The Best Five Places to Buy Real Estate in Sicily Italy.

[@megandigregorio03]

I'm a Sicilian-American (dual citizen) who just visited Sicily for the first time in June. I found it to be so magical! My great-grandparents came from a town to the east of Palermo, and I would love to spend more time near there. Maybe someday I will be able to bring my whole family to see the magic as well!

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Agree Sicily is a wonderful island with cheap property prices.

[@bacchusvino]

Don’t say maybe one-day, it’s time to make the plan. That might be five or ten, but make the plan.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

@@bacchusvino Agree.

[@natpaler883]

Siracusa is my absolute favorite! I would love to own a tiny little casa in this region.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I agree 100%. Siracusa is amazing.

[@bacchusvino]

I had the pleasure of spending three months last year in Italy, three weeks in Rome for weeks in Florence, one week in Pompeii, and one month in Siracusa. I could live in Siracusa, no need for a car, everything is within walking distance, and the hop on hop off bus is five euros for the day: four restaurants, one with a Michelin Star in the same square as the state's main church. The duomo was built within the Temple of Isis. The bus to the airport was around twenty euros. We chose to use the taxi for 80 euros, because of the luggage and we got a late start that morning to fly home.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Many thanks for your feedback.

[@ap-hv9uh]

I love Palermo, what a vibrant city!

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Agree 100%. A very vibrant city.

[@ClaireRussell-n6m]

Great video! we bought a townhouse in a small town called Mineo, which is in the Catania province. The town dates back to 700BC so is full of history. We have seen the houses in our town increase in price from last year which is great.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Many thanks for your feedback. Congratulations on your purchase in Mineo.

[@cathyggill]

My heart!! I am from a grandfather from Catania, Sicily, and a grandmother from Cellere, Viterbo! Too hard to figure out. Thank you for the informative dialogue on Sicily.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

My pleasure Cathy

[@SharonRepici]

We’re considering a permanent move to Sicily and we keep going back to the city of Terrasini on the west coast. Monreale, south of Palermo also has lots of promise, but further from a sea view.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Monreale is really good value for money when it comes to property although I personally prefer Bagheria with similar prices and the sea. Terrasini is nice but a little bit on the expensive (by Sicily standards anyway).

[@marcocarlson1693]

Let's see. Probably around a $150,000 can get you a very, very good place in Sicily, Italy, as you say, steeped in history, art, music, architecture, unbelieveable cathedrals, georgeous beaches, fresh healthy food beyond great, etc. etc. Where I am in the U.S.(CA), $600,000 would get you a lesser home, in an area with roughly 1,500%+ the crime of Sicily(researched), not anywhere near the sea, or even airport, in a town that is, let's say nicely, quasi-seedy, and with nothing of interest at all anywhere nearby, but close to a McDonald's, or Taco Bell. Hmmmmm!? Something seems really out of balance here. Sicily is extraordinaire! Obviously so is the rest of Italy. Thank You.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

My pleasure Marco and yes prices in the US are just crazy at the moment. Most other places seem cheap in comparison. Italy is really beautiful.

[@truefreedom9308]

exremely few places , if any, in usa have 1500% more crime rate than sicily. US stats are skewed by te bad neighborhoods in liberal run cities. if you exclude those, US is as safe as anywhere in world. I live neara city of 100,00 people, huge amount are illegal immigrants and mydoor i never locked.

[@marcocarlson1693]

@@truefreedom9308 What I said is fact for crimes deemed violent. It's actually just a bit below that 15x figure(1,500%), which is why I said 'roughly', just to round up the figure. For crimes deemed petty it's 6x more, or 600+% more in the U.S. than in Sicily. Btw about 75% of all crimes in Italy are commited by 'illegals' in the country, which is a tiny % of Italy, yet most of all crime, shockingly. Leading me to my next point, as you say 'if you exclude all the bad neighborhoods in all the Liberal run cities' it's less. Ahahaha! I mean those are almost all metropolitan areas in the entire country! You are talking about almost the entire U.S. If I said for only certain parts of Italy or Sicily and not including 'illegal's crimes', there is near 0.0% crime. But that's not exactly what it is. Do you think there are any Liberals(Leftists) in Italy? Uhh Yes, unfortunately. My stats are all inclusive though. As for the U.S. being one of the safest countries in the World? Uhhhh, not even close At All. Not even 'excluding' as you say, which only helps some. That's why the media never makes any detailed comparisons with other meaningful countries, ever. Now, having lived in the U.S. and Italy my whole entire life I cite these truths Sadly as I have a love for the U.S., but now moreso for it's past, and not current. So what's true is true, and really that's all.

