From the imposing Alps to the magnificent Mediterranean coast, “bella Italia” has it all, and we bring you the best places to retire in Italy. This land of art, fashion, and history is seen by many as the cradle of European culture and the place from which Christianity began its conquest into the heart of the western world. Nowadays Italy is a touristic paradise, hosting approximately forty-eight million visitors per year – a truly breathtaking number. People from all over the globe swarm Italian cities, mountains, and beaches alike, enjoying the beautiful landscapes, indulging themselves in world-renowned Mediterranean cuisine, and hoping to uncover one of the countless stories hidden in the many ancient buildings and narrow winding streets, waiting to be told.
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Yet there is still so much more to Italy than this. Beyond the crowded streets of Milan, the sublime canals of Venice, and the Colosseum of Rome, the birthplace of Renaissance is one of the top destinations for European retirees. If you would like to retire in Europe, but are not too fond of the Mediterranean climate, you can instead check our list of the Best places to retire in Great Britain.
In this article, however, we have taken it upon ourselves to discover what makes Italy so special, and to highlight some of the most appealing destinations for retirees. We’ve wanted to include the most important aspects for people who are looking a perfect destination to spend their golden years, meaning we had to focus on finding data about the costs of living, quality of healthcare, crime rates, and last, but not the least – real estate prices. We have decided to pick 10 best regions to retire in Italy, because when picking regions people have much more options to consider, and to find a perfect place in one of those regions for themselves. If you didn’t know, there are 21 regions in Italy. So, how did we come up with the best?
Well, since information about the above-mentioned factors for every region can’t be found, we’ve decided to try to calculate them for each region separately. Hence, we took as many cities as possible for every region, found the data we needed using Numbeo, Italia, and International Living, among others. Then, we calculated the average index of those cities (in every region separately) combined, and that’s how we come up with the data for every region. Although one may say that this is not the most precise methodology, they should be aware of the fact that a large number of cities was included in order to get the definite ranking of each region. Anyway, feel free to dis(agree) with our list of best places to retire in Italy in the comments below. We would appreciate any kind of suggestion for improving our methodology.
To begin with, Italy offers excellent healthcare, taking up second place on the list of European countries with the best healthcare system. While this may vary from place to place, the national healthcare index of Italy is 66.5. The crime rate is lower than in most countries of western Europe, with the total index of 44.9. The real-estate prices average at $257/sqft, whereas the average monthly food bill for one person is $278. While calculating the final index we have given bonus points to each region for exceeding the national average in any of the above-mentioned categories, at the same time taking away points for failing to meet those standards. And now without further ado, go on and check out our ten best places to retire in Italy.
10. Campania
Healthcare index: 48.5
Crime rate index: 65
Real-estate cost: $182.6/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $262
Total index: 41.7
Campania is a region of extraordinary natural riches best seen in its magnificent coastline, lush Mediterranean vegetation, and the dreaded Vesuvius. The city of Naples is known world-wide for its beauty and passion for music. This region is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Pompeii and Herculaneum, which certainly deserve a visit.
9. Apulia
Healthcare index: 46.3
Crime rate index: 53
Real-estate cost: $153/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $247
Total index: 46.65
Sitting at the spur of the Italian boot, Apulia, the number 9 on our list of best places to retire in Italy is a dream-come-true for all sea-lovers. It is also a region with a rich history, speaking of the ages Medieval and Baroque, brought back to life through many castles, villages, and churches, permeating the landscape. Apulia hosts Alberobello and Castel del Monte – UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and with the Tremiti Archipelago nearby it offers plenty to see and experience.
8. Sicily
Healthcare index: 49.1
Crime rate index: 54
Real-estate cost: $141/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $239
Total index: 47.55
Sicily ranks 8th on our list of best places to retire in Italy. It was often the subject of ghastly stories about greed, brutality, and sinister ways of Italian mafia who once used the island as their center of operations. Those tales are all that remains of the former “Cosa Nostra”, giving Sicily the air of mystery and adventure. Nowadays the island is a popular destination for tourists but even more so for retirees from around the globe. Mesmerizing seaside, ideal climate, and lavish nature combined with cheap real-estate being the main reasons.
