Italy is a favourite destination for buyers on a budget or those looking to renovate a property, why? Because there is a huge market for affordable properties.   

For trulli in Umbria to the studio apartments of Sicily, if you’re looking to save a bit of money but would still enjoy having an Italian property of your own, there is a market for it – you just have to know where to look.   

 

Palermo, Sicily  

Known as the “Kingdom of the Sun”, the Sicilian capital of Palermo has a rich and intriguing history. Walking through its streets, you can see Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman and Italian influences. There is a wealth of things to see and do, from visiting architectural wonders like the Cattedrale di Palmero, hikes up the Monte Pellegrino, and nights at Italy’s largest opera house, Teatro Massimo. Palmero also has an exciting street food scene: the arancini (fried rice balls) and cannoli (sweet ricotta fried pastry) are a must-try. It is about a 20-minute drive from Palermo to the airport, and there are great public transport routes.   

In Palermo, you can purchase an old property that needs renovating for less than €10,000. If you’d rather move in straight away, restored older properties tend to cost upwards of €80,000 for a one-to-two-bedroom and around €120,000 for a family home.  

 

Frosinone, Lazio  

Just an hour’s drive from the hustle and bustle of Rome, Frosinone offers a totally different side to Italy. A home here will mean being surrounded by beautiful, unspoiled countryside, enchanting lakes and rolling hills. Frosinone is about an hour’s drive or a two-hour train ride from Rome’s international airport, the busiest and best connected in the country.    

Despite its beauty, Lazio is often overlooked in favour of Tuscany and Umbria – but property buyers may be pleasantly surprised by just how far their budget stretches here. You can buy a one-bedroom flat in a gorgeous historic building for around €40,000. While an old, character home can be bought for just €100,000.    

 

Lungiana, Tuscany   

Lunigiana, often called the “land of a hundred castles”, is a historical territory in northern Tuscany. It stretches along the valleys at the foot of the Apennines and the Apuan Alps. It is the perfect place to hunt for a home if you are after authentic charm. 

Discover vineyards and olives, waterfalls, chestnut groves, and scattered amongst this natural setting, you’ll find charming villages. Pisa, the nearest airport, is an hour away.  

In Lungiana, you can find characterful family village homes needing some TLC for under €30,000. At the same time, a restored two-bedroom home will cost around €60,000. A larger restored property costs around €120,000.   

 

Perugia, Umbria   

With a charm preserved from the 14th century, Perugia is the capital of Umbria. It’s lively but small, suiting buyers who want plenty of things to get up to but don’t want to be overwhelmed.  Today, it is famous for the Perugina Chocolate House, hosting the annual Umbria Jazz Festival and the National Gallery of Umbria. Plus, Umbria is nicknamed “the green heart of Italy” – so you can escape the city for strolls through rolling hills and valleys.  

Property prices in Umbria tend to be more affordable than in neighbouring Tuscany. Discover gorgeous, older country homes for upwards of €50,000, modernised apartments in the city for €80,000 and lovely family villas for less than €200,000.  

 

Browse homes in Italy today   

 

Rightmove Overseas buyers looking for affordable Italian homes will find that these regions not only offer attractive prices but also a quality of life that is quintessentially Italian. With careful research and the right guidance, the dream of owning a home in Italy can become a reality, even for those on a tighter budget.  

 

If you are considering an overseas property purchase, whether for lifestyle or investment, we recommend speaking to an FCA-authorised currency specialist like Smart Currency Exchange. This will enable you to benefit from their competitive exchange rates and specialist currency knowledge. For more information, download Smart Currency Exchange’s free report or visit the Currency Zone.  

  

Written by PropertyGuides for Rightmove