If one of your dreams is to visit Italy or perhaps relocate there to enjoy the country’s Dolce Vita, learn about its history, art, culture, and enjoy its wines and food, this article will provide you with some useful pieces of information regarding some of the best cities to live in, in the north and south of Italy alike.
First and foremost, why is Italy so attractive? Among the reasons are its affordable real estate market, a lower cost of living compared to many European countries, good transport links and climate, stunning landscapes, a crystal-clear sea, delicious food and a variety of wines which are unique to each region, its culture and traditions, its architecture and healthy lifestyle, just to name a few.
According to the rankings provided by the national newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, some of the criteria used to classify the best cities to live in in Italy include the economy, the environment and leisure activities. Here is a list:
- Wealth and consumption -> Aosta, Milan, Trieste, Parma and Turin
- Environment and public services -> Trento, Trieste, Bolzano, Nuoro and Milan
- Justice and security -> Oristano, Treviso, Aosta, Belluno and Pordenone
- Business and work -> Milan, Trieste, Bolzano, Bologna and Rimini
- Demographics and society -> Bolzano, Brescia, Lodi, Monza and Brianza, Verona
- Culture and leisure -> Rimini, Trieste, Milan, Venice, Aosta.
However, there are also other cities which are worth taking into account.
Firstly, for instance, the capital: Rome. With a population of 2.808.293, Rome is a popular destination for tourists from around the world and for people who enjoy buzzing cities. The city is home to a number of prestigious universities and to a variety of top-notch private and international schools. Rome is also a fascinating city with breathtaking buildings and monuments and incredible pieces of art which enshrine the country’s history.
Secondly, the royal city of Turin is Italy’s fourth largest city with a population of 857.910 people. Despite its location in the wealthy northern region of Italy, surprisingly, it is a cheap city to live in.
The city hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics and has many nearby locations for skiing during the winter or hiking in the summer. What’s more, Turin’s status as a major hub for technology and industry is also significant and suggests that it could improve in the next few years.
Thirdly, the renaissance city of Florence with a population of 366.927, embodies the intellectual, artistic and cultural centre of Tuscany. The city is the cradle of world-class art and gourmet cuisine.
Tuscany is also famous for Lucca (88.734 inhabitants), a charming medieval city. With a lower cost of living compared to Florence, Lucca is the perfect place for people who are looking to enjoy city life at a relaxed pace. Unlike Florence, the city is not overrun by tourists all year round. Tourism, however, does play a major part in Lucca’s economy, and there are a lot of job opportunities in this sector.
If you would like to invest in the real estate market in Italy, Verona offers a high ROI. This city is well known for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and it has become known as the city of love.
Verona has a lot of ancient castles, piazzas and medieval churches. Despite the high volume of tourists visiting the city, real estate prices have not increased significantly. The city offers good transport links and cities like Venice, Florence and Milan are easy to reach by train.
Last but not least, Venice is arguably one of the most picturesque cities in Italy. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it has become known as “The Floating City” due to it being built on a lagoon. As a matter of fact, the only form of transport is represented by boats. Venice is a unique city with striking architecture and beautiful bridges which will leave you breathless.
In conclusion, if you plan on visiting Italy or relocating there you will be definitely spoiled for choice.
If you need help with choosing the city that best suits you needs, or if you would like information about the best real estate investment opportunities in Italy do not hesitate to contact us at info@italianrealestatelawyers.com.
