29 Jan 2025
Moving to Italy is a dream come true for many across the globe because of its beautiful landscapes and modern lifestyle. Many expats who come to live in Italy to work and study end up settling down there. It is a great opportunity for people who want to earn a good enough income to send money back home and financially support their family. However, just like any other country, living in Italy has pros and cons.
This blog explores the Italian lifestyle and whether you should consider moving here to start a new chapter of your life.
Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Still, there are plenty of other reasons why so many people dream of building a life in Italy and experiencing the Italian lifestyle. Let’s take a look at some of those reasons:
Italy has a millennium-old history and culture that will make your jaw drop quickly. The nation offers a wealth of architectural and artistic marvels, ranging from the ancient Roman ruins to Florence's Renaissance artwork. Moving to Italy entails being fully immersed in a society that places a high importance on tradition, music, and the arts.
In Italy, you can plan a trip from its historical sites since you can access notable sites such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Vatican City, and the Colosseum. As one of the expats in Italy, there will be plenty of chances to go to famous occasions like the Palio horse race in Siena and the Venice Carnival with your friends and family.
The galleries and museums showcasing Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Raphael's creations are the perfect spots to teleport yourself into the art world and offer great opportunities to take selfies.
Living in Italy in 2025 entails savoring real pasta, pizza, gelato, and espresso, as Italian cuisine is renowned throughout the world. Food is a great adventure in Italy because Italian people love food and are very proud of their cuisine. With each region offering gastronomic delights, you will find yourself licking your fingers after anything you eat in Italy. Every bite tells a story of tradition, from the rich, creamy risottos of the north to the fresh seafood of the south.
Italian food is so good because the ingredients are usually locally sourced and fresh. So, it isn’t about processed or unhealthy junk food. Italian lifestyle means you must always eat very healthy. If you are one of Italy's new expats, you should start with well-known regional cuisines, including Sicilian cannoli, Tuscan ribollita, and Neapolitan pizza.
Italians make a whole day out of the delight of participating in regional food markets and festivals. So you can ask an Italian friend to take you to one of these places and experience a new way of celebrating good food.
Italy's varied landscapes, which range from the Alps in the north to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast in the south, have something to offer everyone. Italy is a great place to go, whether you enjoy trekking, skiing, or relaxing on sandy beaches. If you are still on the fence about moving to Italy in 2025, this should help you finally decide to send money online to buy that plane ticket.
The picturesque rolling hills of Tuscany will captivate wine lovers and photographers alike, while the islands like Sicily and Sardinia offer stunning beaches and rich cultural history. Nature enthusiasts can explore Italy's many national parks, with hiking trails and wildlife. Each region provides unique natural beauty, ensuring you’ll never run out of places to explore. With a blend of adventure, relaxation, and beauty, Italy truly offers something for every traveler.
Any Italian expat guide will tell you that you must witness the beautiful scenery in Umbria and Tuscany before anything else.
If you love watching serene water bodies, picturesque lakes such as Garda and Como will put you in a chokehold. Renting a nice hotel somewhere on the beautiful islands such as Capri, Sardinia, and Sicily will by far become one of the core memories of your life.
The Italian lifestyle strongly emphasizes leisure, family, and work-life balance. To achieve that perfect work-life balance, you should consider Italy. The slower pace of life in Italy gives people more time to enjoy fine dining, wine, and social interactions. Let’s see what a good quality Italian lifestyle looks like:
Italians are very responsible when it comes to work, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like to have fun and enjoy their free time. Extended lunch breaks and drinks in the evening are pretty common in Italy.
Italians usually feel strongly about family values and community, so if you are considering moving to Italy with your family, it is a good choice. Italy has a public healthcare system, so you and your family will always have access to first-rate medical care.
Let's not beat about the bush. Getting accommodation in any European country can be pretty expensive, especially if you want to live in the major cities. Just like that, the cost of living in Italy can be a little too high because of the high cost of housing. Even though bigger cities like Rome and Milan can be pricey, many reasonably priced housing possibilities exist in smaller towns and rural locations.
You can always look for housing in less expensive areas. For example, the reduced cost of living in regions such as Calabria and Puglia is ideal for expats in Italy. If not, you can look for a place not precisely in the central city where you work but somewhere on the outskirts.
