What People Say About Living in Salerno

If you’ve been exploring southern Italy, chances are Salerno has caught your attention. The city draws visitors year-round thanks to its location: you’ve got the Amalfi Coast on one side, the quieter Cilento coastline on the other, and hills backing the city from behind.

For those considering a move, Salerno offers an appealing balance: city amenities without the chaos of Naples, excellent transport connections, and seaside living at reasonable prices. However, as we’ll explore later, living here does come with its challenges.

So what’s living in Salerno really like? To answer that question, we’ve combined our own data with insights from long-term residents.

Life in Salerno: What People Say

Salerno is suitable for different types of expats: young professionals seeking a quiet place without crazy prices, families wanting a safe environment near the coast, and remote workers looking for good connectivity without big-city stress. In fact, the city has reliable internet and some coworking spaces, so remote work is absolutely feasible:

“If you have a family and are thinking about raising children there, I think Salerno is a perfect city: you’re by the sea, super close to the Amalfi coast, very well connected, not far from Cilento if you drive, but also other historical cities.”

For families and those seeking community, Salerno’s size works in its favor. It’s small enough to feel welcoming without being isolated, and the fact of having the sea within a few steps adds significant quality of life:

“It isn’t overwhelming. So if it is your first expat experience, it could be great. It doesn’t take hours to get about, you don’t have to worry about getting lost. I moved here with a very low level of Italian so I wanted to live somewhere where I felt comfortable. And the cost of living here is lower.“

Transport and Connectivity in Salerno

Salerno is pretty well connected, especially in terms of airports. In fact, Naples Capodichino Airport is about 40 minutes’ drive away and covers a lot of routes, both inside and outside Europe. If you don’t have a car, you can take a train to Naples (about 40 min), then the Alibus to the airport (15 min).

The city itself is absolutely walkable, and the buses connect the main areas well. However, if you’re planning to travel out toward the outskirts or into the hills, a car can be helpful, but the city itself is not large or difficult to navigate:

“I live here, near Piazza San Francesco D’Assisi and I don’t have a car. Everything for daily life is within walking distance, and the city is the right size. I challenge anyone to get lost!”

The pro of living in Salerno is its position, as it’s an excellent base for exploring the region, and when you don’t want to, you have the sea literally a few steps away. But for other trips, the city is served by high-speed trains and offers ferry connections along the coast, making day trips effortless. You can reach Naples and Pompeii by train, take ferries to Positano and Amalfi, catch hydrofoils to Capri, or visit Paestum – all within easy reach.

Where to Live in Salerno: Housing & Cost of Living

Property prices in Salerno vary a lot depending on where you choose to live, whether it’s in the historic center or a little bit further out, in the small towns nearby. But the average is around €196,000 for a 70 m² house. The price isn’t the lowest for sure, but considering the sea within the city, its size, its proximity to the Amalfi Coast, Naples and the airports, for some people it’s worth it.

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

Whether the old town is right for you really depends on your lifestyle (and budget). But one thing you should definitely consider is parking, as many streets are pedestrian-only or too tight for cars, and most buildings don’t have private parking spaces. So be sure to check it in advance. Plus, properties here tend to be smaller, and often without an “open area”, such as a balcony:

“Keep in mind that apartments in the historic center are often small, and not all of them have a balcony. It seems like a small thing, but given how hot Salerno gets in summer, having some kind of outdoor access makes a huge difference. Also check whether a property has air-conditioning; if not, installing it will likely be your responsibility.”

If you’re moving with your family, instead, probably the best areas are Carmine and Irno. Both are within comfortable walking distance of shops, schools, parks, and everyday conveniences, and they feel like small communities of their own rather than isolated residential zones.

“If you want to be close to the city center without the complications of the historic district, areas such as Carmine, Irno, Torrione and Pastena offer a great compromise. They’re well-connected, have more modern housing, and generally offer better value for money. You’re still only a short walk or bus ride from the heart of Salerno, but properties tend to be larger and with outdoor space.”

