A home in Puglia offers a traditional Italian, Mediterranean lifestyle, but with just enough of an international community to make settling in easy. 

There are some international buyers who want a corner of Italy that’s just Italian enough, while feeling a lot like the Cotswolds or Marin County. Hence the soubriquet ‘Chiantishire’ for parts of Tuscany, or ‘Little America’ for villages like Sambuca di Sicilia that has attracted Americans via its one-euro homes scheme.

Puglia, thankfully, is nowhere near there yet! But with famous buyers including Amanda Lamb, Mickey Rourke, Meryl Streep and Helen MIrren all owning here, it’s certainly got its jetset fans. But buying a home in Puglia allows you to experience the warm family atmosphere and relaxed lifestyle of your youth. It’s not England or America in the sun. This is the real Italy, much loved by those looking for countryside and sea, blue skies and sunshine, and shopping at family run butchers, bakers, fishmongers and markets.

Ostuni: your home from home in Puglia?

Here people greet each other in the street and look out for their neighbours. However, the English-speaking expat population is growing, and those that have lived here several years are happy to answer questions and offer advice to newcomers. It certainly makes the transition easier for those a little nervous about culture shock.

Where do expats buy property in Puglia?

Puglia is a large region, which stretches 400 kilometres from Foggia in the north, to Santa Maria di Leuca at the tip of the heel. Most property buyers from the UK and US start by flying in to Brindisi, and fanning out their search from there. There are many lovely towns, seaside villages and countryside homes less than an hour’s drive from Brindisi Airport.

Near the airport

Property in the countryside around Ostuni, San Vito dei Normanni and Carovigno is especially popular. They are a short drive from Brindisi and less than 15 minutes from the sea. However, some villas in these areas are only used for summer holidays. Therefore, when looking for a permanent home it is advisable to check that where you are considering has year-round residents.

In the countryside

While the seaside towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare are much sought-after for holiday homes, it is the countryside properties, slightly inland, that most expats tend to choose for their permanent residences. Areas around Ostuni, Lecce, Oria, and the Valle d’Itria are particularly attractive to house buyers looking for a tranquil setting among olive groves and vineyards.

Working towns

Each person’s needs and priorities influence their choice of location. Those who work and enjoy socialising head to the cities of Bari, Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto. But even the smaller towns have sports facilities, events, restaurants and bars where you can meet people.

Near public transport

If you rely on public transport, stick to towns with a train station. Among the most popular are the cities of Brindisi and Lecce, and the seaside towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare. The last two are located between Bari and Brindisi.

Ostuni and Fasano are also lovely towns popular with tourists as well as property buyers. Although slightly inland, they are on train lines and the sea is a short bus ride away.  Other small towns that are great for year round living are Mesagne, Oria, and Francavilla Fontana. Each of these have a growing expat population.

Feel at home in the Valle d’Itria

You will hear many people saying how at home they feel in The Valle d’Itria, particularly those from hilly areas such as Wales. This is an area known for its low rolling hills, red soil, vineyards and olive groves, dotted with trulli. While it is the beautiful countryside that attracts home buyers, there are also some charming whitewashed towns and villages to explore too. These include:  Alberobello, Locorotondo, Cisternino, Ceglie Messapica, Martina Franca, Putignano, and Noci.

Rural bliss in the Itria Valley

Where children will feel at home

Puglia is ideal for parents who want to bring up their children in a safe environment amongst nature. Non-Italian children tend to settle well into local schools and pick up the language easily. They make Italian friends very quickly. Having an English speaker in the class is still somewhat of a novelty, and Italian parents are just as keen to get their children fluent in English! Italian schools start teaching English at an early age, therefore you will find it is the younger generation working in cafes etc. that speak English.

Some students feel more at home going to an International school. Here they are able to make friends with other English speaking children, not only in class, but also through extracurricular activities, such as sport, music and art. International schools are located in the main Puglian cities of Bari, Brindisi, Lecce, and Taranto.

Puglia attracts many families seeking a laid-back lifestyle near nature. Ceglie Messapica recently opened a Waldorf-inspired school and there is a growing homeschooling community, which is legal in Italy, unlike some other European countries. A facebook group called “parents together – homeschooling Puglia” helps parents connect and get information. Older students love Lecce as it has a good university and a young vibe.

How many expats live in Puglia?

According to AdminStat, not very many! Little over 500 citizens from the United Kingdom have made their home in the Brindisi province. Data is from 2022, but it gives a rough idea which municipalities people from the UK are living in.

Ostuni has the highest number of residents from the UK (159), followed by Ceglie Messapica 89, San Vito 58 and Carovigno 49. Interest has also grown  in less touristy towns. Such as, Francavilla Fontana 23, Cisternino 20, Fasano 18, San Michele 16, Oria 14, Latiano 14, Villa Castelli 3.

