English We often hear stories about expats choosing Italy as their home, but far less attention is given to families who don’t make the move by choice, but out of duty, those who come to Italy for work, knowing from the start that their time here is temporary. Today, we’re sharing the story of Beth Helms: a young woman, wife, and mother who relocated to Italy with her family to stand by her husband’s side during his service in the US military. Now based in Marsure, Beth offers an honest glimpse into what it’s really like to live in Italy as an American military family.
Moving from Alabama to Marsure
After spending her childhood in Alabama and several years living across different US states and Australia, Beth Helms relocated to Italy nearly four years ago with her husband and children. The family now lives in Marsure, a small town in the province of Pordenone, located near the well-known US military base in Aviano, in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
While moving internationally is never without its challenges, the support that came with her husband’s role helped simplify many aspects of the relocation:
“The military took care of our visas, shipped our car and furniture, and even gave us a list of housing options. We didn’t even have to go through the full Italian driving license process. Also, it might sound trivial, but we also have access to an American grocery store on base, which comes in handy when we’re missing things like peanut butter.”
Not long after settling in, Beth began documenting her day-to-day life online. What started as a way to simply share her experiences, evolved into something more: a growing online community of people curious about her life abroad, including others in similar situations:
“I started because I realized that we were living in such a beautiful place, and I wanted to capture and share the true essence of daily life here.”
However, exposing herself on social media hasn’t always been easy:
“There are definitely people who aren’t happy about the US military being in Italy, and I get that. You have to develop thick skin. But most of the feedback has been supportive, and I’ve been able to connect with people who are genuinely curious about what it’s like here.”
Embracing Small-Town Italian Life in Marsure
Moving from the fast-paced environments they were used to in the US to Marsure, a quiet town of about 1,500 people, brought significant changes, both positive and challenging:
“People here are less stressed. There’s more of a flow to life. We can walk to the grocery store, pharmacy, bar, café, it’s something we’ve never had living in the States. And I never feel unsafe walking around, even at night. That wasn’t always the case where I used to live.”
Food was another noticeable different: “From school lunches to restaurant meals, the quality and price can’t be beat. A big plate of seafood pasta here costs half what it would in the US”
While the language barrier could have made settling in more difficult, Beth found that many locals speak at least some English, which made a big difference in the early days.
“I speak very little Italian, but thankfully many locals speak English. It’s taught in schools here, which made the transition easier.”
Navigating Daily Life Abroad
Although Beth is well aware of the support the military provided, and deeply grateful for it, adapting to life in a new country still requires flexibility and an open mindset.
For example, even though they didn’t have to go through the full Italian driver’s license process, adjusting to local traffic norms took some getting used to.
“Italians can drive a little wild in the cities, but out here in the countryside, people are courteous. It actually feels safer than driving in the US”
Another big different for her to adjust to was time.
“Late dinners are still hard for me. In the US, I’m used to feeding my kids early, like 5:30, and getting to bed early. Many restaurants here don’t even open until 6:30.”
She also found Italy’s August shutdown to be a major cultural shift: “It’s something you really have to plan around, because many places just close.”
Raising Kids in Marsure
One of the most important decisions Beth and her husband made was to enroll their children in local Italian schools. The results, she says, have been overwhelmingly positive. For example, one feature she particularly values is the continuity of students staying with the same teacher for multiple years.
“It allows teachers to really get to know your child. It’s something that echoes the values I grew up with in the US”
The curriculum has also felt surprisingly familiar, especially now that her daughter is in third grade and studying subjects Beth remembers from her own school days.
Enrolling the children in a local school was a key step in their adjustment. It not only helped the family build relationships within the community, but also gave the kids the chance to learn the language naturally and quickly through daily immersion.
The Next Chapter: Embracing Uncertainty
As with all military families, mobility is part of the lifestyle. Though their initial three-year posting has been extended, their time in Italy is coming to an end. While they can’t disclose their next destination just yet, the uncertainty is always challenging, especially with children.
“It’s stressful not knowing where you’re going, what the schools will be like, or what your neighborhood will feel like. But we try to approach each move as an opportunity, an adventure. And that’s the mindset we want to pass on to our kids.“
Being a military family abroad isn’t always easy or perfect. Beyond the bureaucratic challenges, there’s a whole new world to navigate: new people, new customs, and a different way of life. Without a doubt, it’s been an experience that not only profoundly shaped her family but also broadened their worldview:
“I always dreamed of visiting Italy. I’m not sure I’d have been brave enough to move here on my own. But now that we’ve done it, I know I could handle living anywhere.”
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