The Best Places to Retire in Southern Italy | Pros & Cons of Retiring in Sicily, Calabria, etc.

[@kims1912]

My ex and I loved Tropea and Pizzo. We almost bought a sea view villa in Zambrone. It had a small yard overlooking the Terrenean Sea and beach. The coastline of Capo Vaticano is gorgeous.

[@the_expat]

Impressive! Do you remember the prices?

[@Alexis-ey4kp]

Why didn't you buy the villa?

[@Daredicover]

Thank you for delivering such high-quality travel content! Do you plan on making videos about local cuisine in these places?

[@romanasobotka3193]

Yes it is beautiful. I was born in that area

[@miriam8712]

I do love those educational photos in between, some of them truly crack me up, like the Thailand one 🤣

[@trendingwwwandw]

thanks for sharing your "The Best Places to Retire in Southern Italy " so much great infornation well explained Thanks for sharing this LIKE 1

[@the_expat]

Welcome!

[@JanosNemeth-y7n]

I love to leave everything behind in Hawaii & move to Calabria but I’m afraid 😱 I don’t know what to do ? How I can start?

[@KaterinaFerrara]

I would also recommend checking out Crotone in Calabria. An important Greek settlement it still has some Ancient Greek temples and great house prices. Grazie da Texas come sempre ❤

[@the_expat]

Thanks for the tips! Welcome

[@giulioB__88]

@@KaterinaFerrara I am born and raised in Crotone. Very cute city.

[@Cacciatore_Raccoglitore]

try Crotone in Calabria: historic town by the sea, sunny, family friendly, quiet and safe and super cheap. 15 minutes from the airport. When i retire i would go there fot sure

[@andrewst44]

O good video with good comparisons between cities. Maybe one sugestion: apart from the cost of an apartment, to indicate the cost of utilities for all these places.

[@the_expat]

Good idea! We will apply it in our next videos.

[@globalretirementus]

Southern Italy sounds like a dream retirement destination! I’m curious-what are the main differences in living costs and quality of life between places like Sicily and Calabria? Are there any challenges with healthcare or bureaucracy that retirees should be aware of? Looking forward to hearing more about the pros and cons of each region!

[@brucebenson5908]

You know how to find very relevant information from what seem to be very credible sources. What a good job. I disagree about the desirability of Catania. From time spent there on a couple of visits the city was too gritty and industrialized with not enough interesting, attractive public squares in the city center. But it's definitely a very good choice as a place to arrive and depart from when exploring Sicily.

[@the_expat]

Good point! Thanks!

[@robertm.4916]

Great information. Thank you.

[@TheSicilianLife]

Our favorite is Siciy, of course~! Thank you! 😊 I just subscribed.

[@the_expat]

Thanks!

[@hassanboutabssil8177]

Very informative much appreciated thank you very much

[@the_expat]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@olgasampis9745]

I was just un Italy, calabria, basilicata and puglia!!,❤️❤️❤️

[@KaterinaFerrara]

My favourite area in Sicily is Val di Noto with cities like Ragusa and Noto

[@the_expat]

Interesting! We thought about including Ragusa in this video too.

[@marktindal4714]

This is a superb guide thank you. Now I need to find out how I can retire there with a visa

[@marktindal4714]

From the UK

[@the_expat]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SharonRepici]

@@marktindal4714do you have a pension that pays more than ~ 35.000€ annually? A little more for each family member? If so check out an Elective Visa.

[@olgasampis9745]

Very good video, thanks. Subscribed! I really love Italy!. You need to learn italian

[@the_expat]

It is a beautiful language.

[@glenjoke10]

Mt Etna is not to far from Catania. Also, Sigonella is a US naval air base chances are you might run into someone that is in the US Military. I spent 3 years living outside of Catania when my mother was station there.

[@the_expat]

Good point! Mount Etna is less than 1 hour far from Catania.

[@SharonRepici]

@@the_expatand very active lately, causing a dirty, gritty ash to fall on the area. Catania recently experienced terrible flooding partly because this ash clogs the sewers and runoffs.

[@FreeWanderingThinker]

Great video! Greetings from Caserta, Campania.

[@the_expat]

Thank you! Campania 😍

[@FreeWanderingThinker]

@the_expat Welcome! If I can help somehow (I know the place and I speak Italian, German and English - my wife also Russian) let me know.

[@seamusp5991]

Great run down. Thanks!

[@the_expat]

Glad you liked!

[@shetaz905]

Great video! Just subscribed.

[@the_expat]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@equatorialcat4569]

would love a video on sardinia about retiring

[@nhlbluesgirl7045]

Thanks for the great video!

[@the_expat]

Thanks for the comment :)

[@goodphone156]

Thank you for this video!!

