Retiring in Italy at 74: How Jan Moved to Florence on the Elective Residency Visa
Is 74 too late to pack up your life and start over in Italy? For Jan Weber, the answer was simple: “If not now, when?” In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas , Shawna sits down with Jan, a retired mortgage broker who left Bainbridge Island, Washington, and moved across the world to start a new chapter in Florence, Italy . At 74 years old. On her own. 🇮🇹 Jan had built a good life in the U.S. But she was healthy, had some savings, lived within her means, and felt like she still had one more adventure in her . Instead of waiting for the “perfect” time, she decided to take the leap. In this episode, Jan shares what the process of retiring in Italy and applying for the Italian Elective Residency Visa actually looked like, from choosing Florence and preparing for her consulate appointment to finding an apartment, learning Italian, making friends, and adjusting to everyday life abroad. We talk about: Why Jan chose Italy over Spain, Portugal, and other destinations What inspired her to move abroad in her 70s How she organized and prepared for her Elective Residency Visa Her experience trying to secure an appointment with the Italian Consulate The documents and apostille process she navigated before applying Why having a step-by-step roadmap made such a difference Finding a long-term apartment in Florence What everyday life in Florence actually looks like Learning Italian in her 70s and immersing herself in the local culture Moving abroad alone and dealing with the fear of loneliness Why she believes there’s never going to be a perfect time to move abroad Jan’s story is a powerful reminder that moving overseas doesn’t have an expiration date. You don’t have to be 25. You don’t have to have everything perfectly figured out. And you don’t have to wait until you feel completely ready. Sometimes you just need the courage to decide that the next chapter of your life is worth pursuing. If you’ve been dreaming about retiring in Italy, moving to Florence, or starting a new life abroad later in life , this episode is for you. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/ 🙋♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/
