Elevation
[?]
Elevation of a city refers to the height above sea level at which the city is located, measured in meters.
730
Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
69700
Real Population (5km)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
89700
Air Quality Rating
[?]
Based on PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and ozone levels. Higher scores indicate cleaner air.
90
Region
Abruzzo
Walkability
Walker’s Paradise
Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
Low
Avg Download Speed (Mbps) / Avg Upload Speed (Mbps)
170
/ 108
Climate Description
Mild summers, chilly winters with snow, moderate temps, and year-round balanced rainfall.
L’Aquila
Abruzzo
Historic center with medieval architecture, affordable living, strong community, and access to national parks.
Summary
L’Aquila, the capital of Abruzzo, is an intriguing option for expats and retirees seeking a blend of cultural richness and modern living. Nestled within the Apennine Mountains, its location provides easy access to three national parks, ideal for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. The town’s historic center showcases stunning medieval architecture, featuring ancient castles and vibrant piazzas, while local universities enhance its youthful and dynamic atmosphere.
L’Aquila offers a reasonable cost of living, with attractive property prices and a strong sense of community reflected in its lively festivals and culinary traditions, including locally produced wines and fresh seasonal produce. However, it is important to note that the town is still recovering from a devastating earthquake, which presents challenges in infrastructure and some amenities. Nevertheless, its vibrant culture and accessible lifestyle make it a compelling choice for those looking to relocate in Italy.
✅ Pros
– High-quality healthcare services available in the town.
– Good air quality ensuring a healthier living environment.
– Low unemployment rate compared to the national average.
– Rich cultural and historical heritage to explore and enjoy.
– Opportunities for integration within the local community.
– Moderate climate suitable for outdoor activities year-round.
– A growing presence of tourists adds vibrancy to town life.
– Adequate educational facilities for various age groups.
– Reliable transportation links connect to larger cities.
– Sufficient internet connectivity for remote work and communication.
❌ Cons
– Limited nightlife options for those seeking vibrant social scenes.
– Somewhat isolated from major urban centers and amenities.
– Occasional language barrier with locals may pose challenges.
– Limited variety of international cuisine compared to larger cities.
– Weather can be unpredictably chilly in winter months.
– Public transportation may not be as frequent as desired.
– Smaller expat community might feel a bit lonely.
– Rural charm may not appeal to city lovers.
– Limited shopping options for high-end brands and luxury goods.
– Local bureaucracy can be slow and frustrating at times.
L'Aquila Demographics
Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
69700
Real Population (5km band)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
89700
Births Per 100 Deaths
60.0
Population Data Source
ISTAT,2023
Estimated Unemployment Rate
Touristy Index
[?]
Calculation of tourist density index for the city, comparing its total tourist number to the overall average tourist number of the region
relative to its own population.The index indicates how a location’s tourist density compares to the average, with values above
100 representing higher-than-average density and values below 100 representing lower-than-average density.
Some Tourism
Income per capita (2023)
[?]
This is an estimation of average income per resident for this town, based on 2023 data from the Italian Ministry of Finance.
24000
Income rank in Italy (2023)
[?]
This is a ranking of the town's average income per resident, against the full list of townships in Italy.
958 out of 7901
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Closest Airport
Name
Ciampino (Rome)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
4
Driving Time
64min(s)
Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA) is located 12 km southeast of central Rome, close to the Greater Ring Road. It functions primarily as a base for budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air, offering connections to key European destinations such as London–Stansted, Budapest, and Bucharest. As a secondary airport to Fiumicino, it serves nearly 6 million passengers annually, providing a convenient alternative with its focus on low-cost carriers.
2nd Closest Airport
Name
Abruzzo Airport (Pescara)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
7
Driving Time
68min(s)
Abruzzo Airport, located about 4 kilometers from Pescara city centre and approximately 180 kilometers from Rome, is a medium-sized international gateway serving Abruzzo and neighbouring regions such as Molise and Marche. Handling over 700,000 passengers in 2022, the airport connects travellers to 18 destinations across 11 countries, with key routes including London Stansted, Milan, Bucharest, and Malta. Notably, it offers budget-friendly parking options and serves as a hub for low-cost carriers like Ryanair, facilitating both domestic and international travel.
