{"id":49058,"date":"2026-04-29T17:16:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:16:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magictowns.it\/?p=49058"},"modified":"2026-04-29T17:16:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:16:44","slug":"what-people-say-about-living-in-ostuni-puglia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magictowns.it\/fr\/what-people-say-about-living-in-ostuni-puglia\/","title":{"rendered":"What People Say About Living in Ostuni"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we explored in a recent article, the 7% r\u00e9gime d'imposition forfaitaire<\/a><\/strong> has expanded and now covers towns with up to 30,000 inhabitants<\/strong> – which means bigger and better-served places now qualify. Among these, popular towns that you wouldn’t imagine, like Ostuni<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ostuni is one of those places that a lot of people fall in love with instantly<\/strong> when visiting it for the first time. The whitewashed buildings, the winding alleys, the olive groves – this town is simply unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as you already know, our job here isn’t to sell you a dream. It’s to give you a real picture<\/strong> of what living here is actually like, 365 days a year. So, in this article of our series \u201cCe que les gens disent de la vie en...<\/em>\u201c<\/a><\/strong>, we’re taking a closer look at Ostuni – combining the unique data<\/strong> we have on the town with the honest opinions of the people who live here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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D\u00c9COUVREZ QUELLE VILLE ITALIENNE VOUS CONVIENT LE MIEUX<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Life in Ostuni: What People Say<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whoever moves to Ostuni<\/a><\/strong> does it for three main reasons: its aesthetic, its location, and the fact that there’s already a pretty big expat community from all over the world: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cHonestly, the best thing about living here is how relaxed everything feels. The food is just on another level – everything\u2019s fresh and tastes better. The old town centres are beautiful. And having both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts nearby is amazing\u2026 even in winter you can go for a walk by the sea<\/strong>, and the beaches are up there with the Caribbean.<\/em>\u201c<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the town is located in a really popular area<\/strong>, a few minutes away from the sea and quiet little villages, but also close to bigger cities like Brindisi<\/a>, Alberobello and Monopoli. Moving here means being aware of this and of the fact that it’s one of Puglia’s most visited towns – which, as we’ll see in more detail later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“I love Ostuni. It’s feels really safe, near great places nearby to visit. But in the old town centre it’s almost unbearable in summer – packed with people, noisy, parking is a nightmare.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"Living
Ostuni, Puglia<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Transport and Connectivity in Ostuni<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ostuni<\/a><\/strong> is actually reasonably bien connect\u00e9<\/strong> for a town of its size – especially when you compare it to other parts of southern Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, you’re in the middle of Valle d’Itria<\/strong>, an area with huge expanses of olive trees, hiking trails, art cities, and the coast. At just 15 minutes by car,<\/strong> vous pouvez atteindre plages<\/strong> like Lido Morelli, Pilone, and Torre Guaceto – all well-equipped. So whether you like the sea, history or hiking, you have a wide choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

L'a\u00e9roport le plus proche est Papola Casale in Brindisi<\/strong>, just 28 minutes away by car. It’s a decent airport (not huge, but functional) – with regular routes to several European destinations. If you need more options, Bari<\/a> Karol Wojty\u0142a Airport<\/strong> is about an hour away and has more international flights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For trains, the Gare d'Ostuni<\/strong> is about 10 minutes from the centre and sits on the Adriatic line (Ancona\u2013Lecce<\/a>), which means you can easily reach cities like Bologna, Bari, Brindisi, Lecce, and Rome. It’s not high-speed, so expect a few stops for longer trips, but still, it’s genuinely useful, and more than you can say for a lot of towns in the south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, although the town centre itself is pretty walkable, getting around the wider area sans voiture <\/a><\/strong>is really limiting – so expect to buy one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Live in Ostuni: Housing & Cost of Living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Given its popularity, property prices in Ostuni<\/a><\/strong> are medium-high. The average price per square meter is \u20ac2,580\/m\u00b2<\/strong>, so a 100m\u00b2 apartment will typically cost somewhere around \u20ac250,000\u2013\u20ac260,000<\/strong>. That’s more than somewhere like the nearby Cisternino<\/a><\/strong>, or places like Noto (Sicily)<\/strong>,<\/a> but you’re also buying into one of the most in-demand towns in the region. Here’s a breakdown of prices by neighbourhood:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zone<\/th>Prix de vente (\u20ac\/m\u00b2)<\/th>Maison moyenne de 100m\u00b2 (\u20ac)<\/th>Loyer (\u20ac\/m\u00b2)<\/th>Loyer moyen pour 100m\u00b2 (\u20ac\/mois)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Via Ludovico, Corso Umberto I, Vittorio Emanuele<\/td>\u20ac2,170<\/td>\u20ac217,000<\/td>\u20ac6.52<\/td>\u20ac652<\/td><\/tr>
