Best Italian cities to live in: where to move for permanent residence

Italy with its pasta, aromatic coffee, azure sea, and leisurely pace of life attracts many like a magnet. But behind the idyllic picture, there are also its own difficulties. The reality of life in the country with its bureaucracy, high taxes, and unique rhythm is revealed only to those who dare not just dream, but actually move there. Therefore, before making a final decision, it is necessary to carefully weigh all the pros and cons of living in Italy. Let’s talk about them in the article.

Why It’s Worth Moving to Italy: Advantages of Permanent Residence

Many consider moving to Italy because of its rich culture, climate, and gastronomic traditions. But what makes the country particularly interesting for those ready for change?

Italian Culture and Lifestyle: Pros Outweigh Any Cons

Italy is a country where every moment is filled with the taste of life. Life revolves around family, food, and savoring the moment. Italians value traditions and know how to find joy in simple things. On Sundays, the streets empty out – everyone gathers for a family lunch of several dishes. Even the workweek here is often punctuated by coffee breaks and small conversations about life.

Italian cities literally breathe history. In every corner of the country, you can find unique architectural landmarks: the Colosseum in Rome, the Duomo cathedral in Milan, the palaces of Venice, and the ruins of Pompeii. Art is present in everyday life: from street sculptures to frescoes on the walls of ancient buildings.

Advantages of Italian culture and lifestyle:

1. Year-round festivals and holidays. For example, the famous carnival in Venice or the lemon festival in Menton, where the streets are decorated with citrus sculptures.
2. Family lunches are more important than work. It is not customary to skip a meal with family, and every Sunday turns into a small celebration.
3. Regional gastronomy plays an important role in the life of every Italian: pasta in Rome, risotto in Milan, and pizza in Naples, prepared according to ancient recipes.

For those who want to savor every moment of life, this country will be an ideal place to fulfill their dream.

Italian Climate and Nature

The Mediterranean climate is one of the country’s main advantages. The north is greeted by the Alps and snowy peaks, while the south boasts sunny beaches and olive groves. The pros and cons of living in Italy often depend on the chosen region.

The north of Italy is characterized by cool winters and warm summers. In cities like Milan and Turin, the winter temperature can drop to 0°C, while in summer it can reach +30°C. Central regions, such as Tuscany and Umbria, are known for mild winters and sunny summers, where the temperature rarely drops below +10°C in winter. Southern Italy delights with warm winters and hot summers. In Sicily, the winter temperature rarely drops below +15°C, while in summer it often exceeds +35°C.

The advantages of living in Italy for those who appreciate nature are obvious: here you can ski in winter, swim in the sea in summer, and enjoy the natural beauty year-round.

Pros and Cons of Living in Italy

Not everything here is ideal, like scenes from a movie. It is a country of contrasts, where sunny moods coexist with bureaucracy and a slow pace of life.

Advantages:

1. High level of healthcare. State hospitals provide free services for residents, and private clinics offer a high level of service for an additional fee. For example, a consultation with a specialist in a private clinic costs around €100, while in public institutions it is free with insurance.
2. Developed transportation network. High-speed trains like Frecciarossa connect Rome, Milan, and Naples in just 3 hours. Regional buses and trains provide transportation accessibility even to small towns.
3. Access to quality products. Fruits, vegetables, meat, and cheese are available year-round at moderate prices. For example, a kilogram of tomatoes costs €2, and fresh mozzarella is €3 per pack.

Cons of Living in Italy

1. Bureaucracy. Document processing can take months. For example, to obtain a residence permit, several visits to the questura, providing numerous certificates, and a long wait for approval are required.
2. High taxes. For private entrepreneurs, the tax rate reaches 40%, and for employees, it can go up to 35%.
3. Employment difficulties. Youth unemployment rates reach 20%, and foreigners find it difficult to find work without knowledge of the Italian language.

Emigrating to Italy requires patience and readiness to adapt to a new environment: the pros and cons of life are made up of simple pleasures and high standards that make everyday life comfortable.

Real Estate in Italy for Russians

The Italian real estate market attracts with a variety of offerings: from ancient villas on the coast to modern apartments in megacities. To ensure that the pros and cons of living in Italy do not turn into disappointment when buying property, it is important to understand all the nuances of the process.

How to Choose and Buy Property

Buying property in Italy is not only an investment but also an opportunity to arrange life in one of the most picturesque corners of Europe. The average cost of an apartment varies depending on the region. In Rome, the price per square meter is around €3000, in Milan – €4000, and on the Ligurian coast, villa prices start from €500,000.

The process of buying property includes several stages:

1. Choosing the region and type of property. Apartments in large cities like Milan, Turin, and Genoa are popular in the north. In the south, houses on the coast or ancient villas in Apulia and Calabria are preferred.
2. Property search. Websites like Funda.it, Idealista.it, and Immobiliare.it offer a wide selection of real estate across the country. Real estate agency services facilitate the search but require additional costs (agent commission is around 3% of the transaction value).
3. Document processing. The buyer needs the following documents: codice fiscale – Italian tax number, passport, and a financial statement.
4. Legal transaction processing. The transaction is certified by a notary. Their services cost from €1000 to €3000 depending on the region and the complexity of the procedure. It is also necessary to pay a purchase tax, which is 2% of the cadastral value for residents and 9% for non-residents.

Real estate in Italy for Russians becomes an excellent option for those willing to invest in the European standard of living and enjoy the local culture.

Conclusion

The pros and cons of living in Italy create a bright contrast, like light and shadow in a Renaissance fresco. The country offers a delightful mix of warm climate, rich culture, and delicious cuisine, but requires patience when dealing with bureaucracy and adapting to a slow pace of life.

The key to successful emigration is thorough preparation, readiness to adapt, and understanding of cultural peculiarities. When the decision is well-founded and weighed, Italy is capable of offering a true “Dolce Vita” – a sweet life under the southern sun.