Ever wondered which Italian spot fits you best as an expat? From lively cities to quaint towns, Italy has so much to offer. In this guide, we highlight 11 standout destinations, breaking down pros, cons, costs, and lifestyle vibes.

Whether you crave city buzz or village calm, you’ll get the lowdown to pick your perfect spot. Then, plan your move to Italy with confidence. Ready to discover your Italian home?

Why Consider Italy for Your Expat Life?

Planning to live in Italy? If yes, you’re on the right track. Italy offers a rich cultural heritage and, famous culinary scene. It also offers breathtaking scenery from Lake Como to Sicily.

According to the Italian National Institute, the quality of life is high. You’ll find historic city centers like Milan or serene Tuscany country villas with rolling hills.

1. Bologna

Bologna, home to approximately 390,000 residents, draws expats seeking the Italian lifestyle. It has a humid subtropical climate brings hot summers and cool, damp winters. With only 6 km from the airport, you can live in Bologna.

Bologna shines as Italy’s culinary capital, birthplace of tagliatelle al ragù. It also boasts of medieval porticoes. UNESCO also named it a City of Music.

Expats love its lively Italian lifestyle. Countless museums and music venues offer regular events, making it a top place to live.

Pros of Living in Bologna

Bologna ranks high for quality of life. It is also an ideal place to live in Italy, especially for expats. It is home to the world’s oldest university. This sparks a creative vibe that lifts the lifestyle.

Fast trains and flights connect you to major European hubs. You’ll also find job opportunities in cars and engineering here. If you’re a cyclist, you’ll love the safe bike paths.

The nearby countryside invites weekend escapes. It’s well-educated locals cherish cultural heritage and also speak English, unlike smaller Italian cities. Looking to buy a property or secure a visa? Don’t hesitate to visit Bologna

Cost of Living & Housing in Bologna

Bologna’s cost of living is a win for expats looking to live in Italy. Single-person monthly bills, minus rent, sit at €800.

One-bedroom rents in the city center range from €850–€1,000. While other rentals go for €900–€1,000.

The Italian lifestyle here offers affordable groceries and reliable public transit. Restaurant meals are also cheaper than in Rome or Milan.

Cons of Living in Bologna

Petty crimes like pickpocketing often occur, but violent crimes are rare. Winters feel damp and gray, which is typical for northern Italy.

2. Florence

With about 370,000 residents, Florence has hot summers and wet winters. Its airport is 5 km away. Expats love its cultural heritage, museums, and Renaissance feel.

Explore Florence’s top museums, from the Uffizi to hidden gems. Stroll past the Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio, soaking in cultural heritage and vibrant arts.

Savor Tuscany’s flavors, blending tradition and innovation. Wine tours and culture are a delight in the surrounding countryside vineyards.

Pros of Living in Florence

Florence feels like an open-air museum. Renaissance art surrounds you and your daily life. This makes it the best place to live in Italy as an expat.

There are strong expat groups to help newcomers adjust to life in Florence. English here beats many Italian cities. The walkable city center keeps navigation simple.

It also has a major airport with fast trains that can connect you. It has top international schools and universities that boost the quality of life and education.

Cost of Living & Housing in Florence

Florence is a top place to live in Italy. The cost of living ranges from moderate to high, especially in the historic center.

As an expat, you should budget around €900 monthly, excluding rent. One-bedrooms in the center cost €900–€1,200, studios average €920. Tourism pushes prices up in the central area. So if you’re looking for a better value, check out the areas outside the old city.

Cons of Living in Florence

The high cost of living in Florence might put a strain on your budget. Historic center rents are also pricey.

Pickpocketing risk increases in tourist zones. The city's safety index of 70 indicates moderate security concerns. Summer crowds hurt the quality of life for residents.

3. Turin

Turin hosts 870,000 residents with cold winters and hot summers. Its airport is 16 km away. Foreigners, families, and students love its northern Italy charm.

Turin’s rich cultural heritage shines in its museum-filled streets. It also offers lively festivals and chocolate-coffee cafés. Expats love its blend of tradition and modern Italian lifestyle.

Pros of Living in Turin

Turin offers a high quality of life with top healthcare, schools, and infrastructure. The booming tech, automotive, and aerospace industries provide stellar jobs for foreigners and residents alike.

Cost of Living & Housing in Turin

Turin’s cost of living stays low for expats who live in Italy. Single’s monthly costs (without rent) €1,475. City-center one-bed rent costs €700. While apartment rents start at €970.

Cons of Living in Turin

Winter weather can feel harsh with cold temperatures and limited daylight hours. Economic opportunities, while growing, may lag behind Milan or Rome in certain sectors.

