Living in Italy: Four Great Reasons to Choose La Dolce Vita

Italy doesn’t need much introduction. There is so much to love about living in Italy, whether you’re an arts aficionado, a food and wine gourmand, a history buff, or a fan of lounging in the Mediterranean sun. Many people move to Italy in search of the sweet life, la dolce vita, a therapeutic life change from the anxiety-inducing hustle of work, rush-hour traffic, and to do lists.

What might attract you to living in Italy depends on what you value the most, what makes you happy. It may be simple fresh food and great wine, it may be a lively social life in a friendly community, or it may be the life of a beach bum in a poster-worthy setting.

A ton of books, shows, movies and articles have praised this magnificent country in every possible way. If you’re thinking about moving or retiring in Italy, consider what’s most important to you personally, what makes your heart giddy, what gives you peace and joy.

Here are four out of a million great reasons to choose living in Italy:          

1. Art is part of your daily life

Italian culture is well-recognized and admired around the world and for centuries Italy has been considered an artistic superpower. The birthplace of Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Luciano Pavarotti feeds your soul with every step you take. When you live in Italy, you are not only enjoying art by visiting museums or archeological sites, rather, art is a part of your daily life. On a walk to the market, you pass by original Bernini masterpieces. On a casual evening stroll, you cross beautifully ornate bridges built by famous Roman Emperors. From Italianate architecture buildings, ancient archeological sites galore, to the most awe-inspiring churches of any European civilization, authentic art is a quiet and natural presence in everyday life in Italy.  

2. There is a climate for every taste

From snowy mountains in the North to glistening sunny coastlines in the South, and vineyard hills in between, the Italian peninsula has something to offer for everyone and for every budget, whether you like the crisp alpine air or dry and hot sunny weather. Contrary to common belief, Italy enjoys four seasons, and its climate varies considerably from the South to the North.

The weather in Italy is moderately warm around the coastal lines surrounding the peninsula, with few temperature fluctuations. You can enjoy perfect beach weather for most of the year in the golden embrace of the Mediterranean sun or the silvery shade of the olive trees. The Dolomite Alps near the Austrian border are snow-covered in the winter for skiing and spectacular views, and adventure-ready in the summer for hiking and biking.

And finally, the staple feature of Italy, the lush-green, vineyard-covered countryside offers a pleasant seasonal climate. These hilly regions are generally hot in the summer, moderate and rainy in the spring and fall, and mildly cold in the winter.

3. The food really tastes better

One of the biggest perks of moving to Italy from the U.S. is enjoying the delicious food. Italian cuisine is very regional, based on locally grown fresh foods, and much more than just pizza and pasta. Each region has its own culinary traditions and in any place you live there are many local specialties to try.

It is not a myth that European foods generally taste better and there is an objective reason for it. Food safety and wholesomeness is strictly regulated in the EU. Unlike the United States, there are fewer processed foods available, no GMO’s, no hormones, no harmful additives, and no carcinogen substances are allowed in foods sold in the E.U.  

4. The pace of life is slow and sweet

One of the first things you may notice when you move to Italy is the slower pace of life. When you eat lunch, you enjoy the food and your friends and don’t discuss work. Italians love to take long coffee breaks during the day and long strolls through the town in the evenings.

All the stores and restaurants close during the hottest hours of the midday and there is nothing else to do than to slow down and relax. This is the “dolce vita” that many of us crave and that is difficult to attain while living in the U.S. You just have to learn to embrace it!