3rd Closest Airport
Name
Leonardo da Vinci (Rome Fiumicino)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
10
Driving Time
72min(s)
Leonardo da Vinci Airport, also known as Rome Fiumicino (FCO), is situated approximately 35 km from Rome’s city centre. It is Italy’s largest airport, serving as the main hub for ITA Airways and a crucial gateway for international travel, connecting to over 200 destinations globally, including major European cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris. Known for its efficient transport links, such as the Fiumicino Aeroporto railway station and high-speed connections, the airport also features notable attractions like reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci’s works.
Closest Rail
Name
Stazione dell'Aquila
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
5
Driving Time
15min(s)
Train service at Stazione dell’Aquila is primarily characterised by regional connections. The key rail lines that stop here include the Terni–Sulmona line. Direct train services offer connections to key destinations such as Sulmona and Terni. The main train operators at the station are Trenitalia and Ferrovia Centrale Umbra.
Frequency of departures varies; regional trains to Sulmona and Terni run at regular intervals throughout the day, though precise timings can vary significantly. The station services regional trains only, without any high-speed train services currently operating.
2nd Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Paganica
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
7
Driving Time
17min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Paganica offers connections on the Sulmona-L’Aquila railway line. Key destinations accessible by direct trains include L’Aquila, Naples, Pescara Centrale, Rieti, and Rome. The primary train operator is Trenitalia. The frequency of departures varies by destination, with approximately 11 trains per day to L’Aquila, 22 to Naples, 13 to Pescara Centrale, 11 to Rieti, and 17 to Rome. The station primarily serves regional trains, with no high-speed services available.
3rd Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Sassa-Tornimparte
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
5
Driving Time
21min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Sassa-Tornimparte includes the following features:
– **Rail Lines**: The station is on the Terni-Sulmona line, which connects various regional destinations.
– **Key Destinations**: Direct trains connect Sassa-Tornimparte primarily to L’Aquila, with additional access to other regional locales depending on the schedule.
– **Train Operators**: The main operator serving this station is Trenitalia, which manages regional services in the area.
– **Frequency of Departures**: Trains generally operate on an hourly basis, with some fluctuations in schedule and frequency throughout the day.
– **Train Type**: The services at Sassa-Tornimparte primarily consist of regional trains, with no high-speed services available.
Infrastructure & Amenities
Within 10km
Auto Repair Shops
0
Bars
0
Cafes
0
Cinemas
0
Dentists
3
Golf Courses
1
Gyms
0
Health Clinics
0
Hiking Trails
0
Historical Sites
54
Libraries
19
Museums
10
Parks
2
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
11
Shopping Centres
0
Supermarkets
5
Spas
3
Beach
Name
Spiaggia S. Ippolito
Driving Distance
50mins
Water Quality Rating
1 - Excellent
Mountain Resort
Name
Gran Sasso - Campo Imperatore
Driving Distance
34mins
Healthcare
Healthcare Score
[?]
Evaluates hospital/clinic access, drive time to care, and regional quality rankings. Higher scores mean better healthcare.
64
Nearest Hospital Name
Santi Nicola e Filippo
Drive Time to Nearest Hospital
44 minutes
Hospitals and Clinics Within 10km
7
Local Public Healthcare Provider
AVEZZANO-SULMONA-L'AQUILA
Healthcare Quality Description
In this area of Abruzzo, the local health service generally performs above average in Italy, particularly excelling in minimally invasive breast cancer operations. It provides timely intervention for heart problems, especially regarding emergency procedures. While the overall quality is commendable, hospital care requires improvement, as does responsiveness in post-operative discharge and cardiac readmissions. Treatment times for bone fractures are satisfactory, providing a reasonable level of efficiency. Yet, for those prioritising immediate and comprehensive hospital care, further consideration may be needed. Retirees and expats should assess these factors in alignment with their personal healthcare needs.
Safety
Seismic Zone (risk of earthquakes)
[?]
Official seismic zones classify areas based on earthquake risk.
Moderate Earthquake Risk
Road Accidents Rate per 10k Inhabitants
[?]
Calculation of road accidents per 10,000 people based on the number of deaths and injuries registered in roads for year 2022 for the city.
9
Percentage of Population at Landslide Risk
[?] Percentage of the population in high or moderate landslide risk zones. Higher values indicate greater environmental risk.