Santa Caterina, Ramunno, Chianchizzo<\/td>\u20ac2,556<\/td>\u20ac255,600<\/td>\u20ac7.63<\/td>\u20ac763<\/td><\/tr>
Campanile, Fumarola, Cavalleriza<\/td>\u20ac3,082<\/td>\u20ac308,200<\/td>\u20ac9.65<\/td>\u20ac965<\/td><\/tr>
Ostuni Costa<\/td>\u20ac3,213<\/td>\u20ac321,300<\/td>\u20ac18.06<\/td>\u20ac1,806<\/td><\/tr>
Via Pola, Via Papa Giovanni XXIII<\/td>\u20ac1,819<\/td>\u20ac181,900<\/td>\u20ac5.61<\/td>\u20ac561<\/td><\/tr>
Tamburroni, Grottone, Rosara<\/td>\u20ac3,430<\/td>\u20ac343,000<\/td>\u20ac10.44<\/td>\u20ac1,044<\/td><\/tr>
Centro Storico<\/td>\u20ac2,904<\/td>\u20ac290,400<\/td>\u20ac7.11<\/td>\u20ac711<\/td><\/tr>
Contrada Guardariello, Giovanni Fasano<\/a><\/td>\u20ac2,939<\/td>\u20ac293,900<\/td>\u20ac10.25<\/td>\u20ac1,025<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Donn\u00e9es \u00e9labor\u00e9es \u00e0 partir de Immobiliare.it<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The range is pretty wide, which reflects the difference between properties just outside town and restored homes in the historic centre. Several residents specifically recommend looking at properties just outside the historic center <\/strong>if you want to save some money on property and be in a quieter area. A few options could be Ceglie<\/a><\/strong> (1.398 \u20ac\/m\u00b2) and Galatina<\/a><\/strong> (the cheapest alternative – 836 \u20ac\/m\u00b2), or if you want a bigger town, there’s also Martina Franca<\/a> <\/strong>(1.363 \u20ac\/m\u00b2): <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“If you\u2019re open to somewhere a bit less touristy in Puglia, Martina Franca is worth looking at.<\/strong> It\u2019s a bit bigger, so there\u2019s more going on, loads of places to eat, and quite a few expats around too. And you\u2019re still close to all the cute, more touristy towns. Otherwise, Ceglie or Galatina are also really nice options.<\/em>\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, if you like the Ostuni vibe, don’t mind being in a popular but historic town, there’s also Monopoli<\/a><\/strong>, though prices are pretty similar (2.514 \u20ac\/m\u00b2). <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI\u2019m actually between Ostuni and Cisternino. Even in winter there\u2019s still a bit going on in both, just quieter and more local. It kind of comes down to whether you want people around year-round. <\/em>Most towns in the Itria Valley have pretty good expat communities from what I\u2019ve seen. If you\u2019re into the sea even in winter, Monopoli and nearby spots are worth checking out.<\/em>\u201c<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Living in Ostuni<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, the tourist crowds.<\/strong> Ostuni<\/a><\/strong> is one of the most visited towns in Puglia. In July and August, the historic centre gets extremely busy – noise, foot traffic, packed restaurants, impossible parking. Most full-time residents manage this by adapting their routines or, as mentioned, by not living right in the heart of the old town. But if your idea of Italian life involves quiet cobblestone evenings, summer in Ostuni centro might be a shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, the winter humidity.<\/strong> The coast brings moisture, and the typical local housing stock isn’t built to handle it. Mould is a real issue that multiple residents flag – it’s not a one-off complaint. If you’re buying or renting an older property, this is worth inspecting carefully and budgeting to address properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“I\u2019ve been living on the coast between Ostuni and Carovigno<\/a> for almost 5 years now. The humidity is kind of constant, and while it didn\u2019t bother me much at first, after a few winters it just feels cold all the time. A lot of houses aren\u2019t really built for winter either – heating is basic and ventilation isn\u2019t great, so mould becomes a bit of an ongoing issue. Driving here can be\u2026 intense, but you get used to it. Work-wise, it\u2019s not easy – jobs are limited and salaries are low. And the amount of rubbish dumped around is frustrating, a lot of people just seem to ignore it.”<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Third, employment.<\/strong> If you’re working remotely or retired, this probably doesn’t affect you. But if you need to find local work, the march\u00e9 du travail<\/a><\/strong> is limited and wages are low. The score des soins de sant\u00e9<\/a><\/strong> (44\/100) is also below average for Italy, and while the Ospedale Civile di Ostuni is only 4 minutes away, more complex care means travelling to Brindisi or Bari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quatri\u00e8mement, internet speed<\/a> is average.<\/strong> The average download speed sits at around 149 Mbps, with slower connections dropping to 48 Mbps. That’s workable for most people, but if your livelihood depends on a fast, stable connection, it’s worth checking the specific address before committing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fifth, seasonality.<\/strong> Winters are quieter – significantly so. One full-time resident notes it’s manageable and there’s still enough going on, but some businesses close or reduce hours, and the vibe changes considerably. That can be a feature or a bug depending on what you’re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Living
Ostuni, Puglia<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ostuni by the Numbers: Key Data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n