Three not so Obvious Regions of Italy for Buying Real Estate — Overview and Personal Experience

We have already said that you can find good housing near major Italian cities, and it will be in no way inferior to what you can buy in Rome or Milan. Consultant Anastasia DiCaprio shared with us the necessary information about three not so obvious regions of Italy for living and buying a home there. We also talked to those who had already moved to these places and wanted to share their experiences.

Liguria. Capital – Genoa

Liguria is a region in northern Italy, located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea. It borders both France and other Italian regions: Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany.

Liguria has a unique geographical position. It can be divided into two parts: the coast and the mountains. Part of the Ligurian coast is known as the Italian Riviera. It extends from the border with France and includes such famous cities as Genoa, Lavagno, Portofino and San Remo. In addition to the coast, Liguria is also famous for the Alps mountains with an abundance of natural parks and reserves. And the streets of Alpine towns such as Savona, Imperia and Albenga offer panoramic views of the coast.

Due to the combination of mountains and sea, Liguria is often called a climatic resort. Summers are warm and sunny, and winters are mild, which makes living here comfortable even if you consider yourself to be very picky.

Cultural heritage

The capital of Liguria, Genoa, is rich in historical monuments and has one of the largest historical centers in Europe. The main attraction is the Old Town of Genoa, which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In its heart are Piazza De Ferrario, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the house of Christopher Columbus and much more.

Besides Genoa, Liguria also has many other cultural attractions. These include, among other things, the city of Savona, famous for its medieval castles and fortresses, such as the Genoiseta Castle.

In Albenga there is the temple of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, which is considered one of the most important early Christian monuments of Liguria, ancient sarcophagi and frescoes. And this is only a small part of what you can see in Liguria.

Real estate prices

Liguria is considered one of the most expensive regions in terms of real estate, but it all depends on where you want to buy it. If you are determined to live in the capital, then be prepared for the fact that the price per square meter here starts from 3000 euros. But at the same time, in the provinces the price is on average 500 euros lower, which makes housing affordable for purchase.

With rent, everything is more complicated: in recent years, the average price has been around €10 per meter. But it is worth noting that this is the lower limit — at the height of the holiday season the price can double or even triple. And if you consider that Liguria is a region with one of the longest holiday seasons (sea in summer, mountains in winter), then the average price of your property will be much higher.

Life in Liguria

Liguria organizes traditional festivals and events, including the "Foliage of Portofino," the "Sanremo Flower Festival" and the "Siburnia Festival of Ortenia." Locals appreciate art, especially music. Not the least role in this is played by the fact that in Genoa there is the Niccolo Paganini Conservatory, named after the famous Italian violinist.

Italian culture can also be seen in the cuisine of Liguria. The local gastronomy is famous for its dishes such as pesto, focaccia (Italian bread with olive oil) and farinata, a dish made from pea flour, as well as a variety of fish dishes.

Anna told us about her experience of living in the province of Liguria and buying a home there:

— Initially, I looked at buying real estate only as an investment, knowing full well how much money and patience I need to buy it. That's why I was ready for anything. There was no budget to buy an apartment in Rome or Florence, and I wanted to buy something near the sea. Actually, the choice fell on Liguria, namely the commune of Alassio.

When we arrived in Genoa, I was surprised at how easy it was to breathe here. I think there’s no need to even talk about how the air outside the city feels – and it’s clear that it’s very comfortable. We drove along the sea, and I was amazed that there were mountains nearby, and on weekends you could even go to France. And outside the window there is sand, a beach, seagulls... And, by the way, it’s not stuffy at all.

I think if we had arrived in Alassio a couple of hours before the meeting with the realtor, we would have simply looked at the apartment, discussed renovations, hired builders and left. But we arrived a couple of days before. In general, I was ready, as I already said, for anything. But it definitely doesn’t mean that we will end up buying two apartments and staying here.

We rent out the second apartment: it is usually rented by tourists who come to swim in the sea and breathe the mountain air. But there are those who, like us, fall in love with the city and stay. For example, we once had a couple as landlords who had recently moved into their own home here. They even invited us to their housewarming party. This is how, it turns out, Italy can unite.

Тuscany. Capital – Florence

Tuscany is a region in central Italy, which is located on the Mediterranean coast and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Italy.

Tuscany is famous for its beautiful landscapes: here you will find rolling plains, beautiful vineyards and olive groves, the Apennine mountains and coastal areas of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The richness of nature in this region attracts lovers of outdoor activities and walks in the fresh air.

Cultural heritage

Florence is home to famous sites such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Palatine Museum, the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery. The cities of Pisa and Siena also offer many historical architectural wonders, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duomo of Siena. In addition, Tuscany is famous for its ancient medieval cities such as San Gimignano and Sant'Angelo in Colle.

Real estate prices

Florence is one of the three most expensive cities in Italy in terms of real estate, which is not surprising. The average price per square meter in the Tuscan capital is about 5500 euros. But in the provinces, prices are more than twice as pleasant — about 2,500 thousand. At the same time, rent is one of the most expensive in the country — on average, a tenant pays about €15 per month per square meter. And in such conditions, for example, an apartment of about 40 sq.m. pays for itself in a little more than a year.

