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PROPERTY

The very best Italian towns to move to – according to people who live in them

Where do you begin your search for the perfect Italian town to call home? By talking to those who've already made the move, of course.

Published: 27 August 2020 09:14 CEST
The very best Italian towns to move to - according to people who live in them
Ascoli Piceno, Marche. Photo: DepositPhotos

Smaller cities and towns regularly top “quality of life” surveys in Italy, thanks to things like good public services and more affordable housing.

But these places are often overlooked. Many expats looking for work “tend to go where there are more opportunities, like Rome and Milan,” explains Italy relocation expert Damien O'Farrell.

“Those, however, that choose Verona, Piacenza, and so on, are very happy with their choice due to less traffic, lower rents in some cases, and a more human approach to life in most cases,” he adds.

But when pretty much every Italian town is ridiculously beautiful, and every region has something different to offer, how do you even begin to choose one?

It pays to get the advice of those who've made their own move to Italy, so here we've rounded up suggestions of the best places to live in Italy from readers and members of our Living in Italy Facebook group. 

Photo: Depositphotos

Living in or near provincial capitals, like Ascoli Piceno or Arezzo, is a good choice as they're lively without being chaotic, and tend to have good schools and public services.
 
But if you're looking for more peace and quiet, members also had plenty of suggestions for those looking for a smaller town or village, with mainly Italian inhabitants.
 
From north to south, here are ten great towns and small cities to live in Italy – as recommended by their international residents.
 
Cittadella, Veneto

Population: 20,000

While the small city of Padua is a good option, one member also recommended the small-but-lively nearby medieval walled town of Cittadella in the province of Padua as a great place to live.

Mantua, Lombardy

Population: 49,000

We think the small city of Mantua, or Mantova, is an incredibly atmospheric, overlooked gem. And members agree that it's a fantastic area to live in – if you don't mind a bit of foggy weather. It's surrounded by artificial lakes on three sides and full of Renaissance history, famous for the architectural legacy of the Gonzaga family. A short drive from Verona and Lake Garda, it's safe, lively and friendly – and there's a surprising lack of tourists.

READ ALSO: Mantova, the Renaissance city of the Gonzagas

Salò, Lombardy

Population: 10,000

If instead you're looking for a really small town to call home, right next to Lake Garda, there are quite a few to choose from. One group member suggests his adopted home town of Salò. The location is perfect for nature lovers, he explains, without leaving you isolated.

Ascoli Piceno, Marche

Population: 48,000

This regional capital set in a dramatic landscape is the perfect size, and many of the stunning homes for sale in the surrounding small villages and countryside are particularly good value for money. Long-time foreign residents tell us they love the scenery, the traditions, and the friendliness and patience of local people as well as the supportive expat community in the area.

Senigallia, Marche

Population: 44,000

If you fancy living by the sea but within easy reach of the mountains, the beautiful region of Marche is the place for you. There's a string of pretty small towns, filled with seafood restaurants and art nouveau architecture, running the length of the coast. Several members told us how they'd chosen to live in or near Senigallia, in the province of Ancona. “Good food, good wine, nice medieval hamlet, good hospital and services, and cost of living” were some of reasons members cited for moving to Senigallia.

Arezzo, Tuscany

Population: 99,000

If you love Florence and Siena, but don't love the sky-high property prices in those famous areas, try lesser-known eastern Tuscany. The medieval city of Arezzo is my own personal recommendation as I lived there for just over two years. It's small enough that the pace of life is slow and public services are good, but big enough to have no end of local festivals and events, as well as good shopping and restaurants (it's also quite a wealthy place.) It's surrounded by forested hills and breathtakingly beautiful countryside, just an hour's drive from Siena or Perugia. It's also a stop on the high-speed train line between Rome and Florence.

READ ALSO: 

Bagni Di Lucca, Tuscany

Population: 6,000

If you'd like to be more rural, but with an international community around you, another option is northern Tuscany.

“There are some beautiful places just half an hour north of the medieval city of Lucca,” writes Gill White. “We just bought a house in the mountain village of Granaiola, Bagni Di Lucca. There are both ex pats and locals here – about 40 residences.”

Photo: Depositphotos

Tricarico, Basilicata

Population: 5,000

In the province of Matera, pretty Tricarico is another less obvious choice. The wild southern region of Basilicata, between Calabria and Puglia, is full of picturesque small-to-medium-sized towns with a slower-paced, more traditional way of life. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture while taking your pick of affordable properties (extremely affordable, if you want to renovate), this is a great area to check out

Bolzano, South Tyrol

Population: 106,000

Set among hilly vineyards at the gaetway to the Dolomites, the picturesque, lively, small city of Bolzano is one to keep in mind if you'd like to relocate to the north. Bolzano keeps topping all the quality of life surveys, so it must be doing something right.

Can you recommend a great place to relocate to in Italy? Sign in to leave a comment below or join the conversation in The Local Italy's Facebook group.

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Member comments

  1. I recently received a parcel from Marks and Spencer delivered by Dhl , no problem, very efficient.
    Three weeks later I received another parcel from Marks, contents just over £100 as previous and was met with a demand for €58.20 import costs before I could have the parcel. I didn’t pay and Marks seem baffled by the charge.
    Has anyone had a similar experience recently? And is this reciprocated in the UK I wonder?

