English Caroline Chirichella grew up in the heart of one of the world’s most bustling metropolises: New York City. But years ago, she walked away from the pressure, noise, and constant grind of urban life and chose something radically different: a slower, simpler life in southern Italy, specifically in Guardia Sanframondi, a small town near Benevento.
Moving from NYC to Campania
“I was 24 when I left” she says. “I loved New York, but I was tired. Everything revolved around work and money. I’d get home late from my job as a private chef, sit on the train surrounded by people who looked completely worn out, and I think, I don’t want to live like this.”
Her journey to Italy started almost by accident. Caroline’s mother saw an episode of House Hunters International featuring Guardia Sanframondi, a small town in Campania. Curious, they visited it and immediately felt drawn to it, something Caroline believes wasn’t a coincidence, since her grandfather was originally from a town just two hours away.
“It was love at first sight” she says. “We had planned to visit Florence, where I thought I might settle, but after being in Guardia, Florence felt too busy. I wanted something different.”
Caroline ended up buying a home in Guardia, where she met her husband and started a family with two beautiful kids.
Building a Life from Scratch
As a dual citizen, Caroline had the advantage of being able to move without visa hurdles. But everything else was a challenge. She arrived in Italy without a job, without local contacts, and with no knowledge of Italian.
“The adjustment period was tough. Not speaking Italian, not knowing anyone, not having work lined up, it was overwhelming”
But over time, she adapted. She forced herself to engage with locals despite the language barrier.
“At first, I pushed myself into uncomfortable situations, like going into bars, trying to chat, even with limited Italian. But people here were genuinely curious and happy to see someone new choosing their town.”
Little by little, Caroline built a network of relationships that gave her a true sense of belonging, so much so that she considers the town she lives in to be extremely safe: “Here, if you leave your car door open, someone knocks on your door to let you know. Nothing’s taken. That would never happen in New York.”
Raising her children in such a close-knit community, she says, brings her peace, and benefits them too:
“They can run around a restaurant with other kids, and nobody complains. People know each other, and they look out for your kids the same way they’d look out for their own. That peace of mind is something I never had growing up.”
Building a Business in Italy
In New York, Caroline was a private chef. In Italy, she had to pivot, first by hosting pop-up dinners on her terrace, then launching her own PR firm, Chirichella Associates, during the pandemic. Her business grew organically through word of mouth, writing, and a lot of trial and error.
Today, she works with both Italian and American clients and is able to manage her schedule in a way that gives her space for her personal life:
“Living here, I don’t have to work 24/7 to get by. The cost of living is low. I can take my kids to the park, go out to eat, travel. It’s a way more balanced lifestyle, one that, by most American standards, would probably be considered a luxury”
The Luxury of Slowing Down
The biggest cultural shift, she says, was learning to slow down.
“In New York, everything is instant. Here, things take time. Shops close in the afternoon. You might not find a pharmacy open on Sunday. At first, that was frustrating, but now, I see it as a gift. People make time for each other. You don’t live to work.”
After years in Italy, Caroline says this place truly feels like home:
“I’ll always be a New Yorker at heart. I had a wonderful childhood there. I have loving, supportive parents, and I feel incredibly lucky. I made the most of everything the city had to offer. But here, I’ve built something different, a real sense of community. There are always people around I can count on. That gives me a comfort, a peace of mind, that I never quite felt there. If I need help, I can knock on a neighbor’s door, or even call someone I barely know, and they’ll show up. So yes, this is my home now.”
One Piece of Advice for Anyone Dreaming of Life in Italy
When asked what advice she’d give to someone considering a move to Guardia Sanframondi, Caroline says:
“Don’t overthink it. Just go. So many people get stuck in the what-ifs: What if I don’t like it? What if it doesn’t work out? But you won’t know unless you try. And even if it doesn’t work out, that’s okay. I’ve known people who moved back. The real risk is never trying. You don’t want to look back years later and wonder what might’ve happened if you’d taken the leap.”
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