[@the_expat]

You are welcome :)

[@immanuelesimonelli]

12:23 that’s Al Pacino in Scarface not the godfather. Also Catania is more calm than Palermo but roads can be much tighter and it’s a lot more sketchy if a city almost like a lawless city.

[@the_expat]

Wow! Interesting. In which aspects of daily life you think Catania is lawless?

[@immanuelesimonelli]

@@the_expat for example when it comes to organizing parties. I’m Palermo or Agrigento there’s lots of red tape and you have to wait months for approval in Palermo even if you don’t get approval the police won’t do nothing. That’s one example but police in general over there is not as common as other provinces in Sicily you’ll barely see the police around the city.

[@speedbird8326]

12:23 Nope, it's Al Pacino in a famous scene from Scarface....

[@the_expat]

Interesting! Is it similar to Godfather? Because it reminded me of it.

[@uditfonseka]

@@the_expat not a similar movie---very different.

[@cindyloppnow1621]

What are the best websites to find longer term rentals?

[@emiliegray6737]

A parking spot in Vancouver BC.

[@the_expat]

True!

[@rennava99]

Hi , which real estate website do you use to find these apartments? Please provide information, thank you

[@the_expat]

Most offers in the video are from immobiliare.it :)

[@Governemntistheproblem]

Just came back today from Puglia. Visited Touristic regions mostly. So prices were not that low. However since it is an agricultural society, it has outstanding products and food. I rank Puglia as the second best region in Italy after Tuscany, my favorite. Also I dont understand people's exitement about Spain. I find Spaniards distant, their cuisine oily, and their country overrated. Italy on the other hand, with its culture, music, food, people, architecture, sceneries is stunning. If I ever retire somewhere outside of home, it will be in Italy.

[@the_expat]

Interesting! Could you tell us how much you spend on a meal, for example?

[@Governemntistheproblem]

Around 40 to 50€ for good quality food no drinks. Most mains are 15 to 20€. Salads aroun 5 to 10€.

[@strikedn]

@@Governemntistheproblem That's what we pay in Milan, the most expensive city in Italy. So much for the "cheap" South....

[@12567NoYouCannot]

@@Governemntistheproblem; I have to Agree that Spain is Overrated; Spaniards are NOT nice people. In fact, they are kind RUDE and a lot of them Hate tourists.

[@RoseBornagain]

​@@strikednPuglia is getting so expensive mainly Valle d'Italia Ostuni, and the is neither great compare to the rest of Italy. I know I live here, next week will be the G7 I bet a coffee ☕ will cost 7 euro, ridiculous.

[@cjsal8646]

You dont know the market in Salerno, if you say that houses by the sea are so cheap. Word of an Italian living in that area.if you want an apartment close to the sea in Salerno atleat 400,000 euros.

[@the_expat]

We used real prices from real houses and apartments for sale in Salerno...

[@live--now]

all the coast south of salerno..in campania , Is even better...

[@hansfranklin5070]

$65,000 USD might get you an outdated mobile home in Bellingham, Washington. But in addition, you still have to pay monthly for the space. Guessing it's $400-500 USD....maybe more. Utilities and not sure on property tax?

[@the_expat]

" But in addition, you still have to pay monthly for the space. " Wow...

[@jackbaldwin3649]

🤣 I said you could maybe buy a car for 60k!

[@daxiongmao50]

Sicily Syracusa is the place I want go

[@the_expat]

Good choice!

[@RoseBornagain]

Puglia is getting too expensive, mainly Ostuni area.But the countryside is stunning.

[@the_expat]

True!

[@dovoso5685]

Nice but financial requirements for non-eu residents are similar to Greece and not cheap.

[@the_expat]

That is true.

[@semilio1]

Thank you for the info, but the portrait is from ‘Scarface’.

[@Calipeixegato]

But is Naples a good place to retire if you WANT a big bustling city?

[@the_expat]

Good point. If someone wants a bustling, noisy city, Naples might be a good place because it is still relatively inexpensive compared to other large cities in Italy (like Milan or Rome)

[@craigchambers4183]

How can someone retire in Italy which only allows 90 days every 180 to be in the country? I don't get it.

[@the_expat]

Applying for an Elective Residency Visa (ERV) :)

[@fjdkfdfjdf33]

Father Guido Sarducci! Thanks

[@theodorearaujo971]

$60,000 is a car in New York, although there are houses in poor areas of Syracuse NY where 60k can buy a house.

[@the_expat]

Shocking.

[@sicuro5050]

Siracusa is in Sicilia too

[@moirbasso7051]

Yeah, but the winters! “Lake Effect” can scare anyone who knows….

[@manymoms920]

Most Brits retired in spain, france portugal very few % in Thailand. Just look at stats

[@StefSamara]

Portrait from Scarface, not Godfather, but that was funny indeed 😂

[@thomasjpuleo8112]

Bonus tip: You can ride one of the local mosquitos into town to pick up bread and milk.

