A move to Italy can greatly enhance your quality of life, especially when you find that perfect location in a province that meets all your needs. We all love the Italian scenery, the food, the architecture, the traditions, the sunshine and the relaxed way of life. But that’s not the whole picture. A recent study has looked in greater depth into what contributes to a good quality of life. Then they awarded points to the Italian provinces, based on their merits in each category.
Quality of Life categories
The ranking for the 2024 Quality of Life Study by ItaliaOggi – Ital Communications, in collaboration with La Sapienza University of Rome, is drawn up on the basis of 92 indicators, divided into nine categories: “Business and work”, “Environment”, “Education”, “Population”, “Crime and safety”, “Income and wealth”, “Health”, “Social security” and “Tourism and culture”.
Is life better in the north?
Under the criteria set down in the study, there is a continuing trend indicating that northern provinces offer a higher quality of life, than in the south. This is largely because northern cities have more work opportunities and greater wealth, resulting in more investment in healthcare, schools, and infrastructure. With good internet and transport links, northern cities are indeed exciting places to work or invest in a business. Plus, with more people now able to work remotely anywhere in the world, the Italian Digital Nomad visa has opened the door to even more people wanting to experience Italian city life.
Northern cities like Milan are exciting places to work
Quality costs more
When researching where to live in Italy, you should consider what is most important to you, and how much you are prepared to pay in taxes and bills to get the highest standard of local amenities. If you are retiring or buying a holiday home, and therefore not so concerned about the job market and schools, you may find that southern regions and rural locations meet your needs at a lower cost.
It is evident that those provinces with flourishing cities score highest in the sections covering business and work, education and training, population, income and wealth, tourism, entertainment and culture. Therefore, property prices and the cost of living is likely to reflect that. However, you can often find towns and villages a short distance away from the city, where you can live on a lower budget and still have the convenience of a city nearby when you need it.
Regions leading the way
Among the highest achieving regions are those which cover the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the Po Valley. This encompasses the region of Lombardy, which is loved by house buyers for its superb cities and beautiful lakes. Top-ranking provinces can also be found in the central and eastern Alpine areas, where the scenery is simply breathtaking.
Other regions that have high scoring provinces are Tuscany, Umbria and Marche. These regions are always recognised for their beautiful “environments”, both in the cities and throughout the countryside. Which is something that especially appeals to property buyers and tourists alike.
North-west Italy
When we look at those provinces in the top thirty positions, we find eight in the north-west. These are: Turin and Cuneo in Piedmont, and Milan, Monza and Brianza, Brescia, Bergamo and Cremona in Lombardy. Note that Turin and Milan are both excellent cities, and so their success will also affect other smaller towns within the region.
North-east Italy
There are an amazing, eighteen highly ranked provinces in the north-east. These include Trento and Bolzano in Trentino-Alto Adige, and Padua, Verona, Vicenza, Venice and Treviso in Veneto. In the far north-east, bordering Austria and Slovenia, is the often-overlooked region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Here the whole region scored well.
Below Lombardy and Veneto we find the Emilia-Romagna region. As well as the well-known cities of Bologna and Parma, there are five other provinces here worth looking at for a good quality of life. These are Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena, Modena, Reggio Emilia and Ferrara.
Central Italy
Four provinces representing central Italy came in the top thirty. These were Florence and Siena in Tuscany, Ancona in the Marche, and Rome in Lazio. Of particular interest is finding Rome has moved up to the “excellence” group for the first time since this survey began.
Siena: One of the top four provinces in central Italy
So, let’s look at which Italian provinces came top of the table for Quality of Life this year.
No.1 – Milan
Topping the leader board in 2024 is Italy’s economic capital and global financial centre. Milan’s outstanding result was determined by the excellence it has achieved in many of the areas considered by the survey. It is certainly an attractive place to work and live, which is “Why the super-rich are buying property in Milan”.
The city has everything property buyers look for in a large urban centre, such as provision of services, income possibilities and a good infrastructure. It is very easy to get around by underground or tram, and you can enjoy many cultural and sporting activities.
In addition, it is an elegant and appealing city, not only because of its architecture, but also its influence on design, fashion and art. You will also find Milan to be a great place to work and raise a family, having good international schools and some beautiful parks for family relaxation time.
Property for sale in Milan varies greatly in price, depending on location. A two-bedroom apartment in the best city districts can cost well over a million, whereas in the suburbs you could be looking at around €200,000.
