The best areas and cities in Italy for foreigners to live

How to choose a place in Italy: what to look for

Italy is divided into north, center and south. This is not just geography - these are different countries in one. The north is rich and businesslike. The center is historical and tourist. The south is cheap, warm, leisurely.

Before choosing a neighborhood, ask yourself four questions. First - do you need a job or do you live on passive income? Second, is international school important for children? Third - do you want an expat community nearby? Fourth - what is your rental budget?

For work and business - north (Milan, Bologna). For a quiet life on rent or pension - the south and islands. For culture and beauty - Tuscany and Umbria. For luxury recreation and nature - Lake Como and Liguria.

Below is a detailed analysis of each option with prices and pros and cons.

Milan: the business capital of Italy

Milan is the financial and fashion center of the country. Those who work in corporations, start a business, or want to be at the center of European life live here. The city is fast, expensive and modern.

Brera - the most status area. Galleries, expensive restaurants, boutiques. Rent 1BR - from €1,800/month, 2BR - from €2,800/month. For wealthy people who moved without children.

Navigli - area near the canals. Youth atmosphere, cafes, art spaces. Rent 1BR - from €1,400/month, 2BR - from €2,000/month. Popular with freelancers and young couples.

Porta Romana - a calm bourgeois area. Good schools, parks, family atmosphere. Rent 2BR - from €2,200/month, 3BR - from €3,000/month.

The plus of Milan is a developed metro (5 lines), good connections with Europe (Malpensa airport), and a large Russian-speaking diaspora. The downside is high prices for housing and life in general.

Rome: history, chaos and endless charm

Rome is the capital of the country and one of the main cities in the world. Life here combines eternal beauty with eternal chaos. Traffic jams, bureaucracy, noise - all this is part of daily reality.

Parioli - the quietest and most prestigious area. Diplomats, entrepreneurs, old money. Lots of green space and private schools. Rent 2BR - from €2,500/month, 3BR - from €3,500/month.

Trastevere - a romantic bohemian quarter. Cobblestones, Aperol on the street, international audience. Rent 1BR - from €1,300/month. It is noisy at night - families should take this into account.

Eur (EUR) - business district in the south. Modern architecture, offices, shopping centers. Quiet and clean. Good for families with children. Rent 2BR - from €1,800/month, 3BR - from €2,600/month.

Rome is suitable for those who value history and atmosphere. There is less business activity than in Milan. Transport is rather a weak point: there are only 2 metro lines, traffic jams are stable.

Florence: culture, art and slow life

Florence is a chamber city. There are about 360,000 residents, but sometimes there are more tourists than citizens. At the same time, it remains a very lively place - with markets, local bars and its own leisurely pace.

Oltrarno - “the other side” Arno. Workshops, antique shops, independent restaurants. Less tourists, more authentic life. Rent 1BR - from €1,100/month, 2BR - from €1,700/month.

Fiesole - a small town in the hills above Florence. Villas overlooking the Arno Valley, silence, greenery. The center is 20 minutes by bus. Rent a house/villa - from €2,500/month and above. Ideal for those who want to live in Tuscany but work remotely.

Florence is a good option for couples without children and for those who appreciate art and architecture. There are fewer large international schools here than in Milan or Rome. Work is more difficult to find - the tourism and craft sectors dominate.

Tuscany: Siena, Lucca and a rural idyll

Tuscany is one of the most popular destinations among foreigners moving to Italy. Vineyards, cypress trees, medieval towns. People come here for the quality of life, not for a career.

Sienna - medieval university town. Quiet, beautiful, with a strong sense of local community. Rent 1BR - from €700/month, 2BR - from €1,100/month. The University of Siena accepts international students.

Lucca - a small fortified city with an incredibly high quality of life. Safe, clean, friendly. Popular among retirees from the US and UK. Rent 1BR - from €650/month, 2BR - from €1,000/month.

Rural farmhouses (agriturismo) - a separate format of life. You can rent a stone house with a plot for €1,200-2,000/month. A car is required - the nearest supermarket can be 15-20 km away.

Tuscany is the choice for those who want to slow down. It is almost impossible to find work here. But this is ideal for freelancers, retirees and people with passive income.

