Many ask how I’ve funded and financed my Italian house purchase, the renovation, and this unique lifestyle. In this extended special edition video, I open up and share the honest, raw story behind building my dream life in Italy — from the financial realities to the emotional challenges and joys along the way.
Part one answers your most-asked questions — openly and frankly — about buying a home in Italy, financing renovations, and adjusting to life here.
Part two takes you on the road with me as I travel across Europe to Italy (thanks to the joys of visas and taxes), offering a deeper insight into what makes me tick, why I chose this life, and how I make it work.
Whether you’re dreaming of a holiday home, retirement home, or permanent move to Italy or Europe, I hope this story gives you both inspiration and practical insight.
This edit was inspired by some of my favourite creators — @WildWonderfulOffGrid for their relentless ‘can-do’ attitude and family spirit, @PeterMcKinnon and @casey for their storytelling mastery, and @KaraandNate for capturing the magic of travel.
It’s been a huge learning curve to put this together, and I appreciate that watching in two or three sittings maybe required — it’s a big, heartfelt piece of my life.
Thank you, as always, for watching. If you’re new here, please subscribe, comment, or just say hello — I love hearing from you.
This is my raw, honest reflection on how I created a life I love here in Italy. 😎
Cheers
Richard.
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro PART 1
02:23 My Backstory
03:41 FInance
04:31 My biggest decision
06:10 Where I live in England
07:39 What am I chasing / Running from?
10:15 Relationships
14:31 Fears
18:04 Regrets and what next
22:31 what inspires me
23:44 My daughters
24:25 Top Tips
25:30 Quick Fire Q’s
28:30 Reflection
29:48 PART 2 Into the mountains
33:22 The Dolomites
38:53 Lake Braise
52:07 Road Tolls summary
54:53 Nuremberg
57:53 Amsterdam
01:05:07 Driving in Europe
01:06:53 Between The Netherlands and England
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I enjoy reading your comments and am finding that there is a lovely group of like minded people starting to enjoy this and get involved. It is always great to hear from where you are watching in the world. Thank you for the subscriptions and all the support. I tend to read the comments once or twice a week and will reply or ❤️ when I can. 🙏
All support for my channel help me create this content.
★ https://buymeacoffee.com/threeacresofmarche 🙏
Best wishes,
Richard.
PS: The Amazon link in some descriptions is an affiliate links meaning I may get a small kickback if you make a purchase. Every penny counts at this end. 😊
42 Comments
Reflecting this deeply (and publicly) was a challenge. I split it into two parts as they complement each other—feel free to take it in over two sittings or just let it play. Part two shows more of my character—what I love, what inspires me, and why I focus on the journey rather than the destination (while still being a world-class daydreamer).
Let me know what you think or if anything resonates. 👍
Thanks, Richard
The touring videos are very interesting to me, since I’ll never get Togo there.
Best video ever!
I love your personality, your ambition and your drive. This is not a small accomplishment, it's a huge step you've taken and I myself, want to do this same thing and move to Italy. Some people make it look so easy but you show the hard bits and I love that you are so relatable and down to earth. I love your channel and I look forward to all of your videos!
My wife and I are a little overwhelmed by how you are so human. You literally spill your guts to strangers….open and honest as far as we know. Your humility and straightforward approach to your path in life and your explanation of your past life are quite emotional to us. We love your comedic approach to the wins and losses in your journey. Kudos to you! We wish you the best with your journeys. I could definitely drink a beer with you while bullshiting about life. We will be in Italy (abruzzo) the last two weeks of October, if you want go meet for dinner with my wife and I, say the word! Best wishes and many happy adventures!
I knew it, ,,,,,he’s a swinger😊😊😊😊
Cannot believe you have never met anyone who liked Crowded House!
Fabulous podcast. You are so knowledgeable
No se pueden ver los subtítulos en español
Great video. Thanks for taking us along.
I love this vlog. I'm 41, married and we have young kids. Rather than getting the bigger house and following the Joneses, I am super keen to spend the money on a property in Spain or Italy. I'm half Spanish so crave that connection. Hola from Australia 🇦🇺
Hey mate, watching from Queensland Australia, and absolutely loved this video. We've watched every video you've made, but this one is by far THE BEST. Thank you very much.
Your friends are trash if they don't listen to Crowded House -I'm Aussie haha 😂 I used to love being single before marriage. I went to festivals, gigs, cinema and cafes, and holidays alone a lot. Now I wish I had more alone time lol.
Pearl Jam! Hahaha, MTV! Just a blink and kids grown.
Running is the best drug. And nature!
Enjoy – carpe diem!
Everything is always working out. Always. 😊🙏🏼☀️
Neil Finn is playing some gigs at his Roundhead Studios in Auckland NZ this week.
I really enjoy you sharing your thoughts & feeling about life, really. The travel s were so beautiful and that lake 😊
Glad to see the post! Was eagerly waiting to see the progress. Love your channel . So envious… I’m a contractor in the US would love to do something similar.