Life in Tuscany

Tuscany organizes many traditional festivals and events, including the Palio di Siena, the Turkey Festival of St. Maria di Chiesa and the Medici Master Classes in Florence. But perhaps the most striking thing about Tuscany is its cuisine and wine.

Tuscan cuisine is known for its gourmet dishes such as steak Florentine, ribollita bean soup and Chianti wine. This area is also famous for its premium olive oil. Tuscany is also one of the most famous wine regions in Italy. It produces some of the most prestigious and exquisite wines such as Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montipulciano and Sant'Antimo.

Andrey told us about his life there first hand:

— I moved to the Italian province about ten years ago and thought that after Moscow it would be difficult to live in a calm and measured rhythm. But you can’t even imagine how important this turned out to be for me: to get out of the skin of an office clerk and become free, or something.

I am a cultural scientist by training, but I worked. I think it is not difficult to guess what place I have found for myself here. I opened an online store, and now I introduce people all over the world to Tuscan ceramics. It’s a special pleasure to tell customers the story of what they buy. Someone after this begins to be interested in the culture of Italy in general, and this is very nice. It’s also strange to realize that if it weren’t for the move, I might not have remembered that culture and its history have always fascinated me so much.

Living in Italy, in principle, changed me and my attitude towards the world. I became more open, calm and ready to enjoy the moment. Now I can’t imagine my life anywhere other than this.

Lazio. Capital – Rome

Lazio is a region in Italy located in the center of the country with its capital in Rome. The region is home to many towns and villages with unique history and culture. For example, the city of Viterbo is famous for its medieval architecture, and the city of Tivoli is famous for its Villa d'Este and Adriana.

In addition, Lazio has a beautiful coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the town of Sperlonga, located in the Lazio region, offers picturesque beaches and cozy caves. The combination of history, scenery and life makes Lazio the best region to live in Italy.

Cultural heritage

The capital of the region and the largest city of Lazio is Rome — a great historical city, a significant cultural center of the world. Rome is famous for its architecture, including the Colosseum, Pantheon and Forum Romanum, as well as papal architectural marvels with the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. Rome's historic center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is still Lazio's main tourist attraction.

Lazio is also known for its many archaeological sites, which provide insight into life in ancient times. For example, excavations in the hunting villa de Livia, where unique frescoes depicting scenes with animals and hunting have been preserved.

Roman culture as a whole has always been the epitome of classical art, and the Lazio region has been the historical center of this culture. Works of classical literature such as Plutarch's Anecdotes and Virgil's Aeneid were created here.

Real estate prices

In terms of real estate price per square meter, Rome is second only to Milan — the average price starts from 7200 euros. But such housing will pay for itself quickly if you buy it for rent - after all, this is the capital, and the demand for housing here is huge.

But the cost of housing in nearby cities is on average the same as in Liguria and Tuscany — about 2500 euros. At the same time, the rental price is kept around €14 per square meter in the region, that is, €500–700 for a spacious one-room apartment.

Life in Lazio

The Lazio region hosts numerous events and festivals, including Easter celebrations in Rome, the Republic of Rome Film Festival and the World Art of Wooden Staircases in Genzano.

Rome is the fashion capital of Italy, which is why the region is home to the Grande Galleria (Galleria Alberto Sordi), known for its large selection of big-name brands in the fashion industry.

As for the cuisine, in Lazio it includes dishes such as pasta carbonara, baked fava bean soup, focaccia (Lazio lasagna) and others. The region is also famous for its wine, including the white Frascati wine served with dishes.

Olesya told us about her life there first-hand:

— I was always attracted by a beautiful life somewhere in Europe, and when I arrived in Rome, I realized - this is it! But after a couple of years, the realization came that the capital was still too noisy and too fast. And I moved to Vitebro.

The streets here are lined with beautiful historic buildings that breathe history. Walking through them, it seems as if you have returned several centuries ago. Every time I pass by medieval towers or colorful squares, I feel like a piece of history is right in front of me.

But most important are the people of Viterbo. They are kind, hospitable and friendly. There is such an atmosphere of warmth and family comfort here that every time I return home after a long journey, I feel loved and accepted.

I thought for a long time whether this place would suit me, and now I understand that it is truly special — it combines rich history, beautiful nature and the friendly atmosphere of the local people.

Buying real estate – for living or renting out – is a must in “living” cities and regions. Firstly, it is much easier to find something you like here - it’s both about business and work in general - which has a positive effect on the demand for housing.

Secondly, there is a variety of cultural and entertainment activities, many restaurants, shops, parks and everything that makes life comfortable.

Another advantage will be the ability to easily move both within the region and between them, even if you do not have a car: there are trains, regular buses, and ships.

But, unfortunately, many people forget about these factors and choose real estate only based on budget, buying apartments and villas in less popular and therefore more affordable areas. And in vain, because real estate near Rome, Genoa and Florence is not only about a reasonable price, but also about the comfort and emotions of living in beautiful Italy.