From Tourist to Local: Moving to Italy the Smart Way

Retiring in Italy is a dream for many — but making that dream come true requires more than just packing your bags. From navigating Italy’s unique property market to understanding the realities of daily life, there are important choices to make early in your journey.

1. Understanding the Cost of Living

Italy’s cost of living has been rising (like in most countries), yet it still tends to be lower than in the USA or Northern Europe. Life here can be affordable if you avoid the most touristy and economically competitive cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence, or Venice. Smaller towns and rural areas offer better prices and a more relaxed pace of life.

2. Buying vs. Renting Property

Buying: The Italian real estate market is generally a buyer’s market — which is inviting if you’re seeking a long term commitment, but not if you need to resell after realizing that something was wrong. Reselling can be slow and complicated. If the idea is to buy to rent short-term using something like Airbnb, note that things have recently been strictly regulated and you need to become a sort of Italian entrepreneur, making it harder to legally rent out your home for extra income.

Renting: This is often the smoother and less risky option for newcomers.

• A tourist or short-term rental such Airbnb it is easier tp access but won’t help you obtain a visa — you’ll need a formal lease.

• Standard leases run for four years, with an option for another four which could be a bit long commitment for some expats.

• In Italy renters are responsible for all repairs & replacement costs for anything not physically within the walls (pipes, wires, etc...). So, repair with your money. It may seem silly putting in repairs on someone else's property. This is also the reason why many homes for long term rental are in below-average condition and lacking many modern amenities.

• Often, properties are rented without full furniture. So, for example, consider that 99.9% of the times, in a rented property, you will not have a tumble-dryer to dry your laundry and other things like that; are you going to purchase furniture, air-conditioning, dryer, washing machines etc. in a rented property?

3. The Reality of Daily Life

Italy is beautiful, but life in Italy comes with challenges:

• Bureaucracy is slow and often requires in-person visits.

• Digitalization is limited compared to other countries.

• Finding reliable contractors for renovations or repairs can be frustrating.

• Without Italian language skills, even simple tasks can become daunting.

Connections are important here — Italians often say “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Building relationships will help you navigate life more smoothly.

4. Beating Loneliness & Culture Shock

Moving to a new country without knowing the language can be isolating. The fastest way to feel at home is to join a community where you have built-in support, opportunities to make friends, and a chance to learn Italian gradually.

One excellent option is to join expat-friendly residential communities where English is widely spoken and hosts actively help newcomers integrate into Italian life.

Example: Dolce Villa Italy -  a welcoming place where you can enjoy Italy’s beauty, connect with like-minded people, and get the support you need to truly settle in.