What People Say About Living in Faenza

For our “What People Think About Living In” series, this time we’re focusing on Faenza, a medium size town of around 60,000 inhabitants in Emilia Romagna. 

Big cities aren’t for everyone, especially if you’ve got a family or just want a slower pace without giving up too much. Faenza sits somewhere in the middle: not too big, not too expensive, with decent services, green surroundings, and the sea less than an hour away. 

So what’s living in Faenza really like? We’ve gathered insights from locals and data to give you a realistic picture.

Life in Faenza: What People Say

When we ask people what it’s like to live in a certain city, the responses usually split in two: there are those who love it and wouldn’t leave for anything, and those who put up with the downsides because of work, family or habit.

Faenza seems to be a bit of an exception. In fact, one of the reasons we chose to focus on it is that most locals describe life here as really balanced, without many negative sides.

“I love living here. It’s safe, clean and very easy to get around. Not too much traffic or people (compared to big cities like Bologna) but easily accessible by train to Ravenna or Bologna. I live in the countryside just outside Faenza and it’s so pretty, lots of rolling green hills and wineries. A great lifestyle” – Genevieve H. C.

Of course, it’s not perfect. Traffic, especially lately, has become more of a problem, mainly due to ongoing roadworks and street closures. But it’s not something that seems to seriously affect daily life.

“I’ve been living here for many years, and I can say it’s a pretty peaceful town. Sure, it has its flaws — but what place doesn’t? It’s easy to get around by bike or on foot, though traffic can be a bit hectic at certain times. Nothing a little extra planning can’t solve! All in all, it’s a great place to live!” – Daniela T.

Connectivity and Amenities in Faenza

Considering its size, Faenza is definitely a well-connected city. It’s just 30 minutes away from Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which offers a wide range of domestic and international flights. While there’s no direct public transport from Faenza to the airport, you can easily take a train to Bologna and then hop on the Marconi Express shuttle.

The main train station is really efficient. Trains run frequently to nearby cities: Bologna and Ravenna are just about 30 minutes away, while Rimini and Riccione can be reached in under an hour, which is a super plus during summer.

“I like Faenza as a city. It’s not as big as Bologna or other cities, but it’s well connected to nearby provinces, and therefore to larger cities like Rimini, Bologna, Ravenna, and Forlì, all easily reachable by train. There’s even a direct train to Florence.” – Matilde P.

In terms of everyday services, Faenza is well-equipped. You’ll find plenty of supermarkets, pharmacies, gyms and a couple of shopping centers. Grocery shopping is generally convenient, with some stores like Cicogne opening as early as 7:30 am and others like Lidl staying open until 10 pm.

When it comes to healthcare, services are described as accessible and efficient. Faenza has a CAU (a type of 24-hour urgent care clinic) that helps reduce wait times at the main hospital’s emergency department. Locals report positive experiences with the system:

“The services here are decent. We have a CAU and an ER for minor issues. Some friends have used the CAU and had good experiences — one even got a specialist appointment within 24 hours.”

Where to Live in Faenza: Housing & Cost of Living

As mentioned earlier, Faenza can be considered relatively affordable, especially if you consider the services it offers and its proximity to larger cities like Bologna. Having a major city nearby can be a real advantage if you’re job hunting or planning ahead for things like university options for your kids.

For example, a 70 m² apartment will typically cost you around €600 per month in rent, while buying a 150 m² home might set you back about €270,000.

If you’re open to moving just a bit further out while still staying close to Faenza, consider nearby towns like Solarolo, Bagnara di Romagna, Mordano, Bubano, Lugo, Barbiano, or Cotignola.

“There are tons of small towns between Forlì and Faenza, heading toward the Apennines, where housing is relatively cheap, same goes for rent. Around where I live and nearby, you can easily find places for €300–500 a month. If you’re more of a city person, then Faenza or even Forlì might suit you better.”

Here’s a table to give you an idea of rental and purchase prices across the area:

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

Challenges of Living in Faenza

While most residents agree it’s an absolutely livable place, traffic is by far the most common complaint. For a town of its size, some people say that congestion can be frustrating, especially during school drop-offs and rush hour. Ongoing roadworks and street closures have only made things worse, and parking is another sore point, because there are limited spots and for many of them you have to pay.

“Yes, it can be tricky to get around during certain hours due to schools and people heading to work. However, if you can use a bike frequently, you can avoid most of the traffic issues.” – Matilde P.

Some locals mention that finding a rental isn’t always easy, especially in certain parts of town. Others bring up smaller things, like the occasional smell from nearby distilleries, and a waste collection system that used to work better in the past. Still, most people seem genuinely happy living here and wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else:

“If I had to point out one downside, I’d say it used to be cleaner in the past. The current waste collection system has some issues, and you sometimes come across unpleasant situations. That said, I’ve never felt the need to leave. I truly recommend it as a great place to live!“ – Ersilia C.”

Faenza by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life: Very good (88/100)
• Air Quality: Very good (86/100)
• Safety: Moderate Earthquake Risk, Medium Flood Risk
• Healthcare: “Ospedale degli Infermi” (9 min.)
• Internet Speed: Good (average of 155 Mbps)
• Rent: ~ €650 (70 m²)
• Transport: Basic. In everyday life, you can get around using a bike, but a car is still necessary if you live in the area
  • Airport: Guglielmo Marconi, Bologna (33 min.), Federico Fellini, Rimini (37 min.), Reggio Emilia Airport, Reggio nell’Emilia (59 min.)
  • Train Stations: Stazione di Faenza (5 min), Stazione di Granarolo Faentino (10 min), Stazione di Solarolo (13 min.)

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

Is Faenza Right for You?

✅ Choose Faenza if you’re looking for:

• High-quality healthcare services available for residents
• Excellent air quality
• Plenty of events, especially in spring and summer
• A strong local economy, including opportunities in big companies like Gresini Racing and Visa Cash
• Reliable internet connectivity for remote work 

❌ Think twice if :

• You rely heavily on public transport: buses are available but not always frequent or well-connected to smaller areas.
• You’re after a more urban/city vibe, despite the events, it can feel quiet to those used to a busier city lifestyle.
• You expect traffic-free roads and easy parking

Final Thoughts

Faenza offers a practical alternative for those who want to avoid the stress of big cities without moving somewhere isolated or poorly connected. It has lots of services, good job opportunities and reasonable housing costs, especially compared to nearby urban centers.

Of course, it’s not without its downsides: traffic, parking, and limited public transport are the most common complaints. But overall, most residents agree that the quality of life here is really high.

Visit Our Town Explorer and Find Your Magic Town!

If Faenza hasn’t fully convinced you, or if you’d like to explore other options, we recommend using the filters and search bar to browse over 1,500 towns and cities across Italy. You can refine your search by amenities, infrastructure, and lifestyle factors to find the city that’s the perfect fit for you.