“This was going to be the time for our new adventure,” says Alan, who bought a property for sale in Tuscany with the help of Your Overseas Home and its partners. Read about their journey to owning in Tuscany.
After years of dreaming about life in Italy, Alan Nicely Brown and his wife turned retirement into a new beginning, finding a picturesque two-bedroom apartment in the heart of a Tuscan village.
But the journey wasn’t as straightforward as clicking “purchase” on a beautiful villa. It took a year of searching, refining their criteria and getting expert support to find their perfect match.
“It had been in our minds for quite a few years,” says Alan, who worked with his wife in the NHS. “We were just waiting for retirement. This was going to be the time for our new adventure.”
Knowing what really matters
“When you start looking, it’s easy to get carried away,” Alan said. “You see these gorgeous properties, but then you realise they come with 10,000 olive trees, and that’s not the lifestyle we were after.”
For those unaware, finding a property for sale in Italy with olive groves may seem idyllic, however olive groves are often subject to certain rules and regulations. This means there are rules regarding the upkeep with laws encouraging upkeep and discouraging abandonment.
They also realised that, living in Italy on an elective residency visa, earning money from olive trees might not be regarded as the passive income required for the visa.
What the Nicely Browns truly wanted was community, ease of travel and a property that felt like home. “A terrace was top of our list, and we wanted something manageable. Not too big, not too remote.”
They found it in Buonconvento, a medieval town listed among Italy’s top 100 historic villages. Set on the high street with a conservatory-style “winter garden” and rail links on the doorstep, their apartment offered both charm and convenience.
Browse properties in Buonconvento today
From Sicily to Tuscany
Originally drawn to Sicily, the couple’s second visit revealed some downsides they hadn’t noticed on their first trip. “It was absolutely stunning, we loved it, but just didn’t offer enough beyond its beauty. Tuscany was more us. Familiar, well-connected and culturally rich.”
It’s just lovely. It’s set on the high street of this historic village and it’s just giving us everything that we need.
They made the switch and began their new search for property for sale in Tuscany in earnest. So, what did they end up with? “We found this one property and it’s gorgeous. It’s quite a small two-bedroom apartment but it’s got a bit of a terrace. It’s got what they call a winter garden, which we would maybe call the conservatory, and it’s just lovely. It’s set on the high street of this historic village and it’s just giving us everything that we need.”
A selection of images from Alan’s dream home in Tuscany
The apartment costs €220,000, but the benefit of Buonconvento, says Alan, is that it’s not too touristy: “We were looking for a community to immerse ourselves in and the local café bar and what have you are well supported by the locals. And the other big thing for us is that it’s got a railway station, so we can easily travel around.”
The power of patience (and the right partners)
Alan credits much of their success to the people they worked with, especially Your Overseas Home and its property finding partners in Italy.
“I’ve got nothing but huge admiration for them and certainly recommend. Julia was just fantastic. She held our hand every step of the way, even arranging a notary closer to Pisa so we wouldn’t have to travel too far.”
He also used Smart Currency Exchange, locking in a rate with a forward contract to protect against currency fluctuations.
“I was about two weeks early and the rate improved slightly afterwards – but the system worked, it could have gone the other way and it gave me peace of mind. I’ll keep using Smart Currency for future transfers.”
Advice for other buyers
Alan is full of practical wisdom for others considering a move to Italy:
- Define your criteria early. “Otherwise, you’ll get sucked into hours of fantasy scrolling.”
- Understand what you’re really buying. “An olive grove might sound romantic, but it means responsibility and potential issues with visas if you’re supposed to have passive income only.”
- Be realistic about red tape. “Dealing with utility companies in Italian hasn’t been easy, especially when you’re not fluent.”
Still, he wouldn’t change a thing. “You have to go with the process. Nothing happens quickly but if you stick with it, it works out.”
I think the one of the best things we’ve done is use Your Overseas Home’s partners in terms of legal finance and property finding.
But Alan’s biggest piece of advice of all? “I think the one of the best things we’ve done is use Your Overseas Home’s partners in terms of legal finance and property finding.”
Find your dream home in Tuscany today
Looking ahead
Due to health reasons, Alan and his wife haven’t made the full-time move just yet but plan to soon. In the meantime, they’re already part of the community: “We’ve connected with the Dutch lady who sold us the apartment, and she’s promised to introduce us to the expat group, Dutch, Canadians etc, when we arrive. We already feel supported, even from afar.”
On using Your Overseas Home and Smart Currency Exchange
“The partnership between Your Overseas Home and Smart Currency was essential. It made the process feel possible – and safe. I’d recommend them in a heartbeat.”
