English For Wendy Ridolini, an experienced administrator ending up in Bisenti, Abruzzo, was no coincidence. It was the beginning of a connection to a place that, somehow, had always felt like home. Raised in the north of England with no Italian roots, Wendy’s love for Italy started mysteriously early.
“I’ve always had a thing about Italy” she says, “even without an Italian background. Maybe it was watching Sophia Loren films or Three Coins in a Fountain. I don’t know. But it was always there.”
Moving from Leicestershire to Abruzzo
Wendy’s first real connection to Italian culture came through her marriage to a second-generation Italian in the UK. For over twenty years, she embraced the culture from afar: the food, the close-knit Italian family life, the traditions, but never had the chance to experience life in Italy itself.
After a divorce and a new relationship with a partner who shared her passion for travel, Wendy finally was finally asked by Duncan: “Where do you want to go?” Her answer was immediate: Italy.
Choosing where to live in Italy, however, isn’t always easy. Every region has its own set of stereotypes, challenges and unique history. The goal was to strike a balance between quality of life and proximity to major transport hubs, especially airports. They began searching for a holiday home in a central location, not too far north, not too far south. That’s when they discovered Abruzzo.
“For some reason, I’d never even heard of it before we came” Wendy admits. But Abruzzo’s excellent transport links, dramatic landscapes, and rare blend of mountains and sea made it an easy decision.
How The Earthquake Shattered and Strengthened Their Dream
Their adventure in Italy began in 2009 with the purchase of an old farmhouse built from river stone, nestled in the heart of Abruzzo. It was the beginning of what they believed would be their idyllic Italian escape.
But just months later, everything changed. The devastating L’Aquila earthquake struck, leaving their home severely damaged and uninhabitable.
In moments like this, there are usually two ways people respond: they give up on the dream, an entirely understandable response given the trauma, or they choose to face the reality, adapt and move forward. Wendy chose the latter.
She and her partner brought a caravan from the UK and put it in their olive grove, where
they lived for two years. Surprisingly, those weren’t the difficult years many would expect, actually quite the opposite.
“They were extremely happy years. All we had were a few photos, a few books, and a computer, and honestly, that’s all we needed. Even without the house, we felt like we were living the dream.”
After some time, though, the winters in the caravan became increasingly harsh. They decided to rent a house nearby for more comfort. At one point, they even returned to England, hoping to resettle, but it quickly became clear that something had changed. Every night, they found themselves talking about Italy: the people, the food, the pace of life. They realized they simply couldn’t settle in England anymore.
Eventually, the desire to fully embrace life in Italy led them to a bold new decision: to relocate back to Abruzzo. But with that came a new challenge – figuring out how to make a living in their new home.
Reinventing Herself in Abruzzo
With no set plan but a deep desire to stay in Italy, Wendy took a leap of faith and retrained as a teacher of English. The opportunity came unexpectedly, thanks to the director of a language school in Pescara who, despite Wendy’s lack of formal experience, “liked the way she spoke” It was one of those rare moments in life that makes you realize: maybe you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
She discovered teaching adults and young Italians was a real fulfilling vocation:
“Talking to 17-18-year-olds about their futures reminded me of that film Mona Lisa Smile, where Julia Roberts influences her students’ lives. That’s how I saw myself, as someone who could shape their future”
Meanwhile, her husband launched a transport business, helping Italians relocate to London and bringing Brits over to discover Italy. Though they never fully rebuilt the earthquake-damaged farmhouse, they both had an income to support their life together.
About three years ago, they found a bungalow overlooking the mountains and bought it. After the umpteenth attempt, they decided that Abruzzo was the best place for them.
Integrating in Abruzzo As An Expat
Abruzzo, Wendy says, is a “very particular region” especially for someone coming from a city in England. “It was definitely a culture shock” she explains. “People grow their own food, raise animals, speak in dialects…it’s a whole different rhythm”
When they first moved, the expat community was much smaller. Internet access wasn’t what it is today, which made staying in touch with loved ones harder. But what truly stood out, and still does, is the warmth of the locals.
“That’s what I love most about Abruzzo” Wendy says. “The people are incredibly kind. From the butcher to the barista, everyone greets you, helps you, invites you for coffee or dinner. We’ve never, ever felt unwelcome. That kind of community spirit is rare.”
“A simple example? Buying a wardrobe from Facebook Marketplace ended with the seller insisting on buying them coffee at a local bar, just because. That would never happen in England.”
Wendy admits she didn’t speak much Italian at the start, and even now, the dialects present a challenge. “Sometimes we just smile and say, ‘Yes, lovely weather,’ without understanding a word. But people appreciate the effort.”
Language aside, her experience with healthcare has been really positive: “We’ve had a few visits to local hospitals, emergency call outs and despite the language barrier, the care has always been excellent.”
The bureaucracy, however, has been more challenging. “Dealing with the questura and comune to get the right documentation can be difficult, particularly when it comes to getting married in Italy after 20 years together. “The comune kept asking for more documents: apostilles, nulla osta, stamps, it’s endless. But it’s something we have to accept, so we just tick the boxes one by one.”
For Wendy and her partner, the slower pace of life in Abruzzo is a gift. “It’s like England 50 years ago” she says. “People have time for you. They know your name at the butcher. The cost of living is lower, the internet is better, the food is amazing. We literally had coffee and cake for €4 yesterday.”
Even dealing with contractors has been a surprisingly positive experience: “They’ve been honest, reliable, and hardworking. Never once have we felt taken advantage of.”
Finding Joy and Creativity in the Heart of Abruzzo
Wendy had always dreamed of doing something with books in Italy, and now she does. She blogs about and reviews books set in Italy, many exploring its wartime history and the fascinating stories of Italian emigrants.
“I’ve read so many wonderful books, some by expats who fell in love with this country. I usually interview some of these authors.”
She also runs creative writing retreats in a luxury villa overlooking the mountains. “We’ve been running them for four years now. Writers come from the US, the UK, Australia, South America, South Africa… It’s an incredible space where people feel inspired to share their stories.”
One Piece of Advice for Anyone Dreaming of Life in Abruzzo
“My students often say that Italy is a country of two halves: light and dark. The light represents the sunshine, the people, and the food, while the darkness is the bureaucracy and the other challenges. As long as you’re okay with that, life in Italy can be incredibly rewarding.”
Wendy says that it’s also really important to be realistic:
“This isn’t Under the Tuscan Sun. Some people move here and leave within months. It’s not for everyone. You need to be positive and realistic about what you can control, like your attitude and expectations. Things like bureaucracy, you can’t control, so there’s no point complaining. Just tick the boxes and move forward”. So the biggest piece of advice she would give to anyone considering moving to Italy is to do your research, since every region is different, and it’s essential to know what appeals to you and rent for a while before you buy. For example, Abruzzo may not be for everyone, but for us, it was the perfect place.”
Still, her own experience has been deeply rewarding. From teaching Italian students and now planning her wedding at an agriturismo overlooking the Gran Sasso, her life has become a rich patchwork of experiences, people, and meaning.
When she worked in the UK, Wendy had a Post-it note stuck to her PC with the words from Mark Twain: “Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
And now, Wendy can finally say she did it.
“Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely.”
Wendy and Duncan will be getting married in Bisenti at the end of May 2025 joined by family and friends who have supported them on their journey.
Was this helpful?