1
Percentage of Population at Flood Risk
[?] Percentage of the population in high or moderate flood risk zones. Higher values indicate greater environmental risk.
3
Car Insurance Price Index
[?]
The car insurance price index is a measure of how a city's average car insurance premium compares to the national average,
expressed as a percentage. A value of 100 indicates that the city's premium is equal to the national average.
Values above 100 show higher premiums, while values below 100 show lower premiums.
95.164
Housing & Property Market
Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
Low
Property Prices per m²
[?]
Calculation of property sale prices per square meter for apartments, houses in the city.
Median (50th Percentile): The midpoint price, where half the values are above and half below.
First Quartile (25th Percentile): The price below which 25% of properties fall.
Third Quartile (75th Percentile): The price below which 75% of properties fall.
First Quartile
Median
Third Quartile
Connectivity & Digital Access
Walkability Description
Walker's Paradise
Education
Avg Schools Ranking (All Criteria)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking at all the indicators provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year. Note that figures are only provided by the ministry at the school catchment area level, and therefore several schools may be grouped together.
Top 50%
Avg Schools Ranking (Standardised Tests)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking the students' results in national standardised tests. The data is provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year.
Top 50%
Counts of School
Climate & Weather
Precipitation
[?]
Based on daily climate data for precipitation from OPEN-METEO this parameter indicates how a city's annual precipitation compares to others
in terms of percentage, with values ranging from 0 (lowest) to 1 (highest). For example, a percentile rank of 0.75 means the city's
total precipitation is higher than 75% of other cities.
Below Average (31st-40th percentile)
Sunshine
Above Average (51st-60th percentile)
Snowfall
Very High (81st-90th percentile)
Climate Description
L'Aquila, nestled within Italy's mountainous terrain, experiences a climate that balances warmth in summer with distinct, chilly winters, ideal for those seeking the charm of seasonal shifts. Winter blankets the region in a modest though consistent snowfall, renovating the landscape into a picturesque winter wonderland, perfect for retirees who appreciate a quiet snowfall. Summers invite an ample amount of sunlight, facilitating vibrant outdoor activities without oppressive heat, making it appealing for expats involved in community gatherings or local explorations. Year-round, temperatures remain moderate, ensuring that residents from various climates find comfort. Rainfall is evenly spread throughout the year, maintaining the city’s lush surroundings and historic beauty.
Annual Temperature Chart (Min)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Annual Temperature Chart (Max)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Sunny Days By Month
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Environmental & Air Quality
Classifications
PM10
[?]
PM10 levels indicate Good air quality at 0–20 µg/m³, Fair at 20–40 µg/m³, Moderate at 40–50 µg/m³, Poor at 50–100 µg/m³, Very Poor at 100–150 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 150–1200 µg/m³.
Good
PM2.5
[?]
PM2.5 is Good if PM2.5 levels are between 0–10 µg/m³, Fair between 10–20 µg/m³, Moderate between 20–25 µg/m³, Poor between 25–50 µg/m³, Very Poor between 50–75 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor between 75–800 µg/m³.
Good
NO2
[?]
NO₂ levels are considered Good at 0–40 µg/m³, Fair at 40–90 µg/m³, Moderate at 90–120 µg/m³, Poor at 120–230 µg/m³, Very Poor at 230–340 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 340–1000 µg/m³.
Good
SO2
[?]
SO₂ levels indicate Good air quality at 0–100 µg/m³, Fair at 100–200 µg/m³, Moderate at 200–350 µg/m³, Poor at 350–500 µg/m³, Very Poor at 500–750 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 750–1250 µg/m³.
Good
O₃
[?]
For O₃, the air is Good at 0–50 µg/m³, Fair at 50–100 µg/m³, Moderate at 100–130 µg/m³, Poor at 130–240 µg/m³, Very Poor at 240–380 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 380–800 µg/m³.
Fair
Air Quality Rating
[?]
Based on PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and ozone levels. Higher scores indicate cleaner air.
