Meet Derek & Jason: They Bought an Intriguing Townhouse In Colonno, Immersed In the Old Town
Derek and Jason, from the USA, have a deep connection with Lake Como… so deep to consider it as their second family!
At the end of last year they felt in love with a super characterful townhouse in Colonno and decided to buy it: they liked the idea to have their “buen retiro” in such a quiet and authentic lakeside village.
Now these guys have some cosmetic refresh in mind, but still want to keep and honor the strong local identity of the house: we truly appreciated their mindset and the great respected they have for the culture and roots of Lake Como.
We had a chat with Derek: read this inspiring story below!
Tell us a bit about your story. Why have you chosen Lake Como as a location for buying your second home in Italy? Did you know the area before? Have you explored the rest of Italy? What did you know about Lake Como / what was your perception of the lake from the USA?
Lake Como has held a special place in my heart for over 20 years. I first traveled here with my parents, when my father was on foreign assignment in Ivrea (outside of Milano). Since then, I have found myself back over a dozen times – each time falling more and more in love with the region. Over the years, my dream of establishing a second home on Lake Como has only become more of a focus. Perhaps, an obsession. I have traveled around and explored a fair amount of Italy, but most in love with Lake Como.
What do you think makes Lake Como so special compared to other locations in Italy or Europe?
There is something magical about the Lake; it’s the place I can fully exhale and find peace and stillness. Further, we’ve had the true joy of making close and enduring friendships with local residents on the western shore over the years – much like a second family. As a result, I’ve developed deep respect for the Lake, its history and its culture. The beauty of the lake itself, as well as the architecture of the villages and the wilderness of the mountains is just spectacular.
You end up buying a romantic townhouse in Colonno, a truly characterful property that many had noticed on the market. What made you fall in love with it?
We have spent endless hours walking the Greenway between Colonno and Menaggio. We had investigated a few properties in the stretch between Argegno and Menaggio, but when we came across the listing for the Colonno property, there was a certain quaint charm, and when I visited the property, I knew immediately it was where we wanted to establish a second home. The layout, views, and obvious love that was put into it by the previous owners really drove my attraction.
What was your first feeling of the quiet Colonno, considering that you are coming from a super vibrant location like Washington D.C.? What do you like about Colonno in particular?
Colonno is definitely quiet, which is exactly what we were looking for in a second home to be able to travel to and “catch our breath” from the craziness of our day to day lives. And the local residents were most welcoming and friendly from the start. We weighed out other villages on the western shore, along the Greenway, but Colonno had a unique charm and quietude – and it is walking distance to more vibrant and lively villages like Argegno, Sala Comacina and Tremezzo.
How was your property search at Lake Como before identifying the house in Colonno?
Our search was rather low-key. We were not in a hurry, but also very focused. I have been obsessed with listings and found those from Lakeside to be the most accurate and provided a wide range of properties for consideration.
Do you think it's easy to buy a property at Lake Como overall? Did you find any difficulty/challenge along the way?
It was quite easy to buy a property! Any challenges were accommodated by Lakeside and the knowledgeable agents walked me through every step and every question – no matter how small. And they couldn’t have been more relaxed in their interactions! They also took care of necessary requirements for purchasing property in Italy.
What do you feel like recommending to foreign clients who are looking for their second home at Lake Como?
Look for an Agency, like Lakeside, that is communicative, takes the time to walk you through the requirements and the process. Don’t be in a rush – your dream property will materialize when the time is right!
Are you planning any renovation to your house in Colonno? How often are you planning to live in this house?
We plan to do minor cosmetic renovations, such as updates in the kitchen and paint and a few structural modifications, but we are in no huge rush. We want to enjoy the home over the coming months every chance we get and not be bogged down by the urge to immediately renovate! Fortunately, the house is completely habitable and we’ll take our time with the work, honoring the integrity of the overall building and surrounding properties.
Is there a song you link to your lovely new home in Colonno?
“Golden” by Harry Styles. It is our background music when we’re cruising the lake by boat!
Is there any other location of Lake Como you particularly like? - and if so, why?
We love the entire lake, particularly the western shore between Laglio and Menaggio. Each village has its own personality and charm. The majority of our close friends live in Sala Comacina, so we find ourselves there quite often.
Derek enjoying a drink in his lake view balcony
Looking for a property around Lake Como?