Lake Como: elite, nature and villas

Como is one of the most recognizable places in Italy. Alpine mountains, clear water, ancient villas - and neighbors in the person of George Clooney and other celebrities. This is the place for those looking for luxury surrounded by nature.

Life is expensive here. Rent a villa by the water - from €5,000/month and up to €20,000/month for premium properties. Modest apartment in the town of Como - from €1,500/month for 1BR. Buying a villa starts from €1,500,000.

To Milan - 45-60 minutes by train. Many live by the lake and work in the city. The infrastructure is good, but the choice of schools is limited - international ones are mainly in Milan.

Lake Como is suitable for wealthy families and those investing in real estate. The tourist flow in summer is high - the town of Como is literally overcrowded. Therefore, locals prefer to live in Bellagio, Varenna or Tremezzo.

Ligurian Riviera: Sanremo and Portofino

Liguria is a narrow strip of coast between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. Mild climate (the warmest in northern Italy), colorful houses on the cliffs, fishing villages.

Sanremo - a resort town with a permanent population. Lots of elderly Europeans, casinos, flower markets. Rent 1BR - from €800/month, 2BR - from €1,300/month. Inexpensive by Ligurian standards.

Portofino - a small village for the very wealthy. Yachts, boutique hotels, houses cost from €2,000,000. This is a place to buy, not rent, modest housing.

Genoa - the capital of the region. Affordable, rich in history, but rugged in character. Rent 1BR in the center - from €700/month. Good transport connections with Milan and France.

Liguria is a compromise between north and south. The climate is better than Milan, prices are lower than Como. But there is little work, and in winter the resort areas become empty.

Bologna, Modena, Parma: the best cities for families

Emilia-Romagna is a region in the center of northern Italy. There are three cities here that consistently top quality of life ratings in the country: Bologna, Modena and Parma.

Bologna - university town. One of the oldest universities in the world, excellent medicine, developed infrastructure. Lots of students, vibrant cultural life. Rent 1BR - from €900/month, 2BR - from €1,400/month, 3BR - from €2,000/month.

Modena - the birthplace of Ferrari and Maserati. Clean, well-groomed, calm. Good public schools, low crime. Rent 2BR - from €1,200/month.

Parma - the gastronomic capital of Italy. Prosciutto, Parmesan, truffles are not just words, but the daily reality of the markets. A quiet and very pleasant city to live in. Rent 2BR - from €1,100/month.

For families with children, Emilia-Romagna is one of the best options in Europe. High level of education, good hospitals, affordable prices compared to Milan.

Cost of living: how much per month?

Costs in Italy vary by region. The north is about 1.5-2 times more expensive than the south. Below is a comparison of the main items.

Specific products in the supermarket (national average prices): milk 1 liter - €1.20-1.50, bread 500 g - €1.80-2.50, eggs 10 pcs - €2.50-3.50, chicken breast 1 kg - €7-10, De Cecco pasta 500 g - €1.50-2.20, tomatoes 1 kg - €2-3.50.

Budget for a comfortable life for a couple without children: €3,000-4,000/month in the south, €5,000-7,000/month in Milan or Rome. Family with two children in Bologna - €5,000-7,000/month with private school.

Sardinia: Costa Smeralda and islands

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. There are two worlds here: the elite northeast and the simple, authentic life of the rest of the island.

Costa Smeralda - one of the most expensive places in Europe. Yachts, boutique hotels, parties with billionaires. Renting a villa in summer - €15,000-50,000/month. This is a seasonal market: in winter the village is almost empty.

Cagliari (the capital of the island) and Olbia are suitable for permanent residence. Cagliari is a vibrant university city with an airport. Rent 2BR - from €700/month. In winter it is cool but sunny.

Sardinia is good for those who work remotely and appreciate nature. The beaches are world class, the air and water are clean, the people are open. But there is little work, transport links with the mainland are limited - flight or ferry.

Southern Italy: Puglia and Sicily for retirees

Southern Italy is a completely different country. Slower, warmer, cheaper and with a different mentality. Many foreigners (especially retirees) have discovered it in recent years.

Lecce (Apulia) - “Florentine Baroque of the south.” Stunning architecture, warm sea of ​​the Adriatic and Ionic, low prices. Rent 1BR - €400-600/month, 2BR - €700-1,100/month. Puglia has a special tax program for pensioners with foreign income - a 7% rate on all foreign income for 10 years.

