I don't regret leaving New York City for a small Italian village — but I've had to adjust to some big lifestyle changes

I've found that in my Italian village, building relationships can help you get tasks done.

Camellia Phillips About three years ago, I moved from New York City to a small Sicilian village .

Grocery shopping and running errands are very different here.

However, I've grown to appreciate many of the ways my lifestyle has changed.

I recently walked into the macelleria in our Sicilian village — a combo butcher, deli, and corner store — and started babbling excitedly that my favorite cheese was back in stock.

One of the owners joked in Italian that "Camellia moved here just for the food." She wasn't completely wrong.

After 20 years in New York City, my husband and I moved to a small town in Italy for some of the more classic reasons: quality food, a slower pace of life, and community-oriented culture.

Now that we've lived here for nearly three years, though, we've also experienced the reality behind the tourism taglines.

Our village has its own rhythm — one I've learned to appreciate, even when it's pushed me to change and adapt.

The food system is hyper-local and seasonal I buy produce from a local food truck that frequently comes by my village.

Camellia Phillips Buying food here looks very different from the way we shopped in the US.

With no large grocery store within a 40-minute walk, we shop hyper-local.

This includes the macelleria, weekly outdoor market, and vendors who drive our narrow streets selling fruit, vegetables, eggs, fish, fresh bread, and more.

Each truck passes by only on certain days and times — and the schedule isn't written down.