Pros and Cons of Living in Perugia
Last updated on Mar 06, 2025
Summary: The pros of living in Perugia, Italy include its beautiful scenery, its rich cultural heritage, its vibrant nightlife, and its excellent food. The city is also home to a number of universities, making it a great place for students to study. On the other hand, the cost of living in Perugia can be quite high, and the city can be quite crowded during peak tourist season. Additionally, the weather can be quite unpredictable, with hot summers and cold winters.
What are the pros and cons of living in Perugia?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Perugia responded:
"Expats and digital nomads living in Perugia appreciate the city's rich history, culture, and architecture. They also enjoy the city's vibrant nightlife, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafes to explore. Additionally, the city's close proximity to other cities in Italy, such as Rome and Florence, makes it an ideal base for exploring the country. On the downside, expats and digital nomads may find the cost of living in Perugia to be quite high, and the city can be quite crowded during peak tourist season," said one expat in Perugia.

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What do expats in Perugia appreciate most about the local culture?
"People in general, just walking around town, are not glued to their cell phones. People relate with one another. I often encounter Americans and sense a defensive posture, an guardedness. Italians are very welcoming and effusive. The social fabric are stronger. They have "family values" here. I also like not understanding the language well, It gives my brain a rest. If English is spoken all around me, I can't help but tune in and make judgments and get caught up in other's drama. Here, languages flow around me without my mind giving it meaning. I feel more free here, and less bombarded with media frenzy," said one expat in Perugia.
"Expats in Perugia appreciate the city's rich history and culture, which is evident in its architecture, art, and cuisine. They also enjoy the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the city, as well as the relaxed pace of life. The city's vibrant nightlife and numerous festivals are also popular among expats, as they provide a great opportunity to experience the local culture and meet new people. Additionally, Perugia's close proximity to other cities in Italy, such as Rome and Florence, makes it an ideal base for exploring the country," said a person living in Perugia.

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
What do expats find most challenging?
"The language. This is THE biggest barrier. Conducting business and getting things done is very confusing. Obtaining a valid Italian driving license is a huge, monumental task that may be beyond my grasp. And, things are legitimately confusing because each region can do things a bit differently. It's hard to find out procedures and how to deal with things because you end up with different answers," remarked one expat in Perugia.
"Expats in Perugia often find the language barrier to be the most challenging aspect of the local culture. As Italian is the primary language spoken in Perugia, expats may find it difficult to communicate with locals and to access services. Additionally, expats may find the slower pace of life in Perugia to be a challenge, as it is quite different from the hustle and bustle of larger cities. Furthermore, expats may find the local customs and traditions to be unfamiliar and difficult to adjust to," explained one expat living in Perugia.
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.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
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