At 57, Lisa La Valle left New Jersey for Paris, chasing a lifelong dream after her divorce. But the city’s glamor faded, and by 2021, she relocated to Brescia, Italy.
Retired, Relocated, Reimagined
Now 64 and retired, she teaches part-time and writes about expat life. Paris felt isolating and cynical, while Brescia offered affordability, warmth, and a sense of belonging. Her €550 rent and slower pace contrast sharply with her $1,200 Paris apartment.
Though moving abroad later in life came with challenges, La Valle says it reshaped her identity. She doesn’t regret the leap — only that she didn’t take it sooner.
