13 Best Places to Live in Italy

Deciding to move is a major decision that can be very stressful but the allure of Italy is strong for those looking to relocate somewhere warm and enticing. A beautiful climate, delicious food and an expanding economy are all reasons to consider moving to Italy.

Let’s take a look at some of the best places to live in Italy.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Italy

City	Reason
Milan	Best for work
Padova	Best for affordability
Bolzano	Best for families
Rome	Best for immigrants
Sicily	Best for retirement
Florence	Best for young adults
Bologna	Best for students
Naples	Best for food
Venice	Best for singles
Milan, Porta Venezia	Best for the LGBT+ community
Lecce	Best for weather
Sicily, Marina di Ragusa	Best for beaches
Verona	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Italy for Work

Milan is a perfect city for working professionals. Known as the fashion capital of the world, Milan is a busy city that prioritises working and business development.

Milan is located in northern Italy and is the capital of Lombardy. It is a cultural hub and has some truly stunning architecture such as the opera La Scala and the medieval Sforza Castle.

Unsurprisingly, some of the major work industries are in fashion, textiles and design but there is a large job market for banking, media and sports. Milan has plenty of job opportunities as it’s continuously investing in the finance and business centre.

Do keep in mind that it’s a good idea to swot up on the language before making your move to Milan.

Another city with an active job market is Genoa (Genova), a capital port city in Italy’s Liguria region. Genoa’s most profitable work industries are textiles, food industries and coal and oil industries.

Cheapest Places To Live In Italy

When choosing a location to move to, you want to strike the right balance between affordability and quality of life. Some Italian cities can be expensive but there are just as many that offer a happy and exciting lifestyle even if you’re sticking to a budget.

Padova is located in Northern Italy’s Veneto region and is known for its affordability. Padova is a historic town with many religious sites such as the Basilica of St. Antonio which is a huge draw for tourists and residents alike.

It’s around 40km from Venice and has an extensive rail transport system which is perfect for those who may want to live in a quieter city but still easily access Italy’s more populated towns.

It is much less expensive than some of the Italian tourist locations such as Venice, and if you’re comfortable living a moderate lifestyle then Padova is more than capable of providing you with a happy home.

Best Places To Live In Italy for Families

Relocating with a family can be stressful; you’ll need to take into account how safe the city is, what its education system looks like, and whether there’s good access to medical facilities and local amenities.

Bolzano is a city in the South Tyrol province of north Italy – it’s known as a family-friendly city with several family-friendly attractions. There are also several good universities and colleges in the city.

There are lots of playgrounds in Bolzano and several lovely hiking and bike riding trails for families who want a more active lifestyle. In terms of culture, Bolzano has a range of museums and castles to soak up some of Italy’s history.

Bolzano has an efficient bus station and there is also an international airport for getting to other parts of the country.

Florence is another wonderful choice for families; the city is large and relatively safe with access to good shopping centres, educational facilities and healthcare.

Best Places To Live In Italy for Immigrants

There’s a multitude of cities that are perfect for immigrants but none is as well-suited as Italy’s capital city – Rome. With a population of 2.8 million, Rome is a charismatic city that attracts thousands of tourists per year.

Rome is a very welcoming metropolitan city with a range of historic sites such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. The transport system in Rome is very efficient, with metro and tramlines and a well-developed bus system.

Rome embraces immigrants and has a large ex-pat community with many language exchange programs and events for newcomers. There is good accommodation in the city, particularly in the central areas.

There’s a thriving job market in Rome and plenty of access to shops, cafes and restaurants.

Milan is another great option for immigrants; the city has a strong work ethic and there are lots of opportunities for work for those in the textile or media sectors. The city has a large expat community and there is a strong blend of international cultures.

Best Places To Live In Italy for Retirement

For those seeking a leisurely and peaceful retirement, Sicily is a fantastic option. Located in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is one of the largest Mediterranean islands and one of the 20 regions of Italy.

Sicily is ideal for retirees who are hoping to stretch their budget, as accommodation, utilities and the cost of local amenities (cafes, restaurants etc) are low in comparison to larger Italian cities. Sicily also offers striking views with its glorious beaches and fantastic wine options.

The capital of Sicily is Palermo, though some of Sicily’s other cities – Catania and Syracuse, for example – are also prime locations to move to with Syracuse being the most expensive.

The standard of food and wine in Palermo is very high with local seafood freshly caught and cooked. Palermo also has stunning food markets to spend an afternoon getting lost in.

Lombardy – a region in northern Italy – is another good choice for retirees. It has a rich cultural scene and stunning architecture though it is a more expensive and luxurious choice.

Best Places To Live In Italy for Young Adults

Florence is located in central Italy and is the capital of the Tuscany region. It’s most well known for being home to some outstanding pieces of Renaissance art and architecture such as Michaelangelo’s ‘David’ sculpture and the Duomo.