Sicily - the largest region of the country. Palermo, Catania, Syracuse, Agrigento. The climate is subtropical - in winter +14-18 C, in summer +30-35 C. Rent 1BR in Palermo - €450-700/month, in Syracuse - €500-750/month.

Some municipalities in the south sell houses for 1 euro - in exchange for a commitment to renovate them within 3 years and live for a certain time. The conditions are different, but the options are real.

The disadvantages of the south are less developed infrastructure, fewer international schools, slower bureaucracy. For those who want to work or send their children to a strong school, this is probably not the best choice.

How to Check an Area Before Moving

Choosing an area is one of the most important decisions when moving. Here is a practical algorithm that helps you avoid making mistakes.

Step 1 - rent for 1-3 months. Live in different neighborhoods before signing a long-term contract. Airbnb and local agencies provide this opportunity. This is more important than any rating.

Step 2 - check transport accessibility. Look at Google Maps for directions to the hospital, school, or supermarket. Try the route during peak hours. This is especially important in Rome.

Step 3 - Research the crime rate. The Numbeo website (numbeo.com) provides data by city and region. Ask the locals - they know which streets to avoid.

Step 4 - Check the noise. Trastevere and Navigli are beautiful during the day, but at night they are noisy until 3-4 am. If sleep is important to you, check in advance.

Step 5 - find an expat community. Every major city in Italy has groups on Telegram and Facebook where real experiences are shared. There you can ask about a specific area and house.

Step 6 - check the documents. For long-term rental you need a valid residence permit or visa. Without this, many landlords will refuse. Check your stay status before searching for accommodation.

Residence permit in Italy: how to legally live in the country

To live in Italy permanently, you need a residence permit. A tourist visa (90 days in six months) is not suitable for this.

The main ways for a non-EU citizen to obtain a residence permit:

• Investor Visa (investor residence permit) - investments in the Italian economy. Startup from €250,000, company from €500,000, government bonds from €2,000,000, charity from €1,000,000. Residence permit for 2 years with the possibility of extension.
• Residenza Elettiva - for those who have passive income abroad. Income - from €31,000/year (individually). Does not require work in Italy.
• Family reunion - if a family member already has an Italian residence permit or citizenship.
• Work or study - employment contract or enrollment in an Italian university.

After 5 years of residence you can obtain permanent residence (permesso di soggiorno UE), after 10 years - citizenship.

More information about the Italian investor residence permit can be found on the program page: Investor Visa Italy at brgsglobal.com.

Final table: which area for whom

Taxes for foreigners: flat tax and benefits

Italy actively attracts wealthy foreigners with tax incentives. It is important to know this when choosing a place to live.

Flat tax for new residents - flat tax €300,000/year (from 2026) on all foreign income. This is beneficial for those who earn more than €500,000-1,000,000/year abroad. Valid for the first 15 years of residence.

Benefit for pensioners (south) - 7% rate on all foreign pension and passive income. Operates in municipalities with a population of less than 20,000 people, in the regions of the south: Sicily, Apulia, Calabria, Campania, Basilicata, Molise, Sardinia. This is why Lecce and Syracuse are so popular among retirees from different countries.

Benefit for "rimpatriati" (returning specialists) - 70% of income from work is excluded from the tax base. Formally for EU citizens or those who have lived outside Italy for 2+ years, but is also available to a number of foreigners.

The standard IRPEF (income tax) rate is progressive, from 23% to 43%. Without benefits, the tax burden is high. That's why it's important to choose the right tax regime before moving.

Tax residency occurs if you live in Italy for more than 183 days a year. From now on, you need to declare worldwide income.

Conclusion: Italy is different, and this is its main strength

Italy is not alone. These are 20 regions with different climates, prices, pace of life and mentality. That is why everyone can find their place here.

A business person will choose Milan. Family with children - Bologna. Pensioner on passive income - Puglia. Romantic - Tuscany or Florence. Lover of luxury - Como or Sardinia.

The only mistake is to choose a place only from photographs. Live in the area for at least a month. Go to the market, go to the hospital, talk to your neighbors. This is the only way to get a real idea of ​​what it's like to live here every day.

If you are interested in the official path to an Italian residence permit through investment, study the program Investor Visa Italy. This is a legal and proven route for those who are ready to invest in the country and get the right to live in it.