Italy at a Glance
Living in Italy
Italian cuisine is part of many expats' dream of La Dolce Vita.
Italy’s scenery is breathtaking, the people are friendly and open, and the cuisine and wines are world-renowned. In short, you will love living in Italy! Getting up in the morning to a fine cup of cappuccino, taking a stroll through the fashion district in Milan, grabbing a plate of prosciutto cotto and a glass of Trebbiano for lunch, visiting a museum, and finishing the day with linguine frutti di mare and a glass of Montepulciano in the Piazza Navona. Those are just some scenes of life in Italy.
The historic and artistic heritage of Italy’s cities combined with modern up-and-coming tourist attractions, as well as ancient family traditions in the rural areas show how diverse life in Italy can be. If this sounds tempting, why not try living in Italy yourself? If you are thinking about an expat assignment in Italy, here’s some background information to help you make a decision concerning expatriate life in Italy.
Living in Italy: Environmental Issues
Regardless of the region, urban life in Italy can be very chaotic, with a lot of noise and pollution. Unfortunately, Italy is also one of the least developed countries in Europe as far as environmental protection is concerned.
City life is full of greenhouse gases due to the immense overload of traffic. Waste disposal in general is a bit underdeveloped, and the country has yet to take charge of factories that dispose of their sewage and waste into the Po River. The good news is that the Italian government, spurred on by the European Union and the UNESCO, is looking into environmentally friendly solutions to the above listed problems in order to make life in Italy a lot greener.
Life in Italy: Accommodation
Where you begin your life in Italy depends on whether you plan on living in Italy’s countryside or a city. Economically speaking, people living in Italy’s north are much more affluent then those in the south.
When it comes to accommodation for your life in Italy, it is more common to rent than buy in Italian cities, with an average rental period of four years per contract. Although living in Italy is not too expensive in comparison to other European countries, be prepared to spend a considerable amount on rent. After London, Milan, Rome, and Venice claim the highest rents in all of Europe.
If your idea of life in Italy includes a quaint country home in a small rural village, Italy has enough to offer. Quite a few expats who are not interested in living in Italy’s large overpopulated cites – especially self-made expatriates – move to smaller rural towns, for example, in Tuscany.
Many who choose this option open a bed & breakfast, offering tourists the chance to experience a different kind of life in Italy. Before you embark on this adventure, however, be sure that you are financially independent and stable, as there is no guarantee that this will completely cover the cost of living in Italy for you and your family.
Join the leading
Expat Community in Italy
- Have access to high-quality expat guides and information
- Get to know like-minded expatriates in Italy
- Meet fellow expats at InterNations events and activities in your area
Membership at InterNations is invitation-only. You need to request an invitation to become a member.
