Buying a house in a small Italian town was not something I had in mind when I initially arrived in Italy in 2015 as a graduate student. As someone who enjoys big cities, I was all about the Milans and Johannesburgs of the world at the time. The bigger and more chaotic the town, the better. But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic tested my affection for big-city living. Living in Milan and being under lockdown in an apartment in a usually bustling city that had grown uncharacteristically silent was, to put it mildly, unnerving.

Around this time, my then-boyfriend (now husband) and I reflected on the absolute joy we had on our spontaneous birthday getaway to Umbria, the green heart of Italy, the year before. Centrally located in the country, Umbria is famous for its foraged truffles and wines, traditional cuisine, lush forests, and medieval hill villages. For my birthday in 2019, we planned a trip to three towns in Umbria: Perugia, the region’s capital, Todi, and Spello. Although every location was lovely in its own way, Spello was the one that won us over.

Spellbound By Spello

Picture this: narrow cobblestone streets winding through a medieval village adorned with vibrant flowers and ivy-covered walls. The scent of freshly baked bread and aromatic espresso wafting from local cafes. The gentle hum of Italian conversations punctuated by laughter—this was Spello, where time seemed to stand still, and we were instantly smitten.

We’d heard of Spello’s beauty and wanted to see it for ourselves. Little did we know that this charming village would cast a spell on us that day, one that we couldn’t shake off. It was as if the town itself was whispering to us, inviting us to become a part of its richness.

The vibrant flowers of Spello — Photo credit: Faith Katunga

Let’s rewind to the COVID-19 era when masks were the rage and making eye contact with another human being was akin to sneezing in their face. We yearned for Umbria’s verdant landscape, leisurely pace of life, and clean air. I fantasized about strolling through the olive tree fields and picking wild asparagus. While still primarily located in Milan and a city girl at heart, I had grown to love the charms of small-town living. Before Spello and the pandemic, the countryside looked monotonous and a place for retirement.

Our initial curiosity about purchasing a second home in Spello had transformed into genuine interest, and we decided to explore the idea further. As an African immigrant in Italy, everything to do with legal papers, landlords, and real estate gives me anxiety. That infamous Italian bureaucracy is no laughing matter, nor is the prejudice that sometimes comes with it. Still, they say that where there’s a will, there’s a way. My engineer spouse, who works in real estate in Milan, was the rock we needed on this venture.

Buying Property In One Of Italy’s Villages

One thing we quickly realized was that buying property in a picturesque village like Spello is not as daunting as it may seem. Or, in our case, we may have just been lucky. In the same summer of 2020, when the first lockdown ended, we returned to Spello. We had fallen in love with a particular house online and wanted to see it. By the end of that summer, we had purchased a second home in Italy and were busy renovating it.

Ivy-covered walls of Spello, Umbria, Italy — Photo credit: Faith Katunga

Fast forward to today, our dream of owning a home in Spello has become a reality. Our home, with its terracotta roof and a small garden, is our sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Milan. Thanks to its friendly people and enduring charm, we feel at home in Spello. Here in the village, we have found a community and a place to recharge our batteries. Owning a home in Spello has also opened up countless opportunities for us. We’ve become a part of local initiatives and joined the annual Infiorata Flower Festival.

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a home in one of Italy’s most beautiful villages like Spello, know that it’s not just a fantasy. Even while owning a home these days is a privilege pretty much everywhere—and I won’t argue against that—it is possible to do so with the correct support, focus, planning, and love of the local culture. Our story proves that a single-day trip can sometimes turn into a life-changing adventure, and a charming Italian village can become your second home.