Prospective expatriates will find that Italy has a lot to offer, from bustling metropolis to picturesque lakeside villages.
Italy is a beautiful place to live, despite the fact that it is one of the most popular nations in Europe to visit. The dream destination for expats looking for top-notch recreation is the Bel Paese, which boasts a wealth of historic and cultural landmarks (including a staggering 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites), picture-perfect small towns, cosmopolitan cities, gorgeous beaches, towering mountains, and world-famous cuisine.
However, Italy also provides an exceptionally high quality of life. Only three percent of Italian employees, according to data provided by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, complain about working excessive hours. This number is far lower than the average of ten percent that is found worldwide. Additionally, Italians have a lower overall crime rate, a longer life expectancy (84 years), and higher levels of civic engagement.
If you are thinking about moving to Italy, the following are eight of the most desirable locations in the country to make your home.
Milan
Milan is the creative and economic hub of Italy as well as a major centre for fashion and design. The city strikes the ideal mix between its modern energy and its old past, making it attractive to artists, businesspeople, and multinational corporations.
Additionally, Milan is a leader in the field of sustainable development. As the owner and CEO of Giorgio Vigan Real Estate, Benedetta Vigan told Travel + Leisure, "There is now a huge focus on the environment, with energy-saving buildings, as well as car, scooter, and bike-sharing systems to reduce traffic." You may still find that neighbourhood quality of life with little shops and restaurants, fresh open spaces, and strong schools even in formerly depressed districts, which are now some of the most dynamic places to buy a property.
Milan is a transportation hub that is easily accessible from any location in Europe or the rest of the globe thanks to the extension of its metro system, which added two new lines. Additionally, Milan is located near three major airports.
Bologna
Recent results from Il Sole 24 Ore's annual quality of life survey placed the country's most important culinary centre at the top of the list. As a result of its location, which stretches from the Apennine Mountains to the Po Valley, Bologna has pleasant weather for the most of the year.
In addition to receiving good marks in this report's categories for wealth and business, public health and demography, and safety, Emilia-capital Romagna's city also received high marks in these areas.
Rome, The eternal City 🇮🇹
— 🤍Angelina🕊️⛔️DM (@Angel1309FEB22) April 23, 2022
One of the Happiest Places to Live in Italy pic.twitter.com/vxByEITChp
The distinctive arched arcades of Bologna, which have been around since the 13th century, were included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites just a year ago. Bologna, often known as "La Grassa" because of its rich gastronomic heritage, is the oldest university town in Europe. The University of Bologna currently holds the 161st position globally in terms of the quality of education it provides.
Bolzano
Bolzano, in the Italian region of South Tyrol, is a city that should be towards the top of your list if you are looking for an ideal place to live due to its stunning alpine landscape, mountain breezes, and unique blend of Italian and Austrian cultures. Specifically, the Dolomites. This city with a population of more than half a million, which serves as the capital of South Tyrol and is located near to both Austria and Switzerland, has been ranked as having the third best standard of living in all of Italy. Residents of Bolzano have high levels of both discretionary income and savings thanks to the city's high employment rate, which is the highest in the country.
Over the past seven decades, there has been a consistent rise in the population as a result of the healthy state of the economy and the high quality of life enjoyed there. Alexander Benedetti, a broker at Benedetti Real Service, spoke with Travel + Leisure about the region's real estate market. "The real estate market is highly solid and has expanded continually along with the region's economy and the development of its infrastructure," he said.
He went on to explain that the local real estate market is heavily controlled, with approximately 80 percent of houses being subject to "a commitment that they are occupied by someone who is working in South Tyrol or has been a resident here for at least five years." Benedetti mentioned that because of this rule, properties are being used as primary residences, and local services are remaining steady and reliable throughout the year. This law has a good impact on the local economy as well as the social life of the community.
Florence
Florence, the "crown jewel" of Tuscany and the city that gave birth to the Italian Renaissance, has the atmosphere of an open-air museum. Even the people who live there are unable to get enough of the city's unending splendor, which includes the famous Piazza del Duomo, the centuries-old Ponte Vecchio, the lovely Arno River, and other world-class museums and galleries that turn the city into an art hotspot. Residents in Florence are also within a short driving distance of some of the most breathtaking vistas of Tuscany's rolling hills.
