Carpi

This town in the Emilia-Romagna region is home to around 72,500 residents, offering a genuine community atmosphere rather than a tourist-focused experience. Its substantial population means you’ll find good local amenities and services typical of a proper Italian town, though it maintains a relaxed pace of life that appeals to many retirees.

A practical consideration: there is no train station in town, so you’ll need reliable local transport or a car for getting around and reaching nearby cities. This is worth factoring into your plans if you value easy rail access.

Healthcare access is an important question for anyone considering retirement abroad. Currently, there is no confirmed English-speaking GP based here, which means you may need to manage medical appointments in Italian or look further afield for English-language support.

The town offers an authentic slice of Italian provincial life without being isolated—its reasonable size suggests genuine local shops, restaurants, and social opportunities. If you’re drawn to living among real communities rather than expat enclaves, and you’re comfortable arranging your own transport and potentially navigating healthcare without English speakers on hand, Carpi could be worth exploring further. Visiting in person would help you get a true feel for whether the practicalities suit your retirement plans.