Pros and Cons of Living in Italy

Last updated on Feb 12, 2023

Summary: The pros of living in Italy include its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine, and vibrant cities. Additionally, Italy has a strong economy and a high quality of life. On the other hand, the cost of living in Italy can be quite high, and the bureaucracy can be difficult to navigate. Additionally, the weather can be unpredictable, and the language barrier can be a challenge for those who don't speak Italian.

What are the pros and cons of living in Italy?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Italy responded:

"Expats and digital nomads generally enjoy the laid back pace of life in Italy, as well as the delicious cuisine, stunning architecture, and beautiful beaches. Italy has a rich cultural history which is enjoyable to explore, while locals provide a welcoming atmosphere to visitors. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads have found the bureaucracy of living and doing business in Italy to be quite complicated, while the cost of living can be relatively high in the cities, especially for those accustomed to lower costs in their native countries," remarked one expat in Italy.

"I moved to Florence February, I just returned from seven weeks in the United States and I can't tell you the joy in coming back here. The food, the wine, walking around these beautiful streets and looking at the buildings and holiday lights. I find the Italians to be extremely warm, loving, and they carry a joy within them that I don't see any longer in the United States. Some things take more effort here. I am fortunate that I have a daughter here that knows the ins and outs and helps me accomplish the things I don't know how to do but I can tell you coming here might be the best thing I've done in a long time. Less pressure. Life is definitely more simple. Don't hesitate," explained one expat living in Italy.

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What do expats in Italy appreciate most about the local culture?

"The natural beauty and the history. There is so much history here, beyond the ancient ruins. I like to walk around town and when I see a street named after a person, I learn about it. I love the old people: they seem to be more accepting, sociable and," remarked one in Tuscany.

"The people are so lazy that they never complain about anything. The people seem to be kind. Food is good. I do love the water and the mountains," explained one expat.

What do expats find most challenging?

"Getting virtually anything done here involving a municipality takes forever unless you have an in, So safe yourself time and aggravation and hire an Italian to help you with the needs of daily living (phone, electricity, visas, licenses, permits, etc.)," replied an expat in Florence.

"I'd kill for some fresh ginger and a good, hot Indian curry most days! Setting up businesses - the bureaucracy and taxes can be crippling and are changeable. I take my hat off to accountants here," remarked one in Southern Tuscany.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.