‘We wanted to try something new’: US Family’s Unplanned Move to Italy Transformed Their Lives
We wanted to try something new – Jason Salesberry, a U.S. Navy veteran from San Diego, California, never imagined he would one day call southern Italy home. In October 2017, he embarked on a journey that would completely reshape his family’s life, though he had no prior experience with Italian culture or the country itself. Today, he manages a two-acre olive grove in a hilltop town and enjoys the rhythm of life in Naples, where his family has settled for nearly a decade.
The couple’s decision to relocate was driven by a mix of ambition and practicality. Jason, who had previously served in Puerto Rico and Japan, felt the need for a safer environment for his young daughter after growing uneasy with crime rates in Chesapeake, Virginia. Sherry, a fellow Navy veteran from Trinidad and Tobago, initially resisted the idea, but the promise of a temporary three-year commitment eased her concerns. “I pretty much protested about coming here,” she recalls, highlighting her initial hesitation.
“I never imagined my life’s path would lead to a hilltop town in southern Italy,” Jason says. “It really was just an adventure. We wanted to try something new.”
Upon arrival in Naples, the family faced the unfamiliar. Their first night in the country left Sherry emotional, overwhelmed by the sheer novelty of everything around them. After securing a rental home on the U.S. Navy base in Pozzuoli—a historic town perched on a volcanic caldera—they found themselves in a unique situation. While the view was stunning, the location isolated them from the local community, creating a sort of American enclave in the heart of Italy.
Adapting to life in Naples proved challenging. The family had to adjust to a slower pace, where meals often stretched into the late evening. “Back home in the US, everyone’s busy,” Sherry notes. “You have your nine to five, then you have to prepare for school and work the next day. It’s not like that here.” Jason adds that learning to embrace the Italian way of life required patience. “We had to learn the art of slowing down,” he says, though the rewards far exceeded the initial hurdles.
One of the most surprising aspects was the local lifestyle. Naples, known as the birthplace of pizza, offered a vibrant culinary scene where every family-run eatery had its own unique take on traditional dishes. However, the city’s habits also brought unexpected difficulties. Restaurants rarely opened before 7 p.m., a timing that clashed with Jason and Sherry’s U.S. office hours. Meanwhile, the chaotic traffic in Naples tested Sherry’s nerves. “Local drivers are very unpredictable,” she explains, still finding it hard to adjust after eight months of avoiding the wheel.
Financially, the move was a boon. The family discovered that their money stretched further in Italy than it had in Virginia, particularly when it came to fresh produce and everyday expenses. Yet, even the waste management system, with its five distinct categories and varying rules across neighborhoods, demanded a new kind of discipline.
Though the transition wasn’t seamless, the Salesberrys now speak of their life in Italy with fondness. “Living in the heart of Europe has unlocked a world of adventure for our family,” Jason shares. From paragliding in Switzerland to scuba diving in Greece, their nine-year journey has been one of discovery and fulfillment. The initial uncertainty gave way to a life they never anticipated, yet now consider their greatest choice.
Interestingly, the same American who once dreamed of Italy now calls Prague home. A tragedy 25 years prior had prompted his move to the Czech Republic, where he has remained ever since. His experience in Naples, however, remains a testament to the transformative power of embracing the unknown.