Another awesome vid, bearing all to us, gives a great insight how you roll.
I head off to Italy for a month to my place every year, with or without my partner.
Why? Because I can and l'm not getting any younger and need that adventure with a European summer.
Many acquaintances have health issues or terminal cancer, and l need to do it all while I can.
Being selfish is a good thing, it's your life, and being happy is the only goal.
Love your work!!!
Best episode yet Rich! Love the travel and scenery. I totally agree with you about figuring out what things are important enough to spend money on and which things you can skip. There was a car commercial years ago that went something like 'if your neighbors judge you because of what you drive (or in your case what you wear) then you live among snobs.' I think secondhand is the way to go for a lot of things. I have clothes in my closet that are 20 years old, or more.
Save your money for your adventures and for retirement. Hopefully you're setting an example for your daughters.
Wow. Great episode. Been following your journey in Italy since the start and so enjoyed getting to know you and your background through this VLOG. You definitely spoke some inspiring stuff as well which I found encouraging . I'm 54 and single and also contemplating the next chapter of my life. I do not see myself retiring in the USA for so many reasons (one being that I was not born here). Italy is definitely attractive and I have spent alot of time there including in LeMarche. I am from South Africa (Cape Town) originally and there is a strong pull to go back and retire there given that English is spoken and private healthcare is excellent and the $ to Rand exchange is favorable . I totally get what you say about being on ones own and the great value of those solo moments ; slowing down, being in a quiet countryside place and taking in the beauty of the views around us. Does the soul so much good.
Richard, Thankyou for sharing and being so open about your personal life.
Wow Lake Braise SPECTACULAR!! It’s so pretty kind of reminds me of Switzerland.
Loved your video and seeing all your different stops along the way.
Ps Glad to hear that you have travelled down to Australia, the whitsundays is probably my most favourite destination in Australia. And yes us Aussie especially up north are early rises our day starts at the crack of dawn 😂
Thanks again 😊
Omg this just became a dating App you rogue 😅 'Sorry guys,ladies only😅 So all those that love plastering or getting plastered contact Ricardo pronto 😊❤
Crowded House!!! A friend of mine in high school introduced me to this band and I was fortunate to see them live back in the day. Neil Finn has a fantastic voice. One of my favorites is Better Be Home Soon. Thanks for sharing.
Love your videos. They're always enjoyable .
Enjoyed this Richard, thank you! Certainly feels like you are
Able to reflect and express your motivations for what you do. Enjoyed your journey way vlog too
Loved that Richard. Thanks for sharing the backstory.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I am working on getting my dual citzenship and hope to start my own journey in Abruzzo the end of this year. You are correct that you need to be ok on your own.
The whole video was great. Thank you !
11:01 Oh how you made me laugh Richard….🤣🤣🤣
I come to Europe from Australia every year to cycle/bike tour, its so much safer than here! I reckon there is a hidden bike tourist inside if you just desperate to get out! You are young, fit, positive, adventurous and don’t mind sleeping in a car so a campsite in a tent would be luxurious. You next YouTube channel 😊
I have made that drive through the dolomites a few times and therefore skip it now. The wife complains that we don’t take enough time on the trip, but I just love being at the house in Marche and don’t dedicate so much time to the transport etappe. Maybe that will change with time. Good video, sharing a lot
As a Brit, are you thinking about the tax-efficient route — staying UK tax resident for the pension, keeping under the 183-day rule, and then splitting time between maybe 5–6 months in Italy, 5 months in Spain (with an NLV or similar), and the balance back in the UK — basically a rotating lifestyle setup? you are not alone…
Absolutely loved this blog Richard, particularly the views of the Lake, very inspiring, keep em coming please. 👏👏
😍 Wow! Great Content! Great Filming! Great Guy! ❤
Such a good video Richard!! Interesting and well put together! I did have a question. How much does the ferry cost? As always thanks for sharing!!
Beautiful
Excellent video!!! Thanks Richard!🤗🍷🍷
Absolutely brilliant video Richard!! Thanks so much for sharing all of that information and personal stuff. Will definitely help with engagement I'm sure 👍👍
I feel inspired to get on and do stuff now!! Thanks 😍😃
Really enjoying all the vlogs and following your adventure in Italy. Especially enjoyed the travel section in this one, so I hope you do some more. Wonder if you can help – I think I saw you have a toll tag in your car – I'm trying to get one for Italy, but those I've tried need a bank account which accepts direct debits in Euros. Is your tag linked to a UK account and if so please could you let me know which one, so I can give it a go (our current tag only covers France, Spain and Portugal, so we'd like one which covers Italy). Thanks
Great video Richard! Very very personal and informative.
Greetings from the Netherlands ( not Holland 😉).
It’s quality of life. And moving to another country is not for everyone. But I admire you. I’m going to buy a cheap home in Italy within the next 5 years.