What People Say About Living in Arona

A lot of people dream about life on Lake Como. And it really is beautiful. But unless you happen to be George Clooney or you’re specifically hunting for a smaller comune tucked into its shores, Lake Como isn’t within most people’s budget. Prices are significantly higher than almost anywhere else of the same size near a lake in northern Italy. So if you’ve been wondering whether there’s a more accessible alternative… there is. And it’s called Arona.

Sitting on the southern end of Lake Maggiore, in Piemonte, Arona is a town of about 13,700 people. It’s connected, affordable by lakeside standards, 30 minutes from Milan Malpensa Airport, and the kind of place where you can genuinely slow down without feeling like you’ve fallen off the map. It even scores 94 out of 100 on our quality of life index, which is, honestly, hard to argue with once you’ve spent a few days there.

But what’s it actually like day-to-day? In this article we’ll break down what living in Arona is really like through the eyes of people who actually live there, backed by our data.

Life in Arona: What People Say

One of the main reasons why people fall in love with Arona is the lakefront, which is also why there’s always a kind of movement within the town – from retirees and families coming for a walk, to young people filling the streets at aperitif time. It’s a great compromise if you’re looking for a quiet, proper town in contact with nature, but still lively throughout the year.

“Arona offers a lot, and it’s always rich with events, both summer and winter. We like it much better than Lake Como for many reasons, and every day on our walks we can see an impressive castle across our beautiful lake and lovely mountains as well.

The expat presence is growing, but it’s not yet the kind of established international community you’d find in other places. English is not widely spoken outside of tourist contexts, which means that if you’re moving here, learning Italian is basically part of the deal. But for many, that’s a plus.

Beyond being well-served, this area performs really well healthcare-wise. The nearest hospital, Santissima Trinità, is just 5 minutes from the centre. The quality of care in this part of Piemonte is above average nationally – particularly in emergency response, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and timely cardiac care. So if healthcare is a deciding factor for you, Arona could be a great choice.

Plus, the climate here is temperate – expect around 27°C during summer, and above 0°C during winter.

Transport and Connectivity in Arona

One of the main pros of living in Arona is its connectivity. This town works well for anyone looking for a place surrounded by nature, but still just a few minutes from a big airport and a big city.

Milan Malpensa Airport is 30 minutes away by car. For anyone not familiar with Italy, this is Italy’s second busiest airport, so expect thousands of international flights throughout the year. For an expat who travels regularly and needs an airport that doesn’t require a stopover every time, this is a big deal. And if Malpensa isn’t enough, Milan Linate is about 50 minutes away and Turin Airport around 1 hour away.

On trains, the main railway station is right in the town centre and has several regional connections. You can reach Milan in just an hour, Domodossola and Novara in 45 minutes, and even Lugano (in Switzerland) in around 2 hours 20 minutes. There are no high-speed trains stopping at Arona itself, so getting to Rome or the deep south requires a connection, but for daily life in the north (especially if Milan is your reference point) it’s more than enough.

Even though the town is well-connected and super walkable (everyday services are easily reachable on foot), having a car is definitely a must if you want to explore the surrounding areas. Local bus coverage across the broader area is patchy, and if you’re living in one of the green villages outside the town centre (which many residents recommend for peace, space and budget), you’ll want your own wheels.

“There’s a very comfortable train to Milan, there is a hospital for visits, analysis, X-rays, and there are lots of supermarkets and shops of every kind. There is a theatre, there is the library. It remains a town on a human size. The lakeside is nice, if you have the car you can live in the fractions in the green, if not better in the center, but avoiding the streets with night noise in summer.“

In the area, beyond Lake Maggiore and the bigger cities, you’re also close to the beautiful and lesser-known Lake Orta, several villages nearby (like Pella and Omegna), but also the mountains – the Mottarone ski resort is 40 minutes away.

Where to Live in Arona: Housing & Costs

Arona is not cheap by Italian standards. But compared to Lake Como – or even to many parts of Milan – it’s more than reasonable, considering the lake, its connectivity, and what it offers within and around the town.