[@paulmccarthy8916]

Excellent information well delivered, as aways. Thanks for this.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

My pleasure Paul

[@wernerdanler2742]

You did some excellent photography. Loved the video. Those "per square metre" prices you gave when converted to square feet prices for us Americans are absolutely incredible. I don't think you can buy a shed for those prices here. Ciao!

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Many thanks for your feedback. Property is indeed incredibly cheap.

[@anne4083]

Hi just like to say I've been living in Sicily for over 3 decades and if we're talking about earthquakes the whole island is on a fault line!! Catania is right below Mount etna(Europe's most active volcano!!) so I'm sorry I can't understand why describe messina as not a wise investment! To be honest the cities are all stunning but can be very chaotic!! I live in a small town on the central northern part of the island not far from Cefalù which I prefer to the hustle and bustle of the city.

[@bacchusvino]

Several locals in Siracusa told me that Mussina was not worth it. When I asked why? The answer was Messina was nothing after the 1910 earthquake. That I would be better off exploring Catania or Palermo. You know how everyone has their own opinions, and we must look for ourselves.

[@anne4083]

@@bacchusvino exactly! We all have our own opinions! I think it's best to stay for a while in the area your interested in to get the feel of it. Eg. I prefer living not far from the sea. Others like inland.

[@joelclark6375]

Hi Anne4083. Close to Cefalu sounds amazing. How close to the water can you get with 150 000?

[@archiegoodwinjr]

I agree with this list. Palermo: airport (international connections--this propels Palermo and Catania to top positions), population (resources--wide range of people--not just tourism oriented), beauty (architecture--Palermo might not have Ortigia's piazza or Ragusa's topography, but it has more important buildings than other places in Sicily). I bought in Siracusa 15 years ago and prices dropped over 60%.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Many thanks for your feedback. Prices have dropped heavily in many parts of Italy that is why they seem so reasonable now. I do not necessarily think prices will therefore go up a fair bit in the future but there is almost no downside.

[@truefreedom9308]

why did prices drop so much?

[@llee8325]

John Rubino, financial advisor, believes that Germany's serious decline as an industrial powerhouse will spell doom for the Euro, and that will seriously hurt property prices in the southern Rurope countries that have never pulled their weight, I. e., Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, etc.

[@peters616]

Comiso is the nearest airport to Ragusa, and much, much closer than the Catania airport. My wife and I have a place in Marina di Ragusa, which is a nearby beach town, and always fly into and out of Comiso.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Peter S the problem with Comiso is that there are no direct flights outside of Italy except I think Brussels.

[@peters616]

@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375 there are a few other connections in Europe but not to the US, but there are no direct flights from the US to Catania either so you need to take a connecting flight either way. I fly from NY and switch in either Rome or Milan for a connecting flight to Comiso. It wouldn’t be any easier to get to Catania.

[@alo33]

Hi Giorgio! Great video - just went to Siracusa last year and I can't agree with you more, the place is gorgeous. You know this trend of decreasing property prices across the board in Sicily compare to a few years ago, your thoughts on how far this downward trend will continue? I'm not expecting much in terms of value appreciation, after all Italy is not leaping forward with economic growth, but if I buy something and it holds its value after 5 years, that's a win for me already. Just thinking about getting a small apartment at the bottom price bracket somewhere, and the part time rental income generated might still beat just letting the money sit in a bank.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

A Lo my honest opinion is that prices will not go down further as they are very cheap. The way I think of it in most of Italy is enjoy the property and if you get any upside in capital gain or rental income from airbnb that is a bonus. Renting long term in Italy comes with a lot of potential issues especially if a tenant decides not to pay.

[@knockknock1246]

Always a great show, Giorgio. Any referrals asked of me will be directed to your videos.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Many thanks Knock Kock. Much appreciated that you will refer people to my videos.

[@knockknock1246]

@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375 Repost. 😂

[@janetlombardi2314]

I'm looking forward to visiting Scicily. Thank you 😊

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

My pleasure Janet

[@BraveHelios]

Splendid video, thank you! I will be obtaining my dual citizenship with USA/Italia (my parents are from Cassibile and Floridia) and we are hoping to purchase a home next year. Any bespoke top tips for us? Thanks again!

[@155162]

I'm thinking of buying property in the south of Italy. Looking at places in Puglia, Calabria,Sicily or Sardegna. Some place where they have a "warm winter"

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I have done videos on all these regions. I hope they can help in your decision making.

[@13cicc]

I think the best place to buy a property in Sicily is Marsala. Amazing properties for really reasonable prices!

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Agree 100%. Marsala has great value for money properties.

