He wasn’t lovin’ it.
For Keith Richardson, a retired educator from Southern California, the allure of a new life in Italy hinged on a specific condition: nary a McDonald’s or Starbucks in sight.
These global chains, to him, represented the American commercial sprawl he sought to leave behind, he told CNN Travel in an interview.
After a meticulous search, he settled on Nardò, a tranquil town in Puglia, the rural region forming the heel of Italy’s boot, where he acquired a historic home for a fraction of US prices — embracing a slower, more authentic existence.
Richardson, who spent decades in the education system before retiring in 2015 as a high school district administrator, had long been captivated by Italy.
His passion for languages — honed while teaching Spanish at a university — drew him to the country, where he traveled biannually, exploring its regions by rental car.
By 2023, his focus narrowed to Puglia, prized for its unspoiled beaches and low-key charm.
“Puglia is definitely the place to live and invest in, if you’re searching for that dolce vita coastal lifestyle,” he told CNN.
An expat friend connected him with a US-based real estate consultant in Puglia, who steered him toward Nardò, a lesser-known gem in the Salento area, free of American fast-food outlets.
“I gave her a list of homes I like,” Richardson said. “She suggested including Nardò because I told her that I didn’t want to be anywhere near a McDonald’s or Starbucks.”
After browsing online listings, he zeroed in on a 667-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom ground-floor property, once servant quarters in the storied Palazzo Tafuri.
The home, built with Puglia’s signature pinkish-golden stone, had been fully renovated — boasting limestone walls, a fireplace and ornate stellar ceilings. Listed at $153,000, Richardson made a bold move.
“The house was listed for 138,000 euros ($153,000) but I negotiated and paid €100,000 ($111,000). I put in another 3,800 euros to restyle it to my liking and give it a fresh look,” he told CNN.
“I was willing to pay more, but started at 100,000 euros to see if the sellers would counter offer.”
They didn’t, and the deal was sealed in March 2024, days after he arrived from Orange County.
For Richardson, the purchase was a steal compared with Southern California’s skyrocketing real estate.
“Homes in Southern California within 3 miles from the coast, in such a desired area, would cost anywhere from $700,000 to $1.4 million,” he noted.
His only modifications were a permanent patio roof and bamboo privacy screens, minor expenses for a property he sees as a remarkable value.
Nardò’s appeal lies in its understated elegance and distance from mass tourism. Far from Italy’s crowded hotspots, it offers proximity to the crystalline beaches of the Salento coast, often dubbed “Italy’s Maldives.”
The town’s historic center, with its grand churches and ornate palazzos, surrounds Richardson’s new home, steps from Piazza Salandra’s lively café terraces. The ground-floor layout, free of the steep staircases common in Italy’s older properties, added practicality for his retirement years.
The lifestyle in Puglia evokes nostalgia for Richardson.
“It’s reminiscent of Southern California in the 1960s,” he said. “I remember as a child passing through orange groves to get to Disneyland, Riverside, Santa Barbara.”
He praises the region’s affordability, chemical-free produce and scenic olive groves, alongside a relaxed ethos he describes as the “domani (tomorrow) attitude.”
Richardson’s journey to Nardò reflects a broader trend of Americans seeking affordable, idyllic retreats abroad. Puglia, with its warm winters and authentic villages, stands apart from tourist-saturated regions like Tuscany or Venice.
“Beautiful beaches and coastlines, picturesque cities and towns, great weather (even in winter), and not full of the tourists that are found throughout Tuscany, Venice, Milan and Rome. In fact, most tourists tended to be Italians or other Europeans. The Dolce Vita was genuine,” he told the outlet.
For now, Richardson splits his time between Nardò and California, where he remains close to his aging parents.
“My parents are currently still living and I do so much want to spend several months out of the year near them,” he explained. Pending a visa, he plans to extend his stays in Italy, though not yet permanently, savoring the balance between Puglia’s serene coast and his ties to home.
“I’ve fallen in love with the Italian lifestyle and domani attitude. No need to worry because there is always domani. No worries, it will be taken care of domani, so for now, let’s just have a coffee and watch the people promenade by,” he said.
