Piedmont sits in Italy's northwest corner, sharing a border with France and Switzerland under the watchful gaze of the Alps. Its Italian name, Piemonte, translates to 'foot of the mountain', a fitting description for a region of grand landscapes and sophisticated cities. The mix of urban elegance and deep-rooted rural traditions makes living in Piedmont an experience rich with culture, world-class gastronomy and magical natural beauty.
What's it like living in Piedmont?
Life in Piedmont shifts dramatically with your postcode. In Turin, you’ll find a sophisticated urban rhythm, but venture into the countryside, and the pace softens. Life in the vineyard-covered hills of the Langhe or the sleepy, unspoiled towns at the foot of the Alps is tied to the seasons.
The natural surroundings are a defining element of the Piedmontese lifestyle. The snow-capped Alps form a constant backdrop and serve as a year-round playground for hiking, cycling and skiing. This connection to the land is deeply woven into the local culture, most notably through its food. Local markets are brimming with exceptional produce, and the region's culinary traditions are a source of immense local pride.
Pros and cons of living in Piedmont, Italy
Piedmont is an incredible part of Italy, but like anywhere, it has its own particular character, with a few things that are good to know before you commit.
Some of the pros of life in Piedmont include:
- World-class gastronomy: unparalleled access to some of Italy's finest food and wine.
- Access to nature: proximity to the Alps and also the UNESCO-protected vineyard landscapes of the Langhe and Monferrato.
- Strategic location: there are excellent train connections to Milan and the rest of Italy, and both France and Switzerland are just a short drive away for weekend trips.
A couple of cons to consider:
- The climate: Piedmont's weather is continental, so winters in the Po Valley can be cold, damp and foggy, with considerable snowfall in the mountains.
- A slower pace of life: the unhurried rhythm of life, especially outside of Turin, can be a challenge. Navigating Italian bureaucracy is a famously slow process, and a good dose of patience is essential for getting things done.
Cost of living in Piedmont
The cost of living in Piedmont is generally more affordable than in neighbouring Lombardy, but higher than in the south of Italy. That being said, the property market in Piedmont is on the radar for international investors.
Property prices in Piedmont averaged around €1,267 per m² in July 2025. This figure can change quite a bit depending on the location, with the province of Verbania being the most expensive at €2,346 per m². The rental market is also reasonably priced. The average rent in the region was €10.2 per m². To give you some perspective, that's less than half the price of the most expensive region in Italy, Valle d'Aosta.
Day-to-day expenses are also quite manageable. In a city like Turin, eating out won't break the bank. According to Numbeo, a main dish in an inexpensive restaurant is around €16, and a meal for two in a mid-range spot is about €65. A local beer can be between €4.50 and €6, and a proper Italian coffee is generally less than €2.50. Utility bills for a standard flat can cost between €120 and €280 a month, depending on your lifestyle and how much heating you use in the colder months.
It's worth noting that these costs can vary across the region. In a smaller city like Alessandria, for instance, you'll find things a bit cheaper. A simple meal there costs around €13, while a mid-range dinner for two is closer to €55.
Top 5 places to live in Piedmont for English speakers
It makes sense that many English speakers moving to a new country first look for areas with an established international community. This can make the initial move feel less daunting, especially for those who need access to international schools or are relocating for a job where English is the main language.
Turin
As the regional capital, Turin is the natural starting point for most expats. It’s the economic and cultural hub, with the most job opportunities, several universities, and a well-established international community. You’ll find services geared towards foreigners, including international schools like the International School of Turin (IST).
Alba
For anyone passionate about food and wine, Alba is a dream destination. As the heart of the Langhe region, it's famous for its white truffles and Barolo wine. The strong, year-round tourist industry means English is more widely understood here than in other provincial towns. It’s the perfect base for exploring the surrounding storybook villages and vineyards, offering a high quality of life for those who want to immerse themselves in Italy's esteemed gastronomic culture.