[@anthonygalitsky8448]

Thank you. I think Palermo is the best

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Thank you, Anthony. Palermo is a wonderful city. Very low prices as well.

[@Violetta1912]

I love Palermo, I would live there in a heartbeat ❤️

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Palermo is a wonderful city with reasonable prices.

[@dam4274]

I love the small city of Capo d’Orlando.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Must admit I have never been. Must make it a prority on my next visit to Sicily.

[@jobird354]

Beautiful cities. Thank you

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Thanks Jo Bird. Very Cheap as well

[@BraveHelios]

I have family near Siracusa and Palermo / Partinico so, many places on or near your list!

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

So many places indeed.

[@alexty428]

Looking at this from the States, I would say 1 taromina, 2 palermo, 3 cefalu

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Alex Taormina and Cefalu are both lovely but expensive in particular Taormina.

[@CodingAbroad]

I’ve got 200k euros to spend and I’m sold on Sicily but I need to go somewhere I can get to by public transport only. Where do you recommend? I’ve been looking at Noto so far

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I would recommend Palermo and Catania as both have major airports.

[@marcelonavarro3586]

Ciao Giorgio! Great video and tips. About Taormina, if money is not a problem, would you say it's a nice place to retire? Grazie mille

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Thanks Marcelo yes Taormina is a wonderful place to retire. The only downside is that in winter it can be a little too quiet for some people.

[@annoyingchannel8812]

Fascinating video as always Giorgio. You sometimes hear about organised crime syndicates in Sicily - do you think there is any credence to these stories you sometimes hear? Regards.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Thanks AC. To be honest not really. Of course, there is some organized crime, but it will not affect foreign buyers of real estate.

[@annoyingchannel8812]

@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375 Thanks Giorgio.

[@davidmitchell7959]

What are your thoughts, Giorgio, on Noto or a nearby community for retirement and acess to beaches and still be reasonable for property?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

David Noto is nice enough but at over 1600 Euros per sqm on average I think prices are a bit on the high side.

[@thebuzzonrealestate5465]

I just think €900-€1300 is a little on the high side for an average price per square meter for my two favorites where I would like to buy Trapani & Palermo, please tell me your opinion on average per square meter seems lower now thanks

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I am surprised you think that these prices are high. I think for two such lovely places in particular Palermo prices are low.

[@DavidWilliams-qr5yj]

I'd be interested in a discussion on why prices have dropped substantially during a time of worldwide inflation. And thoughts of possible drops in quality of living do to the economy.

[@rosariovasta314]

Price has dropped because there is no jobs and young peoples are leaving for other places in north of Italy or EU nations.zlots of vacant houses

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Prices have dropped in the north as well as the south. Drops have actually been higher in cities like Genova than in Palermo. The reasons are that the Italian economy has not performed well, taxes are quite high, low birth rate and Italy is a pro tenant market.

[@stevepovey2489]

Italy are offering a 10% tax rate for retirees. You have to locate to a town of less than 20,000 people though. Maybe that would make a good video. Any suggestions? Also, how much of a concern are earthquakes?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

It is actually 7%. I do intend to make a video on thsi topic. Thanks

[@stevepovey2489]

@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375 Sorry, I meant 7%

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

No worries Steve.

[@Winnie-hq5hs]

Thanks for the video❤

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

You're welcome 😊

[@dojocho1894]

I'm a Cardiologist here in the US looking to move to Sicily I retire in 4 yrs. I'm recently divorced ..straight and enjoy Nightlife, the arts, concerts, Opera...I want to socialize meet single ladies ect.......what is a area I should be looking for property? Thanks

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Without doubt Palermo followed by Catania.

[@carolinekaplan542]

im in chicago looking to retire with nice opera too

[@carolinekaplan542]

How old are these ladies to enjoy the opera with ? We have a decent opera in Chicago too. I’m nit sure whether southern Italy of central is the way to go.

[@krisballard541]

I would choose some of the smaller towns.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Which ones would you choose?

[@krisballard541]

I haven't actually been to Sicily. However, this week I will be applying for my passport. Salemi and Mussomeli seem like nice towns.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

⁠@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375 I am thinking of retiring to South East Sicily. I would look at Ragusa, which you recommended, and Modica and Noto and adjacent towns and villages. Modica I love, but I worry, thinking about old age, about the excessive number of steps as it’s built into a ravine. They are all gorgeous, historic, set in fantastic natural landscapes , the food and produce are fantastic and they are all not too far from beaches and other lovely towns to visit. And, of course, there’s the weather. I originally looked in 2012, and it’s clear prices have fallen in actual and real values. Why is this?

