Departure from 30-year marriage due to husband's monotony and lack of excitement
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Cindy Sheahan, a former real estate business owner from Colorado, has found a new home and a better quality of life in Palermo, Italy. After retiring in 2017 and getting divorced, Sheahan embarked on a journey to find a place that would offer her happiness and financial stability.
Sheahan's choice of Palermo, a city on the island of Sicily, seems to have been a successful one. The early 1930s building she calls home appears relatively new compared to some other structures in Italy, yet it retains a charm that is typical of the city.
The slower pace of life in Palermo suits Sheahan well. She finds joy in exploring the city every day, feeling like she has made a new discovery with each step. This constant sense of wonder has improved her emotional well-being significantly.
In terms of physical health, Sheahan reports better health due to increased walking and better eating habits. The Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish, seems to agree with her.
Financially, Sheahan is saving money in Palermo. Her apartment, located in the city center, costs around $800 plus $100 per month in rent. This is a significant reduction from the expenses she faced in Florida, where she felt unhappy.
The cost of living in Palermo is affordable, with grocery items like tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, and sun-dried tomatoes being inexpensive. Healthcare is also much cheaper in Italy, with a broken foot and related medical expenses costing less than $150 in 2024.
As an Italian citizen, Sheahan is fully covered by the state healthcare system. General treatment is free, and specialist appointments cost around $40.
Sheahan's apartment in Palermo is spacious and features three French doors leading to three different balconies, terrazzo floors with border patterns, and a 12-foot high ceiling with medallions. The bathroom is also spacious, a rarity in Italy where showers are often small.
Despite missing her children, Sheahan is content with her decision to move to Italy. She feels that she has outgrown many people and places in the USA and is happier in Italy than she could ever be in the USA.
After seven years of full-time traveling with a backpack and in hostels, Sheahan has finally established a permanent residence in Palermo. She moved to Portugal with a retirement visa in 2022 but later chose to apply for Italian citizenship through her ancestors, as the process would be faster in Italy.
Sheahan settled in Palermo in 2025 and has no regrets about living in the city center, despite it being more expensive. She prefers the authenticity of the city to the suburbs.
In conclusion, Cindy Sheahan's move to Palermo, Italy, has been a positive one. She has found a better balance, a healthier environment, and monetary savings compared to her previous lifestyle in the United States. Her story serves as an inspiration for those seeking a change and a better quality of life.
What a marked contrast in relationships and lifestyle Sheahan experiences in Palermo, Italy, compared to her time in the United States. Despite missing her children, she cherishes the authentic relationships and retirement she has found here, enriched by travel experiences that continue as she explores this vibrant city every day.
