News Summary
Lauren Scott, a 29-year-old from Ohio, trades the exorbitant costs of Los Angeles housing for a charming townhouse in Italy. After years of struggling in the competitive LA market, she found her dream home for just $34,000 near Florence. Despite the emotional journey and challenges faced, Scott’s leap to homeownership abroad has opened new doors for her, shifting her lifestyle towards opportunities in Italy and digital nomadism.
Ohio Woman Finds the Home of Her Dreams in Italy After Leaving Struggles Behind in Los Angeles
Meet Lauren Scott, a spirited 29-year-old from Ohio who decided enough was enough with the exorbitant housing market in Los Angeles. After spending a decade working as a freelancer in the film industry, she was ready to find a home that wouldn’t break the bank.
Life in LA: Costly and Competitive
For over 10 years, Scott called the city of angels her home, living in a modest studio apartment for $1,175 a month. But in 2019, she began to feel the itch to find a place to call her own. With a budget under $400,000, she started her house hunt, only to be hit by the unforgiving reality of Los Angeles’ real estate market.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, the housing market turned even more competitive. Frustrated by constantly being outbid, Scott’s dreams of homeownership began to feel more like a distant fantasy. The feeling of being stuck in a never-ending housing battle prompted her to consider moving to other states.
Exploring Other Options
She contemplated moving to Florida, where her family lives, but quickly realized the job opportunities there didn’t align with her lifestyle in LA. Disappointed by the quality of life in the U.S., she started casting her gaze beyond America’s borders. Countries like Mexico, Portugal, and Italy caught her attention as potential new homes.
However, tensions between locals and expats in Mexico, along with rising costs in Portugal, made her think again. Ultimately, she zeroed in on Italy as her new destination.
Home Sweet Home in Tuscany
Scott set a modest budget of $50,000 and took to the internet, conducting her house search online rather than making a costly trip abroad. Her efforts paid off when she discovered a charming two-bedroom, one-bath townhouse located about an hour outside Florence.
Listed for a mere €32,000 (about $34,905 USD), the home needed some TLC, notably a new hot water boiler. The previous owner, eager to sell and facing challenges, generously left the place fully furnished, which made the deal even sweeter for Scott.
After some back-and-forth negotiations, she settled on the full asking price plus an added €4,200 ($4,581 USD) for closing costs. Thanks to a $20,000 personal loan secured from a local bank, she was able to make her dream a reality without wiping out her savings.
An Emotional First Visit
Scott officially closed on her French villa in August 2022 but didn’t visit until November 2022. The emotional moment was overwhelming, marking the realization that she had finally achieved homeownership—albeit in a new country.
Changing Plans and Future Aspirations
Though her original plan was to rent out the property, potential tenant issues led her to rethink that strategy. Instead, she decided to keep the townhouse as a vacation home and now visits Italy twice a year. Currently, Scott is exploring a digital nomad visa, allowing her to stay longer in Italy.
Starting in 2024, Italy launched a “Visa for Remote Workers” program, providing one-year residency for highly skilled professionals, which could align perfectly with her future plans. Scott is aiming to eventually make Italy her permanent residence or at least have this picturesque property as part of her retirement plan.
The Bittersweet Reality
While she couldn’t be happier about owning a home in Italy, there’s a bittersweet feeling lingering in the air. The reality she had to leave the U.S. to find an affordable place still tugs at her heartstrings. Meanwhile, back in LA, she’s residing in a one-bedroom apartment with rent now climbing to $1,695 per month.
Transitioning her freelance work from film to content creation and social media, Scott has zero intentions of purchasing another home in the U.S., given the current financial climate and competitive market.
The road to realizing her dream home was not easy, but Lauren Scott’s inspiring journey shows that sometimes, a leap of faith can land you in a fabulous new place, filled with new opportunities and picturesque views.
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Additional Resources
- CNBC: American Couldn’t Buy House in US, Bought in Italy
- Wikipedia: Real Estate
- MSN: Millennial Barely Scraping By in LA Buys Home in Italy
- Google Search: Affordable Housing in Italy
- Country and Town House: Lauren Scott-Harris
- Google Scholar: Housing Market in Los Angeles
- Times of India: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to Tie Knot
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Real Estate Market
- TMZ: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Send Out Wedding Invitations
- Google News: Expat Living in Italy