[@the_expat]

hahahaha😅

[@nysunflower9439]

I think the portrait was actually Scarface. 😂

[@arnemcradu6499]

You are obviously not factoring in the necessary international health insurance . That is a huge cost!

[@dominic6283]

There is a ton of red tape in Italy and taxes are very high

[@alessandrof2421]

You should ask yourself why people from Southern itay are leaving their land and why italians from other regions do not go to live there...

[@sicuro5050]

Thats a Great question , and he will not Like the answer

[@the_expat]

Lack of jobs mostly, but in the case of retirees, that is not a big problem.

[@mkx9095]

@@the_expatno, problem is not that . Its another . I let you guess . It starts with M

[@giulioB__88]

​@@mkx9095 you watched way too many movies 🤦🏻

[@mkx9095]

@@giulioB__88 sei siciliano mpadre ?

[@mikeriv60]

So pretty much....don't get really sick in Italy and in need of a hospital because it seems if your not right next to one....all bad for your health.

[@the_expat]

For simple procedures there are many clinics, even in little cities. For more serious issues, one needs to go to a bigger city. I think this is the standard nearly anywhere in the world, no?

[@andreasankara]

la sanità Italiana è tra le migliori al mondo ed è anche gratuita

[@mrseinfeld]

In a city in south german you buy a garage for 60'

[@f14tomcat37]

Puglia is a “region” - not a “province”.

[@the_expat]

Yes, thanks for the correction.

[@jenniferw5735]

He said, I know why they go to Thailand😂😂😂

[@the_expat]

:D

[@ddhgerlb]

In reality, only immigrants who fully assimilate into Italian culture are more or less accepted. Not unlike most other countries. There's a huge difference between tolerated and accepted. Don't be naive.

[@tanner293]

everybody is accepted as long as you have money to live and you are respectful of the local culture

[@strikedn]

@@tanner293 And speak Italian.

[@tanner293]

@@strikedn learning a language it's not easy and most of all takes time and practice, in Italy if you dont speak italian you are pretty limited most of all.

[@the_expat]

True, Tanner293!

[@12567NoYouCannot]

@@tanner293 I feel that's Everywhere in the World. Humans have Changed & and is reflecting in the Quality of time people have when they visit other places. The whole World has become a Very Cold, Distant Place; in reference to human interactions. When I was younger; people were curious about Others that came from abroad and they offered foreigners their hospitality; but Now, and I guess it's thanks to the World Wide Web; nobody Cares anymore if You visit their territory.

[@pianomansk]

👍👍👍👍

[@WoutervanTiel]

6 acres of land for 65k

[@the_expat]

Impressive! Farm land?

[@f14tomcat37]

It is pronounced “Molise” - not “Molis”

[@the_expat]

Thanks for the correction :)

[@neoanderson726]

Doubled! That is how much Italy increased tax on foreign income for new residents.

[@erents1]

Beautiful I could buy a beautiful home in Italy for $65,000 in California I can buy a used van for $65,000 and live on the streets illegally.

[@atlantis4516]

You didn’t consider the risk of Earthquakes

[@calgal5752]

So there are earthquakes, volcanos, landslides, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, blizzards, forest fires……so what? Every area has something…..I still surf even though there are sharks, too.

[@atlantis4516]

@@calgal5752 your answer is not that smart, I mean when you decide to move you have to consider a lot of stuff and if the risk of Earthquakes is much higher than other european areas you have to think about it. Anyway have a good day.

[@uditfonseka]

@@atlantis4516 no you do not really have to think about it. For comparison--you are thirty times more likely to be killed in a car accident if you move to Canada, compared to earthquakes if you move to Italy.

[@atlantis4516]

@@uditfonseka are you serious?

[@uditfonseka]

@@atlantis4516 completely---Im a Math expert, a statistician ,good at recognizing patterns and in my youth-an inventory taker. Your view is common but is wrong--just like people who are scared to fly in large commercial jets and then end up driving long distance to some place. Do not be fearful--the numbers do not support that. Live a little with no irrational fears. Relax.

[@strikedn]

Good luck if you need a hospital....

[@the_expat]

We always recommend contracting good health insurances to have access to private hospitals.

[@jackbaldwin3649]

I could maybe buy a car for 60,000 euros where I'm from. 🤣

[@warrentrout]

Catania? What a filthy, dirty, nasty city. I couldn't wait to leave.

[@thomasjpuleo8112]

1. That’s Pacino in Scarface, not Godfather. 2. How do you manage to mispronounce both English and Italian? Just kidding. Nice rundown.

[@harendabar]

2 weeks. And go home. Total Nonsence

[@Kawoski]

SCARFACE

[@this.is.berlin]

The women in (Southern) Italy are not aproachable at all. So I prefer Eastern Europe!

