Life turned upside down—and right‑side up—for 64‑year‑old Cindy Sheahan when she traded Colorado real‑estate deals for Sicilian sunsets. Her leap shows how a single Social Security check can still buy both health and happiness—just not always in the United States.
In 2017 Sheahan lost friends, gained perspective, and booked a one‑way ticket abroad. “You don’t know how many days you get,” she told us. Six continents, 50 countries and one amicable divorce later, she touched down in Palermo in October 2024 and felt instantly at home.
Why Cindy Sheahan swapped Colorado’s high costs for Palermo’s vibrant, walkable streets
First came the math. Back home her small Denver apartment cost $1,700 a month—more than her entire $1,500 Social Security benefit. In Palermo she rents a furnished 1,100‑square‑foot flat with soaring ceilings and three balconies for about $900, condo fee included. Grocery stalls brim with eggplant and sun‑dried tomatoes “for a song,” and late‑night walks feel safer than suburban parking lots. Sound tempting?
The next table shows: Monthly budget comparison: Denver vs. Palermo (USD)
| Expense | Denver estimate | Palermo actual |
|---|---|---|
| Rent & fees | $1,700 | $900 |
| Groceries | $500 | $250 |
| Health care* | $600 | $40–$150 |
| Transportation | $300 (car) | $50 (buses, trains) |
*Two orthopedic visits and X‑rays after a 2024 foot fracture cost less than $150 in Italy.
Those savings free cash for weekend train trips, opera tickets, and the occasional cannoli. “I didn’t move here to pinch pennies—I came to live larger,” she says.
From social security check to Mediterranean lifestyle: how the numbers finally add up
The financial upside is only half the story. Daily walks to markets and cathedrals lowered Sheahan’s blood pressure and cholesterol; a ready‑made expat network eased loneliness. Yes, she misses her four adult children, but they’d rather meet under Sicilian sunshine than Denver’s bar‑scene neon. Who wouldn’t?
Sheahan’s experience highlights a growing trend: retirees leveraging dual citizenship or long‑stay visas to stretch fixed incomes overseas. Consequently, questions arise: Could you qualify through ancestry? What cities match your budget and values? A quick takeaways for would‑be global retirees:
- Run the numbers: Compare after‑tax income with realistic local costs.
- Test the waters: Long stays reveal day‑to‑day realities beyond vacation gloss.
- Prioritize healthcare access: Understand national systems and private‑care prices.
- Build community early: Language classes and expat forums beat isolation.
Sheahan’s verdict is unequivocal: Palermo offers the joy, safety, and affordability she stopped finding at home. “I grew out of the U.S.,” she says, “but I’ve grown into myself here.”