What People Say About Living in Lucca

As part of our series “What People Say About Living in…”, today we’re focusing on Lucca, a well-known historic town in Tuscany.

What draws many expats here – beyond the beautiful old town, still enclosed by its intact Renaissance walls, is its walkable size and great location, close to both the sea and the mountains.

But what’s it really like living in Lucca? Is it actually expat-friendly? And what are the challenges of settling down here? To answer all that, we’ve combined our data with insights from locals who’ve been living here for years.

Life in Lucca: What People Say

When asking around about what life in Lucca is really like, opinions are pretty mixed. But there’s one thing everyone agrees on: it’s a very peaceful city. It’s definitely more suited to retirees or families than to young couples looking for nightlife or lots of events throughout the year:

“Lucca is a great place to be if you’re in that stage of life where you’ve settled down and maybe started a family. Rent and the cost of living in general is lower than in bigger cities. The center is really nice for a weekend stroll, with lots of shops and restaurants. There’s basically no nightlife, but that’s part of what makes it so clean, well-kept, and especially safe, even at night. As a bonus, there are quite a few events during the summer, like the famous Comics festival and the Summer Festival, which brings in some big-name artists.” – Fabrizio C.

In fact, Lucca can go from totally calm to absolutely packed, especially around July and November, when Lucca Comics and Lucca Summer Festival take over the town. But for many, that’s actually a nice change of pace after months of quiet:

“I’m American and I’ve been living here for about a year. The best part is that you’ve got the whole of Tuscany at your fingertips. Parks are few and far between, especially inside the walls. Lucca is like a mini Florence – less traffic overall, but plenty of concerts and events throughout the year. It goes from fairly quiet to absolutely busy.” – Mark S.

Transport and Connectivity in Lucca

One big advantage of living in Lucca is definitely how close it is to major airports. In just 30–40 minutes, you can reach either Pisa or Florence airports. And if you need more flight options, Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport is just over an hour away.

Inside the city, there are a few train stations, but don’t expect high-speed rail. Still, it’s a plus if you don’t feel like driving on the weekend, because you can reach nearby cities in just a few hours: Viareggio in 20 minutes, Pisa in 30, and Florence in about 2 hours.

“It’s in a super strategic location: close to the sea (30 min), to Viareggio and its famous Carnival, to Pisa airport (which is super well-connected), to the Apennines, the Apuan Alps, and the stunning Garfagnana region. Then there are the train stations (even Tassignano) and the Capannori highway entrance—all big pluses.” – Massimiliano V.

That said, most locals agree: having a car is still pretty essential. Not for getting around town (because it’s super walkable), but for exploring the surrounding areas, or even just getting to the airport with more flexibility:

“After 7 years living here, I have to say I love it. The people are wonderful, and there’s so much to see. Just a short drive away you’ve got lakes, mountains, hills, and the sea. The food is amazing..with plenty of classic Tuscan restaurants, and even a few international spots; but you definitely have more options if you’ve got a car.” – Alessandro T.

Where to Live in Lucca: Housing & Cost of Living

Whether you’re looking to rent or buy in Lucca, prices vary quite a bit depending on the area. Obviously, the historic center is the most expensive, and finding a rental there can take months. Demand is high, and many landlords prefer short-term tourist rentals over long-term tenants:

“Rent is hit or miss. Depends on the landlord you find and the time of year. Both the rental and buying markets here are a bit crazy because of tourism and big events. A lot of landlords would rather leave their apartments empty most of the year so they can charge crazy prices during things like Lucca Comics or concerts.” – Massimo C.

Here’s a rough idea of what it might cost you for a 70 m² home:

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

The historic center is, of course, beautiful – whether it’s around Corso Garibaldi, with its little shops and green spaces, or Via dei Fossi, which, in my opinion, is one of the most interesting areas. But if you’ve got a car, there are lots of smaller towns nearby where you can get much more for your money and still be just a few minutes from the center.

“I live in Capannori and I love it. I also rent out two rooms on Airbnb, and all my guests have appreciated how quiet the area is and how easy it is to reach both the highway and the city center.” – Massimiliano V.

Challenges of Living in Lucca

As mentioned earlier, if you’re coming from a big city and expect a small but lively town full of year-round activities, Lucca might feel a bit limiting:

“For me, it’s too quiet, too small, and too isolated to offer much for a long-term resident. But it really depends on what you’re looking for. For example, a Scottish friend of mine moved to Lucca with her husband, runs a little B&B, and she’s the happiest person in the world. She loves the city, the wine, the Tuscan hills, and the local people. So honestly, visit and decide for yourself. You might hop back on the train saying ‘no way,’ or you might fall in love with the place.” – Elisa M.

Work opportunities can also be hard to come by, and parking is often a headache, especially if you don’t live right in the center and need to get around by car regularly. On top of that, finding a place to live, particularly in the historic center, can be challenging due to high demand and limited availability:

“Lucca? Beautiful, no doubt. You’ve got sea, mountains, hills. But I’d really only recommend it for retired couples. There are always roadworks and closures, especially when big international events are happening, which causes a lot of traffic. Jobs are hard to find, parking is limited, and the ZTL keeps expanding. Plus, rent prices are going up.” – Benedetta R.

Lucca by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life: Good (82/100) – taking into account air quality, amenities, walkability, population, and environmental risks
• Air Quality: Excellent (90/100)
• Safety: Moderate to Low Earthquake Risk
• Healthcare: Piana di Lucca-Pronto Soccorso (10 min.)
• Internet Speed: Not the best (average of 90 Mbps)
• Rent: ~€650– €950 (70 m²)
• Transport: Good
  • Airport: Galileo Galilei, Pisa (30 min.), Amerigo Vespucci, Florence (40 min.), Guglielmo Marconi, Bologna (76 min.)
  • Train Stations: Stazione di Nozzano (11 min), Stazione di San Pietro a Vico (11 min), Stazione di Lucca (12 min.)

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

Is Lucca Right for You?

✅ Choose Lucca if you want:

• A peaceful, safe, and walkable town with all the essentials
• A great base near major airports, perfect for exploring Tuscany
• Reliable healthcare services for both locals and expats
• Excellent air quality

❌ Think twice if you:

• Rely on public transportation – having a car is still pretty much essential
• Are looking for solid job opportunities
• Want an international vibe with year-round events and active nightlife
• Expect to find housing quickly and at a low price
• Need to drive into the city center every day – many locals say parking is a real issue

Final Thoughts

Lucca is ideal if you’re looking for a quiet and historic place with good air quality and easy access to the rest of Tuscany, with three airports nearby. That said, if you’re after a fast-paced lifestyle, lots of nightlife, or a thriving job market, it might feel a bit too quiet or limited. Housing in the historic center is pricey and competitive, and while public transport exists, having a car definitely makes life easier – especially if you want to explore the surrounding countryside or reach the airport without hassle.

As with any other place, visit first, try different neighborhoods, talk to locals, and see how it feels. You might instantly fall in love, or realize it’s not your place.

Want to explore more options? 

If Lucca hasn’t fully convinced you and you’d like to explore other options, use our search tools to explore over 1,500 towns and cities in Italy. You can filter by cost of living, transport, healthcare, or lifestyle factors to find the right place for you.