At 48, I left my Virginia teaching job and moved to Italy. A Facebook group I started for women led me to start my own business.

After 25 years of teaching kindergarten, Linda Meyer was ready for a change and moved to Tuscany.

Provided by Linda Meyer

• At 48, Linda Meyer told her husband she needed a change and quit teaching.
• She said she wanted to move to Tuscany. He replied: "We'll make it happen."
• Now 61, she owns a villa and runs a tourism business in Italy.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Linda Meyer, the co-owner of La Chiusa. It has been edited for length and clarity.