English Moving abroad is rarely a straight line. It’s a mix of intuition, careful planning, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. For Sara Shepherd, an Australian food professional with a long career behind her, relocating to Italy was not an escape, but a conscious step into a new chapter.
After years spent in Melbourne and a lifetime working in the food industry, Sara chose Italy as the place to slow down, rethink her priorities, and build something meaningful. Today, she lives in Fabriano, a mid-sized town in the heart of Le Marche, where she has transformed a historic property into “Fritto Misto Comune” – a hospitality project that welcomes travelers from around the world to discover the traditions and quiet beauty of a still little-known territory.
From Australia to Italy: why Sara chose to move
Sara’s path to Italy began a few years ago with a pivotal decision: leaving her established life in Australia to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Bra, Piedmont – one of the most renowned universities in this field all over Italy.
That year in Bra confirmed something important. Italy felt manageable. Trains were efficient, cities well connected, and daily life human-scaled. Most importantly, she realized she didn’t want to live in a big city.
“I come from a small country town in Australia, very similar in size to Fabriano. Around 30,000 or 40,000 people is the perfect balance for me.”
When the time came to decide where to settle, she approached the move methodically. She built a detailed spreadsheet, listing what mattered most: proximity to major airports, good train connections, and a town large enough to be lively, but small enough to feel personal and navigable.
Fabriano checked every box. Positioned strategically between Rome and Milan, it offers frequent train connections and easy access to both Fiumicino and Malpensa airports – something that we all know is crucial for anyone maintaining international ties. But more than logistics, the town simply felt right.
Finding Home and Creating “Fritto Misto Comune”
For many expats, buying property in Italy is one of the most intimidating steps. Language barriers, unfamiliar bureaucracy, and fear of costly mistakes often hold people back.
After deciding on the town, Sara searched online, contacting multiple real estate agencies before finding a particularly organized team in Fabriano. Crucially, they were comfortable working in English and coordinated everything locally, including involving a geometra from the very beginning.
“I spent two weeks in the area, viewing properties in person and getting a feel for daily life before making my final decision.“
The property she ultimately chose was far from simple. It consisted of several apartments she would renovate, an older building still awaiting its transformation, and a large outdoor area bordering the river. Drawing on her previous renovation experience, Sara decided not only to restore the spaces but to give them a clear identity and purpose.
“I was in Turin, in a taxi with a friend from university, and the driver asked us: ‘You have very different accents from each other, where are you from?’ When we told him, he said, ‘Wow, you’re like a fritto misto!’ (= mixed fish fry)”
That’s how a random conversation with a taxi driver turned into a vision that would become Fritto Misto Comune: a collection of thoughtfully designed apartments serving as a welcoming nest for travelers who want to slow down and experience everyday life in a lesser-known corner of Italy.
From the very beginning, sustainability has guided every choice. Sara adopted a slow and ethical approach to restoration, preserving original architectural elements while improving energy efficiency wherever possible. Day-to-day operations follow the same philosophy, starting from food, her biggest passion, with seasonal ingredients often harvested from her own orto.
Life in a small Italian town as an expat
For many people moving to Italy, another big concern is integration, especially when you don’t know the language – which often leads them toward bigger cities, or the same well-trodden places. But surprisingly for Sara, despite not completely mastering the language, in Fabriano she not only found her new home, but also a genuinely welcoming community with which she has built bonds and collaborations.
In fact, her project is deeply woven into Fabriano’s economic and cultural fabric. Sara actively collaborates with local artisans, producers, and independent businesses, supporting the traditional skills and craftsmanship that define the town’s identity – many of which guests can also purchase directly from her structure.
“Honestly, my Italian is still not great. Not everyone may always speak English, but I guess my attitude helped a lot, sometimes openness and attitude matter more than grammar. And a lot of Italians are happy to practice their English, so there’s also an exchange. You can only receive as much as you’re willing to give. I’m not here temporarily. I’m committed to living here.”
Advice for expats considering Italy
Sara’s journey teaches us that it’s never too late. That at a certain point in your life, you can realize you want and need a change – and sometimes it’s precisely listening to that voice that leads you exactly where you’re meant to be. It’s about listening to and acting on your own values and vision, the same ones that now guide her in running a sustainable hospitality business in the heart of one of Italy’s most authentic places.
When asked, “What would you tell another expat who wants to move to Italy?” Sara answers:
“Don’t expect Italy to work like your home country. If you constantly compare, you’ll only frustrate yourself. Bureaucracy can be complex, but it’s manageable with patience, reliable professionals, and realistic expectations. There’s a lot of horror storytelling out there. But if you surround yourself with the right people and stay open, it’s absolutely doable.”
Join the hundreds of expats who found their perfect Italian town through our Town Explorer. Members get instant access to advanced filtering tools, comprehensive relocation guides, and a free one-hour private consultation – everything you need to make your move with confidence, not confusion.
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