[@lorascelsi8102]

Stunning ❤

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Thank you

[@CodingAbroad]

Did Sicily experience a house price craze bump like other countries did?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I would not say a house price craze bump but certainly prices did rise a fair bit.

[@truefreedom9308]

i visited silcily and liked it. I was told that Mafia is sill a big force there (more underground than before). As someone moving to sicily, how would i bump into this evil problem.?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Unless you go looking for the Mafia you will never ever meet them.

[@truefreedom9308]

@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375 really? i am sure the good people of sicily would like to know that. :) But, ok...

[@pyarchapman-venice3662]

Why is Italy not a great place to rent out property? AirBnB ok you say….I just discovered your channel, so am curious to hear your opinion on renting.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

The problem is that Italy is a very pro tenant country so if your tenant does not pay the rent it is very difficult to evict

[@SimplicityForGood]

@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375 ask the mafia directly to help you and then owe them for security? it has worked for a hundred years, I am sure is better than Italian bureaucracy that is really corrupt and slow....

[@nikki88tx]

So an air b and b or vrbo would be a good option though?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

@@nikki88tx Airbnb could be an option but you never know about future restrictions.

[@arnoldkiel7670]

Since when is Erice, Castellamare and Seliunte Trapani?

[@JustCope17]

Will prices be expected to keep dropping?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I honestly do not think prices can drop much further if at all.

[@elplata7224]

Are there any actual surf spots in Sicily?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Yes there are such as San Leone, Playa Catania and Cefalu.

[@13cicc]

Trapani is a no for me (and by the way in the video you said Trapani but you showed Erice which is a huge yes).

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Thank you for your feedback.

[@nikki88tx]

What about scalea? Thanks

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Scalea is one of my favorite places to buy real estate in Italy. If you look at my video library there are plenty of videos on Calabria and Scalea

[@musicfromthebest1]

Can you make best place to buy initially 2024

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I will definitely make one before 2025.

[@thebuzzonrealestate5465]

Amazing!

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Many thanks.

[@thejmanofmelbourne]

Dear Sir, could you advise. Do your prices per sq/m mean the cost for land only OR for the house size OR a combination of these? Many thanks, John

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Its about property on land.

[@hyacinthABC]

I'd like to see Cefalu even though you dismissed it.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I might just do a video on Cefalu. I really like Cefalu but prices are not cheap

[@SteveGrin]

What do you think about Sardegna?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Steve I have actually done a video on Sardegna. Please see link below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6rFi4B8qcqBjLs

[@Taking_Back_Thyme]

I prefer smaller towns that are near to an actual city.

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Thank you for your feedback. Might do a video on the smaller towns.

[@glb8406]

Please Catania? Is the most dangerous one in Sicilia

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Most areas of Catania are safe. Of course as in any other city you have to avoid neigborhoods like Librino, San Giovanni Galerno, San Cristoforo, San Berillo Nuovo ecc

[@glb8406]

@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375 there are many small villages in Sicilia where to live and buy cheap houses and be totally safe, honestly I wouldn't suggest Catania which is also very chaotic.

[@rosariovasta314]

Catania as many other big city has local delinquenza. The local deliquency is after money. So they target local businesses not single person. Catanis is overpopuleted driving into Catania city can be a very negative experiamce. There are area like Librino,San Cristoforo that aren't the best places to be around. There are many small little place in Catania Province that are very and livesble. Price of houses changes a lots from area and condition of the house.

[@user-th9nm1ow2p]

How can i reach you?

[@LaurenCass97]

Cianciana?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Prices are extremely cheap but I think many might find it a little too remote and small. I think less than 5000 people live there.

[@dezafinado]

All of Sicily, including the "system"... how much?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I am not sure what you are asking.

[@tapantera]

Taxes?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

I plan to cover taxes in another video.

[@Simblysaid]

Will language be an issue with the locals?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Robert in general yes as most people in Sicily do not speak English.

[@mineralt]

Honestly, what is the crime situation with flood of unskilled immigrants from Africa?

[@Terrysteele401]

Crete?

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

Coming in the not too distant future.

[@truefreedom9308]

siracusa is is hot like a furnace

[@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375]

In the summer it is hot but most of the year it is a lovely place to live.

[@truefreedom9308]

@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375 ok, i visited in september.it is beautiful. but it was so hot that i had to cancel all my plans for the day and get into the water and stay there. it was an emergency. and this was late september... but, its beautiful... agreed.

[@JanosNemeth-y7n]

How about the winter 🥶? Have snow & very cold need to heat up the apartment? Like in New York?​@@saveandinvestwithgiorgiolo8375