90
Air Quality Description
L’Aquila, nestled in the heart of Italy, consistently maintains commendable air quality. With fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide levels classified as good, residents enjoy an atmosphere that supports both active and leisurely lifestyles away from urban pollution stresses. Ozone levels stand at fair, reflecting a minor concern during certain times of the year. This makes L’Aquila a suitable choice for expats and retirees seeking a balance between good air conditions and the rich cultural backdrop of an historic Italian city. A reassuring urban environment, where the air quality contributes positively to one’s everyday health and wellbeing.
L’Aquila, nestled in the heart of Italy, consistently maintains commendable air quality. With fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide levels classified as good, residents enjoy an atmosphere that supports both active and leisurely lifestyles away from urban pollution stresses. Ozone levels stand at fair, reflecting a minor concern during certain times of the year. This makes L’Aquila a suitable choice for expats and retirees seeking a balance between good air conditions and the rich cultural backdrop of an historic Italian city. A reassuring urban environment, where the air quality contributes positively to one’s everyday health and wellbeing.
Town Descriptions
Getting There
L’Aquila is accessible via the A24 motorway, providing connections to Rome and other regional centers. The nearest airports are Ciampino in Rome and Abruzzo Airport in Pescara. Train services are available from local stations, with moderate connectivity scores, reflecting the town’s infrastructural development.
Getting Around
Local Cuisine
L’Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region, boasts a rich culinary heritage characterized by traditional dishes that emphasize local ingredients and robust flavors. Notable traditional foods include ‘Maccheroni alla chitarra’ (a thick cut pasta typically served with lamb or pork), ‘Arrosticini’ (cubed mutton skewers), and ‘Agnello diavolo’ (spicy lamb), reflecting the region’s pastoral lifestyle. The local dining culture is centered around homemade pasta, hearty soups, and rustic ingredients like ‘Diavolicchio’ peppers and ‘Scrippelle’, thin crepes served in broth. The dessert scene features specialties such as ‘Torrone’ and ‘Ferratelle’. International culinary influences are evident, with a variety of restaurants offering diverse cuisines. Notably, L’Aquila is home to the Michelin-starred restaurant ‘FØRMA’, which signifies its commitment to high-quality dining experiences. Overall, the city’s culinary scene harmonizes traditional Abruzzese flavors with contemporary dining trends.
Shopping Overview
The shopping landscape includes several formats: modern shopping centres featuring various retailers, specialty and boutique shops offering local products, and vibrant markets for fresh produce. Supermarkets cater to daily needs, while dedicated shopping streets provide a range of clothing and accessory options. Notable shopping venues include expansive centres that encompass entertainment and dining, enhancing the retail experience. A diverse array of shops caters to both everyday essentials and gourmet specialties, creating a comprehensive shopping environment ideal for residents and visitors alike.
Neighborhoods
Green Areas and Parks
In L’Aquila, Abruzzo, notable outdoor activities include hiking and exploring vast green areas. Key hiking trails are found in Majella National Park with routes such as Monte Corvo via Lake of Providence and the Sentiero del Centenario. Campo Imperatore is a notable green space offering outdoor recreational opportunities. The region provides trails of varying difficulty levels, catering to both seasoned hikers and casual walkers, such as the moderate Vasto Valley via Assergi and the easy Santuario Madonna d’Appari via Paganica. In addition to hiking, the area’s diverse landscape supports various outdoor activities.
✅ Pros
– High-quality healthcare services available in the town.
– Good air quality ensuring a healthier living environment.
– Low unemployment rate compared to the national average.
– Rich cultural and historical heritage to explore and enjoy.
– Opportunities for integration within the local community.
– Moderate climate suitable for outdoor activities year-round.
– A growing presence of tourists adds vibrancy to town life.
– Adequate educational facilities for various age groups.
– Reliable transportation links connect to larger cities.
– Sufficient internet connectivity for remote work and communication.
❌ Cons
– Limited nightlife options for those seeking vibrant social scenes.
– Somewhat isolated from major urban centers and amenities.
– Occasional language barrier with locals may pose challenges.
– Limited variety of international cuisine compared to larger cities.
– Weather can be unpredictably chilly in winter months.
– Public transportation may not be as frequent as desired.
– Smaller expat community might feel a bit lonely.
– Rural charm may not appeal to city lovers.
– Limited shopping options for high-end brands and luxury goods.
– Local bureaucracy can be slow and frustrating at times.
FAQs
Related Posts
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