Run. A dream may soon become an albatross, unless you have the means to overcome the obvious difficulties. Consider that it hasn’t sold for some time. Can you wait that long or more again? Will climate change require heating and/or air? The isolation may become isolating, removing you from the experience of Italy. And, get your drivers license out and look at your birth date. How much time of full vigor do you have? It doesn’t last forever. Oh well, I’m old. Smooch!
I appreciate this perspective and these questions. The house only went on the market this year. And not much is sold during the winter here. In Italian time, this is not long. Yes, each room would need a “split” a/c which both heats and cools. The idea would be to install solar panels and power the whole house that way.
My home in Idaho was 20 miles from town and only a few times in 10 years did I wish I lived closer- and that was when i was still socializing. Now, since the pandemic, I crave even more alone time. Plus, Selinunte is 4 minutes away and it is a very sweet seaside town. Castelvetrano is 12 minutes away and it is a town of 31,000. So i don’t think it would be too isolating.
As for how much time is left... that may actually be the best reason to do this. I am only in my mid50s. If not now, when?
Then now, and deal with it. AC requires substantial electrical capacity. Might be substantial costs there. I presume it has sufficient gas for heat & kitchen. I had substantial vigor till 75, good vigor till 80, now 82 and it has subsided precipitously.
😆 Yes, where IS the kitchen? It is the first room I showed you but right now it only has a sink. We would need to buy a refrigerator, a stove, an oven, etc. In Italy, this is not a big deal, it can be done very inexpensively. Maybe $3,000. Nothing at all like we do in the States.
Yes. We would need to install a heating cooling system. In Italy, everything is called air conditioning since with one system you condition the air to be either hot or cold.
To me, this house has an elegant presence. I love the patina of the buttery color, the simplicity of the lines and layout (so much better than a chopped up space). The window details are divine, and the interior seems bright and has charm. The fact that the house has a history, had a function in the community, is delightful (ah, if these walls could speak…). Inspiration for writing. That it sits right on the road is a bit jarring to our American eyes, but that’s not unusual for old European houses. If the road is not too busy, it wouldn’t necessarily deter me. As for view and setting, the most important thing for me is green. I can picture a table and chairs by the olive grove and a lovely garden. Sometimes, the best room of the house is outside!
oh, thank you, Claudia. You see the same charm that I do!! Yes, if the walls could speak! I am told that photos of this property are in a museum in Florence, alongside photos of the renovation (as it looks now). They are very proud that they restored it to look as it did historically. And, I think, added some extra charm.
Hey Jan. Apparently I've been under a rock, so was excited to see you are looking at "Home" in Italy. I know you love Europe. Two thoughts: Having built a house in Mexico, one of the most important things for us and one of the most gratifying things for us is that we live a ten minute walk into town. We have many wonderful neighbors along the way that we have developed relationships with, but also still have privacy at our casa. So I would say for you to really think about being that far away from town. Oh, and since we built, three WONDERFUL little restaurants have opened up, so we are one block from quick and yummy dining.
Second thing is the windows. Light is SO important to us. When we first moved into our home in Eagle 4.5 years ago we found it was dark inside and this was very depressing. So we repainted the inside white and added lighting and it's helped tremendously. Our home in Mexico has an 8' x 10' window in the living room and all rooms have large windows. It's simply divine.
Otherwise, I am simply excited for you in your quest for this delightful chapter. I am rereading Under the Tuscan Sun right now, so am right there with you.
Feel free to reach out to me if you want to talk about being an expat more. Or home. Or anything. x0x00x0
I appreciate all your points. Yes, a 10-minute walk to town would indeed be lovely. Unfortunately, that's not an option. In my previous posts on this topic, I explain how I don't want to be IN town - much too noisy - and remember that I lived in Picabo for 10 years and only a handful of times did I wish I lived closer to "town" and that was always after I had been out late to a concert or something. I do wish in general, however, that it was more of a walking area, which it's not. But then, Selinunte is 5 minutes away. The beach is 7 minutes. Meanwhile, I get to enjoy the peaceful bliss of no one around me. It's a trade off.
As for windows - YES - I feel the same way!! I LOVE windows and have always lived with big ones. I have been concerned about that as well. But having seen the house again this week, even my Sicilian friend Nino commented how bright it is inside, which yes, is surprising given the size of the windows. Brightness aside, it also means I don't have the kind of outside views I'm used to. But again, it's a trade-off. Most Italian houses share walls, so you only have front windows. Or, if you're lucky to get a corner house, you might have windows on 2 sides, but that's it. Of course, yes, you can buy a villa, but you are talking a minimum of $250k+ and that is WAY out of my price range. But something I love so much about this place is that it's an old train station. That is just way too cool. All things considered, it's pretty amazing.
