Episode 11: In Love All Over Again, Deep in The Heart of Italy

The International Living Podcast

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In this week’s podcast, host, Jim Santos speaks to Chip Stites, International Living’s Italy Correspondent, who makes his home in the small town of Rieti, Italy.
From harvesting olives in a 2,000-year-old grove to singing with the crowds at a basketball match in the town where Kobe Bryant learned to play, Chip Stites has immersed himself deeply in the culture and country of central Italy.

It wasn’t a snap decision. He and his wife, Shonna, spent years scouting out their ideal retirement location, from the beaches of Costa Rica and Mexico to the city streets of Portugal and Spain. With a list of non-negotiables between them, it wasn’t until they arrived in Italy that they realized they’d found their perfect home.
Whether it’s the respect for their elders, the reverence for good food and wine, or the relaxed enjoyment of a life well-lived, something about the Italians they met in Rieti made Chip and Shonna fall in love; with the place, with the people, and with each other all over again. Who could ask for more? Podcast host Jim Santos delves to the bottom of Chip’s story, and finds out just what it is about Italy that makes it so special.
Learn more about Chip and what led him to Italy in the October issue of IL magazine: Why Our Retirement Journey Led Us to Italy.
Settle in, press play, and find out as we welcome you to the latest episode of International Living’s Bigger Better World podcast.
If you haven’t become a member yet—you can do it today with a special discount offer for podcast listeners. You’ll receive our monthly magazine plus a bundle of special extras, including our 2023 Global Retirement Index. Subscribe here: https://intliving.com/podcast.
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Music: Royalty Free Music From timtaj.com.

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1. Episode 11: In Love All Over Again, Deep in The Heart of Italy (00:00:00)

2. Discovering a new, different way to retire (00:01:45)

3. “I loved not being able to speak the language. To me, that’s fun!” (00:04:30)

4. How useful did you find going to an International Living conference? (00:07:13)

5. “In Italy, we fell in love all over again. With each other...and the place” (00:09:45)

6. “Money is not important here; time and people are important” (00:14:55)

7. A different way of ageing (00:21:11)

8. How were the practicalities—visas, accommodation, etc.—of moving to Italy? (00:25:45)

9. $774 a month for 2,200 square-feet, five bedrooms, and an olive grove (00:28:11)

10. “I can’t speak highly enough about the medical facilities here” (00:33:01)

11. You can still love your country and yet live overseas (00:35:02)

12. Is it safe to live in Italy? (00:38:40)

13. Living in the town where Kobe Bryant learned to play basketball (00:42:00)

14. Harvesting olives with the locals in a 2,000 year-old grove (00:45:00)