Lazio

Most people who move to Lazio come for Rome. Many of them end up somewhere else entirely — and are better for it.

That is not a slight on the capital. Rome remains one of the great cities of the world, and for expats who want urban intensity, an international community, and unrivalled cultural infrastructure, it delivers on every count. But Lazio is a region of five provinces and extraordinary variety, and some of its most compelling expat destinations lie well away from the city limits.

The hill towns of the Castelli Romani — including Frascati and Castel Gandolfo — sit just thirty minutes from central Rome, offering a village pace, cooler summer temperatures, and wine-producing countryside without sacrificing access to the capital. Further north, the volcanic lake district around Bolsena and Viterbo attracts expats drawn to a slower, more rural lifestyle, medieval architecture, and natural thermal springs. To the south, the coastal towns of Sperlonga and Gaeta offer a less discovered alternative to the Amalfi Coast — dramatic clifftop settings, clear water, and a fraction of the crowds.

Lazio cost of living spans a wide range. Rome commands a premium, with monthly expenses typically from €1,800 to €3,000. Step outside the city and costs fall considerably — many provincial towns offer a comfortable lifestyle for €1,300 to €1,900 per month.

What makes moving to Lazio genuinely interesting for expats is the choice it presents: world-city living, hilltop tranquillity, lakeside seclusion, or coastal simplicity — sometimes within an hour of each other.