Deciding where to live in Italy is not a one-size-fits-all process. As with most countries, cost of living, culture and lifestyle vary significantly between regions.
What feels like paradise for a retiree in Sicily might feel isolating for a professional working remotely from Milan. Understanding these differences is the first step towards a smoother relocation to Italy.
Northern, Central or Southern Italy?
- North (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria): Dynamic economies, excellent transport links, higher salaries, but higher costs of property and living. A strong fit for professionals and families needing connectivity.
- Centre (Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio): A balance of culture, countryside, and manageable cities. Suits those seeking heritage, lifestyle, or part-time work while enjoying Italy’s heartland.
- South & Islands (Campania, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia): Warmer climate, lower costs, slower pace. Ideal for retirees and lifestyle movers, but less opportunity for career progression.
Regional Snapshots
Lombardy (Milan, Lake Como, Bergamo)
- Lifestyle: Cosmopolitan, business-oriented, with fast rail and flight networks. The lakes offer a luxurious, scenic lifestyle within reach of Milan.
- Property costs: Among Italy’s highest, especially in Milan and along the lakes.
- Cost of living: High, but still generally lower than major US or UK cities for similar standards.
- Typical type of property: Modern apartments in Milan, luxury villas or historic houses around the lakes.
- Move there if you: Need international connectivity, thrive in a fast-paced city or want access to luxury lakefront living.
- English spoken: Widely in Milan’s business, fashion and student circles; less so in small lake towns.
Lazio (Rome)
- Lifestyle: History, culture and a capital city energy. Broad range of neighbourhoods from historic centres to modern suburbs.
- Property costs: Cheaper on average than Milan, but wide variation. Central Rome is expensive; outer districts more affordable.
- Cost of living: Mid-to-high, depending on location.
- Typical type of property: Historic apartments in central Rome, suburban villas on the outskirts.
- Move there if you: Want the vibrancy of a capital city, easy access to heritage, and a mix of urban and suburban living.
- English spoken: Common in tourist areas and among younger Romans, patchy in day-to-day bureaucracy.
Tuscany (Florence, Siena, Chianti countryside)
- Lifestyle: Heritage, art, vineyards and rolling hills. Popular with retirees, second-home owners, and families looking for balance.
- Property costs: Florence and Chianti command premiums; rural areas and smaller towns offer better value.
- Cost of living: Moderate if you avoid tourist-heavy zones.
- Typical type of property: Renaissance-era apartments in Florence, stone farmhouses and villas in the countryside.
- Move there if you: Dream of wine country living, value cultural immersion and don’t mind paying more for a classic Italian lifestyle.
- English spoken: Widely in Florence’s centre and tourist spots; rural Tuscany relies mostly on Italian.
Umbria (Perugia, Orvieto, Assisi)
- Lifestyle: Quieter “green heart of Italy,” similar landscapes to Tuscany but more affordable and less tourist-heavy.
- Property costs: Farmhouses and village properties at lower prices than neighbouring Tuscany.
- Cost of living: Generally moderate, with fewer international services.
- Typical type of property: Rustic farmhouses, village townhouses, smaller apartments in Perugia.
- Move there if you: Prefer rural charm without Tuscany’s price tag and want a slower pace with fewer tourists.
- English spoken: Less common than in Tuscany, expect to use Italian for most daily interactions.
Liguria (Genoa, Portofino, La Spezia)
- Lifestyle: Coastal living on the Italian Riviera. Popular for mild winters and proximity to France.
- Property costs: Sea-view properties are premium; inland and Genoa are more accessible.
- Cost of living: Mid-to-high, with seasonal spikes in coastal towns.
- Typical type of property: Colourful seafront apartments, hillside villas, townhouses in Genoa.
- Move there if you: Love the sea, want access to both Italy and France and can handle higher costs for prime views.
- English spoken: Reasonably common in Riviera resorts, far less in Genoa or inland.
Emilia-Romagna (Bologna, Parma, Modena, Ravenna)
- Lifestyle: Famous for food, education, and culture. Well-connected by rail and road.
- Property costs: Mid-range compared with northern cities.
- Cost of living: Reasonable, with strong amenities.
- Typical type of property: City apartments in Bologna, elegant townhouses, countryside villas.
- Move there if you: Want vibrant cultural life, great food, and strong rail access without Milan’s price tag.
- English spoken: Present in Bologna thanks to its universities, but limited outside major towns.
Piedmont (Turin, Langhe wine region)
- Lifestyle: City living in Turin, or quiet vineyard villages in Langhe.
- Property costs: Lower than Milan or Florence; countryside offers value.
- Cost of living: Moderate, rising in tourist wine areas.
- Typical type of property: Apartments in Turin, vineyard farmhouses in Langhe, alpine chalets near the mountains.
- Move there if you: Appreciate wine, food, and a less touristy lifestyle, with easy access to the Alps.
