Where would I live in Italy, other than where I currently live, in a small village near Udine?
I like edges. So coastal, or close to other borders. Liguria seems pretty convenient. But then again, people say Verona is nice. It’s a goodish size, but on the downside it’s pretty central (so neither border nor coastal). But my interests may be different from yours. I would want good cycling possibilities, and access to lots of wilder areas. At this stage of my life I don’t want to be near big urban areas, which you on the other hand may do. You couldn’t pay me to live in Milan for example. If you love Milan or Rome as a permanent base, I don’t think my top 5 would be any good for you.
So I’ve been thinking about places that I wouldn’t mind living in. A bit difficult because honestly I love where I am, and wouldn’t want to move. But for the sake of a hypothetical …
1. Trentino Alto Adige. Mostly for the lifestyle, as it has a great sporting culture, lots of mountain trails, bike paths, etc. The problem for foreign parents is that schools there would be in German, not English (it’s South Tyrol).
2. Liguria, somewhere on the coast far from any big touristic centre. Mostly for its nearness to France, Monaco, Spain etc.
3. Asti/Monferrato/Langhe in Piemonte. Gorgeous hills, fantastic wine and food, fairly convenient location for France also.
4. Maybe nearish Siena, or one of the minor towns in Toscana. Not the Gallo Nero region because that’s overrun with tourists, but somewhere away from that section, but still close-ish to Siena. Just because Toscana is so gorgeous. Can’t really blame the tourists for wanting to go there.
5. If I have to make it five, then possibly Verona, or Treviso, or some smaller place in Veneto. Somewhere hilly.
6. Sometimes overlooked by tourists who are understandably caught up in the museums and other attractions of Florence, the ancient city of Lucca is well worth a visit in its own right. It is perfect for a day trip, or if you have more time, it is also a great base from which to explore Pisa and Siena to the south, Versilia and the coast to the west, or the Apuan Alps of northern Tuscany.
This convenient central location in Tuscany has caused Lucca some grief in its over 2,000 years of history, but being the centre of much conflict from Roman times all the way to the 16th century and beyond gave rise to Lucca’s most distinctive architectural feature: the impressive stone walls that surround and enclose the historic district of this fascinating Italian town.
https://internationalliving.
7. While sharing links, here’s “50 dreamy villages you should visit in Italy” https://www.facebook.
8. Another great region is Abruzzo, east of Rome, with an Adriatic coastline and the Apennine Mountains. National parks and nature reserves cover much of its rugged interior. It also encompasses hilltop towns, dating to the medieval and Renaissance periods. Regional capital L’Aquila is a walled city, damaged in a 2009 earthquake. The Trabocchi Coast, with sandy coves, is named after its traditional wooden fishing piers. https://
So there you have it. Penny’s top alternatives to Udine. But honestly, if I had to move I’d probably move further away, somewhere in Portugal (again, coastal), or maybe Barcelona. And if I were buying a house I’d do it in Croatia, in Istria. You might still be able to get a beach house for less than an arm and a leg.
