Move To Italy From The USA: 3 Affordable Retirement Spots

Forbes

7 hours ago

Retirement in Italy can be more affordable and easier than you might think—the fantasy of la dolce vita can be made a reality... getty
Italy is one of the most well-known and popular destinations in the world, both for tourists and expats alike. And it's easier to move to Italy from the USA than you might think...
With thousands of years of history to explore, a warm and welcoming culture, great food and wine, and the beauty of a diverse country with beaches, mountains, countryside, and cosmopolitan cities, it's no surprise that this little country attracts so many foreigners.
If you've always dreamed of la dolce vita , but never thought you could afford it, I have good news.
There are corners of Italy that are affordable and accessible, even to the average retiree.
Here are my top 3 picks… 1. Bologna—Italy's Culturally Vibrant Culinary Capital
A surprising amount of people know nothing about Bologna, Italy, beyond the food it's so famous for: spaghetti Bolognese… (Ironically, that dish doesn't even exist here.) Why Retire Here?
Bologna is Italy's culinary capital. From homemade pasta and delicately folded tortellini, to fresh cheese, organic produce, and excellent local wine, the food and drink are reasons enough to come to this amazing city.
But it's also much more: Domestically, it's known as ' La Rossa ' (the red) for its iconic, terracotta-hued skyline… as well as its left-leaning political views. The city is chock-full of history, with one of the biggest, best-preserved historic centers in the country.
With its many towers, churches, and porticos, it's architecturally stunning. And it's home to the University of Bologna—the oldest university in Europe (some say in the world).
Bologna is also a major cultural center. With opera and orchestra performances year-round… jazz and live music emanating from bars and pubs… open-air concerts with music of multiple origins hosted seasonally. It's no surprise that it's designated a UNESCO City of Music. Where Is It?
Located in Northern Italy, just about halfway between Florence and Venice, Bologna is just about in the center of the top portion of 'the boot.'
As the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is one of Italy's wealthiest cities, with a fast-growing economy. It's also a transport hub, with train lines connecting it to cities around the country, allowing for easy exploration of the country and beyond.
The easiest way to reach Bologna from the U.S. is to fly into an international hub (the closest are Rome or Milan) and connect to the local airport, which would take an hour or less, depending on the connection.
High-speed trains from Rome or Milan also make it an easy stop if you'd like to enjoy a scenic rail journey into the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Who Should Retire Here?
All of this combines to create an above-average quality of life for people who live here, both local and expat. If you've dreamt of retirement in Italy and want to be surrounded by vibrant culture, history, great people, and charming architecture, Bologna deserves your attention.
Bologna is the third most expensive in Italy but that's because the quality of life is so high here. It has some of the best public health care available in the country, with the regional disparity in standards of care available tipping in Bologna's favor.
The average person here earns about 2,800 euros a month, which gives you a benchmark for cost of living. That said, the city is also home to a huge student population, so there are bargains to had if you're willing to seek them out… 2. Abruzzo—Italy's Untouched Gem Between Mountains and Sea
You've surely heard of the wonders of Tuscany… but, like so many other well-touted destinations, Tuscany has had its day; it's played out.
Not to fear.
Abruzzo has everything Tuscany offers and much more—at a fraction of the cost., and the region even offers the opportunity for owning a nice plot of land—enough to allow would-be farmers to become self-sufficient. Why Retire Here?
The diversity of geography and resulting climates mean Abruzzo can offer nearly every form of outdoor recreation you can think of… with a wealth of national parks and preserves, multiple mountain peaks, and the Adriatic coast, this is one of the best regions for a variety of sports and activities.
With its thousands of Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, castles, hermitages, palazzi , fortified towns and walled cities, abbeys, seminaries, and convents… Abruzzo is just as much a history buff's paradise as it is the outdoorsman's.
Abruzzo itself isn't home to hordes of art, though there are a few notable museums, and fine art is never far, with Rome two hours away and Florence and Venice about four. Where Is It?
This may be Italy's best kept secret, but that doesn't mean it's difficult to get to.
Directly east from Rome, on the Adriatic coast, it's a quick two-hour drive from Rome's Fiumicino Airport, with hundreds of daily direct flights all over the world. It also has its own local airport with direct flights, low-cost throughout Europe.
The bus services are reliable, comfortable, and affordable, offering you an easy way to explore your new country—and even venture beyond its borders. The local train station is noted as one of the best in Europe.
And you're just about four hours' drive from Florence, a bit under five to Venice or Milan, and three to Naples.
You can even take a ship from Pescara port to Split or Hvar in Croatia. Who Should Retire Here?
With the incredible variety of environments and things to do… it would take a special kind of person to be bored in Abruzzo.
You can be sure that Abruzzo represents the 'real Italy,' this is a traditional, rural region offering a slow-paced, low-key pace of living—perfect for retirement or those looking for a peaceful way of life. Aside from Pescara or Chieti, the towns and villages here offer small- town living and neighborly values that are hard to find these days.