Stay tuned for more! btw, do you still have my email? You can also reach me at findinghome@substack.com. Are you in Mexico FT now?
Hi. Then that sounds great! You've thought it out. Yippee! Not in MX yet... go in November for five months. I hope our paths cross again someday. I will watch for future posts... with glee. love to you and yours.
If you have the money to invest in renovations, then it might work. It does seemto be a bit isolated though, and with less of a view than you would like. Can't really change those issues...
Just a brief comment since I’m traveling. Lots to love, but a few cautions: it’s a historic house, so research carefully about solar panels being an option. Also heating/cooling in general--make sure you understand the costs well because usually things end up costing more in the end. The small windows would be a deterrent for me, as would being car dependent, but you seem to have thought those through. I’d say picture yourself there at 80, maybe unable to drive. Still tempting?Isolation can be both lovely and, well, isolating. Happy pondering!
Thanks, I appreciate these thoughts. Amazingly, the solar panels are allowed without approval, even on the roof. (As you know, Italy is anxious to achieve energy independence, still, this surprises me but we've had it verified.) But as much of a conservationist that I am, I hate to have them on those gorgeous roof tiles. I think it will look ugly. In the meantime, we don't have to worry about this because they are more expensive than we thought (our realtor misled us). The bonus of having them, however, is that we would not be subject to the energy restrictions - most important to me in the winter when I'm cold. In the summer, there is lots of wind and a great cross breeze.
As for at age 80.... the longest I have lived anywhere is 14 years, allora, non so. Pero, in dieci anni, Si Si Si!! Honestly, for months now, every night when I lie in bed, I imagine myself falling asleep in the upstairs bedroom. And in the mornings, I imagine myself getting up, going to the bathroom, and shuffling downstairs to the kitchen. I can see it. I can feel it. Now I just need to live it! :)
On pins and needles over here...!
Run. A dream may soon become an albatross, unless you have the means to overcome the obvious difficulties. Consider that it hasn’t sold for some time. Can you wait that long or more again? Will climate change require heating and/or air? The isolation may become isolating, removing you from the experience of Italy. And, get your drivers license out and look at your birth date. How much time of full vigor do you have? It doesn’t last forever. Oh well, I’m old. Smooch!
I appreciate this perspective and these questions. The house only went on the market this year. And not much is sold during the winter here. In Italian time, this is not long. Yes, each room would need a “split” a/c which both heats and cools. The idea would be to install solar panels and power the whole house that way.
My home in Idaho was 20 miles from town and only a few times in 10 years did I wish I lived closer- and that was when i was still socializing. Now, since the pandemic, I crave even more alone time. Plus, Selinunte is 4 minutes away and it is a very sweet seaside town. Castelvetrano is 12 minutes away and it is a town of 31,000. So i don’t think it would be too isolating.
As for how much time is left... that may actually be the best reason to do this. I am only in my mid50s. If not now, when?
Then now, and deal with it. AC requires substantial electrical capacity. Might be substantial costs there. I presume it has sufficient gas for heat & kitchen. I had substantial vigor till 75, good vigor till 80, now 82 and it has subsided precipitously.
You have incredible stamina, Phil. And, I think, perhaps have always had more than me!
You are a spring chicken, Jan!
Thanks, Joan. Best to act while I still have some umph!
Wait! Where’s the kitchen??
😆 Yes, where IS the kitchen? It is the first room I showed you but right now it only has a sink. We would need to buy a refrigerator, a stove, an oven, etc. In Italy, this is not a big deal, it can be done very inexpensively. Maybe $3,000. Nothing at all like we do in the States.
Do the temps require a heating/cooling system?
I’m a huge fan of boxy spaces. Boxy and 4 square rooms...love.
Yes. We would need to install a heating cooling system. In Italy, everything is called air conditioning since with one system you condition the air to be either hot or cold.
Boxy and 4 rooms- very solid, very balanced
To me, this house has an elegant presence. I love the patina of the buttery color, the simplicity of the lines and layout (so much better than a chopped up space). The window details are divine, and the interior seems bright and has charm. The fact that the house has a history, had a function in the community, is delightful (ah, if these walls could speak…). Inspiration for writing. That it sits right on the road is a bit jarring to our American eyes, but that’s not unusual for old European houses. If the road is not too busy, it wouldn’t necessarily deter me. As for view and setting, the most important thing for me is green. I can picture a table and chairs by the olive grove and a lovely garden. Sometimes, the best room of the house is outside!
oh, thank you, Claudia. You see the same charm that I do!! Yes, if the walls could speak! I am told that photos of this property are in a museum in Florence, alongside photos of the renovation (as it looks now). They are very proud that they restored it to look as it did historically. And, I think, added some extra charm.
