An American couple is selling their house and moving to Italy for good.

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The pandemic-induced prolonged absence of travel forced an American couple to reevaluate their lives and retire to sunny southern Italy. Seventysomethings Glenda and Randy Tuminello from Spokane, Washington, managed to move to Polignano a Mare in December 2022, a dazzling white town perched on a cliff in the Apulia region, known for its stunning beaches and turquoise waters. Due to the pandemic outbreak, they had to reconsider their long-term plans and look for a tax-friendly place where they could fulfill their Italian dream. Polignano a Mare attracted them with a 7% tax rate offered by the government to attract foreign retirees.

The couple has made new friends, including other Americans, and loves the festive atmosphere of Polignano with its constant celebrations and live music performances in picturesque squares. "We never feel unsafe - there is never a threat of danger here, walking through the beautiful streets at night," says Glenda Tuminello. Besides living by the coast, the couple are not fans of the beach.

Eating out and evening walks along the waterfront with a view of the Adriatic have become their preferred activities. Despite living by the coast, the couple does not go to the beaches. Last summer, due to unexpected temperature rises, they had to go outside early in the morning when the weather was still bearable. They really miss some American products, such as barbecue sauce, peanut butter, and lemon curd - although they found a place in Polignano where they can get some American seasonings. Tumminello's greatest desire to move to Polignano a Mare was the preference for Italian culture over American. "The materialistic aspect in Polignano is not as prevalent as in the U.S.; there is more of a sense of community - family and friends," says Randy Tumminello.