Tuscany, a sunny, gorgeous region in central Italy with delicious food, and beautiful buildings galore, is known for its rich history, eclectic culture, stunning landscapes, and fabulous produce. Tuscany’s history dates back to the Etruscan civilization, from around the 8th century BC – before the rise of Rome and the Roman Empire. The Etruscans were skilled artisans and traders, and they built the foundations of the region’s future prosperity. Following the Etruscan period, Tuscany became a central part of the Roman Empire, and much later, during the Middle Ages, it was a hotbed of Renaissance thought and art, with cities like Florence acting as centres of art and innovation.
The Tuscan lifestyle is profoundly connected to land. Life in Tuscany moves slowly, and there is a huge emphasis on the importance of family and community, which are sustained over elaborate meals prepared from exquisite local produce. The people of Tuscany are known for their hospitality, warmth, and their passion for the good things in life, like wine, food, and art. There are many festivals in the region – from the grape harvest to the Palio horse race – that celebrate the agricultural history of the area and the lifestyle it has enabled.
Cities and towns in the region are characterised by their beautiful Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. Florence, Siena, and Pisa feature many spectacular cathedrals, palaces, and towers – Florence, with the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery, is a World Heritage site and an extravaganza of Renaissance architecture. The countryside is also not to be missed in Tuscany, with mediaeval hilltop towns like San Gimignano nestled in the golden hills, protected by stunning stone towers. The rural area is also dotted with gorgeous rustic farmhouses and villas. If you can imagine yourself sipping Chianti in the olive garden of one of these villas or looking out over the breathtaking rooftops of Florence, then read on. Below is a list of the best places to live in Tuscany.
Florence
Florence is the place to be for art lovers, deep thinkers, and lovers of superb architecture. Over the years, Florence has been home to some of the world’s most influential artists and thinkers, including Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Masaccio, and Michelangelo. The city now abounds in galleries, churches, and theatres and is a truly metropolitan environment. Florence is incredibly walkable, meaning you can easily swing by the bakery on your way home from the art gallery, and then nip into the box office to collect tickets for the latest opera. The city is a little more expensive than other places in the area, but it is well-connected, with an international airport, good train connections, and many job opportunities. Florence is known for its production of ceramics and leather, making it ideal for creatives and those working in the fashion industry. It is also a prime tourist location, so there are plenty of opportunities for those who speak English and/or more than one language.
Lucca
For those who require the sea air, Lucca is a Tuscan city a little nearer to the coast. It is known for its beautiful churches – or the city of 100 churches – and its stunning Renaissance architecture. It has many quaint cobbled streets and lovely open plazas where you can sit and eat and drink and watch the world go by. The city is ideal for those who want a slower pace of life than you might find in bigger cities, like Florence. Lucca is less busy with tourists but has a thriving industrial and pharmaceutical industry, so job opportunities are not limited to tourism.
Pisa
Pisa is known for its famous Leaning Tower – a key tourist attraction in this beautiful, architecturally significant city. Those living in Pisa will know that the tower is not the only landmark to be seen, there is also the gorgeous cathedral, Santa Maria Assunta, the Pisa Baptistery, and the Scuola Normale. Pisay is not lacking in available prime real estate, and there are excellent education options to explore. Tourism, wine, oil, leather, and trade are all key industries here so there is no shortage of opportunities for work. There is also the largest international airport in Tuscany, which keeps Pisa well connected to the rest of Italy and the world.
San Gimignano
If you’re not the city type, then Tuscany has plenty of smaller towns on offer. San Gimignano is a stunning mediaeval town in the Tuscan countryside, a haven for those looking for a slower pace of life tucked away in the hills. It features 13th-century walls and tall towers that surround the town. The township is popular with expats, with many writers and retirees moving to the area. San Gimignano is easy to get around and is bountiful with food and wine shops.
Chianti
The home of the internationally renowned wine, Chianti is nestled just south of Florence in gentle hills covered in vineyards and olive groves, punctuated by rustic villages. The area is known for providing a more relaxed pace of life and offers all the beautiful fresh produce of the countryside with excellent connections to Florence. There are plenty of expats around, although it has been mentioned that it would be useful to speak some Italian in this area.
Whether you are looking for an elegant and historic city experience or quaint and relaxed village life among the rolling hills, Tuscany is sure to charm you, irrevocably. The list above showcases some highlights but is by no means exhaustive as it would be impossible to recognise all that this region has to offer in words alone. Better let your eyes, and your heart, guide you as you see for yourself what Tuscany has to offer.
