In 2023, after a decade of transatlantic travel for my work in MotoGP, I decided it was time to relocate to Europe.
My life in America felt transient. Every couple of weeks, I was back on a plane to a Grand Prix, most of which were in Europe.
After many years in Phoenix, I craved the more laid-back lifestyle I’d seen on my many trips to Europe, where work-life balance felt like a priority, and vacation was of utmost importance.
I was ready to live somewhere new, preferably quieter and within an hour of an international airport, since my job involves frequent travel.
Eventually, I set my sights on Tuscany, a beautiful region where the Italian Motorcycle Grand Prix is held each year, which also has two international airports.
After narrowing my search, I landed in the comune of Pistoia, just about a 30-minute drive from the Florence airport. There, I found a beautiful three-story historic villa that had been sitting empty for decades.
It had six bedrooms, two kitchens, and a dining room, but it was also severely neglected and in need of a total renovation.
The villa was listed for six figures, but I knew I’d need to put a lot of money into it to make it livable, so I made a much lower offer.
After negotiation, several months of complicated legal maneuvering, and lots of paperwork, the property was mine for about 45,000 euros (just under $50,000 at the time) after taxes and associated fees — and my dream was one step closer.
It took several months and six figures to get the place move-in ready
The renovation process began in early 2024, and my goal was to get the home move-in ready before my apartment lease expired in a few months, while staying within my remaining budget of about 150,000 euros.
To kick off the renovation, I hired a highly recommended geometra (an architect and construction manager of sorts) and a mason, both of whom were great.
Given the scale of the renovation, we needed to apply for permits for just about everything, from refurbishing masonry to erecting scaffolding.
We cleared out the entire house and, as permits were obtained, began working on it, inside and out. Much to my and my Italian friends’ surprise, the project stayed on schedule and relatively on budget.
The work was hard, and the house’s location, up a winding mountain road, made deliveries extra challenging. Some of the biggest projects included replacing the entire wiring and plumbing systems, as well as the roof.
The only “budget creep” resulted from decisions I made on the fly to achieve the result I was looking for: a modern renovation that retained as many original features — including the beautiful tiled floors and balustrades — as possible.
In between covering Grands Prix, I pitched in and tried to assist with the work where I could, whether helping to remove the aging plaster, restore window shutters, or carry tiles.
Being hands-on saved me time and money, and also seemed to help me build an earnest relationship with the tradesmen doing the work.
Of course, working with great people helped. I like to think they didn’t want to let me down, since they knew my apartment lease was expiring and that I needed to move in or risk sleeping in a building site.
By November 2024, the main renovation was complete, and I had finally moved in.
In the end, I’m glad I restored a centuries-old villa
After decorating the place with rugs, furniture, and homewares I’d collected during road trips across North Africa and Europe, my centuries-old villa feels like home.
I’ve settled into the casual cadence of village life, becoming a regular at nearby businesses and even helping out with the area’s new football team.
So far, the greatest contrast between life in a Tuscan village and Phoenix has been my connection with the community. Here, spending time with neighbors who become friends is a daily ritual, not a planned outing.
In Italy, I’ve learned to gift myself time — time to stop, to talk, to share a coffee or an aperitivo. I no longer rush through dinner; I try to enjoy the experience as much as the food.
I’ve also become somewhat of a local novelty, in part because of my accent and ability to bring MotoGP bikes home for show-and-tell.
Getting used to living here hasn’t always been easy since I don’t yet speak fluent Italian. Google Translate and the patience of the gracious Italians around me have helped, though. My neighbors have learned to wait for my computer-assisted reply after they ask me a question.
Work has also been much easier now that I’ve got a home base in Europe. Instead of boarding long flights every other week, I can take short ones to cover different events. It’s been a huge help for work-life balance.
Getting to places now feels like an adventure instead of a chore, and the best part is when I get back home, so many people around me want to hear about the weekend — including the drama on the track and in the paddock. My work feels more important and interesting in the company of MotoGP’s most passionate fan bases.
As much as I miss some of the conveniences of living in a big city, I’m grateful I’ve built a dreamy, more laid-back life that barely resembles the “treadmill of keeping up” that was my life in America.
I can’t recommend restoring a centuries-old villa if you’re looking to turn a profit or quickly move into a new place. However, if you’re looking for an incredible adventure and change of scenery, it may just be worth it.
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