Italy has become a popular destination for retirees from across the world, whether they aim for a villa in Tuscany or an isolated farmhouse in Abruzzo.
They can enjoy many benefits, such as an efficient healthcare system and an affordable quality of life, rich history, arts and culture, beautiful landscapes and hundreds of miles of coastline. And now especially great property deals.
But where to retire in Italy? Here we take a peek at 5 best places to live in Italy.
Le Marche – Cheaper and more tranquil than Tuscany but equally wonderful with its 20 of the country’s most beautiful villages, Le Marche is an ideal choice for the buyer who wants something more from life.
The cuisine is, of course, exquisite, and the views to die for. The walled Renaissance city of Urbino, especially, is worth a visit.
With rich mountainous areas inland and the eastern border being formed by the Adriatic Sea, buyers can choose between seaside homes and mountain views, served by the region’s excellent public transportation system – making a journey to the coast from inland quick and easy – and sheltered in the area’s famously peaceful atmosphere.
That’s why it is called “Italy in one region” and it has been considered by many as one of the best places in the world to retire.
Here international home hunters mainly decide to live in farmhouses rising on its rolling hills overlooking the sea just a few kilometres far.
Abruzzo – Anyone looking for the most beautiful spot in the world could be excused for reaching Abruzzo and stopping right there. With white-capped mountains and forested hills, bordered by a turquoise ocean and some of the best beaches in Europe, it has a view for every palate.
Hidden in the heart of Italy, Abruzzo features a calmer, more peaceful tone than the modern world offers, one where life follows a slower pace. Dotted with ancestral stone villages, wandering it is like being taken back in time.
The food is also worth mentioning, homemade meals featuring prominently at local eateries, and the price of living is low enough to make it a tempting choice for retirees. As a matter of fact, it has been recently considered by the Huffington Post as one of the world’s 12 best places to live or retire in 2016.
Tuscany – Tuscany remains the most beloved region of Italy by international investors. It is the most popular worldwide, and for this reason it is also more expensive buying a home here, especially if compared to other equally beautiful regions such as Marche and Abruzzo. Anyway, it is still possible to find some good deals, like in the Lunigiana area, its northern stretch of land.
Piedmont – Closer to the continent, Piedmont is another excellent option. Boasting beautiful vineyards in the mesmerizing UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato producing excellent renowned wines (e.g. Barolo, Barbera, Nebbiolo, etc.), and a rich history, Piedmont is a true jewel for the discerning buyer.
Centrally located with easy access to the airports at Turin and Milan, the region is also connected to Liguria for those with a yen for ocean air.
The quality of life in this region is very high, and there are hundreds of beautiful farmhouses just waiting for the right buyer to come along.
South of Italy – Living by the sea is always a plus, especially for those looking to spend their retirement in a sunny climate, and Sardinia remains one of the most sought after sea destinations among the southern regions boasting wonderful beaches and sea waters. It offers some of the most sought-after and exclusive seafront destinations in Italy and the world, especially on the Emerald Coast to the north. It also includes noted celebrity hangouts such as Porto Cervo, for those who like to settle in an area with a touch of fame. But for those more interested in a quiet life, the south of the island provides uncontaminated areas with properties at bargain prices.
Puglia, on the other hand, is a recently-discovered gem among the international community, and its popularity is growing by leaps and bounds. Nonetheless, despite the increasing interest in the area, it is still possible to find reasonably priced trulli houses, unique to the area, for sale.
Or buy a retirement home on Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Nicknamed “God’s Kitchen” because of the island’s amazing cuisine, Sicily has been settled for over fourteen thousand years, and has been a centre of the arts for centuries. It is dotted with archaeological sites and spectacular views, and the property prices must be seen to be believed. For those who want their Italy lightly seasoned with a touch of Greece and Africa, this is the ideal retirement destination.
If you haven’t decided yet, then think about our top regions for retirement in Italy and start your research.
