Is Moving Abroad the Secret to A Healthier Life? A Focus on Physical Wellness.

Plus, a bit of This & That.

Is Moving Abroad The Answer To Really Healing?

Last week, one of our subscribers sent me a thoughtful series of questions about moving abroad, and I thought it might be helpful to share my response here in case any of you are asking yourselves the same thing.

This reader, a young woman living in Los Angeles, is dealing with significant health challenges. Digestive issues are the main struggle, but she's also been navigating a long history of chronic illness, including Lyme disease, mold toxicity, and parasite overgrowth. Recently, she had a moment of clarity (or perhaps desperation, as many of us do when nothing seems to be getting any better) and wondered: What if the answer to healing, really healing, meant leaving the country entirely?

It's a question many of us have wrestled with at some point. And judging by how many of you have reached out to us recently, it's clearly on a lot of your minds. Is moving abroad the escape hatch from broken systems, toxic environments, and the burnout that seems to come standard with modern life in America right now? Maybe. But the answer is layered, deeply personal, and worth unpacking.

Health isn't just physical. It's emotional. It's mental. And each of these areas is intertwined. Where we live, the air we breathe, the food we eat, the pace of the culture, and the expectations of our workplace and communities can either nurture or erode those pillars of well-being. Today, I want to focus specifically on the physical. How I physically feel now, almost two years into our life abroad.

For those new to our journey, here is a little recap: Before we moved to Turin, Italy, in August of 2023, I'd been living in Atwater Village, California. I was active, walking and running the reservoir a few times a week and working out with a personal trainer. The year before we left, I had a breast cancer scare, but went through all the necessary steps with an incredible medical team and came out the other side feeling strong and healthy. As we've done for years, Andre and I prioritized clean eating, sourcing organic ingredients, and cooking nourishing meals. I didn't consider myself particularly anxious or stressed, though I did experience a noticeable spike in stress in the months leading up to our move. Selling our house, saying goodbye to most of the life we built over 12 years in Atwater, leaving the city I was born in, and stepping into the unknown took a huge toll on my nervous system. But outside of that, I was in good physical health. No major issues, no chronic conditions. With that foundation in mind, let's talk about what's changed, and what hasn't, since moving to Italy.

FOOD AND HOW WE EAT

Food, and what I choose to put into my body, has always played a central role in how I feel physically, and right now, my body, especially my gut, feels good. Overall, I experience less bloating and have more energy. You always hear about people who can’t tolerate gluten in the U.S. but have no issues when they come to Italy, and honestly, I believe it. I can start the day with a cornetto (an Italian croissant) and still feel light, energized, and level. None of the crash or heaviness that used to often follow pastries or sweets back in the US. We’re cooking more meals and eating more homemade food, partly because Italy just doesn’t have the same snack culture, or the processed snack products and grab-and-go options, you find in the U.S. When I think about how many shelves are packed with snacks at places like Erewhon, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s, it blows my mind now. We used to have two full shelves in our pantry just for snacks. That alone has made a huge difference, far fewer processed foods going into our bodies. But the biggest shift when it comes to food, and the system that surrounds it, has been in accessibility and affordability.

Andre and I were incredibly privileged in Los Angeles. We had access to high-quality food and prioritized it in our lives. Sundays were for the Hollywood Farmers Market, buying organic produce, wild-caught seafood, and responsibly raised poultry and beef. But let's be honest, that lifestyle came at a serious cost. For years, the bulk of our monthly spending went to groceries. Eating clean, organic, nutrient-dense meals in the US is expensive, prohibitively expensive, and many places in America don't even have access to this type of clean produce; eating like this isn't even an option.

To put it in perspective, a single loaf of organic bread from our local baker in Los Angeles was $12, while in Rome, it's €6 (which is on the more expensive side for Italy). A weekly farmers market haul for our family of five in LA would regularly cost $250, and that was before any follow-up run to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. And this was two years ago. I can only imagine how much higher those prices are today.

In contrast, here in Rome, we get a weekly delivery of organic produce, plus add-ons like organic cheese and eggs, local miso, three pints of strawberries, avocados, and plenty of oranges for weekend juice for €80-100. The price difference from Los Angeles is dramatic. That said, costs do vary depending on where you live. Rome and Milan are significantly more expensive than smaller towns. One of our friends lives in a tiny village about an hour outside of Rome, and she receives a weekly organic produce box from a local farm for €35 a month, including delivery. So, if you're considering a move, remember that location will significantly affect how far your food budget can stretch. Regardless of where you land, eating and accessing clean food will be much easier and more affordable than in the US. Italy protects its food system in a way the US simply doesn't. There are far stricter regulations on pesticides, preservatives, and additives. The most basic, conventional produce here is higher quality than much of the organic produce I used to see back home at large supermarkets. And, even in small, remote towns and villages, you’ll find weekly produce markets where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as local staples like pasta, bread, and cheese. It’s truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring aspects of the culture. So, if you struggle with digestive issues or just want to eat well but feel like clean food is out of reach, living in a country like Italy could change everything.

WEATHER AND AIR QUALITY

If you're considering moving from LA, just know this: nothing will quite compare to those endless blue skies, the reliable sunshine, and the dry heat you're lucky enough to enjoy most of the year. You'll have to compromise somewhere. That's just the reality. When we first moved to Turin, I had no idea that this northern region of the Po Valley, which also includes cities like Milan, Verona, Brescia, and Vicenza, is actually the most polluted area in Italy. Between the heavy industrial activity, dense population, and geography (which traps air and limits circulation), the pollution is intense and took a real toll on our physical health.