Relocating to Italy for health care could save your life
- A woman in her 50s relocated to Italy after experiencing worsening hip pain.
- She received medical attention swiftly, obtaining an MRI three days after her first consultation.
- Her experience in Italy led her to conclude that moving was the best decision for her health care.
After years of back and forth visits to Italy, a woman in her 50s decided to relocate permanently due to concerns about political instability in the United States and the inadequacies she felt in the healthcare system there. She initially aimed to purchase an investment property to be used for family gatherings but found her health taking a concerning turn. After discussing ongoing hip pain with her Italian boyfriend, she chose to seek medical advice in Italy, leading to an MRI appointment that happened just three days later. This rapid response resulted in her being scheduled for surgery within three weeks. Prior to her move, she experienced frustration with her health care access in the U.S. Having been told by a doctor that her pain could be alleviated through yoga, she attempted this but found no improvement in her condition. Her experience of increasingly severe pain led her to conduct her own research and believe that her issues were likely related to perimenopause, leading to a feeling of acceptance of aging, yet she still sought further help. The decision to go through with a relocation was supported by her personal situation and the increasing awareness of her health deteriorating. The healthcare system in Italy contrasted sharply with her experiences back in America. Upon moving, she was impressed with the efficiency of the service, getting her MRI and appointments quickly, which underscored her gratitude for the universal health care system present in the country. After her surgery, she reflected on the stark differences in healthcare access, particularly the financial burden associated with private healthcare services in the U.S. where a private room cost upwards of $2,000 per day. Overall, the decision to relocate to Italy was framed as not just a lifestyle choice but a necessary step for her health, and she expressed feeling fortunate for the decisions she made in relocating to a place where access to high-quality health care is seen as a right, rather than a privilege. Her experiences emphasized the importance of prioritizing health, noting that life is too short to wait for comfort, fulfilling life experiences, and essential health care treatment.