But just ten days before our scheduled move, we received shocking news: the owners could no longer proceed with the agreement. Their sudden change of heart left us scrambling for alternatives, and our excitement turned into stress and uncertainty.

Feeling disheartened, we turned to prayer and held on to hope. Shortly, we were blessed with a short-term rental in Sferracavallo, a picturesque coastal town. Though it was not our permanent solution, it provided us with a temporary refuge while we worked with our dedicated realtor, Rosario Amato, to find a more stable living arrangement.

A Last-Minute Miracle in Carini

As we settled our minds on our temporary rental, the unexpected happened—the owners of the cottage we had initially planned to rent had a change of mind/heart. They had received new information regarding taxation and rental regulations, which clarified that they could, in fact, legally proceed with the agreement. We spoke on the phone, and they apologized for the earlier confusion, and reaffirmed their commitment to renting out the property to us.

This sudden turnaround felt like a miracle. We immediately agreed to the terms, and our preferred home in Carini was promised to be ours. It was a relief to know that our housing situation was finally stable, allowing us to focus on travel and plans to settle into our new life.

Embracing Sicilian Life

After arriving in Sicily, meeting the owners of the cottage, and successfully signing the leasing contract, we began to get settled in. We planned to tackle the essential administrative tasks that come with relocating as soon as we were rested from travel.

Next, opening a bank account in Italy required specific documentation, including a codice fiscale, identity cards, phone numbers, and proof of residence. Since my wife was not born in Italy, she also needed to provide her U.S. Social Security Number. After navigating the process, we successfully opened our account at Banca Popolare di Milano.

Our car situation also required attention. Before leaving Sicily, we had sold our Toyota Yaris to my sister-in-law. About seven months prior to moving back, we repurchased it, but it needed several updates, including transferring ownership back to our name, obtaining new tags and insurance, and performing general maintenance. After replacing the battery and completing all the necessary paperwork, we were finally ready to explore the island in our trusted vehicle.

A Warm Welcome in Carini

Moving to a foreign country can be daunting, but the warmth and kindness of the people in Carini made our transition incredibly smooth. Our landlords went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, assisting with various aspects of settling in. Their generosity and gracious spirit made us feel truly at home. As a bonus, we even inherited a new feline friend, making our house feel even cozier.

As we continued our journey, we also took steps to establish legal residency in Sicily. When our new residency status is complete, we will renew our Italian passports, which are set to expire in May 2025. Now that many of our logistical concerns are behind us, we can finally shift our focus to embracing Sicily’s beauty and culture.

Celebrating Life in Sicily: A Valentine’s Day to Remember

To mark the beginning of this new chapter, we celebrated our first Valentine’s Day in Italy, with a special dinner at La Torre, a well-loved local restaurant of Scily. Finding a reservation was challenging, but we eventually secured a table and soaked in the vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere.

Our meal was nothing short of spectacular. We started with an antipasto of frutta di mare, a refreshing dish featuring octopus, mussels, squid, shrimp, and clams drizzled with lemon and olive oil. For the main course, I savored perfectly fried calamari with a crisp green salad, while Croce enjoyed a succulent grilled swordfish. 

The meal concluded with a decadent chocolate & walnut brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce—one of Croce’s favorite treats. The experience was the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of our new adventure.

Lessons from Our Move

Relocating to Sicily is not for the faint of heart. Our journey to Sicily was filled with ups and downs, from losing our dream villa to securing a last-minute rental and navigating complex bureaucracy. Yet, through it all, we learned the importance of adaptability, patience, and faith.

Our key takeaway is that flexibility is crucial when moving abroad. No matter how well you plan, unexpected obstacles will arise. The ability to pivot and remain open to alternative solutions can make all the difference in ensuring a successful transition.

Now, with most of our initial challenges behind us, we are excited to immerse ourselves fully in Sicilian life. From exploring historic cities and indulging in local cuisine to making new friends and embracing the culture, this is only the beginning of our adventure.

Stay tuned as we continue sharing insights, experiences, and lessons learned from our move to Sicily.