Top 5 best regions to retire in Italy - My Dolce Casa (2024)

It is no wonder that Italy is a country that many talk about. The food, the culture, and its history are the few things that attract tourists. However, it has become increasingly common that those “tourists” come back, not for another vacation, but for good as they make that decision to retire in Italy.

And this should not come as a surprise.Italy, as a country, has many advantages to offer that make it vastly different from the United States. Both are highly urbanized, but unlike the USA, Italy has a distinct feel that many love, even among European countries.

The only question is, which part of Italy will you be living in?

What makes this decision difficult are the many considerations that need to be factored in such as the cost of living and housing in Italy and its regions, what you value most, and the kind of community that you feel most comfortable in. Italy has a varied selection of communities depending on the region you decide to live in, circling back to the question – What are the best places to retire to in Italy?

1. Retire in Sicily

Sicily boasts one of the lowest costs of living in Italy, which is why it is one of the best places to retire in the country. In fact, it is so low that retirees who do not have much to spare of their retirement income are able to live comfortably here.

Reports have shown that renting an apartment in Sicily, even in its capital of Palermo, averages around $680, and it only gets cheaper as you move to the outskirts of the region which is where you might decide to retire in Italy from USA, with the bonus of being close to the breathtaking seaside.

Additionally, an average meal at a restaurant in the capital will only cost you $11, and despite the low price, it is known to be one of the best food the country has to offer.

2. Retire in Puglia

Home to the oldest remnants of ancient civilization in Italy, Puglia is not very well known to outsiders. In fact, you would not know about the place unless you have intimately familiarized yourself with a map.

Additionally, aside from being able to live comfortably for a relatively low cost, the region of Puglia is a go-to destination for Italians during the summer. This gives you the opportunity to earn if you own vacation property in the region.

To buy a property in Bari, the capital city of the region, for example, will cost you around $2,700 per square meter, and it gets cheaper as go further away from the city center.

On average, a meal at a restaurant will cost you $16, and the rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $576, and just like Sicily, it will only get more affordable the further you move away from the capital.

The cherry on top when retiring in Puglia is their seafood. Aside from the fact that it is cheaper compared to anywhere else in Italy, it is also melt-in-your-mouth fresh, especially in the winter.

3. Retire in Lazio

Unlike the Southern Italian regions mentioned, Lazio offers a completely different atmosphere. It is livelier and more urbanized compared to the slow-paced lives that are apparent in both Sicily and Puglia, and this can be attributed to the fact that Lazio holds Italy’s capital, Rome.

As such, Lazio is known for higher cost of living, as it is ranked second among regions in the country with an average cost of living of $925 for one person without factoring in the rent which would cost you about $1,100 in the city of Rome.

Rome, Lazio region

However, you will pay hundreds less if you live outside the capital center.

Despite the high cost of living, what draws retirees to the region is its healthcare system. Not only was it ranked the best by the World Health Organization in 2000, but it is also very friendly to non-native speakers.

In addition, having the capital of the country in its region means that you will experience the epitome of Italian culture as it is a region rich in historical significance.

4. Retire in Lombardy

Like the region of Lazio, living in Lombardy in Northern Italy can be expensive. This can be attributed to the fact that it holds the city of Milan which has always been associated with style and luxury, and it is overall more developed than South Italy.

If you are financially able to retire in Lombardy, you are going to enjoy the conveniences of better infrastructure, more urban areas, higher-end shopping, culture, entertainment, and maybe even mingle with the rich, the famous, and the elite in Italian society.

For one person to live in Lombardy, it can cost close to $1,000 in monthly expenses, in addition to the rent which could get as high as $1,280 in Milan.

However, no one can deny the architectural beauty of Milan, rich with culture and history, and the natural beauty that the region provides, especially the famous Lake Como, all of which make this Italian region among the most popular for retired Americans.

5. Retire in Tuscany

Widely considered the wine capital of the country (if not Europe), Tuscany is the best place to retire in Italy if you enjoy being surrounded with the best wine and food. With its rolling hills that hold many vineyards and the natural beauty of its landscape, it is second to none.

Moreover, the architecture is just as beautiful as anywhere in Italy. However, it is not a cheap region to be living in Italy, with average expenses around $900 for a single person in the capital of Florence. Ranked the third most expensive city in the country, retiring in the Florence area should be carefully considered.

On the other hand, having a thriving Expat community growing in the region maybe proof that retiring in Tuscany Italy from USA is extremely attractive for Americans, worth the higher cost of living.

Today, we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures in a way that the generations before us could not. Having this chance to change our scenery as we enter retirement is a privilege, and as such, you need to make sure that you make the most of it.

The cost of living, the ambience, and whether you continue to crave the hustle and bustle of a busy city, or the slow-paced, leisurely life of the countryside is entirely up to you.