Sant’Apollinare

This small Tuscan community of around 1,841 residents offers the quiet, intimate setting that appeals to many retirees seeking to step away from urban life. The town’s modest size means you’ll develop genuine connections with locals fairly quickly, and daily life tends to move at a relaxed pace suited to retirement years.

One practical consideration worth noting: there is no train station in Sant’Apollinare itself, so you’ll need reliable access to a car or alternative transport if you plan regular trips to larger towns or cities. This is an important factor when assessing how isolated you might feel during your retirement.

Healthcare support may require some planning. While the town exists within Italy’s public healthcare system, there is no confirmed English-speaking GP based locally. This means you may need to arrange medical consultations elsewhere or develop a relationship with an Italian-speaking doctor, though many healthcare professionals in Italy do speak some English.

For those drawn to a genuine small-town Italian experience rather than expat-oriented communities, Sant’Apollinare provides an authentic setting. The town’s lack of major tourist infrastructure or English-language services suggests it remains primarily a place for people who value simplicity and integration into local life over convenience and familiar comforts.