I think you could make it HOME… and… I would come visit!
Of course! Anywhere I buy, I will love to have visitors! You must come.
Nail-biter!
Neighboring olive trees seem like a fine view to me!
There is an olive grove across the road for sale. Buy it and we can be neighbors! :)
Hey Jan. Apparently I've been under a rock, so was excited to see you are looking at "Home" in Italy. I know you love Europe. Two thoughts: Having built a house in Mexico, one of the most important things for us and one of the most gratifying things for us is that we live a ten minute walk into town. We have many wonderful neighbors along the way that we have developed relationships with, but also still have privacy at our casa. So I would say for you to really think about being that far away from town. Oh, and since we built, three WONDERFUL little restaurants have opened up, so we are one block from quick and yummy dining.
Second thing is the windows. Light is SO important to us. When we first moved into our home in Eagle 4.5 years ago we found it was dark inside and this was very depressing. So we repainted the inside white and added lighting and it's helped tremendously. Our home in Mexico has an 8' x 10' window in the living room and all rooms have large windows. It's simply divine.
Otherwise, I am simply excited for you in your quest for this delightful chapter. I am rereading Under the Tuscan Sun right now, so am right there with you.
Feel free to reach out to me if you want to talk about being an expat more. Or home. Or anything. x0x00x0
Hi Mary!! Thanks for responding!
I appreciate all your points. Yes, a 10-minute walk to town would indeed be lovely. Unfortunately, that's not an option. In my previous posts on this topic, I explain how I don't want to be IN town - much too noisy - and remember that I lived in Picabo for 10 years and only a handful of times did I wish I lived closer to "town" and that was always after I had been out late to a concert or something. I do wish in general, however, that it was more of a walking area, which it's not. But then, Selinunte is 5 minutes away. The beach is 7 minutes. Meanwhile, I get to enjoy the peaceful bliss of no one around me. It's a trade off.
As for windows - YES - I feel the same way!! I LOVE windows and have always lived with big ones. I have been concerned about that as well. But having seen the house again this week, even my Sicilian friend Nino commented how bright it is inside, which yes, is surprising given the size of the windows. Brightness aside, it also means I don't have the kind of outside views I'm used to. But again, it's a trade-off. Most Italian houses share walls, so you only have front windows. Or, if you're lucky to get a corner house, you might have windows on 2 sides, but that's it. Of course, yes, you can buy a villa, but you are talking a minimum of $250k+ and that is WAY out of my price range. But something I love so much about this place is that it's an old train station. That is just way too cool. All things considered, it's pretty amazing.
Stay tuned for more! btw, do you still have my email? You can also reach me at findinghome@substack.com. Are you in Mexico FT now?
Hi. Then that sounds great! You've thought it out. Yippee! Not in MX yet... go in November for five months. I hope our paths cross again someday. I will watch for future posts... with glee. love to you and yours.
If you have the money to invest in renovations, then it might work. It does seemto be a bit isolated though, and with less of a view than you would like. Can't really change those issues...
Fortunately, renovations can wait. And some of them I can do myself. As for isolation - this kind of solitude I love!!
Wow! You can rennovate too! I hope you make your dream come true. I love Italy...
Thanks, Joan. I am probably overestimating my abilities but hey, there's always YouTube! :)
Just a brief comment since I’m traveling. Lots to love, but a few cautions: it’s a historic house, so research carefully about solar panels being an option. Also heating/cooling in general--make sure you understand the costs well because usually things end up costing more in the end. The small windows would be a deterrent for me, as would being car dependent, but you seem to have thought those through. I’d say picture yourself there at 80, maybe unable to drive. Still tempting?Isolation can be both lovely and, well, isolating. Happy pondering!
Thanks, I appreciate these thoughts. Amazingly, the solar panels are allowed without approval, even on the roof. (As you know, Italy is anxious to achieve energy independence, still, this surprises me but we've had it verified.) But as much of a conservationist that I am, I hate to have them on those gorgeous roof tiles. I think it will look ugly. In the meantime, we don't have to worry about this because they are more expensive than we thought (our realtor misled us). The bonus of having them, however, is that we would not be subject to the energy restrictions - most important to me in the winter when I'm cold. In the summer, there is lots of wind and a great cross breeze.
As for at age 80.... the longest I have lived anywhere is 14 years, allora, non so. Pero, in dieci anni, Si Si Si!! Honestly, for months now, every night when I lie in bed, I imagine myself falling asleep in the upstairs bedroom. And in the mornings, I imagine myself getting up, going to the bathroom, and shuffling downstairs to the kitchen. I can see it. I can feel it. Now I just need to live it! :)
Sounds like you need to follow your heart!