Nova Milanese

This Lombardy town has a population of around 23,000 residents, offering a genuine small-town atmosphere without feeling isolated. It’s a practical choice for those seeking a quieter pace of life while remaining connected to larger urban centres.

One important consideration is transport: there is no train station in Nova Milanese itself, which means you’ll need to arrange alternative transport for longer journeys or rely on nearby stations in connecting towns. This is worth factoring into your planning, particularly if rail access is important to you.

Healthcare is another practical matter to think about. While the town has medical services available, an English-speaking GP has not been confirmed. This means you may need to navigate Italian healthcare through interpreters or seek English-speaking doctors in nearby areas, something worth investigating before deciding to relocate.

The town itself offers a genuine Italian community experience, neither touristy nor overly remote. For retirees comfortable with limited English-language medical support and without a strong dependence on train travel, Nova Milanese could work well as a base for exploring Lombardy. Its moderate size and location make it accessible to larger towns while maintaining its own distinct character.