Florence is a great spot for young adults as it is a true mix of hip modern clubs, bars and designer shopping markets while retaining its cultural heritage. A simple stroll around the city will feel like a step back into history.

There’s an active job market in Florence and the cost of the city is relatively affordable. Florence also has a host of nightlife options and eateries – you can find a secret bakery during the night or head to a rooftop bar to take in the view of the city.

Bologna is another good spot for young adults as the city is lively and full of charm. The large plaza has a range of cafes and shops to explore and the city is very liberal and welcoming.

Best Places To Live In Italy for Students

Bologna is a student-centric city located in the Emilia-Romagna region, in northern Italy. It’s well known for its Piazza Maggiore which is a huge plaza with stunning architecture and quaint cafes.

Some of the best Italian universities are based in Bologna such as The University of Bologna, the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna (Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna) and the Conservatorio Giovanni Battista Martini.

Bologna is a walkable city, making it easy for students to travel by foot or bike. It also has a big community of international students using some of the student association programs such as the Erasmus Student Network.

It is worth studying the language and having a level of proficiency in Italian before making the move over as Italian is the main language spoken in the universities.

Milan is another city with a large student population and fantastic entertainment and cultural activities, though it is a more expensive option.

Best Places To Live In Italy for Food and Nightlife

Food is a staple part of Italian culture and as well as the classic choice of pizza or pasta, Italy has outstanding seafood and ice cream to gorge on.

Bologna is often voted Italy’s food capital due to the famous ‘spag bol’ dish though this is a Westernised version of Ragu. However, Bologna isn’t the only city in Italy that foodie movers should consider.

Naples is a major port city in southern Italy and prioritises authentic Italian dishes – their pizza is said to be the best in all of Italy. As well as pizza, you can enjoy fresh seafood, stocked-full food markets and gelato.

Milan, Rome and Venice are all options for those seeking a city with outstanding nightlife; the parties here start late and finish early. As there are big student quarters in Milan and Rome, there are plenty of bustling nightlife options.

Best Places To Live In Italy for Singles

Touted as one of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice is the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region and is comprised of more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea.

Venice is famous for having no roads but a series of interconnecting canals that give you a stunning view of the local architecture as you row from one area to the next.

Venice is a popular honeymoon destination, but it’s also a great location for single people looking to live in a historic city that is packed full of charm.

Rome is another outstanding choice for single movers. The city has many bars and clubs that are fantastic meeting places for singles, as well as many attractions to visit and admire.

Best Places To Live In Italy for the LGBT+ Community

Italy has a somewhat complex relationship with the LGBT+ community. While being gay in Italy is legal, same-sex marriages aren’t allowed and the Vatican’s stance on homosexuality still has a lot of influence.

However, newer generations are generally more accepting and welcoming of LGBT+ members and some of the bigger cities are beginning to have flourishing gay scenes.

Milan is the heart of the LGBT+ scene in Italy, with the largest LGBT+ community. The neighbourhood of Porta Venezia is a centrally located gay neighbourhood; Via Lecco is at its heart and has several gay-friendly bars and clubs.

Sicily – notably the city of Catania – is another gay-friendly city in Italy with queer-centric bars, saunas and parties.

Best Places To Live In Italy for Weather

Lecce is a city in Italy’s southern Apulia region and has stunning Baroque-style buildings. The city has many charming wine bars with brilliant views of the religious architecture.

It’s right in the south of Italy which means that it has wonderful summers with the peak temperatures in August. You can head towards the coastline in Puglia for cooling off and to take in some stunning coastal views.

The cool season lasts from November to March and January is the coldest season. The winters are mild and sometimes wet, but as Lecce has a Mediterranean climate, you won’t experience freezing winters.

Best Places to Live In Italy Near Beaches

Sicily has some of the best beaches in Italy with a stunning coastline and fabulous weather. The city of Ragusa is a hilltop city in the southeast and is near one of the best beaches in Sicily along Ragusa’s coastline.

The Mediterranean climate makes the coastal villages and towns ideal for relaxing. There are also charming resorts that are welcoming to families.

Marina di Ragusa is one of the coastal towns that has a wide variety of restaurants and bars that are a stone’s throw from the stunning coastline.

Sardinia is another large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. Cala Brandinchi (also known as Little Tahiti) is a famous beach with stunning clear waters and is north of San Teodoro a municipality that is near Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport.

Best Places To Live In Italy Near Mountains

There are three main mountain areas in Italy: the Italian Alps, the Appenines and the Dolomites.

Verona – a city best known as the setting of Romeo and Juliet – is also a good mountain town. The highest peak Cima Valdritta of Monte Baldo occupies the entire eastern shore of Garda Lake and is one of the most popular attractions for mountain lovers.

As well as Cima Valdritta, there are many other mountains for hikers and trailblazers, and the city has a range of delicious eateries to welcome you home.

Verona is a city that is strongly dedicated to the arts, music and culture, and this is reflected in the natural charm and livelihood of the city.