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7. Piedmont
Healthcare index: 66.7
Crime rate index: 54
Real-estate cost: $186/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $287
Total index: 51.35
This land of mountains, bordering Switzerland and France, is mostly known for its ski resorts. If you are an active person and appreciate winter sports and fresh air that might sound appealing to you. Furthermore, it hosts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites which deserve a visit, beautiful lakes, and spas which offer a chance for relaxation and treatment of any kind.
6. Friuli
Healthcare index: 60.9
Crime rate index: 36.8
Real-estate cost: $150.6/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $301
Total index: 62.05
Friuli ranks 6th on our list of best places to retire in Italy. It is a world of its own, located in north-eastern Italy, bordering Austria and Slovenia. This is a region of complex history, shaped by various cultures, with just as colorful nature. The mountains in the north slowly bow down to woods and valleys, dominated by ancient castles and countless monuments, which in turn meld into the rocky beaches in the south. The Natural Park of the Dolomites and the ancient town of Aquileia are but some of the many pearls of Friuli, waiting for you to discover them.
5. Tuscany
Healthcare index: 64.3
Crime rate index: 29
Real-estate cost: $278.6/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $239
Total index: 67.62
Medieval villages, ancient castles and watchtowers, small village churches, and imposing abbeys fill the landscape of Tuscany with the air of history. Here nature reveals its splendor and variety, from sandy beaches with rocky cliffs, the Tuscan Archipelago surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and crystal-clear seabed, to the striking sceneries of the Apuan Alps. Finally, Tuscany is full of spas, promising relaxing holidays thanks to their thermal waters and various facilities equipped for all kinds of treatments. All of this makes Tuscany a must-include on our list of best places to retire in Italy.
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4. Sardinia
Healthcare index: 67.5
Crime rate index: 43.1
Real-estate cost: $172.8/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $274
Total index: 69.2
We are continuing our list of best places to retire in Italy with Sardinia, which is a region of contrasts. It hosts modern cities but also untamed nature with occasional small fishing village hidden away from the rest of the world. The area is mountainous but without any particularly high peaks, while at the same time being known for its gorgeous beaches and coves. There are several UNESCO sites for you to see, and many astonishing caves to explore for those with a passion for spelunking.
3. Lombardy
Healthcare index: 78.9
Crime rate index: 45.9
Real-estate cost: $254.3/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $273
Total index: 71.5
One of the largest Italian regions, Lombardy is famous for its vineyards and wine production. It has plenty to offer to any winter sport enthusiast thanks to the Alps stretching along its northern border. Here one can enjoy not only the beauties of nature but also the architectural wonders of Sabioneta and Milan, dating back to the period of Renaissance. Ultimately, Lombardy which ranks third on our list of best places to retire in Italy, is the place where history and culture readily embrace technology, fashion, and entertainment.
2. Emilia Romagna
Healthcare index: 75.3
Crime rate index: 37.2
Real-estate cost: $236/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $296
Total index: 74.05
Up next on our list of best places to retire in Italy is Romagna, the home of Verdi and Giovanni Pascoli, located in central Italy, which is internationally renowned for its music, art, and cinema. It offers much in terms of attractions, from the longest beach in Europe on the Adriatic coast, to the Apennine Mountains in the south. History, culture, and magnificent nature are also trademarks of this area. The region is quite touristic which may be a deal-breaker for some, but if you are still young and adventurous at heart this place is made for you.
1. Veneto
Healthcare index: 78.8
Crime rate index: 33.3
Real-estate cost: $212.6/sq ft
Monthly food cost: $284
Total index: 77.75
Veneto is a vault of natural, artistic, and cultural treasures, located in the north-east of Italy, and is best represented by its capital city – Venice. Its popularity among tourists may repel some, but Veneto region is a popular destination for European retirees. Apart from the sea and mountains, adding to the beauty of almost every Italian region, Veneto offers fascinating rivers and lakes, dozens of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, spas, countless historical monuments telling the story of this region, and is renowned for its cuisine. If you decide to spend your retirement here “the region of thousand faces” will always have a way to reward you, and that is why it takes the top place on our list of the best places to retire in Italy.
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