The first thing the locals ask you when you tell them you have moved here permanently is “Perche?” “Why?” That’s not always an easy answer for me because I knew nothing about the Campania region or Guardia before my move. I had planned to move to Sicily or the Marche region in the North, but never Campania.

The majority of the foreigners who live here full-time or who have vacation homes found Guardia through the TV show, House Hunter’s International, or through friends or family who bought because of seeing the show. This little village has been featured on the program four times which is pretty amazing! Guardia is a hilltop town with about 4,000 residents and up until recent years, it was not a place where expats were moving. Now, the historical center is being revived with the purchase of these homes by expats and Italians.

I found Guardia by pure coincidence. While talking to my sister one day about wishing I knew someone who had bought a property in Italy, she told me a friend of hers had recently just done just that in a little village in Southern Italy and was traveling there soon. So long story short, I contacted the friend, met her at the Rome airport, and traveled to Guardia for the first time. Within a week, I bought a property. I was just as surprised as everyone else! (I still haven’t seen the TV shows)

What’s special about Guardia? Here are just a few things:

Wine We are surrounded by a beautiful wine region that’s known for its Falanghina, Aglianico, Greco, and Barbera wines. Guardia and four other nearby towns were awarded the European City of Wine 2019. Watch a great video here.
Beauty The views are incredible with most homes facing the valley below and the Taburno mountains to the South, and to the West is the Matese mountain range.
Location It’s centrally located with a train station only 15 minutes away in Telese Terme. We are only a 1 ½ hour drive to Naples and the Amalfi Coast and about the same to the Adriatic sea to the east. You can get to Pompeii, Positano or the Puglia region easily for a day or weekend trip.
Slow Food The slow food movement is just a way of life here. Local, seasonal fruits and veggies are available all year round at local vendors and weekend markets
Affordable Because most of the historical center was abandoned or the homes need major renovation, I was able to buy a home for a very reasonable price and renovate.
Exercise Guardia is your own personal stair stepper. It’s a hilltop town and there is no getting around the workout you’ll get just from running errands. But.. the mozzarella will get ya!