Where Can I Find an Apartment in a Quiet, Urban Center in Italy?

[il_admin]

Bruce A. Says:

I’m looking to live full-time in Italy. I would like a one-bedroom apartment, furnished, in a serene, quiet area near an urban center.

My budget is €1,400 per month. Am I even being reasonable or unrealistic to find such?

[cstites.cs]

Hi Bruce,

The answer depends slightly on whether your budget of €1,400 per month is just for rent of the apartment you mention, or all living expenses.

It may be possible to live on €1,400 a month in the south of Italy, but in a very small town, but most of the numbers I have seen are closer to €2,000. You would have rent of €400 or less, and you would need to speak Italian, but that would not be the main problem.

Unless you are a citizen, you would need a visa, and the requirement for income is about €3,000 a month to qualify for a visa.

If the €1,400 is just for rent, you’re in luck.

There are seaside areas all around the southern and central parts of Italy that will offer what you seek. Bari, Lecce, Otranto, Brindisi, Ancona, Pescara, and San Benedetto del Tronto are all towns where you can find quiet neighborhoods close to the city centers.

To find a rental, use the real estate websites Immobiliare, Idealista, and/or Gate-Away.

Look at the province you want to live in: Puglia, Basilicata, Compania, Calabria, Abruzzo, etc. Then click on Rent or Affitate, and look at the houses or apartments available—I think you may find what you’re looking for.

[CHIP_774 0]

HI Bruce thanks for the question and it is a great one.

No, you are not being unreasonable at all. $1,400 a month US equates to about 1260 euro and that should be easily done.
If you are looking at Rome, Florence, (I would avoid Naples for the moment) Milan, Bolgona, or Venice this should be doable.
Go to www.immobiliare.it or to www.idealista.com or to www.gateaway.com and you should be rewarded.
The issue would be your word "guiet." In a tourist area June through Sept may not be quiet and festivals are held all the time..... in Rome you might consider Trastevere..... But read the notes in the RE sites very carefully. I have a RE attorney you should consider here is her email address: her name is Grazia Colombo. Tell her I sent you. mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it
Good luck, Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent...

[GENERENNER17]

cost to rent apt in milan italy

[CHIP_774 0]

the cost varies tremendously depending upon where and how you want to live. At $6000 euro a month you can live almost anywhere in or outside Milan: fashion district, financial district etc. And in the center of the city you can find 403 square feet for 1840 euro a month about 2$000 a month furnished. Most apartments are furnished so don't worry about that.
If you are willing to live in the province of Milan as opposed to the city center itself prices drop to 1300 to 4500 euro $1,500 to $5,000 a month. You also need to consider if the apartment building has elevators or walk-up. Internet and TV and if there is a condo fee. Also you should know that most Italian rental agreements are two to four years long with an out clause.
Go to the www.immobiliare.it, or www.gateaway.com, or www.idealista.com and put in Rent (Affitare) and Milan and go from there. All three will translate to English.
Chip Stites, Italian Correspondent, International Living Magazine.

[STEVE 5]

Hi, it won't let me post, but maybe will let me comment. I'm traveling to Pavia to enroll my son at the University of Pavia and I would like to find someone near there to assist. One of the things I would like is assistance to find a rental apartment for my son from October to June while he attends the university. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Best,
Steve

[CHIP_774 0]

HI Steve, I replied to the same question above. Please see the answer. Chip Stites, Italy Correspondent. IL Magazine.