The average sale price in Arona sits at €2,264/m², so a 100m² home would cost you around €226,400 to buy, or roughly €1,234/month to rent. That said, just 15–25 minutes away you can find noticeably cheaper options without giving up the lake lifestyle entirely. Here’s an overview of current prices in the area:

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

Dormelletto is the closest alternative – still right on the lake, with slightly lower prices and a much quieter pace. Oleggio Castello and Castelletto Sopra Ticino offer a real step down in purchase price, especially if a garden and some space matter more to you than a lakefront address. Or alternatively, you should consider Borgomanero (the most affordable of the bunch). It’s a lively town of 21,200 inhabitants, with several events throughout the year, a weekly market, and you’re also really close to Lake Orta. Here’s what a local suggests:

“In Arona, in less than one hour you are in Milan by train and at Malpensa airport. You are on the sunny side of the lake. It is a bit less touristic than Stresa and Baveno, but the houses still have high prices. Another alternative is to stay up on the high coast, in the Alto Vergante, but still with the view on the lake.“

Like most lake towns, Arona has some seasonal rental pressure. Short-term tourist lets concentrate in the most desirable lakefront spots, which can squeeze availability for long-term tenants. If you’re not buying, budget for a longer search than you’d expect – and consider whether being slightly out of the centre works for you.

Challenges of Living in Arona

First, the price. Obviously – and this goes for pretty much anywhere in Italy – the closer you are to the lake, the higher the costs. That applies to property prices, as mentioned earlier, but also to everyday life in general: expect things to be slightly more expensive across the board, from restaurants to your morning croissant (or as we say, “brioche”!) at the bar.

Second, the car. The town centre is walkable, but thinking about living in this area without one is genuinely limiting. Trains get you to several nearby cities and towns, but relying on buses or public transport to reach places like the surrounding mountains? That’s just not realistic. If you want to actually explore the area, a car isn’t optional.

Third, traffic and crowds. Arona is a well-loved destination – by locals and tourists alike – which means parking is often a headache, and the general flow of people can be a lot if you’re not used to it. It’s worth keeping in mind even when you’re house-hunting: whether or not a property comes with a parking space is a more important question here than it might be elsewhere.

Finally, if you’re hoping to land in a ready-made expat community, Arona isn’t quite there yet. There are some expats around Verbania and scattered across the surrounding area, but don’t expect a big, established community. That also shows up in the language: given the flow of international visitors, you’re more likely to find English speakers here than in other parts of the region – but it’s still not a given. For some people that’s fine, even preferable. For others, especially in the first year, it can feel isolating.

Arona by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life Score: Excellent (94/100)
• Air Quality: Good (88/100)
• Nearest Hospital: Santissima Trinità (5 minutes)
• Safety: Moderate to low seismic risk;
• Internet Speed: Good (avg 134 Mbps download)
• Transportation: Walkable town centre, but a car is a must outside of it. Buses aren’t always reliable.
  • Airports: Malpensa, Milan (32 min), Linate, Milan (50 min), Turin Airport (1 hour)
  • Railway Stations: Stazione di Arona (5 min), Stazione di Borgo Ticino (16 min), Stazione di Borgomanero (17 min)

For more detailed information about Arona and its services and infrastructure, visit the Magic Towns city profile.

Is Arona Right for You?

✅ Choose Arona if:

• You want to live by the lake, paying less than at more popular places like Como or Stresa
• You travel often and need to be near an international airport
• You’re a retiree or have specific health conditions and value being in an area with excellent healthcare and a temperate climate
• You’re looking for a quiet yet lively town – with events, people around, and a great choice of hiking, skiing, and watersports all accessible
• You work remotely and are looking for a place with good internet connectivity, nature, and a beautiful centre to walk through when you’re off

❌ Think twice if:

• You have a tight budget – Arona is still a lake town, which pushes property prices up; if that’s a concern, consider a few nearby towns
• You don’t have a car – everyday life in the centre is feasible without one, but you’ll be limited if you want to explore nearby places
• You don’t want to deal with things like finding parking – the area is well-loved by locals, so it’s often hard to find a spot (something to consider if you’re buying here)
• Learning the language is a problem – the town attracts tourists, especially in summer, but don’t expect everyone to speak English

Final Thoughts

I would personally recommend Arona to both retirees, remote workers, and families who want the lake without the Lake Como price tag, a real airport within half an hour, and a town that actually functions year-round – not just in summer. Healthcare is genuinely good, the connection to Milan is easy, and the food and wine situation in this part of Piemonte is hard to complain about.

If the lake, the mountains, and a quiet but connected northern Italian town sound like the right combination for you, Arona is genuinely hard to beat. And if the budget is a concern, the towns just outside – Dormelletto, Oleggio Castello, Borgomanero – give you most of the same without the lakefront premium.