As you might have expected, life in Italy is very cheap. Nevertheless, it is important to spend some time assessing the cost of living before you decide to buy a property in Italy, whether you plan to live there or just want to buy a holiday home. In the end, you will soon find that Italy has one of the lowest costs of living in Europe.
A lot of everyday products cost much less in Italy than in the UK, but items imported from home explicitly for foreigners, like baked beans, will clearly be more expensive. Fresh produce is less expensive at the many markets and often actually of better quality than fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy products and the like available at the supermarket.
Food prices and house running costs are very reasonable. Getting around, whether you choose to do so by train, bus or car, is not that expensive, which makes Italy a very enticing country to live in and for holiday home owners.
Eating out and staying in
In Italy, a three-course meal for two people is 11% lower than in the UK and some clothing articles can be found at very reasonable prices, as well. However, prepaid mobile tariffs for local calls (without discounts or saving plans) aren’t too different in the two countries.
The monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Rome costs almost half as much as in London and the selling price per square meter for an apartment in the city centre of Rome is 40% less.
Living in Pisa: life behind the Leaning Tower
When you think of Pisa, one thing springs to mind, but there's so much more to this Tuscan city than its famous architectural mishap. Sitting on the banks of the River Arno, Pisa is a proud, historic university town with a character all of its own. For those considering living in Pisa, the reality is a city buzzing with student life, where the locals, known as the Pisani, enjoy a relaxed pace of life amongst stunning Romanesque buildings and Gothic churches.
Best gelato in Florence: where to find the good stuff
Florence is where it all began back in the Renaissance, supposedly first whipped up for the Medici court. Forgetting the bright green pistachio and fluffy mounds piled high in shop windows is the first step, and understanding the real difference between gelato and ice cream is key to the hunt. For people living in Florence, it’s a proper daily ritual, and knowing where to go for an authentic scoop is a true point of local pride.
Finding the best gelato in Italy: a lick-by-lick guide
Hunting down the best gelato in Italy is one of those essential things you have to do when you're here, but it's good to know that gelato is so much more than just ice cream. It's a proper daily ritual, a treat that's taken very seriously and is seen as a true art form. The story of gelato is said to have started in Renaissance Florence, and ever since, Italians have been perfecting the craft of creating this dense, intensely flavoured dessert that's become a symbol of the country's cuisine.
Italy transport strikes: September dates set for travel disruption
Travellers across Italy face the prospect of widespread transport disruption in September, as a series of planned strikes are set to take place across the country's aviation, rail, and local public transport networks.
Gelato vs ice cream: the inside scoop on Italy's fave treat
Strolling through a sunny Italian piazza, it’s easy to think that gelato is just the local word for ice cream. The debate of gelato vs ice cream, however, goes far beyond a simple translation. The real distinction between a scoop of traditional ice cream and a silky paddle of authentic Italian gelato comes down to the ingredients, the unique way it’s made, and even the temperature it’s served at.
Basilica vs Cathedral in Italy: what’s the difference?
If you’re looking to buy property in Italy, chances are you’ll come across stunning churches and historic buildings in towns and cities nearby. Italy’s rich religious architecture is a big part of its charm, but terms like basilica, cathedral, and duomo can be confusing. What do they mean? And why does it matter?
Living in Bari: life in Puglia's capital
Bari is a spirited port city on the Adriatic coast, constantly enlivened by its university population. Bari Vecchia—a proper olde worlde maze of timeworn streets—sits right next to the neat, grand grid of the 19th-century Murat district. This contrast gives you a city with a raw, working-port soul and a deep sense of its history. For anyone considering living in Bari, it’s a chance to get under the skin of a corner of Italy that hasn’t been completely polished for tourists.