- English spoken: Reasonable in Turin’s professional circles, rare in rural Piedmont.
Campania (Naples, Amalfi Coast)
- Lifestyle: Vibrant urban culture in Naples, world-famous coastline along Amalfi.
- Property costs: Naples remains affordable compared with the north, while Amalfi is premium.
- Cost of living: Lower than the north for most expenses, though tourist areas surge.
- Typical type of property: Affordable city apartments in Naples, clifftop villas and townhouses on the Amalfi Coast.
- Move there if you: Enjoy lively street culture, want affordable urban living or plan a lifestyle near world-class coastlines.
- English spoken: Common along the Amalfi Coast, but far less in Naples neighbourhoods.
Puglia (Bari, Lecce, Valle d’Itria)
- Lifestyle: Increasingly popular for its sunny climate, whitewashed towns and Adriatic beaches.
- Property costs: Rising as demand grows, but still good value compared with central Italy.
- Cost of living: Low-to-moderate; seasonal rentals are strong.
- Typical type of property: Whitewashed townhouses, trulli stone homes, coastal apartments.
- Move there if you: Want sun-soaked living, coastal charm, and more value for money than central Italy.
- English spoken: Patchy some English is spoken in tourist hotspots, but Italian dominates outside.
Sicily and Sardinia
- Lifestyle: Warm weather, slower pace, dramatic coastlines and deep traditions.
- Property costs: Among the lowest in Italy, though premium pockets exist in coastal and historic zones.
- Cost of living: Generally the lowest nationally.
- Typical type of property: Coastal apartments, rural farmhouses, historic townhouses in cities like Palermo or Cagliari.
- Move there if you: Crave year-round warmth, don’t mind slower bureaucracy and value affordability above all.
- English spoken: Not really, Italian is the default almost everywhere.
Typical costs at a glance
- Property purchase: Averages in Italy range from €2,000–€3,000 per square metre in southern cities, to €4,000–€6,000+ in Florence or Milan. Prime locations (Amalfi, Lake Como, historic Florence) can far exceed this.
- Cost of living: Even Italy’s most expensive cities are usually more affordable than London or New York if you rent locally and avoid expat “luxury bubbles.”
Matching lifestyle to life stage
Professionals and remote workers
Northern and central hubs (Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome) offer the infrastructure, co-working spaces and flight connections needed for work.
Retirees and lifestyle movers
Quieter, more affordable regions like Umbria, Puglia, Sicily, and rural Tuscany provide charm, value, and community. These regions are especially attractive if income is fixed and not tied to the local job market.
Language matters more than you think
English is spoken to varying degrees across Italy. English is widely spoken in Milan, Florence and tourist-heavy areas, far less in rural Umbria, Puglia or Sicily and relying on English alone will severely limit your experience.
Everyday bureaucracy, healthcare registration, setting up utilities or simply chatting with neighbours usually requires Italian. In larger cities you might get by without it, but life becomes simpler and far less frustrating if you can communicate directly.
Learning Italian isn’t just about convenience. Since 2018, a B1 level of Italian is required if you want to apply for citizenship through naturalisation or marriage. Only those applying through Italian ancestry (jure sanguinis) are exempt and this is likely to change. For anyone planning a long-term move, starting early with the language will open doors, both socially and legally.
Cultural Experiences to Expect in Italy
- Bureaucracy: Paper-based processes, appointments and waiting times are the norm.
- Regional variation: Each region has its own traditions, dialects and pace of life.
- Work rhythm: Expect longer lunch breaks, reduced hours in August and frequent public holidays.
- Healthcare: Registration is regional. Access is excellent value but requires paperwork.
- Driving: Restricted traffic zones (ZTLs) catch many new arrivals unaware.
- Property rules: Renovation, heritage restrictions and planning permissions are often stricter than expected.
Drawing up a Shortlist of Where to Live in Italy
- Define your priorities: career access, retirement pace or lifestyle goals.
- Budget regionally, not nationally: compare live listings in target towns.
- Trial live: spend a few weeks in both high and low seasons.
- Check infrastructure: airports, hospitals and shops within an hour’s reach.
- Plan for bureaucracy: build time and professional help into your move.
How to decide where to live
You can read guides, watch videos, go on holiday, get advice and compare statistics, but the only real way to decide where to live in Italy is to visit, visit, visit. Every region and often every town feels slightly different once you’re on the ground.
Spend time in your shortlisted areas at different times of year. A Tuscan hill town in the summer might feel magical, but much quieter in January. A coastal city may thrive in tourist season but run at half pace in winter. Even two neighbouring villages can offer very different lifestyles, communities and property markets.
Professional advice can help you understand costs, taxes, and the practicalities, but it won’t answer the question of where you will feel most at home.
That only comes from walking the streets, shopping in the markets, meeting the locals and experiencing daily life yourself.
If Italy is where you want to build your future, make visiting part of your plan, it’s the only way to turn research into certainty.