"In the countryside outside of Florence, we reach the Chianti hills, the land of Chianti Classics, which is perfect to pair with a Fiorentina steak, or perhaps a homemade plate of tagliatelle," said Danilo Romulan, sales manager at Romulan Immobiliare — Christie's International Real Estate, in an interview with T+L. Romulan is the sales manager at Romulan Immobiliare — Christie's International Real Estate.
He went on to say that potential inhabitants have a wide variety of options to select from when it comes to their future home, including quaint pied-à-terre apartments, apartments decorated with frescoes dating back centuries, majestic palazzos, and Renaissance mansions.
The Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore ranked Florence as having the third best quality of life, while it came out on top as the best city for culture and recreation overall.
Olbia
Consider moving to Olbia, the second largest city on the island of Sardinia, if island living sounds appealing to you. Residents of this island in the Mediterranean live long and healthy lives, which they get to spend basking in the sun and soaking up vitamin D along Olbia's picture-perfect shoreline. This island is recognised as one of only five Blue Zones in the entire world.
In addition, residents of Olbia now have access to not one, but two brand new hospitals in the form of Giovanni Paolo II and Mater Olbia. According to Maura Manconi, a broker with Maior Capital, "the vibrant main street known as Il Corso di Olbia holds endless events and entertainment all year long and offers a wonderful choice of restaurants with decent food and trendy clubs."
In addition, because it has both an airport and a port, the town is conveniently accessible not only from the Italian peninsula but also from worldwide locations. However, Manconi stated that despite the fact that real estate in Olbia is still available at reasonable costs, prices are continuing to rise. According to the Italian real estate website Immobiliare.it, the average price paid per square metre in Olbia in December 2022 was 3,168 euros, which represents a roughly seven percent increase over the price paid in December 2021.
Stresa
Stresa, often known as the "pearl of Lake Maggiore," is the ideal place to settle down for people who are looking for an easygoing lifestyle reminiscent of a resort with breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Only one hour separates this sophisticated town from the hustle and bustle of Milan, which is located in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola on the western coast of the lake.
Stresa is a popular tourist destination because it is the gateway to the Borromean Islands and because it is home to many stately villas, art nouveau palaces, and a lakeside promenade. Despite its popularity, Stresa has been able to maintain its quaint and sophisticated lifestyle because the majority of the city's entertainment and nightlife is concentrated in its old town.
Prices reached nearly €3,000 per square metre in December 2022, while the going rate for rental houses was €9.13 per square metre during that same month. (To put it another way, the rent for an apartment that is 800 square feet would be approximately $730 per month.)
Siena
Siena is a wonderful place to live because it has all of the beauty of a mediaeval town, but it also has the conveniences and comforts of city life, and it does not have the pandemonium that is seen in larger urban places. According to Rosalba Sale, a real estate representative of Tamagnini Luxury Estate, who spoke with T+L, "Here, there is a great sense of place."
This mediaeval city in the heart of Tuscany boasts a historic downtown district that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It is also located in close proximity to some of the most renowned wine areas in Italy. Siena, which is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, benefits from an influx of students from both Italy and other countries, which contributes to the vibrant entertainment scene that can be found in the city.
This year, Siena came in at number four in the study conducted by Il Sole 24 Ore. The city scored highly in a variety of categories, including health care and the ability to raise children.
Rome
Rome still ranks among the best cities in Italy for jobs and business, demographics, and health despite falling 18 places in Il Sole 24 Ore's quality of life rating, where it now stands at number 31.
Residents of this city have access to a thriving cultural scene, incredible dining options (including a large number of restaurants with Michelin stars), superior public transportation, and a cost of living that is more affordable when compared to other major European capitals such as Paris, Berlin, and London.
"In every corner of Rome, a small treasure is ready to sweep you off your feet," Giulia Frosi, a broker at La Commerciale, said in an interview with Travel + Leisure (T+L). "From small churches hidden at the ends of the narrowest streets to frescoes painted on random walls scattered across town to the characteristic alleys of the dolce vita," Frosi continued, "Rome has a lot to offer."
Even though real estate prices have been falling at a steady rate for the past seven years, the cost of living in Rome is still quite high, with properties in the city's historic district selling for a price of €7,369 per square metre, according to data for December 2022. If you want to live in Rome, be prepared to spend a lot of money. Rents, too, have gone up since 2021, climbing to €24.21 a month per square metre (or approximately $2,000 for an apartment that is 800 square feet in size). This is an increase of almost 13 percent.