Leaving Miami for Sicily: One Woman's Bold Move to Buy a Dream Home Abroad

May 3, 2026 - 17:41

Kat Moore made a life-changing decision that many only dream about. She sold the house she grew up in, her childhood home in Miami, and used the money to purchase and renovate a flat in Sicily. Her plan is to move there permanently in a few years.

The choice was not an easy one. That Miami home held decades of memories, family gatherings, and a sense of rootedness. But Moore saw an opportunity she could not pass up. Property prices in Sicily, especially in less tourist-heavy areas, are far lower than in most of the United States. With the proceeds from the sale, she could afford a place of her own in a historic Italian town, with money left over for a full renovation.

She bought a flat that needed work. Old tiles, outdated plumbing, and layers of paint from past decades had to go. Moore took on the project herself, learning about Italian building codes and local contractors along the way. She documented the process, sharing the ups and downs of dealing with permits, unexpected structural issues, and the slow pace of work in a small town.

For Moore, this is not just a real estate investment. It is a lifestyle shift. She wants to slow down, live closer to the sea, and embrace a different pace of life. Sicily offers that. The food, the climate, and the community feel are a world away from the hustle of Miami.

She still has a few years before the move is final. In the meantime, she visits the flat whenever she can, checking on progress and getting to know her future neighbors. The decision to sell her childhood home was hard, but she says it was worth it. She is building a new home, and a new chapter, on her own terms.