No.2 – Bolzano
Bolzano is a fantastic place to work and experience all the cultural sights and natural surroundings. It is also a very safe place to live, which makes it popular with retirees. Located in a beautiful valley in Trentino-Alto Adige, the scenery is spectacular, offering beautiful views and pleasant hiking trails.
Bolzano values it’s traditions, while at the same time combining innovation and sustainability. The city has an enchanting mixture of architectural styles, from buildings with arcades to pretty houses embellished with paintings and bay windows.
Properties for sale in Bolzano achieve high prices, due to the demand from wealthy Italians who earn a good living here. A two-bedroom apartment in the city, generally costs between €400,000 and €900,000. Although there are some that sell for over a million. Chalets located in breathtaking scenery and near a ski lift, are also popular, and can make a good holiday rental income from skiers in winter, and hikers and cyclists in the summer. However, with €400,000 it is possible to find two-bedroom apartments with stunning views, while €500,000 could get you a place right in a ski resort.
No.3 – Monza and Brianza
Monza is located just 15 kilometres from Milan. Its proximity to the city, makes it ideal for people who want to live somewhere quiet, but within commuting distance of the city. It is also well connected by public transport, including buses and trains.
Monza is a city rich in history and cultural heritage and hosts several festivals throughout the year. There are concerts, art exhibitions and theatre performances to enjoy. Plus, you can learn about the city’s past at Monza Cathedral and the Royal Palace of Monza.
Although it is one of the more expensive places to live in Italy, the excellent quality of life makes the cost worthwhile. The city is known for its strong economy, as many people work in industries such as automotive, fashion and technology. Monza is a good place in which to invest in a business, and the city actively encourages foreign investment.
However, Monza isn’t just about work; here you can find a good work-life balance. In fact, Monza scored the highest possible points for its environment. The beautiful Monza Park is one of the largest historical parks in Europe. You can also visit the Royal Gardens and part of the Royal Villa, which was built for Empress Maria Theresa of Austria between 1777 and 1780 and boasts 700 rooms.
Those who enjoy watching and taking part in sport as a pastime are spoilt for choice in this area. As Monza is home to the famous Autodromo Nazionale Monza racetrack, you could be watching the Italian Grand Prix here each year. There are also golf courses, and green spaces to go walking, running and cycling.
A large luxury two-bedroom apartment near Monza’s historic centre costs in the region of €598,000. While in the suburbs, prices for two-bedroom apartments start at around €150,000, and houses €260,000. If owning a palace of your own appeals to you, take a look at this elegant villa, located adjacent to the Royal Park.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants in Bologna
Image: Trabantos via Shutterstock
No.4 – Bologna
Bologna is a vibrant city with a network of streets and alleyways to explore, plus a lively nightlife, with plenty of bars and restaurants. Bologna is home to many nationalities and welcomes students from across the world to its universities. In fact, in the study, Bologna received top marks for “education” and high points for “business/work” and “income/wealth”.
Many people speak English in Bologna, and the locals are very friendly towards foreigners. You’ll be able to enjoy coffee with friends in the morning, an aperitif in the afternoon, then spend long evenings dining at a great restaurant. The city is safe, clean and very walkable. You can easily get around on foot, bike or public transport, and there are plenty of places to visit, including art galleries, parks and museums.
At the heart of the city is Piazza Maggiore, which is surrounded by porticoes and medieval and Renaissance buildings. Here you can see the Fountain of Neptune and the Basilica of San Petronio. There are also some medieval towers in the city, the most famous being the Asinelli and Garisenda towers. The first was built between 1109 and 1119 by the family bearing the same name. After climbing 498 steps, you will be rewarded with a incredible view of the city.
Being the capital city of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is in a good central location for visiting other interesting places. The region has wonderful scenery, lovely seaside resorts, medieval towns and an excellent reputation for its cuisine. This is the land of Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella and balsamic vinegar. Then there are the fresh local egg pastas, tagliatelle and tortellini to try, and the famous, Lambrusco and Sangiovese wines.
Two-bedroom apartments in the heart of Bologna cost from €400,000. However, you can find small apartments and ones needing some renovation, for around the €100,000 mark. At the other end of the scale, there are also apartments in historic palazzos with incredible frescoed ceilings for around €1,300,000. Here is a selection of Property for sale in Emilia-Romagna.
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