What People Say About Living in Scalea

As part of our series “What People Say About Living in…”, today we’re focusing on Scalea (CS), a town of around 12,000 people located in Calabria, southern Italy.

Scalea draws thousands upon thousands of tourists every summer. And it’s easy to see why – you’ve got the beach, strolls through the old town, visits to caves and nature reserves. Plus, in recent years, it’s also been drawing more and more expats, thanks in part to the 7% tax town incentive.

But putting the sea and all its beauty aside – what’s it actually like living in Scalea? To give you a clear picture, we’ve mixed our data with feedback from people who actually live there.

Life in Scalea: What People Say

Residents often describe Scalea as a peaceful little town, perfect for anyone who loves nature, the sea, and a slower pace of life:

“Except for the two busiest weeks in mid-August, Scalea is ideal for those who love nature, the sea, and tranquility. Food here is both affordable and high quality, and with so many supermarkets you can really save on everyday goods. The climate is great, there’s no pollution, and in recent years there’s been a real push for cultural and artistic growth. Everyone wants to make Scalea better. Healthcare-wise, there are excellent doctors and professionals. Facilities could improve, but that’s an issue in many regions. Overall, it’s a livable, sunny town full of good energy.” – Piero P.

As many locals point out, autumn and winter bring a very different vibe. The beaches and narrow lanes empty out, but the town remains pleasant year-round:

“It’s a very calm place where life is good all year round, especially in winter. People are incredibly welcoming, the sea is gorgeous, and there are loads of restaurants where you can eat really well.” – Alice R.

Transport and Connectivity in Scalea

Public transport is definitely one of Scalea’s weak points. Given the size of the town, you don’t really need a car for everyday life. But if you need to get to an airport or a larger hospital, having one becomes much more important:

“Public transport is basically non-existent, except for the train. Healthcare is another downside – in case of an emergency or a long-term illness, it’s better to go outside the region.” – Lucio B.

Scalea is close to three airports: Salerno and Lamezia Terme (around 1h40 min), which mostly offers domestic or short-haul flights, and Naples Capodichino (about 2 hours), which has far more destinations.

The trains work fairly well, although there are no high-speed services – only regional trains. You can reach Praia a Mare in 7 minutes, Paola in about 30 minutes, and both Salerno and Tropea in roughly 2 hours.

Where to Live in Scalea: Housing & Cost of Living

Contrary to what you might think, given that Scalea is a hugely popular summer destination, property prices here are much lower than average. For example, a 70 m² home in the historic center will set you back around €80,000, and you can pay even less if you look outside the center:

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

If you’re seriously thinking about buying a home here, one of the first questions to ask yourself is: “Am I okay with the summer crowds?”. If the answer is yes, then go ahead and look in the historic center. Overall, locals don’t point to any part of town as areas to avoid:

“There’s no area to avoid in Scalea – it’s all beautiful. You can choose to be steps from the sea, in the hills, on the outskirts, or in the old town.” – Romina M.

If your answer is no, then you might be better off in a more peripheral area, or even in a nearby village just a short drive away:

“To really appreciate Scalea, you need to live here from September to late May. Unfortunately, in the summer months it turns into a bit of a free-for-all, with few rules and limited services. So for buying property, I’d recommend the outskirts or even a village in the inland area.” – Rocco M.

Challenges of Living in Scalea

While Scalea is a small town where it’s easy to build relationships and enjoy year-round access to the beach, sea, and nearby mountains, it’s not without its downsides.

As mentioned earlier, one drawback is that in summer it fills up with tourists, almost becoming a different town entirely. By September, though, it quiets down and returns to its usual pace.

It’s definitely a good fit for retirees looking for a peaceful place by the sea. But if you have children, you should keep in mind that job opportunities in the area are limited, especially for young people, and there are no nearby universities:

“Scalea is very livable and peaceful from September through June. In July, tourists without much civic sense start to become a bit of a nuisance, and in August you just want to get away. If you have kids, remember there’s neither a university nor much work here – otherwise, it’s just like living anywhere else.” – Lucio B.

Healthcare is another factor to consider. Our data shows that local hospital care and post-surgery recovery efficiency fall short of national averages:

“It’s absolutely livable all year round except for the two central weeks of August… the other 350 days are perfect. The only real drawback – and it’s not a small one – is healthcare.” – Giuseppe U.

Scalea by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life: Sufficient (59/100) – taking into account air quality, amenities, walkability, population, and environmental risks
• Air Quality: Really good (84/100)
• Safety: Moderate Earthquake Risk
• Healthcare: Praia a Mare-Pronto Soccorso (18 min.)
• Internet Speed: Good (average of 105 Mbps)
• Rent: ~€800 (70 m²)
• Transport: Pretty good, but you need a car
  • Airport: Salerno Costa d’Amalfi, Salerno (89 min.), Lamezia Terme, Lamezia (98 min.), Capodichino, Naples (119 min.)
  • Train Stations: Stazione di Scalea-Santa Domenica Talao (4 min), Stazione di Marcellina-Verbicaro-Orsomarso (7 min), Stazione di Diamante-Buonvicino (16 min.)

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

Is Scalea right for you?

✅ Choose Scalea if:

• You’re retired and looking for a peaceful place near both the sea and the mountains – with excellent air quality.
• You want to live somewhere with a growing expat community.
• You’re interested in taking advantage of the 7% tax town incentive.
• You’re looking for a low cost of living.

❌ Think twice if:

• You want top-notch hospital facilities. There are hospitals nearby, but for more serious issues, some residents say it’s better to go outside the region.
• You know you can’t stand the summer tourist rush – in that case, visit both in summer and winter to get a true feel for the place.
• You rely entirely on public transportation.
• You have children – job opportunities are limited and there are no nearby universities.

Final thoughts

To sum up, if you’re retired and looking for a place where you can take advantage of the 7% tax benefit and have the sea right on your doorstep, Scalea could be a great fit. Outside of the summer months, the town is extremely peaceful and fairly well served in terms of infrastructure – you’ll find an emergency room, dentists, pharmacies, supermarkets, and more.

However, if job opportunities, top-notch healthcare, or excellent public transport are at the top of your list, you might want to consider other options.

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Want to explore more options? 

If Scalea 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, and other lifestyle factors – making it easy to find the perfect place for you.

Discover our article on the 7% tax town benefit, and sign up for our newsletter to get our guide to every town covered by this incentive.