Above all, Abruzzo offers a chance to step back into the past and live a simpler, tranquil life—a lifestyle that you might have been able to enjoy in 1950s America… but with lots more wine and pasta! 3. Sicily—A Sun-Soaked Crossroads Of Ancient Worlds
A crossroads in the Mediterranean, at once European, African, and neither, the island at the tip of the boot of Italy holds some of the most magnificent ruins of the ancient world.
The island's motto is more true than perhaps it even realizes: Sicily is not Italy. Why Retire Here?
Sicily offers a rare combination of affordability, beauty, and culture that's hard to match anywhere in the Mediterranean. The cost of living is lower than in most of Europe, from real estate to produce.
Add to that a sun-drenched climate, where summers linger and winters are mild, and you've got a recipe for year-round enjoyment.
The island's rich heritage is written in its streets—Greek temples, Roman amphitheaters, Arab courtyards, Norman cathedrals—each telling the story of the many civilizations that have called Sicily home. That history is matched only by the food: fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and local wines like Nero d'Avola are part of daily life, often at a fraction of the price you'd expect.
From volcanic slopes to pristine beaches, Sicily's landscapes are as varied as they are breathtaking, making it an endlessly rewarding place to put down roots in retirement. Where Is It?
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, just off the 'toe' of Italy's boot.
To get here, you'd fly into Rome or Milan and connect to one of the island's two main international airports: Palermo or Catania.
Direct flights from Rome or Milan to Sicily take about an hour, and frequent service means you can be from your U.S. departure gate to a Sicilian beach in well under 24 hours.
For a more scenic approach, ferries connect the island to mainland Italy, offering a relaxed way to arrive with your own car for extended exploration.
The big downside of Sicily for most would be the fact that it's a little less easy to access than the other options on this list, with significantly worse infrastructure. Who Should Retire Here?
As any Sicilian you engage in conversation will tell you first thing, is not Italy. The Italian influence is big, of course, but so, too, is that of the Greeks, for example.
In the 6th and 5th centuries BC, a traveler would have noticed little difference between Athens and the Greek cities of Sicily. And the comparison is just as valid today. Athens is one poor, struggling town... as is Palermo, the capital of Sicily.
The run-down feeling you might pick up on as you explore the island is felt just as much in its capital city… but this is the feeling that so many people love about Sicily and that tempts them into a retirement here.
The pace of life here is as slow as it gets in Europe… the lifestyle is so laidback, it barely moves—and what better way to enjoy retirement on a Mediterranean Island?
If you enjoy Italian and Greek cultures, want year-round sun and warmth, and are looking for a budget life in the Old World, Sicily could be for you. Accessing Italian Health Care
The national health service (SSN, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale ) is organized under the Ministry of Health and administered on a regional basis. The public sector has improved greatly over the last decade.
Foreigners with valid visas are entitled to the same public health care access and treatments as Italian citizens.
To enroll, you'll need to submit:
· A valid visa;
· A certificate of residence or a declaration of regular abode;
· Tax number, issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finances (Ufficio Locale dell'Agenzia d'elle Entrate);
· A declaration stating you will inform the government of any variation in status.
By enrolling in the national system you have access to:
· The selection of a family physician and of a pediatrician for one's children;
· General medical examinations in clinics and medical examinations with specialists;
· Medical exams at home;
· Hospitalization;
· Vaccinations;
· Blood exams, X-rays, ultrasound exams, etc.;
· Prescriptions for medicines;
· Certifications and medico-legal services;
· Rehabilitation assistance, prostheses, etc. Move To Italy
To move to Italy from the USA, you need to apply for a visa.
To stay beyond 90 days, you have to apply for a residence visa ( visto per ragioni di dimora ) to enter Italy with intent of staying more than 90 days at an Italian consulate before leaving home.
The elective residence visa is the option for anyone coming to live in Italy but not planning to work (those with self-sustaining income and assets, including retirees). Under this visa, you aren't allowed to be employed in Italy, though you can continue any remote work or be self-employed—you just have to support yourself without taking anything from the Italian economy.
To qualify, you need to prove an income of €31,000 per year (€2,583 per month), or roughly $35,890 per year ($2,990 per month).
It's easier than you might expect to move to Italy from the USA. Bologna, Abruzzo, and Sicily offer affordable living, rich culture, and stunning landscapes. With the right planning—covering visas, health care, and local life—you can settle in comfortably and enjoy la dolce vita , from historic streets to sun-soaked beaches. These regions make retiring in Italy a realistic, rewarding dream.
Forbes Everything To Know About Retiring In Italy By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes Where You Can Live In Europe For $2,000 A Month—Or Less By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes 5 European Towns Where You Can Buy Property For Under $100,000 By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes Exploring Health Insurance Options Abroad: A Guide For Older Americans By Kathleen Peddicord