Umbria villas
There are so many different ways to live in Europe. You could be the classic backpacker that hops from hostel to hostel. You can be the seasonal traveler that stays in the well-known hotels in all the major tourist cities. You could be the frequent businessperson that stays at the most expedient business hotels near the financial centers. Or, as I recently found out, you could buy or rent one of the many Italian villas that are offered nowadays and truly live in style. Frankly, I would love to live in one of the colorful, quaint Cinque Terre apartments that you always see on posters and calendars. The homes themselves are stunning, from what I can tell. I suppose that they won't be another bland tract home sitting next to another bland tract home separated by a strip of grass that is a little too neatly trimmed to be real. Rather, you would be living in one of the Le Marche villas near the Italian coast, with your entranceway, patio, bedrooms, and bathrooms all arranged in a way different from the various Italian villas next door. There would be some common areas in which to host guests, probably a quaint, beautiful kitchen, and interesting twists and angles that would make your villa distinct from all the other Le Marche villas. On top of the architecture, the location would be superb. Sure, you can get nice ranch homes in the northern states, settle comfortably in Florida or Hawaii, or buy nice homes or haciendas in Mexico, but imagine living in one of the many Umbria villas next to wineries, towns, and pure Italian culture. You wouldn't need to live in a super special, highly sought after location, but the very fact that you are in Italy would automatically add some flair to your life. Also, the scenery would be beautiful. Whether you live in one of the Umbria villas enjoying the interior of Italy, or in one of the Cinque Terre apartments enjoying its coasts, these locales would offer views and experiences much more distinct and cultured than any location in the United States.