From Subway Commute to Italian Countryside: New Yorker Finds Happiness in Guardia
GUARDIA, italy – A New Yorker who traded teh bustle of Manhattan for the tranquility of an Italian village nearly a decade ago says she’s found a happiness she never thought possible. Melissa Chirichella, originally from New York, relocated to Guardia, a small town in Italy, seeking a slower pace of life and has as built a family and embraced a new culture.
Chirichella’s decision stemmed from a desire to escape what she described as the overwhelming energy of New York City. “When I was younger, I would ride the subway to school and see so many people who looked miserable and I told myself, I never wanted that to be me,” she recalls. She sought a life less defined by relentless ambition and more by genuine connection.
Adapting to Italian life wasn’t without its challenges. chirichella notes that punctuality isn’t a strong suit, often finding deliveries and appointments delayed by at least 20 minutes. Timelines for purchases, like her homes, also proved more flexible than she was used to. “Working with Italians is very different than working with americans, and that’s OK. If I wanted things to operate the same as they do in America, than I should have stayed there,” she explained.
Despite these cultural differences, Chirichella has embraced the unexpected joys of small-town Italian life. She’s grown to cherish the impromptu encounters - a quick coffee with neighbors, an aperitivo – that add “color to the day.” Even practicalities like occasional electricity or water outages haven’t dampened her spirits.
After nearly ten years in Guardia,Chirichella says she can’t envision returning to New York. “I have found a way to create my own version of happiness,” she says, a sentiment reflecting a growing trend of individuals seeking choice lifestyles in Europe, prioritizing well-being over career pressures.
