Nationwide — Introducing Stephanie Sinclair. She is a 41-year-old black mother from Atlanta who has decided to make Sicily her second home. In 2022, she escaped the skyrocketing home prices in the United States and became the proud owner of her $62,000 home in Sicily, Italy.After leaving a 10-year career in corporate marketing in 2012, Sinclair took a spontaneous trip to Sicily with her then 6-year-old son, Kayden. Airfare cost about $250.
“From the moment I landed, I knew I loved it here. It felt like home to me,” she said. NBC Washington.
Sinclair, who now runs her own tea company, LaRue 1680, decided to settle in Sicily not only because of the beautiful scenery and delicious food, but also because of the warmth of the Sicilian community.
“My favorite thing about living in Sicily is being able to actually live. In America, I think it’s more work-focused for me. So here I can really relax and do whatever I want.” You can spend your time.”
Motivated by changing conditions in the U.S. housing market, especially during the pandemic, Sinclair expanded his search globally. Through her Facebook group, she learned about the town of Mussomeli in Sicily, known for selling houses for as low as 1 euro.
Sinclair has signed a contract for the three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 4,000-square-foot historic home by March 2022 for a total of 59,000 euros (about $62,000). Currently undergoing renovations, she is keen to preserve the architectural details of the 500-year-old home.
“I always said I could see myself living here, but it was more like a dream,” she added. “I never really saw myself buying a house here. I don’t know if I really thought it was possible at the time.”
Living in Sicily offered Sinclair not only a cultural escape but also economic benefits. Basic living costs are minimal, with lower utility costs and fresh food available compared to Atlanta.
For now, Sinclair visits Sicily every three months. However, she plans to spend more time abroad once her son graduates from high school. In the future, Ms. Sinclair envisions eventually retiring in Italy, where she estimates she only needs $450,000, compared to $2.5 million in the United States. Most of all, I remain grateful for the warmth and hospitality that made Sicily feel like a true second home.
“I will always remain an American in a foreign land. I will always remain an outsider,” Sinclair said. “And I think it’s very important to remember that when entering other cultures.”
Follow her on Instagram @StephanieSynclairHome.