What People Say About Living in Pavia

As part of our series “What People Say About Living in…”, today we’re focusing on Pavia, a town of around 72,000 people located in Lombardy, northern Italy.

When considering a move to Italy, many expats find themselves drawn to this region, partly because it’s one of the most economically dynamic areas in the country, offering solid job opportunities across a range of industries. Plus, it’s just a short drive from Malpensa Airport, which basically throws open the door to the rest of the world with its hundreds of international flights every day.

But what is it really like living in Pavia? To give you a clear picture, we’ve combined our data with feedback from people who actually live there.

Life in Pavia: What People Say

Chances are, before stumbling upon Pavia, you considered nearby cities like Milan, Bergamo, or Brescia. What many residents point out is that living here means enjoying a quiet lifestyle, but still having everything you need close by, including easy access to those bigger cities if and when you need them.

“I escaped from Milan 15 years ago, and here I was reborn. It’s a peaceful city, with everything you need – a wonderful historic center and plenty of nature all around.” – Stefania L.

Since it’s a university town, you could say it sits somewhere between a city and a small village, which is probably why the atmosphere doesn’t feel too “provincial”:

“It’s just the right size: not a tiny place where everyone knows everything about everyone, and not a huge, alienating city where you don’t know anyone around you. You can just as easily be surrounded by strangers or find yourself chatting with the mayor while doing your grocery shopping. In my opinion, the city works well for young kids – there are small parks, free educational activities, and lots of cultural events organized by the municipality.” – Barbara T.

Transport and Connectivity in Pavia

Pavia is well-connected, especially when it comes to flights. It’s located near three major airports: Milan Malpensa and Bergamo Orio al Serio are both less than an hour away, while Milan Linate is just a 30-minute drive. That means you’re pretty much covered no matter where you’re heading – whether it’s a long-haul flight to visit family in Australia, Canada, or the US, or a low-cost weekend getaway to a European capital.

The same goes for train connections. Pavia’s train station offers regular services to multiple destinations: Milan is just 20 minutes away, Turin and Bergamo around an hour and a half, and Genoa is only about an hour away.

That said, Pavia is one of those cities where owning a car might still be necessary, especially if you plan to live outside the city center. In fact, public transport isn’t always reliable, particularly in less central areas:

“In certain areas, public transport is very scarce, so if you plan to rely on it, you should choose your location carefully... During rush hours, traffic can slow down significantly, so you’ll need to consider your commuting needs. Parking in areas near the city center (which is continuously expanding) is paid and quite expensive.” – Silvia R.

Where to Live in Pavia: Housing & Cost of Living

Property prices in Pavia vary significantly depending on whether you’re looking in the city center or in the surrounding neighborhoods. For example, the average price for an apartment in the center is around €200,000, but it’s possible to find options for as low as €120,000.

One thing many locals agree on is that finding a place to live can be challenging. Being a university town (and one of the oldest in Europe) means demand often outweighs supply.

“As everywhere, it depends on your age, your lifestyle, and especially your expectations… It’s a quiet city, with some neighborhoods more family-friendly than others. Housing costs are quite high due to the strong presence of the University, which limits the number of accommodations available compared to demand.” – Silvia R.

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

One of the upsides of living here is that you’re surrounded by a lot of green space – but without being isolated. In fact, you’re still well connected to other cities:

“In the city center, rent can reach €600/month, while in the eastern areas like Viale Cremona or Vallone, or the western side around San Lanfranco, the average is around €450/month. There’s an incredible amount of green space: in addition to farmland, there are actual forests. Pavia is convenient in many ways – you can get to Milan easily via the bypass roads, which basically mark the edge of the city.” – Laura G.

So if you’re working in Milan or have considered moving there, commuting from Pavia is definitely doable – and with the price of a small apartment in Milan, you could get a house with a garden here:

“You can live five minutes by bike from the city center and just one minute on foot from the Ticino woods. For the price of a semi-central two-room apartment in Milan, you can buy a house with a garden here – still near the center. And when you need it, the city has some of the best hospitals in Europe.” – Mattia R.

Challenges of Living in Pavia

One of the most common complaints from residents is the climate – especially in the summer with the mosquitoes, and the heavy fog in winter: 

“In my opinion, the worst aspects are the climate (cold and damp in winter, hot and muggy in summer) and the many, many, many mosquitoes, which make spending time outdoors less enjoyable.” – Silvia R.

Others point out that public services could be improved, and cleanliness in some areas, particularly the city center, leaves something to be desired:

There are definitely many positives: the Ticino river, city parks, natural areas, and the historical and cultural heritage. But some major flaws include the puzzling lack of public swimming pools, the poor cleanliness of the historic center, and the neglected condition of certain streets.” – Luca C.

And of course, if you’re a young couple looking for a dynamic social life with lots of events and activities, Pavia might feel a bit limiting:

“Life here is still on a human scale, but I really think what’s missing are places and activities for teenagers. That’s why it can feel a bit too quiet. But it depends on your point of view.. if you’re a parent, it’s definitely a safe and peaceful city where you can feel at ease.” – Mauro R.

Pavia by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life: Good (85/100) – taking into account air quality, amenities, walkability, population, and environmental risks
• Air Quality: Good (82/100)
• Safety: Moderate to Low Earthquake Risk
• Healthcare: Policlinico San Matteo (5 min.)
• Internet Speed: Good (average of 209 Mbps)
• Rent: ~€600– €800 (70 m²)
• Transport: Pretty good
  • Airport: Linate, Milan (33 min.), Malpensa, Milan (48 min.), Orio al Serio, Bergamo (54 min.)
  • Train Stations: Stazione di Pavia (8 min), Stazione di Certosa di Pavia (13 min), Stazione di San Martino Siccomario-Cava Manara (13 min.)

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

Is Pavia right for you?

✅ Choose Pavia if:

• You work in Milan (or travel there often) but want a quieter place to live, with significantly lower housing costs.
• You have young children and are looking for a long-term home near several universities.
• You want to be close to high-quality healthcare services.
• You’re looking for a place where you can stay connected to nature.

❌ Think twice if:

• You don’t rely on a car – Pavia is well connected to airports and major cities, but if you don’t live right in the center, having a car can make life easier.
• You’re sensitive to weather – winters are cold and damp, and summers can be hot and muggy (with plenty of mosquitoes).
• You’re looking for vibrant nightlife.
• You want to live somewhere with a large expat community.

Final Thoughts

Pavia is a peaceful and well-connected town with everything you might need – from supermarkets and gyms to universities and plenty of green space. If you work in Milan but don’t want to pay Milan prices (or deal with the chaos), it’s a smart alternative. Add in the strong healthcare system and a family-friendly atmosphere, and it’s easy to see why many people choose to settle here long-term.

That said, some residents aren’t fans of the climate, and if you’re looking for nightlife, a large expat community, or a fast-paced lifestyle, it might feel a bit too quiet.

But if what you value most is space, affordability, and a slower, more balanced pace of life, without feeling isolated, Pavia could be a very good option.

Want to explore more options? 

If Pavia 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.