Another fun aspect of living in Italy in 2025 is the opportunity to buy ancient homes at a discount thanks to programs like Italy's €1 home program. You could buy a cheap home and renovate it to make it your own.
As mentioned before, there are cons to everything, and Italy’s expat guide might paint a flowery picture, but it will not give you a heads-up about the downside of living in Italy. Don’t worry—this blog will.
For foreigners, Italy's bureaucracy might seem challenging. The procedure is frequently drawn out and complicated, from navigating the tax system to acquiring residency permits. It might tire you out because their visa and permit applications are quite lengthy. There might be trouble accessing specific public services as expats in Italy, and you might also face many challenges because very few communities have officials who speak English.
As said before, living in cities like Milan, Florence, and Rome can be expensive since they are the main bustling cities in the country. However, accommodation in rural places can be reasonably priced. Apart from that, the cost of transportation, dining out, and rent may rapidly mount up your bills if you are not too careful, so try not to dine out too often.
If you want to buy premium and imported goods in Italy, they will definitely cost you a dime. If you are only worried about utilities, their costs are steadily rising, too. So, budget management is crucial if you decide to move to Italy.
Learning Italian is essential for daily interactions, especially in smaller towns and rural areas, even though many Italians know English, especially in tourist locations. If you live outside the city, you won't find many people who can speak English, and even if you start to learn Italian, you might still face challenges understanding the different regional dialects. Other than this, Italian language proficiency is required for administrative duties. So you might want to work on your Italian if you want to live in Italy in 2025.
The job market in Italy might seem challenging, particularly for foreigners who lack specialized knowledge or fluency in the language. If you haven’t already found a job before moving to Italy, you are in for some struggle. There is intense rivalry for well-paying positions, and youth unemployment is still high. There are specific industries in Italy where the unemployment rates are pretty high.
Italians can be a bit biased when it comes to hiring people. For instance, they usually prefer recruiting locals who understand the language and culture over expats. Compared to other European nations, the wages in Italy can be a bit lower than average.
Italy's cities are beautiful and well-developed in terms of infrastructure, so you will have no problem living in the main cities. Although public transit in Italian cities is great, dependable infrastructure is sometimes lacking in rural areas. Roads, public transportation, and internet connectivity might not be current in certain areas. If you get accommodation in rural areas of Italy, you should be prepared.
For instance, the internet connection in rural areas of Italy is not always reliable. The smaller the town you live in and the farthest it is from the main cities, the more trouble you will have finding proper options for public transit. Some regions in Italy also have aging infrastructure, which you should know before moving to Italy.
After reading all the pros and cons of living in Italy, if you are still planning on moving to Italy, you should heed the following crucial advice before you pack up your bags to start a new life:
Before moving to Italy, start learning Italian. The language is a little complicated, but Italians appreciate people who attempt to adapt to their culture and way of living. This will make it easier for you to get along with locals and adjust to daily life.
The lifestyle, cost of living, and culture of the various regions of Italy differ significantly. Select an area based on your spending limit and personal interests.
Learn about Italy's residency and visa requirements well in advance so you don’t have to face any inconvenience when applying for it. It can go more smoothly if you work with a lawyer.
You can adjust more quickly if you have an open mind and are prepared to accept Italian traditions and practices.
Make a budget that considers housing, utilities, medical expenses, and the cost of living in Italy.
For individuals who value Italy's rich culture, breathtaking scenery, and mouthwatering cuisine, living the Italian lifestyle might be a dream come true. But there are drawbacks as well, such the language barrier, expensive city living expenses, and bureaucracy. As an expat you must look for employment in Italy that pays well so you can make a regular online money transfer as remittances back home while also living the good Italian life.
Yes, Italy offers a high quality of life, rich culture, and beautiful landscapes, making it an attractive destination for expats.
The cost of living in Italy varies by region, with major cities being more expensive than rural areas.
While it’s possible to get by with English in major cities, learning Italian is highly recommended for daily interactions.
Popular regions include Tuscany, Lombardy, and Puglia, each offering unique lifestyles and attractions.
Before moving to Italy, research visas, find housing, and prepare financially. Consulting an immigration expert can help streamline the process.