4. Bolzano

Bolzano sits in northern Italy, with a pleasant Alpine climate and easy transport links. Expats love the high quality of life and stunning Alps views.

The Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Ötzi museum highlight its rich cultural heritage. It also offers an Italian lifestyle where German and Italian influences mix.

Pros of Living in Bolzano

Bolzano sits in northern Italy near the Alps. Its historic center feels alive with mountain scenery.

It offers a strong sense of community and a lower cost of living than Milan. The mix of Italian and Austrian cultures enriches daily life. Tourism and tech also create job opportunities.

Cost of Living & Housing in Bolzano

Bolzano’s cost of living is high. Its average rent tops €1,300. Daily expenses match its premium lifestyle. Many expats seeking charm in Italian cities justify its cost.

Cons of Living in Bolzano

High living costs rival other Italian cities, which can put a strain on your lifestyle. Few jobs beyond tourism frustrate expats seeking work.

5. Parma

Parma is home to about 197,000 residents. It sits in a humid subtropical zone with hot summers and cold, damp winters. Its airport is just 5 km from downtown, in proximity to Milan.

Foodies, retirees, and digital nomads love its culinary fame, including Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma. Beyond food, theaters, museums, and festivals showcase Parma’s rich history.

Pros of Living in Parma

Parma’s authentic Italian cuisine and slower pace of life foster a strong sense of community. Families and retirees can thrive here.

Cost of Living & Housing in Parma

Parma offers moderate living, catering to diverse lifestyles! A single person spends about €1,468 monthly (excluding rent). One-bed flats in this Italian city run at €600–€800.

Compared to larger cities, meals, groceries, and utilities are affordable and of high quality.

Cons of Living in Parma

Limited nightlife options may disappoint younger residents seeking vibrant evening entertainment.

Job opportunities outside the food, agriculture, and tourism sectors remain somewhat limited.

6. Rome

Rome hosts about 2.8 million people, enjoying hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Leonardo da Vinci Airport is 30 km away.

As an expat and digital nomad, you can enjoy daily views of the Colosseum and Vatican City. The public transportation system makes it easy to move to Italy.

Pros of Living in Rome

As one of Italy’s major cities, Rome blends breathtaking scenery with authentic Italian cuisine. With 300,000 foreign residents, it’s a top spot for expats to buy property.

Dynamic job markets and booming tourism mean plenty of career chances. Expect vibrant street life and rich culture.

Cost of Living & Housing in Rome

As Italy’s capital, the cost of living in Rome is high! A single person spends €2,100–€2,500 monthly, rent included.

One-bedroom city-center flats go for €1,000–€1,500. Average rent is €1,575, up 13% since 2021. For expats to buy property, historic areas cost €7,369/m² and prime spots are pricier.

Cons of Living in Rome

High living costs strain many budgets, especially with pricey rent near major cities. Bureaucracy means slow paperwork. Healthcare waits can also get long.

Traffic jams, tourist crowds, and strikes can be quite frustrating. Pickpockets pop up in hotspots. Rome’s safety index is 64.

7. Milan

Milan supports 1.4 million people in a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and muggy. Winters are cold and foggy. Malpensa Airport is 50 km away.

Young pros and fashion fans flock here, especially during tourist seasons. Iconic brands like Prada and Armani shine during Milan Fashion Week.

You’ll find art galleries and the Duomo di Milano. Major Italian cities host trade shows and events.

Pros of Living in Milan

Milan is Italy’s financial and fashion hub—major HQs call it home! With 20% foreigners, its cosmopolitan vibe, and many English speakers, you can easily settle here.

You can also enjoy a top-quality of life, rich culture, and booming opportunities. Three international airports link you to southern Italy, Lake Como, and Tuscany.

Cost of Living & Housing in Milan

Milan’s higher living costs reflect its top-tier status. A single person spends about €1,030 monthly (no rent). City-center one-bed flats cost €1,200–€1,500.

Average rents reach €1,800 for decent digs. For a foreigner, Milan's rent cost beats Lake Como or Tuscany, so budget wisely in 2025.

Cons of Living in Milan

Milan’s higher living costs and pricey property options stand out. Cold, foggy winters, unlike the weather in southern Italy. Petty crime means basic precautions.

8. Naples

Naples is a southern Italy hub of 950,000 residents. Its weather is hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The airport is 7 km from downtown.

Young adults, creatives, and food lovers admire its UNESCO sites, museums, and rich cultural heritage.

