Sarezzano

This small Ligurian town offers a quiet retreat with a population of just over 1,100 residents. Its intimate scale makes it ideal if you’re seeking a genuine Italian community rather than a tourist hub, though you’ll want to be prepared for a close-knit village lifestyle where everyone knows their neighbours.

A practical consideration: there is no train station in Sarezzano, so you’ll need reliable access to a car or be comfortable relying on local buses for travel to larger towns and cities. This is an important factor if you value easy connectivity or plan to travel frequently.

Healthcare access requires some planning as well. English-speaking medical services have not been confirmed in the town itself, meaning you may need to travel to nearby larger centres for appointments with English-speaking doctors. This is worth investigating thoroughly before making any decision to move here.

The town’s genuine, unhurried character will appeal to retirees seeking to escape the pace of city life and immerse themselves in authentic Italian village living. However, success here depends on accepting limited infrastructure and being proactive about arranging the services you’ll need, particularly transport and healthcare.