[@the_expat]

That is true, Italian women require an extra effort XD

[@queen452010]

@@the_expatthe way it should be . Man here are used to easily available.

[@gkstr11]

@@the_expat😅😅j😊😅ooko

[@marcocarlson1693]

@@the_expat That's actually because they are very well off and so don't 'need' anybody. 😆

[@cinziam457]

Please let's stop this "expat" nonsense. You are an IMMIGRANT in Italy just like all the others who have come from other countries.

[@the_expat]

Are you aware that both words mean the same thing, right? It is like saying "Stop this "man" nonsense, you are a male"

[@shetaz905]

@@the_expat You are absolutely right.

[@John-qb8vd]

Tomayto or tomahto, Karen

[@Isimud]

Nope.: Expat from latin „expatriare“ „out of the fatherland“ in opposition to „immigrare“ „moving in to“. The first focuses on the country of origin while the second one on the process of entering another country. An „expat“ defines somebody from a superior more wealthy culture temporary moving to a less developed country, in comparison to an Immigrant who has to adopt to the culture of the host country. Or have you ever heard of a „mexican expat“ in the USA?

[@anthonylafayette4385]

Expats have money, Immigrants don't.

[@capitalm1257]

Dude nothing is cheap without the reason Please do not use word expat cause you are regular immigrant despite you have not arrived by boat

[@the_expat]

If immigrant and expat are the same thing, what is the problem with using the word expat then? 🤔

[@oldpostie]

Seems like most folks equate 'immigrant' with someone moving to a new country to work or otherwise improve their individual situation. To make their fortune. 'Expat' is for someone bringing their advantageous situation (ie retirement or money) to a new country for one or more specifics reasons (ie lower cost of living or nicer weather). To spend their fortune. For whatever reason the former has been given a negative connotation and the latter a positive one. Perhaps all expats are immigrants but not all immigrants are expats? I'm seriously thinking of retiring in Panama from Canada and would have no trouble calling myself an immigrant.

[@Cacciatore_Raccoglitore]

is not the same thing. an expat who retires here in southern Italy brings benefits to us southerners. they are generally kind and polite, they move the economy and give us publicity. An expat gives more than he takes

[@raffaelloschirinzi2072]

PLEASE ! Before making a video, learn to pronounce the names of regions and cities correctly...

[@Kaizen--_--]

Are the Puglia olive trees still dying?

[@katherinekatherine8512]

Yes, unfortunately.

[@the_expat]

Unfortunatelly, Xylella fastidiosa is attacking them...

[@Kaizen--_--]

I heard on a Ryan Neil podcast that he traveled there to see if he could help. He spoke of the issue and attempts of correction. I have Olive bonsai trees that I’m concerned about if I were to move to Italy, in addition to the concerns that it is currently still a threat to these extremely important trees in Italy.

[@giovannasatta6918]

No

[@JanosNemeth-y7n]

@@katherinekatherine8512very sad 😢

[@Mr196710]

What about the elephant in the room? Are you overran with political asylum seekers?

[@hubbifrubbins3719]

Portrait was Pacino in "Scarface" not the "Godfather"

[@carasau67]

If you want live in Italy you must know the language and be flexible. Please do not bring here your lifestyle and your way to act.

[@the_expat]

We agree that to learn the language is important!

[@tanner293]

I think cultural exchanges can only make people grow and learn from each other. Do not bring your culture is such a narrow minded way of thinking

[@carasau67]

@@tanner293 Living in the United States, I know what I'm talking about. Change your mindset if you want to live happily in Italy. At the same time, change it if you want to integrate in a way that adds value to others. I don't want to go into detail, but the typically American way of valuing everything solely based on its economic value, the lack of empathy in most people, and the great greed of the wealthy will create many problems in Italy.

[@marianneryder1661]

tanner , of course people who come from other countries, languages should adapt to the host country, and learn the language. We can see every day in western europe the harm done by incomers refusing to do that.

[@carasau67]

Your price for house are ridiculous , it'is not like that. At least the double

[@uditfonseka]

Which house? As he shows at least six of them. And they are Real Estate listings from Agents via the internet--So are you saying he photoshopped the prices?

[@the_expat]

We literally used real prices from houses currently on sale...

[@carasau67]

@@the_expat Remember that price is often the least important thing: how is the house, how are the utilities, the neighbors, the neighborhood, the infrastructure. Those moving to Italy from the USA have the money. Spend that money to live better and boost the GDP. Higher GDP means better living conditions for expats as well. Don't be stingy. Most people move primarily to avoid paying for health insurance. But you can't come to Italy just to be freeloaders. Do you have money? Spend it in Italy.

[@the_expat]

@@carasau67 "Do you have money? Spend it in Italy." That is exactly the point :)

[@carasau67]

@@the_expat I am living in the US right now. So I am spending there.