Pros of Living in Naples

Naples is one of the best places in southern Italy. It buzzes with history, street life, and real community.

As pizza’s birthplace, its food scene tops Milan's. With cheaper living costs than Venice, it attracts more foreigners.

Cost of Living & Housing in Naples

Naples boasts a low cost-of-living index (56.2), far below places like Milan. In 2025, city-center one-bedroom rentals run about €600/month. This is terrific value for coastal, southern Italy living.

Cons of Living in Naples

Naples has slow visa red tape, spotty infrastructure, and hot summer heat. However, its coastal charm cools things down.

9. Palermo

Palermo houses about 675,000 residents under a Mediterranean climate. The Falcone-Borsellino Airport sits 35 km northwest of the city.

Budget-conscious foreigners and English speakers love its picturesque coastal vibe. It also offers bustling markets and Arab-Norman architecture.

Pros of Living in Palermo

Palermo is a coastal gem and one of the best places to live by the beach. Foreigners can easily buy property and enjoy mild winters and year-round sun. With a major airport, it’s ideal for 2025 moves.

Cost of Living & Housing in Palermo

Thanks to lower living costs, foreigners can buy property affordably in Palermo, especially compared to larger cities. Fresh markets offer cheap produce and fish, making seaside life easy.

Cons of Living in Palermo

Palermo’s bureaucracy and petty crime can test your patience as a foreigner. Summers blaze at mid-90s°F with 60% humidity. Its coastal charm is blurred by slow services and scarce fresh produce.

10. Bari

Bari has about 320,000 residents. It also enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The airport is 11 km away, making arrivals easy for a foreigner.

You can wander Bari Vecchia’s alleys, bakeries, and churches. Walk coastal promenades, check out modern shops, and see why it’s one of the best places to live in Italy.

Pros of Living in Bari

Living in Bari means strolling through Bari Vecchia’s narrow lanes. It also includes joining growing expat communities.

With the Adriatic’s coastal charm and easy beach access, it enhances the quality of life. Plus, you can buy property affordably and find friendly English speakers.

Cost of Living & Housing in Bari

Affordable living costs appeal to budget-conscious residents. Single person estimated monthly costs, excluding rent, average around €1,270.

Housing remains particularly affordable, with city center one-bedroom apartments averaging €500 monthly.

Cons of Living in Bari

Limited international connections compared to major cities may affect some expats' needs. Job opportunities outside tourism and traditional sectors may remain somewhat restricted.

11. Cagliari

Cagliari houses approximately 150,000 residents enjoying a Mediterranean climate with long hot summers and mild winters. Cagliari Elmas Airport sits 7 kilometers from downtown.

Retirees, remote workers, beach lovers, and digital nomads find Sardinia's capital particularly appealing.

Beautiful beaches like Poetto provide easily accessible recreational opportunities. The coastal setting enhances daily life quality significantly.

Pros of Living in Cagliari

Island living combines with mainland convenience in this unique setting. You can buy property at relatively affordable prices while enjoying sophisticated amenities.

The compact, walkable city allows beach visits after work and fresh seafood dining regularly. This lifestyle balance appeals to many seeking Mediterranean living.

Growing communities of digital nomads and remote workers create international networking opportunities. The island attracts creative professionals and entrepreneurs.

Cost of Living & Housing in Cagliari

Moderate living costs make island living accessible. Single person monthly living costs, excluding rent, average around €1,100.

City center one-bedroom apartments typically rent from €500 to €700 monthly. Property purchases remain relatively affordable compared to mainland cities.

Cons of Living in Cagliari

Island isolation may limit some professional opportunities and cultural events. Ferry dependence for mainland travel can affect spontaneous trip planning and shipping costs.

Conclusion

Italy offers diverse destinations for expats seeking authentic Mediterranean living. Whether drawn to Rome's historical grandeur, Florence's artistic allure, Palermo's affordable charm, or Bologna's innovative spirit, thorough research ensures the best match for your aspirations. Consider costs, lifestyle factors, and personal priorities to find your perfect Italian home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Italy as an Expat

Where is the best place to live in Italy as an expat?

The best place depends on your priorities. Bologna offers an excellent quality of life for families. Milan provides career opportunities for professionals. Florence appeals to culture lovers. Southern cities like Naples and Palermo offer affordability and coastal living.

Where do most English expats live in Italy?

Most English expats concentrate in major cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence. These cities offer larger international communities and better English-language services. Tuscany's countryside and coastal areas also attract English populations seeking a slower-paced Italian lifestyle.

11 Best Places to Live in Italy for Expats 2025 (With Pros & Cons)