What People Say About Living in Siena

Siena is a quiet little town in Tuscany that we all probably associate with one word: tradition. Even though it’s peaceful pretty much all year, the city is packed with history, and twice a year it comes alive to host what has long been its main event: the Palio di Siena.

The contrade get together every year to celebrate, Piazza del Campo fills with people… basically, during the festival you can really see why it’s the city’s highlight. Some even say it’s a place you have to visit and experience at least once in your life.

But what’s it actually like living in Siena? To find out, we combined our data with the experiences of the people who actually live here.

Life in Siena: What People Say

Outside of the Palio period, Siena is described as a very quiet, safe, and human-scaled town:

“I was born and raised here. Every place has its pros and cons, but here the pros definitely outweigh the cons. It’s still a city on a human scale, not chaotic, and you can still walk around at night without being afraid. It’s not cheap when it comes to rent or buying a house, just like everywhere else, except in the small villages in the province.” – Paola C.

This means that, as some people say, you need to appreciate the city’s pace if you want to live here. If your priorities are a peaceful base, close to other towns in the region and surrounded by the classic stretches of vineyards, then Siena could be a good option:

“It’s a wonderful city to live in. But you have to love it — it’s not a city in a hurry; it follows its own rhythm. I recommend exploring it thoroughly, even the smallest alleyways. Over time, its spirit will slowly reveal itself. Eventually, you’ll find yourself in tune with the Sienese people and their musical way of speaking. If you’re open to all this, the city will reward you with a deep and lasting love.” – Annunziato M.

Transport and Connectivity in Siena

Siena is a fairly small city, so if you live in the center, it’s completely walkable. If you live a bit outside, don’t worry – the city is covered by a bus network connecting the center to the outskirts every 15–30 minutes. Alternatively, there’s a bike-sharing service in several parts of the city, so you can rent electric bikes at a very low cost.

However, if your question is: “Can I live in Siena and explore the surrounding areas (vineyards, villages, etc.) relying only on buses?” the answer is no. There are buses, but in some areas they’re very infrequent, so having a car is absolutely necessary:

“You can obviously use buses and trains to visit the region, but in this case, the trip can quickly turn into a nightmare; for certain villages, you might get only one bus/train per day and then you’ll be stuck. Consider that it’s almost impossible to visit the Chianti area or Val d’Orcia without a car. A car is a real must.” – Ren F.

As for flights, you’re close to three relatively small airports: Florence Amerigo Vespucci (53 min.), Grosseto (56 min.) and Pisa (1h40 min.). The city also has several train stations, letting you reach destinations like Poggibonsi-San Gimignano in 20 minutes, Florence and Montepulciano in 1 hour, and Pisa in 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where to Live in Siena: Housing & Cost of Living

Siena is also a university city, which means that, in addition to high demand, properties can be quite expensive – though it really depends on the area. Here’s a table to give you an idea, from the historic center to the surrounding neighborhoods:

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

You could end up paying over €800 to live in the city center, while in the more peripheral areas it might be around €600 or even less. That said, according to locals, a monthly budget to live a decent life is somewhere between €1,500 and €1,800:

“Rents in Siena are quite expensive because of the students attending the famous international university. If you want to live right in the city center (especially inside the medieval walls), rents are around €800 (or even more) per month for a standard apartment. In the neighborhoods around Siena, rents are cheaper, around €500 per month.” – Ren F.

Challenges of Living in Siena

As mentioned earlier, one of the downsides of living in Siena is definitely the cost. Daily life isn’t too expensive, but property prices are well above average for a city of this size and with the services it offers. Also, if you’re looking for a lively place, full of events and activities all year round, Siena is not for you:

“If you want chaos, nightlife, and industry… Siena is not for you. But if you want tranquility, clean air, and lots of beauty around you… and that’s enough for you… it’s your city. Personally, I wouldn’t trade it for any other.” – Elisabetta G.

If you have children, it can be a good choice – the city has a strong university and is definitely safe, even at night. But looking long-term, or if you’re seeking job opportunities outside tourism or hospitality, don’t expect much:

“A quiet big town, inhabited by quiet people. It has the pros and cons of a provincial town. Few and modest entertainments, little work, and a closed mentality. Definitely not cheap.” – Barbara P.

Siena by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life: Good (88/100) – taking into account air quality, amenities, walkability, population, and environmental risks
• Air Quality: Excellent (96/100)
• Safety: Moderate to Low Earthquake Risk
• Healthcare: Santa Maria alle Scotte Hospital (20 min.)
• Internet Speed: Good (average of 156 Mbps)
• Rent: ~ €600-900 (70 m²)
• Transport: Adequate – Siena is very walkable, but buses to surrounding areas can be unreliable
  • Airport: Ampugnano, Siena (14 min.), Amerigo Vespucci, Florence (53 min.), Grosseto Airport, Grosseto (56 min.)
  • Train Stations: Stazione di Badesse (11 min), Stazione di Siena Zona Industriale (12 min), Stazione di Siena (12 min.)

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

Is Siena right for you?

✅ Choose Siena if:

• You want to live in a quiet town that’s also a good base for exploring the rest of Tuscany
• You’re looking for a place with a reasonably efficient healthcare system
• You want to be close to nature while living in a low-pollution area with excellent air quality
• You want a fully walkable city – no need to rely on a car for daily life

❌ Think twice if:

• You’re looking for an affordable option – if you love Tuscany, there are plenty of cheaper towns, or you could consider areas like the Colli Berici/Euganei, Valpolicella in Veneto, or the Langhe in Piemonte
• You want a lively place, full of events and activities all year round
• You’re seeking job opportunities outside tourism or hospitality
• Public transportation might be infrequent outside peak hours

Final thoughts

In short, Siena is a wonderful city and definitely worth visiting at least once in your life. If you’re looking for a quiet place full of history, where you can walk to almost everything and be just a few minutes’ drive from the beautiful stretches of vineyards we usually associate with Tuscany, it could be perfect for you.

But if you’re after an affordable place that’s lively with events and job opportunities, you might want to consider other options.

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