  2. Considering relocating for extended stay, from Sun Valley, Idaho. Looking for small mountain town with reliable snow. Prefer alps. My, what a challenge!! Will go check out Cortina. Aosta is central, but low altitude and rain. Mostly nordic skiers. Any great recommendations out there? Thanks. Jamie

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PROPERTY

Five expensive mistakes to avoid when buying a house in Italy

Italy may be known for property bargains, but the purchase process itself isn't cheap - and certain mistakes can make it far more costly for buyers.

Published: 27 June 2024 11:05 CEST
Five expensive mistakes to avoid when buying a house in Italy

There’s always a lot to keep in mind when buying property, but the Italian purchase process may be quite different to what you’re used to in your home country.

As well as involving high taxes and fees, it’s likely to be more complex and formal in some ways – and this can lead to potentially costly pitfalls.

The Local spoke to three Italian property law experts at legal firm Mazzeschi to find out what foreign buyers should be aware of before they sign anything. 

1) Check your estate agent’s contract

If you use a real estate agency in your Italian home search, normally you’ll need to sign a contract with them. That contract should stipulate their fees, their duties, and their tax information.

There is one other thing in the contract which potential buyers must look out for: an exclusivity clause, meaning the potential buyer may use only that estate agent in their property search for a set period of time.

“Usually in Italy estate agents like using this exclusivity clause. It is normally the same for sellers as it is for buyers. It means you cannot have another estate agent and usually contracts say this, “says Caterina De Carolis, Lawyer at Mazzeschi.

READ ALSO: How to avoid hidden traps when buying old property in Italy

“If the time frame is not yet up, and the potential buyer uses another agency, they may still be liable to pay the agency fee for the initial estate agent they entered their contract with,” she adds.

Some contracts might not have an exclusivity clause. It’s always worth double-checking.

“If you use another agency to find a house, you’ll be liable to pay the agency with the exclusivity clause in the contract around 2-5 percent of the house’s sale price,” says De Carolis.

“The exact percentage is always in the contract.”

2) Make sure to agree on a price beforehand

This rule is universal, and may sound obvious. But there are costly consequences in Italy if the price is not formally agreed and written down.

Lawyers at consultancy firm Mazzeschi urge their clients to make sure the full price of the property is declared in the transfer deed (l’atto di trasferimento).

This is because if you resell at a market price higher than your purchase price, you are subject to pay a capital gains tax called plusvalenza. Plusvalenza is the difference between purchase and sale price.

Checking the price of the property beforehand will save you in the long run. Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP.

3) Don’t change your mind – it will cost you

If the potential buyer has signed a binding proposal (proposta vincolante) – the process before a preliminary contract is drawn up – it becomes less straightforward to withdraw from the purchase.

“This is because the binding proposal in Italy is a lot more formal,” says Mario Mazzeschi, Head of and Attorney at Law of Mazzeschi Consultancy. 

The binding proposal works similarly to an offer. When the potential buyer puts forth their offer, the potential seller decides whether or not to accept. The period of time for this part depends on the proposal drawn up.

READ MORE: Five things non-residents need to know about buying property in Italy

If, before the time is up, the potential buyer decides to withdraw their offer for any reason, they will likely lose their deposit.

“This deposit is usually around 5-10 percent in most cases, so the buyer will have to pay that,” says De Carolis.

“If the buyer decides to withdraw, they are usually liable to pay the seller twice the amount of the deposit.”

If the proposal is not accepted by the potential seller, the potential buyer pays nothing.

4) Don’t pay anything before the preliminary contract is signed

With the exception of the above, buyers are advised not to pay anything until the preliminary contract is signed. The preliminary contract allows both parties to set out clear guidelines.

“The buyer should check with a lawyer before signing the preliminary contract as it will save them in the long run,” says Mazzeschi.

A notary should be present at this signing, adds Giuditta De Ricco, Lawyer at Mazzeschi Consultancy.

“Notaries are public functionaries. They are never on the side of the buyer or the seller, but for sure a notary is needed.”

“They are completely neutral and often it is wiser and safer for the potential buyer to put their deposit into the notary’s escrow account so the notary can transfer the money to the potential buyer.” 

5) Have the property checked beforehand

While the notary will normally check the paperwork before the sale goes through, you’ll need a different professional to check the property itself.

It may then be in the buyer’s best interest to hire a contractor themselves (this will normally be a qualified geometra, or surveyor) to get the structure of the building checked out and detail any faults or repair work needed.

This should be done before the negotiation stage, as unless there is something specific in the preliminary contract you may lose anything you have paid by pulling out of the purchase at this stage.

“The only way out of this after signing a contract is if you can prove the seller acted maliciously,” says Mazzeschi.

Key vocabulary

Transfer deed – l’atto di trasferimento

Binding proposal – proposta vincolante

Notary – notaio

Preliminary contract – contratto preliminare di vendita

Final contract – atto di vendita or rogito notarile

Deposit – caparra

Surveyor – geometra

Estate agent – agente immobiliare 

Please note that The Local cannot advise on individual cases. For more information about how you can buy property in Italy, contact a qualified professional. 

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