In the Bari province data favours the seaside towns of Monopoli 30 and Putignano a Mare 6. In the Vale d’Itria the famous town of the Trulli, Alberobello registered 14 UK residents and it’s neighbour Locorotondo 21. Finally, there is Castellana Grotte (6) made famous by its stunning caves.

Numbers of Americans are also up and look likely to rise further, judging by press reports of Trumpugees seeking an Italian move, or at least a holiday home here.

Why make Puglia your home?

1. Slower pace of life

When you have a home in Puglia you can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in beautiful countryside. Plus, there is close to a thousand kilometres (600 miles) of beautiful coastline, tempting you to take long strolls along the beach and while away hot summer days sunbathing and swimming.

2. Year-round facilities

Towns and villages have a good variety of shops and amenities, as well as interesting historic centres. There is everything you need for year-round living including hospitals, schools, and out of town shopping centres, and DIY stores. Some names you may recognise are IKEA, Lidl, H&M, Zara, McDonalds and Euronics. Anything you can’t find, can usually be found on Amazon.it. So if you wish to feel like you’re in Croydon or Springfield, there is that option. However, most expats adore their local market more.

3. Lower cost of living

The cost of living in Puglia is considerably lower than in the more touristy regions of the north, especially in rural areas. Often referred to as “The Florence of the south” because of its fine Baroque architect, Lecce’s cost of living is 15% lower than in Florence, Tuscany (Source: numbeo).  Restaurant prices in Lecce are 16% lower, with a bottle of imported beer costing 35% less, at around €3.25. Groceries are around 11% lower, and basic utilities 28% cheaper. According to the numbeo survey apartments in Lecce are 48% cheaper than in Florence.

4. Fresh local produce

Weekly markets are full of fresh local fruit and vegetables, as well as cheese, meat, nuts, and olives. The region is well known for it’s simple yet flavoursome cuisine. There are still many family run grocers, butchers, bars, and restaurants, where you’ll receive a warm welcome, that immediately makes you feel at home.

5. Sense of Community

There is a lovely community atmosphere, thanks primarily to the friendly Pugliese people and their desire to pass down traditional music, dance, recipes and crafts. As well as regular religious festivals, there are food and wine events and summer concerts in town piazzas. Families feel safe taking a stroll in town on a warm evening, bumping into friends and having a chat.

6. Great weather

Puglia offers blue skies for much of the year, with an average of 2,500 hours of sunshine annually in Brindisi. The Mediterranean climate provides greater opportunities to spend time outside. You can meet up with friends for walks, yoga sessions, cycle rides or take turns to host dinner on the patio of your own home.

In the summer months you can make plans without worrying about them being rained off. With temperatures in the high 30s, many summer events take place on warm evenings.

In the winter you can get a mixture of weather, even within a day. You can be in a T-shirt in the morning, then lighting a wood-burning stove in the evening. Thankfully, you don’t get days and days of grey skies, as cloudy weather blows over quite quickly. The wettest month is November.

7. Good transport links

Puglia’s cities are connected by good fast roads. Public transport includes buses and trains. It’s easy for family and friends to visit at any time of year. There are two international airports in the Puglia region, located at Brindisi and Bari. Flying from almost anywhere in Europe is simple, with Ryanair, British Airways and Easyjet running flights from the UK and most budget airlines in Europe flying here. Travelers from North America or Australasia will need to change planes, or arrive in Rome and travel onwards by train or car, which takes five to seven hours.

Bari and Brindisi are also ferry ports operating routes to the Ionian Islands, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia.

Where to find English speakers

Expats in Puglia don’t tend to group together in one small area, preferring the privacy of the countryside, while enjoying the benefits of an Italian community nearby. However, expats do keep in contacts with each other, and share their experiences, advice and recommendations. On social media  groups you will see people suggesting get togethers at bars, car boot sales, choir practice, cooking classes and walks.

Initial contact tends to be through facebook pages, at Italian lessons, or simply by hearing an English voice while in town, and introducing yourself. Popular expat facebook pages include “Expats in Puglia” with 5.9k members, “Puglia! Expats and friends around Ostuni” 7.3k members, and Brindisi expat community” 2.8k members. There are also groups for expats in the Valle d’Itria and Salento.

Buying property in Puglia

Villas and masserie in the countryside, or historic palazzo in town, are generally the best suited to year-round living. The building standards of some of the cheaper countryside properties are really only suited to summer holidays. Some have extensions without planning permission, so beware. A good lawyer and geometra (a cross between a surveyor and junior architect) is essential to identify any irregularities and find solutions.

Two-bedroom apartments in a modern block can be found from €90,000. However, you should expect to pay €180,000 for one in a traditional old building in the historic centre of a tourist town like Ostuni. Small trulli and villas needing renovation start at €35,000, and €100,000 might get you something habitable, but basic.

To avoid the time and expense involved in getting planning permission, I recommend buying a property already big enough for your needs. A renovated two-bedroom trulli with a pool costs from €245,000, and for €400,000 you can find beautiful three-bedroom villas with a pool.

Check out property for sale in Puglia.