Italian Island Life on $1950 a Month

With the goal of escaping the hustle and bustle and the never-ending grind culture of New York City, Dori made a decision that changed his life. Drawn by his desire for a slower pace of life and a sense of adventure, he packed his bags, left the US, and headed to Italy.

“Like many Americans, I was really drawn to the language, the culture… and the concept of siestas,” he laughed. “Leaving the US was a difficult decision, but I knew it was time to start a new chapter.” So in 2017, he left the States to begin a new experience of living abroad. He became an EU-US dual citizen years ago and decided to move to Europe to begin a new adventure.

Dori lived in Milan, Florence, Rome, and a medieval village in Calabria before falling in love with Palermo, and he loves the city’s energy and the warmth of the Sicilian people. “It feels like an extended family,” he says.

Palermo, capital of the Italian island of Sicily, is a city where history meets modern life. It’s bustling with activity, from the lively street markets like Ballarò to the scooters zipping through narrow streets lined with old Norman buildings and Baroque churches.

While Palermo isn’t particularly known for being green, the Foro Italico, a beautiful seafront park, and other gardens throughout the city offer a nice break from the urban hustle. Living in Palermo means you get a mix of old-world charm and the buzz of modern life, all wrapped in the stunning scenery of Sicily. Plus, you have easy access to some truly stunning beaches.

“The beaches nearby on the island are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen,” says Dori. “Mondello, Cefalù, the list goes on.”

As a mathematics tutor for students preparing to take the SAT and ACT college entrance exams, Dori continues working remotely while enjoying the infamous dolce vita in Italy.

A slower pace of life has given Dori the time and energy to try new things, and he has begun playing padel (similar to Pickleball). He also organizes and leads a successful book club each month, with over 30 English-speaking and fun-loving participants from more than a dozen countries passionately discussing short stories and books in charming cafes around the city.

US expat Dori came to Italy for a slower, more relaxed pace of life.

He enjoys hiking, and the vibrant expat group in Palermo he is a part of organizes many wonderful day hikes to explore the island. Dori has begun advanced computer programming to offer data structure and algorithm classes in the future. These are all things he didn’t feel he had time for in NYC.

“I feel more relaxed here,” he says. “Back home, I always felt like I was rushing to be somewhere, even if nothing was planned. I can take my time and enjoy the little things here. Palermo is a bit chaotic in its own right, but it doesn’t compare to the hustle and bustle of NYC!”

The cost of living is attractive in Palermo as well. Dori has a monthly budget of around $1,950 and finds it is more than enough to enjoy life.

He lives in a shared apartment, paying $330 per month with utilities included. His apartment is in the Kalsa district of Palermo, which is an ancient historic neighborhood. A lively area with lots of cafes and restaurants, it’s full of historic palazzos, bustling piazzas and funky cocktail bars.

He found the apartment by messaging the robust expat group on their WhatsApp thread for recommendations and was connected to the others living there. Other options for finding apartments are the websites Idealista and Immobiliare, which send out email updates daily based on search criteria entered.

Living in Palermo gives easy access to beautiful beaches like Mondello.|©iStock/wsfurlan

Dori is happy that groceries are less expensive in Sicily than in other places he has lived or traveled to, and he spends at most $55 per week at the grocery store or at the many fruit and vegetable markets selling fresh produce, found on so many street corners in the city.

A good quality, delicious, and hearty dinner costs anywhere from $10 to $15 at a local trattoria or osteria, and it doesn’t break the bank to have cocktails with friends—a nice Aperol Spritz or a glass of local wine at a wine bar can easily be had for $5.50 or less!

In addition, if need be, he can receive quality healthcare for a fraction of what it costs in the US. Using a combination of private insurance and national coverage, Dori has options available should he require medical care. Although Italy’s healthcare system is highly ranked worldwide, Sicily’s medical system is not necessarily as top-notch as Milan’s, for example.

When asked to sum up a perfect week, Dori says, “Part of my week can be spent hiking around Palermo’s scenic landscapes that offer a peaceful recharge, and discussing stories with my book club in cozy local spots adds a cultural touch. Joining international dinner nights with friends, enjoying global cuisine, and having good conversations are always highlights. I also unwind by playing PC games at a nearby gaming cafe and exploring Palermo’s restaurants, tasting different cuisines each week.”

Palermo is one of the few cities in Italy that offers multi-international restaurant choices, and that’s important. You can find restaurants tucked into tiny cobblestone streets serving Tunisian, Japanese, Senegalese, vegetarian, Korean, Bangladeshi food, and more. There’s no shortage of cafes to enjoy one-euro espressos and delectable pastries, including the iconic cannoli, while watching the world go by.

If you’re considering moving abroad, Dori offers this piece of advice: “Don’t limit yourself. Start living!”