Mom of 4 Left Las Vegas to Live on ‘Blue Zone’ Island Where Residents Often Live to Age 100 or Older

**Food Critic Debra Coltune Embraces Serene Life on Sardinia’s San Pietro Island**

Renowned food critic Debra Coltune has made the significant decision to relocate from the bustling city of Las Vegas to the tranquil coastal village of Carloforte, situated on the small island of San Pietro off Sardinia’s southern coast. This leap into a slower-paced lifestyle comes as she seeks to establish a deeper connection with her surroundings and foster a healthier way of living for herself and her children.

Coltune’s journey began in 2023 when she visited Carloforte on a job assignment, judging the local tuna festival. What was intended to be a professional visit quickly blossomed into a personal transformation. The charm of the picturesque village, along with its community-focused atmosphere, captivated her, leaving a lasting impression that would ultimately lead her to reconsider her lifestyle choices.

Now, in 2024, Coltune has firmly planted her roots in the idyllic island, moving there with her two younger children and their dogs. The move was motivated by her desire to trade the frenetic pace of Las Vegas for a more balanced and healthier existence within one of the world’s renowned “blue zones.” This designation, identified by researchers from Harvard Health, includes regions where residents frequently live to be over 100 years old, often attributed to factors like diet, physical activity, and a supportive community.

Upon her arrival on San Pietro, Coltune opted for a leased home, keen to assess how her family would adapt to their new surroundings. “I needed to understand the island’s rhythm and how my children and I would adjust after the ‘big city, big lights’ life in Las Vegas,” she reflected during an interview with CNN Travel. It didn’t take long for her family to acclimatise, and Coltune is now actively seeking a permanent residence where they can truly embed themselves in their new community.

The lifestyle in Carloforte is natural and uncomplicated, with walking as the primary means of transport due to the close proximity of local amenities. Coltune has noted that this daily exercise seamlessly integrates into life on the island. The local culture, rich in tuna fishing, further enriches their dining experience, with seafood at the heart of the cuisine.

Describing her mornings as “pure magic,” she expressed how she finds peace in the simple act of walking to the market while breathing in the fresh ocean air. “One of the main reasons we chose this move was to embrace a healthier lifestyle in a true blue zone,” she explained to CNN. The shift towards prioritising wellbeing is a core reason for her relocation, fostering a calm and balanced atmosphere that she yearned for in a place of natural beauty.

While Coltune maintains a residence in Las Vegas for her two older children, her affinity for Carloforte’s serene lifestyle has diminished her ties to the city. “Las Vegas was all flashing lights, constant energy, and a fast-paced rhythm,” she remarked. In stark contrast, she finds solace in Sardinia, where life unfolds gently amid breathtaking landscapes.

Coltune’s choice to move to Carloforte highlights a broader trend among individuals longing for a more meaningful and health-conscious existence. Many are reevaluating their lives in search of environments that provide not only physical health benefits but also mental tranquility, characteristic of places like Sardinia.

As she looks to the future, Coltune is optimistic about fully immersing herself in her new community, continuing her gastronomic adventures and embracing the slower tempo of island life. The move signifies not just a change of address but a transformative journey toward a more fulfilling and enriched life, rooted in the charm of Carloforte’s welcoming embrace.