If instead you’re looking for small yet well-served towns nearby, then you should consider places like: Vietri sul Mare, Cava de’ Tirreni (just 15 min. away) and Battipaglia.

Challenges of Living in Salerno

Before moving here, it’s worth understanding what might not work for you. If you’re someone who thrives on nightlife and constant activity, Salerno might feel a bit quiet. It’s more of a “dinner and a walk along the lungomare” kind of place rather than a late-night clubbing scene. Locals will tell you it’s a beautiful city if you love a quiet life by the sea, but if you’re young and looking for more action, it can feel slow. That said, Naples is only 40 minutes away when you need that energy.

“The cons: it’s not a thriving city. If you like a quiet lifestyle and the sea, then it’s a beautiful city. But if you’re young it could be a bit boring, as they doesn’t organize that many events. However, compared to cities like Naples, it’s cleaner and safer “

The job situation is something to consider seriously. Unless you’re teaching English (there are some language schools here), working remotely, or already retired, finding local work can be challenging. The economy doesn’t have the variety you’d find in larger cities, so arriving without a job lined up could be difficult, especially if you don’t speak Italian.

Plus, according to our data, healthcare is another area where Salerno and the wider Campania region fall short compared to northern Italy. While basic services exist, hospital care shows some gaps – treatment times for urgent conditions like heart attacks can be significantly delayed, and access to certain specialized procedures such as minimally invasive breast cancer surgery is more limited. If you have ongoing health needs or are retiring here, research specific facilities and consider supplementary private insurance.

Parking is probably the biggest practical challenge. Most of the historic center is pedestrian-only or has streets too narrow for comfortable driving. Buildings rarely have private parking, so you’re either hunting for street spots or paying for garage rentals, so factor that into your budget if you’re bringing a car.

Salerno by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life: Good (74/100) – considering air quality, amenities, walkability, population, and environmental risks
• Air Quality: Very good (86/100)
• Safety: Moderate Earthquake Risk
• Healthcare: San Giovanni di Dio Ruggi d’Ar (13 min.)
• Internet Speed: Reliable for remote work (average of 232 Mbps)
• Rent: ~€640 – €1000 (70 m²)
• Transport: High-speed rail connections, ferry services, walkable city centre
  • Airport: Salerno Costa d’Amalfi (20 min.), Naples Capodichino Airport (40 min), Ciampino, Rome (2 hours)
  • Train Stations: Stazione di Salerno Irno (10 min), Stazione di Torrione (10 min), Stazione di Fratte (10 min)

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

Is Salerno Right for You?

✅ Choose Salerno if:

• You want a proper city with urban amenities but without the “intensity” of Naples or Rome
• You work remotely, you’re retired, or at most you’re in teaching (basically, you’re not relying on the local job market)
• Living near the sea is genuinely important to you as part of daily life, not just for holidays
• You want easy access to the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and Capri without paying Amalfi Coast prices
• You have a family and want somewhere quite safe with schools and a real sense of community
• This is your first expat experience and you’re looking for somewhere manageable to settle into Italian life

❌ Think twice if:

• You need vibrant nightlife and constant events to feel satisfied
• You’re planning to find work after arriving – local opportunities are limited
• You’re not prepared to learn Italian and expect to manage entirely in English
• You expect excellent healthcare services – there are several gaps in the regional system
• You need international schools or specialized educational programs for your children – options are limited locally, with Naples being the nearest hub for secondary-level international education

Final Thoughts

Salerno works well if you’re after authentic Italian coastal living with solid infrastructure. You get the sea, proximity to Naples, easy access to the Amalfi Coast, and reasonable prices compared to more touristy areas. It’s particularly suited to families, remote workers and retirees.

What it won’t offer is the grandeur of Rome or the cosmopolitan buzz of Milan. This is a mid-sized coastal city that’s comfortable, well-connected, and genuinely livable – but you’ll need at least basic Italian, the job market is limited outside specific sectors, summer heat is intense, and parking can be frustrating.

If those challenges don’t put you off, and you want a place to build a good life by the Mediterranean with easy access to Italy’s most beautiful destinations, Salerno might be an option.

Want to explore more options?

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