The Sweetness of Never Stopping: An Early Retirement Love Affair with Sicily

For Melanie and Brent, early retirement wasn't the slow, quiet chapter they initially anticipated. It was a catalyst for a vibrant, travel-filled life, centered in the sun-drenched beauty of Sicily, Italy. They’ve swapped the daily grind for an Elective Residency Visa (ERV) lifestyle that keeps them constantly moving—between new friends, family visits, and exploring ancient history—proving that retirement, especially in Italy, is anything but boring.

A Passport-First Lifestyle: Travel and Connection

One of the cornerstones of Melanie and Brent's ERV life is their extensive travel. Living in the EU makes weekend trips a breeze, and they frequently hop over to destinations like Ireland and Spain to meet up with friends, family, and fellow expats.

While they enjoy the European scene, maintaining ties to home is crucial. They make important bi-annual trips back to the US to spend quality time with their adult children and lifelong friends, bridging the gap between their old life and their new one.

Hosting and Heritage: Life in Sicily

When they are at home in Sicily, their schedule revolves around the island's unique blend of culture and hospitality. They often open their doors to visiting friends and family, who they love to host on local adventures. A week with Melanie and Brent might include:

• Exploring breathtaking archaeological sites that chronicle Sicily's deep history.

• Indulging in local gastronomy with wine and olive oil tastings.

• Trying out new, authentic regional dishes.

• Soaking in the natural and historical beauty that surrounds them.

The Pillars of Quality of Life

What drew the couple to Italy in the first place? It comes down to a few fundamental joys:

• High Food Quality: The freshest ingredients make every meal an event.

• Slower Pace of Life: The Italian concept of dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing) allows them to savor the small moments.

• Warmer Climate: Sun-filled days encourage an outdoor lifestyle year-round.

Active Days and Social Evenings

Melanie and Brent have always been an active pair, with pastimes like hiking and swimming being long-time favorites. Their Italian life has simply added a scenic backdrop to their activities. Now, their walks often involve sightseeing, and many of their meals are enjoyed al fresco (outdoors).

Their week is structured by social engagement:

• Activities: They are part of an expat walking group that explores the local area.

• Evenings: They are rarely home alone, preferring to spend their evenings having dinner and drinks with friends or hosting lively game nights at their place.

Integrating and Learning

Despite having a comfortable and dynamic expat circle, Melanie and Brent are committed to fully integrating into their new home. They've made local connections effortlessly:

• Friends at the charming local cafes they frequent.

• Familiar faces on their daily walks.

• Casual chats while shopping in town.

All of this social activity is compounded by the challenge of learning a new language, which adds a layer of depth and engagement to their daily interactions.

The Unexpected Busyness of Retirement

When they first started dreaming of retirement, Melanie and Brent pictured long, leisurely, and perhaps even "boring" days. What they've found in Sicily is quite the opposite. Between their travel schedule, the constant stream of visitors, the expat activities, new local friends, and the commitment to learning Italian, their life is "go-go-go." While they still enjoy the inherent leisurely pace of Sicilian life and daily walks, their calendar is full of rich, meaningful experiences.

For this couple, living on an ERV in Italy hasn't been a slowdown—it's been a profound, active, and endlessly rewarding acceleration into the best years of their lives.