India, June 30 -- An American couple has opened up about their decision to quit life in New York City and move to a small town in Italy. Cassandra Tresl and her husband, Alex Ninman, are both US-born American citizens who moved to Europe in 2019, drawn to a slower pace of life and more affordable housing.

"Today, we live in a small town in Italy's Abruzzo region, about three hours outside Rome," Cassandra told CNBC Make It. "We found a different way of life, and I can't imagine moving back to the US in the coming years."

Cassandra explained that the decision to leave the US was based, in part, on their changing definition of success.

"Like many Americans, my husband and I grew up surrounded by the idea that success meant constantly upg...