Why we're leaving The Netherlands to renovate a farmhouse in Italy

i consider myself beeing an introvert thats why i rarely approach people by myself. but when i visited my grandma in italy as a kid, i always looked forward to also visit the neighbours. anna-maria was a sweet old lady. she loved baking and her roses and had a dog called susie that got occasionally insulted when it ran over the flowers. its a small village, people know each other and we always had a heartwarming welcome when we came. i'm not sure why i tell you this.. try to enjoy making others happy like anna-maria did, and you will too live a long, healthy and happy life.

Dear Isis & Bertus, Lovely film. I think you are missing one incredibly important 'force' and that is of the universe. The Cascina also found you...

Ooooh my God Thank you Thank you Thank you for sharing such an incredible experience with us. I think that millions of people including your followers would love seeing part of your farm as a bed and breakfast or summer campground for families and students to come and explore the meaning of living a qualitative life in a beautiful place. Please please consider me in case you would arrange any open house/ event in your property. Me and my family live in California but nothing would stop me from coming to your place.❤

Watching your videos is such a pleasure. I love your authentic personalities and your way of planning and doing things. I am happy to be a part of your journey through your videos. Good luck to you on all your journeys!

We’ve just started our 5 to 10 year plan to move to Italy. We’ve both turned 50 this year. We already have family who live in Piemonte.

Excellent video! We were so impressed by your process; from the practical to spiritual. Piemonte is a beautiful area, you made the perfect choice!

Bravo. Well thought out, well said and most appreciated. May all your dreams come true.

thx for sharing your journey to actually finding your place. I feel like I am 'in the waiting room'-episode, I don't yet have the actual money to buy, it is still in other shared property. I have found a place I really like. I like your little steps approach and how to keep the candle burning. And I like the non-linear perspective... I also have the feeling it goes that way. It is like dancing with life and listen to the music of it, where does the music push you to. Wishing you all the best 💮

Lovely to see you both and thank you for such a detailed explanation of your journey. It constantly amazes me that we always end up where we are supposed to be without necessarily being aware during the process that it only happens in that exact moment and that exact place. I have been patiently waiting for over ten years now to find it and I have had to let go of all my expectations that it would be easy and just keep living where I am until that time.

Glad your dreams are coming true and you are sharing your journey with us. Yes Canadians and Americans have many similarities, but also a lot of differences. Having lived in both countries the biggest difference would be Americans not knowing much about Canada. Whereas Canadians are totally influenced by the US on daily basis. I’ve also lived in the Netherlands twice, i continue to practice my Dutch with the Duolingo app!

Thank you for sharing you story. I'm really happy for you guys, and also excited to see the continuing journey.

Mi ha fatto molto piacere ascoltare la vostra storia. Thank you for sharing!

So many good and useful thoughts on the subject, thank you!

I’m sure I’m not the only one who is envious of you being able to live your dream. I live in Brisbane, Australia and I am particularly envious of Europeans having sooo many beautiful countries on your doorstep to choose where you’d like to live - to me it would be such a gift to NOT have to spend 27 hours on a plane to visit Europe, where I have always wanted to live since I was first there in my early 20’s… sadly it will never be a possibility for me. I sympathise with Isis about not liking the look of Holland as I feel the same about Australia - to me it is ugly (at least Queensland is), burnt out, unbearably hot and humid. The landscape, to me, looks dead and lifeless and the bush is not pleasant to look at or be in. Unlike Europe which is beautiful and green and I believe safe from poisonous snakes. The worse thing about living where I do is that the heat and humidity from summer is never ending, lasting at least 7 - 8 months of the year. Being outdoors is unbearable as you feel like you are being cooked alive and you sweat like a pig all day, so you spend all your time indoors in the air conditioning hiding from the heat and humidity - & we feel like we are in prison. It’s only really comfortable to be outdoors in our ‘winter’ which is in June & July. Sooo, I live vicariously through people like yourselves who relocate throughout Europe and create their dream lives. I eagerly look forward to your updates, thanks for sharing.

Dear Isis & Bertus.. thanks for sharing your reasons for your moving to Italy.. I can certainly relate to most criteria.. only not in Italy.. but inside the Netherlands.. from the west to a small village in Friesland.. it was a coming home experience for me personally .. just like you in Piemonte.. looking out to following you guys..keep up the work .. and do enjoy 👍👍👍

I finally started your video from the beginning, for I watched several others. What I appreciate about yal's story, though you work very hard, ya'l seem so laid back and calm. I really appreciate your background music, that it's soft and fits your lifestyle. ❤

Safe travels back! Exciting times ahead ❤

Thanks for sharing the thinking and process!

So happy to learn your story of moving to Italy! Love it!

I can relate on climate choices. I'm from the NW corner of Washington state in the US and prefer cooler weather. My wife is Turkish and prefers warmer weather. We're living in Izmir Turkey and I'm burning up right now. Today is 107F. 🥵