What People Say About Living in Chieti

Chieti is one of those places that doesn’t always get the spotlight compared to its coastal neighbor Pescara, but it has a quiet charm that’s starting to attract more attention – especially from students, expats, and people looking for an affordable base in Abruzzo.

It’s home to around 50,000 people and is one of the oldest cities in the region. You can feel that history everywhere – from the stunning Teatro Marruccino to the Roman Amphitheatre. The town splits into two parts: Chieti Alta, the historic hilltop area where that ancient character really comes through, and Chieti Scalo down below, which is way more modern and functional.

You’re close enough to Pescara’s airport and beaches that it’s convenient, but Chieti still feels like its own place. So what’s it actually like living in Chieti all year round? We talked to people who live there and dug into the data to find out.

Life in Chieti: What People Say

According to residents, Chieti is a good choice if you’re looking for an affordable Italian town that’s well-connected and practical for daily living. It’s less than 20 minutes drive away from the beach and it has pretty much everything you need for daily life: supermarkets, pharmacies, a hospital, bakeries, and local shops.

The town works particularly well for students, thanks to the university campus, but also for families who appreciate the relaxed pace, the lack of traffic, and the fact that it’s pretty safe for your kids:

“I’ve been studying here and honestly, it’s a nice setup if you have a car. You get access to the mountains nearby, there’s a good student vibe, and rent is cheap. Everything you need is along the two main streets. The downside? Not much nightlife here – you’ll probably end up in Pescara on weekends.”

One thing that comes up a lot is how close Chieti is to Pescara. It’s literally a 10-minute drive, which means you get access to the airport, better train connections, and more evening entertainment without actually having to deal with city living full-time:

“Being near Pescara is huge. You’ve got the airport, high-speed trains, and way more to do. But you can come back to Chieti where things are calmer and cheaper.”

Transport and Connectivity in Chieti

The closest airport is Abruzzo Airport in Pescara, just 14 minutes away by car. It’s a small regional airport operated mainly by Ryanair, so you’ll get decent connections to European cities, but don’t expect tons of long-haul options. If you need more routes, Rome Fiumicino is around 2h 30 minutes.

Train-wise, there are a couple of stations nearby – Chieti Madonna delle Piane (5 minutes) and the main Chieti station (6 minutes). From there, you can reach bigger cities like Ancona, Bologna and Rome. The connections aren’t fast at all and require some stops, but they exist. On the other hand, if you have to reach nearby places like Pescara (20 min), Sulmona (48 min) and Montesilvano (26 min), you’re covered.

For this reason, having a car definitely makes life easier here, especially if you want to explore the surrounding mountains or head to the coast regularly. Public transport works but isn’t as frequent as in larger cities:

“Chieti is perfect if you want to explore Abruzzo. You’re close to both mountains and the sea, and with a car, you can reach anywhere pretty easily. Plus, from Pescara, the train network opens up to the rest of Italy.”

Where to Live in Chieti: Housing & Cost of Living

Property prices in Chieti are quite reasonable, especially compared to coastal areas. You’re looking at an average of €1,064/m² for buying, which works out to around €106,400 for a 100 m² home. Prices vary by neighborhood though – Chieti Scalo runs higher at €1,450/m², while Brecciariana is definitely cheaper:

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

Residents suggest looking at neighborhoods like Levante if you’ve got kids – it’s green, has schools from nursery to primary level, plus all the basics like post offices and shops. Public transport runs every 20-30 minutes, and parking isn’t an issue:

“Levante is probably one of the best suburban areas. You’re outside the center, lots of green space, schools nearby, and everything from grocery stores to pharmacies. The bus runs regularly, parking is easy, and it’s quiet enough that kids can play outside. The only downside is the streets could use better maintenance.”

There’s also the Tri Calle area, which some residents recommend for being well-connected by bus to both Chieti Alta, Chieti Scalo, and Pescara, with all essential services within walking distance.

Now, about Chieti Alta versus Chieti Scalo – opinions are split. Chieti Alta (the historic hilltop part) is atmospheric but involves steep hills and limited flat areas. Some love the views and historic feel; others find it impractical for daily life. Chieti Scalo is more functional with the university, hospital, and large stores, but it’s admittedly less charming – think utilitarian rather than picturesque.

“The upper town is beautiful but honestly not super practical because of all the hills. Chieti Scalo is where things actually happen (university, hospital, shops..) but it’s not exactly pretty. The streets need work and sidewalks are pretty rough.”

Challenges of Living in Chieti

First, while Chieti covers the basics for daily life, it’s not a nightlife destination. If you want bars, clubs, or evening entertainment, you’ll be heading to Pescara most weekends.

Second, healthcare is a mixed bag. According to the data, local hospitals handle cancer treatment and heart failure quite well, but emergency care for things like cardiac events or fractures has slower response times compared to other parts of Italy. There’s a hospital just 4 minutes away (Santissima Annunziata), which is convenient, but the quality of certain services could be better.

Third, water supply can be an issue, especially in summer in Chieti Alta. Residents report regular shutoffs when coastal areas use up the supply. Some have installed water tanks to deal with this, which is something to seriously consider if you’re buying property there:

“Make sure wherever you’re looking has a reliable water supply year-round. Chieti Alta especially has problems in summer with water being shut off. We know people who installed storage tanks underground to avoid running out.”

Parking in the historic center can also be difficult, though this is less of an issue in the newer neighborhoods.

Who would do well here? Students, definitely. Remote workers and retirees looking for an affordable base with access to nature and the coast. Families with young kids who want a safe, manageable environment. But if you’re looking for local employment opportunities or a buzzing social scene, you might find Chieti a bit limiting.

Chieti by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life Score: Very Good (74/100) – infrastructure, economy, and amenities considered
• Air Quality: Excellent (96/100)
• Healthcare: Santissima Annunziata (4 minutes), 4 hospitals/clinics within 10km
• Safety: Moderate Earthquake Risk
• Internet Speed: Excellent (average 231 Mbps download)
• Transport: Car recommended, but public transport exists
  • Airports: Abruzzo/Pescara (14 min), Ancona (75 min), Rome Ciampino (85 min)
  • Railway Stations: Chieti Madonna delle Piane (5 min), Chieti (6 min), Manoppello (15 min)

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

Is Chieti Right for You?

✅ Choose Chieti if:

• You want affordable living in a town that has daily essentials covered without being too busy
• You’re a remote worker or retiree seeking a quieter base with solid internet connectivity
• You value being close to both mountains and the coast with easy access to Pescara
• You want proximity to a major airport and train connections without paying coastal prices
• You want somewhere that’s not touristy, with expat communities in the surrounding area

❌ Think twice if:

• You need top-tier healthcare with fast emergency response times
• You rely heavily on nightlife and evening entertainment – there’s not much locally
• You’re looking for local job opportunities – the market is limited
• You don’t have a car and want to rely mainly on public transport
• You don’t want to deal with water supply issues – it’s a common problem in the area

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, if you’ve fallen in love with Abruzzo and are considering Chieti among other options, it could work well as an affordable and practical base. The connections to the rest of Italy could definitely be better, but with a car or a willingness to take flights, it’s totally feasible.

The rent is manageable, the internet connectivity is solid, you have both coast and mountains within reach, and you get an authentic small-town Italian experience without feeling isolated. The university crowd adds some energy, and having Pescara so close means airports, trains, and weekend plans are never far away. Just factor in things like water supply (especially in Chieti Alta), healthcare quality, and parking before you commit.

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