What Are the Top 8 Italian Cities for Quality of Life?

Italy is a beautiful place to live and one of Italian the most visited nations in Europe. The Bel Paese is a paradise for foreigners in search of first-rate leisure opportunities, what with its abundance of historical and cultural sites (including a whopping 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites), picture-perfect little villages, vibrant cities, magnificent beaches, towering mountains, and world-famous food.

However, Italy also has a superb standard of living. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development reports that just 3% of Italian workers complain about their workload, far lower than the global average of 10%. The Italians have a lower crime rate, a longer life expectancy (84 years), and a greater degree of civic participation.

If you’re thinking about relocating to Italy, these are the top eight cities to check out.

Milan

Milan, Italy’s fashion and design epicenter, is also its economic and cultural hub. The city is a haven for creative types, business owners, and multinational corporations because of its harmonious blend of modernity and antiquity.

When it comes to environmental practices, Milan is also Italian a leader. To alleviate traffic congestion, “there is now a great focus on the environment,” Benedetta Vigan, owner and CEO of Giorgio Vigan Real Estate, told Travel + Leisure. You may still find that local quality of life with modest shops and restaurants, fresh open spaces, and strong schools in once depressed districts, which are now some of the most dynamic locations to purchase a property.

With three major airports in close proximity and a newly expanded metro system, Milan has become a significant transportation hub that is accessible from Italian all over Europe and the globe.

Bologna

Recently, Il Sole 24 Ore’s annual quality of life study Italian named Italy’s gastronomic capital as the best in the country. Bologna, which stretches from the Apennines to the Po Valley, has mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine for most of the year.

The provincial capital of Emilia-Romagna also does well in the areas of public health and demography, safety, and economic prosperity examined in the study.

The famous arched arcades of Bologna, which have there since the 13th century, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list last year. Bologna, or “La Dordle Grassa” as it is known for its culinary traditions, is also the oldest university town in Europe, and its university is ranked 161st in the world.

Bolzano

Bolzano is the place to be if you find the idea of living somewhere with fresh mountain air, alpine beauty (including the stunning Dolomites), and a distinct blend of Italian and Austrian cultures appealing. This metropolis of almost a half a million people has Italy’s third-highest level of life and serves as the capital of South Tyrol, which is located between Austria Italian and Switzerland. Bolzano locals have the highest employment rate in the nation, which translates to more money coming in and going out.

The population has increased gradually over the last seven decades as a result of the country’s thriving economy and high standard of life. Benedetti Real Service broker Alexander Benedetti told T+L that the area’s real estate market is “very stable” and “has grown continuously” in tandem with the region’s economy and improved infrastructure.

He elaborated on the tight controls placed on the local real estate market, saying that “a commitment that they are occupied by someone who Italian is working in South Tyrol or has been a resident here for at least five years” applies to around 80% of homes. Benedetti emphasized the beneficial effects this legislation has on the community, noting that more people are able to call the area home year-round and that local businesses benefit from the increased foot traffic.

Florence

Florence, the gem of Tuscany and the cradle of the Italian Renaissance, is like strolling through an outdoor exhibition. The Piazza del Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, the Arno River, and the innumerable world-class museums and galleries that turn the city into an art hotspot are just a few examples of the city’s inexhaustible splendor, which even the locals can’t get enough of. Some of the most breathtaking vistas of Tuscany’s rolling hills are easily accessible from Florence.

Sales manager at Romolini Immobiliare — Christie’s International Real Estate Danilo Romolini told T+L, “In the countryside outside the city of Florence, we reach the Chianti hills, the land of Chianti Classico, which is perfect to pair with a Fiorentina steak, or perhaps a homemade plate of tagliatelle.”

He continued by saying that aspiring locals may choose from a wide variety of residential options, including anything from majestic palazzos Italian and Renaissance-era homes to little pied-à-terres and flats decorated with frescoes from ages past.

Florence wins the award for best cultural and leisure scene in Il Sole 24 Ore’s survey on quality of life.

Olbia

Olbia, one of Sardinia’s main cities, may a good fit for you if island living seems appealing.This is located in the Mediterranean, is one of only five “Blue Zones” worldwide, meaning that its citizens enjoy a much higher than average life expectancy.

Two new hospitals, Giovanni Paolo II and Mater Olbia, are also available to the people of Olbia. Maura Manconi, a broker with Maior Capital, said, “The lively main street called Il Corso di it hosts countless events and entertainment all year and offers a nice variety of restaurants with good food and trendy clubs.”

Additionally, the town well connected to the rest of Italy and the rest of the world through its airport and port. However, Manconi said that even though it properties still reasonably priced, their prices are on the rise. According to the Italian real estate website Immobiliare.it, the average price per square meter in it was €3,168 in December 2022, up roughly 7% from December 2021.

Stresa

Stresa, known as the “pearl of Lake Maggiore,” is the perfect place to settle down if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation with beautiful lake and mountain views.

Only an hour away from thriving Milan, this picturesque hamlet is on the western coast of the lake in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.

Stresa is a bustling tourist attraction because to its location as the entrance to the Borromean Islands and its abundance of grand villas, art nouveau palaces, and a lakeside promenade. However, the town’s historic center has managed to maintain its charming, upscale atmosphere.

Nearly €3,000 per square meter asked for in December of 2022, while €9.13 per square meter asked for in rent. To put it another way, a monthly rent for an apartment that is 800 square feet would be about $730.

Siena

Rome is remains one of Italy’s leading metropolises when it comes to jobs and business, demography, and health, despite falling 18 places to number 31 on Il Sole 24 Ore’s quality of life assessment.

It has a low cost of living compared to other major European cities like Paris, Berlin, and London, and a thriving cultural scene with superb eating Italian options (including numerous Michelin-starred restaurants).

According to Giulia Frosi, a broker at La Commerciale, “in every corner of Rome, a small treasure is ready to sweep you off your feet,” including “small churches hidden at the ends of the narrowest streets,” “frescoes painted on random walls scattered throughout the city,” and “the characteristic alleys of the dolce vita.”

Although real estate prices have been falling over the previous seven years, a home in Rome’s old area would still set you back €7,369 per square meter as of December 2022. Also rising since 2021, rents now average €24.21 per month per square meter (or around $2,000 for an 800 square foot apartment), a rise of over 13%.