Asti
Known globally for its sparkling wine, Asti provides a more manageable city experience than Turin. It has a beautiful medieval centre, excellent food, and a strong sense of local identity. While the expat community is smaller, it’s a great option for those who want city amenities and good transport links while being closer to the bucolic landscapes of Monferrato.
Stresa
Set on the scenic shores of Lake Maggiore, Stresa is a beautiful town that has long been popular with international visitors and retirees. Life here is peaceful and revolves around the lake, with lovely views of the Borromean Islands. It's a great choice for those seeking a tranquil, nature-rich environment without being completely isolated, as it has good connections to Milan. The established tourist infrastructure makes it relatively easy to navigate for English speakers.
Cuneo
With its elegant, arcaded main street and a spectacular alpine backdrop, Cuneo is a spirited city that offers a very authentic slice of Italian life. Its location near the French border and the Maritime Alps makes it a fantastic base for outdoor enthusiasts who love hiking and skiing. The expat community is small, so it's good for those who are keen to learn Italian and integrate fully into the local community.
Most beautiful towns in Piedmont
Asking what is the most beautiful town in Piedmont is a bit like asking a chef to pick their favourite ingredient. But if you were to push for an answer, a few places come to mind that are genuinely special.
Neive
This is officially one of the 'Borghi più belli d'Italia' (most beautiful villages in Italy), and it really lives up to the title. It’s a proper olde worlde spot, perched on a hill in the Barbaresco wine region, surrounded by neat, bucolic vineyards, with a sleepy maze of cobbled lanes and terracotta roofs.
Orta San Giulio
Set on the shores of the serene Lake Orta, this is a captivating place with frescoed houses and narrow alleyways that lead down to the glistening water. From there, you can take a little boat over to the tiny, mystical island of San Giulio.
Barolo
The town itself is small and completely encircled by the revered vineyards that produce the esteemed wine of the same name. Seeing the imposing Falletti Castle rise above that sea of green and gold vines is a sight that perfectly captures the spirit of the region.
Living in Piedmont as a foreigner
In the centre of Turin, particularly in business circles, the universities and the main tourist spots, you’ll find plenty of English speakers. However, the moment you step into a smaller neighbourhood, a local market, or any town in the countryside, you’ll find that Italian is essential.
The largest and most active expat community is, unsurprisingly, in Turin. You can connect with people through organisations like InterNations or by searching for groups on Meetup.com, which often have weekly social events. There are also various Facebook groups, such as 'Expats in Turin', which are a brilliant resource for asking practical questions and getting recommendations from people.
For anyone living in Piedmont, Italy, as an American, the biggest initial hurdle is usually the bureaucracy. The process for getting your residency and the all-important permesso di soggiorno (permit to stay) can be long and requires a great deal of patience.
Culturally, the pace of life is much slower, and things like the long lunch break, or riposo, are still common in smaller towns. Finding English-speaking services like doctors or lawyers can be a challenge outside of Turin, but the US Consulate in Milan sometimes keeps lists of recommended professionals in the region.
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Things to do in Turin: palaces, chocolate & Alpine views
Sat in the northwest of Italy with the Alps providing a magnificent backdrop, Turin is a city of elegant architecture and grand squares. As the first-ever capital of a unified Italy, its royal past is evident in the palaces and wide, arcaded streets. The city is also a focal point for Piedmont's food culture, especially its chocolate and the cherished evening aperitivo.
Living in Turin: life between the Alps and the arcades
The capital of the Piedmont region is a place of understated elegance, a city of royal palaces and grand arcades that also served as the engine room of Italy's industrial heyday. As Italy’s fourth-largest city, with a population of just under 900,000, Turin, or Torino, has all the amenities of a major urban centre but without the chaotic energy of Rome or Milan.
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When it comes to visiting Italy's lakes, most people head straight for Como or Garda. But there's a quieter and arguably even more magical spot: Lake Orta. Tucked away in Piedmont, it's a pre-alpine lake with a serene atmosphere and a collection of sleepy, olde-worlde villages. Lake Orta is brimming with things to do and surely tops the list for the least touristy lakes in Italy.
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