English When people think of Lombardy, Milan usually steals the spotlight. Dynamic, international, full of opportunities..but also chaotic, expensive, and overwhelming for many.
Far fewer know about Varese, a city of about 79,000 residents located just a few kilometers from several beautiful lakes and the Swiss border. Not only does it boast excellent connectivity to Milan and major airports, but it’s also surrounded by nature and offers a much more affordable cost of living.
But what’s living in Varese really like? To find out, we’ve combined our own data with feedback from people who have been living there for years.
Life in Varese: What People Say
What many residents like about living here is that it’s a really balanced and convenient city. It’s a place where you can enjoy a slower pace of life compared to Milan, while still being very close to it and surrounded by nature:
“Varese is a place where you can do everything, but at a pace that feels right for me, definitely ideal for raising my daughter. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for peace, nature, and the chance to escape to cooler areas or reach Milan in about an hour.”
Despite being a very quiet city, you can easily reach many other destinations in less than an hour by train, without giving up nearby amenities:
“I’ve been living here for 50 years, and I love the fact that I can get to so many places by train in an hour or less – Milan, Lugano, Como, and even Malpensa. It is also quite close to Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. You can even catch a local bus to Lake Varese, which is small but beautiful. The hospital here is excellent; my husband needed emergency surgery last year and received great care. There are plenty of supermarkets, small shops selling international food, restaurants, and bars….something for everyone.”
Transport and Connectivity in Varese
Let’s start with one of the biggest pros of living here: the airports. We all know how hard it can be to find a city that’s both pleasant to live in and conveniently close to major airports. Well, Varese ticks both boxes; in fact, it’s only a 30-minute drive from Milan Malpensa Airport (the main hub for northern Italy), where you’ll find plenty of both international and domestic connections. Alternatively, in just about an hour by car, you can reach Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, which has a wide range of low-cost flights across Europe.
“Having Malpensa Airport just 30 minutes away is an incredible convenience. Plus, the highway entrance is practically 10 minutes from the city center, so you can get to lots of destinations really easily.”
When it comes to trains, from Varese station you can reach Milan in just 50 minutes, Lugano (in Switzerland) in 40, and Como in about the same time. If you’d rather not drive, there’s also a direct train from the city center to the airport.
The city is also served by several bus lines, usually running every 20 minutes. However, according to many locals, having a car is still useful – not so much for daily life (if you live in the center), but definitely for exploring the surrounding areas.
Where to Live in Varese: Housing & Cost of Living
Property prices in Varese are definitely reasonable – especially if you work in Milan and are considering commuting. In fact, while the average price to buy a home in Varese is around €1,800/m², in Milan it’s roughly €5,550/m².
Here’s a table to give you an idea of how prices vary across different areas:
| Area | Sale Price (€ /m²) | Avg. 70 m² Home (€) | Rent Price (€ /m²) | Avg. 70 m² Home (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centre, Biumo Inferiore, Biumo Superiore | ~€1,840 | ~€128,800 | ~€11.79 | ~€825 |
| Casbeno, Masnago, Brunella | ~€2,140 | ~€149,800 | ~€12.84 | ~€900 |
| Bobbiate, Schiranna, Capolago, Lissago, Calcinate, Cartabbia | ~€1,890 | ~€132,300 | ~€11.02 | ~€770 |
| Giubiano, San Carlo, Bizzozero | ~€1,670 | ~€117,000 | ~€11.28 | ~€790 |
| Belforte, Valle Olona | ~€1,340 | ~€93,800 | ~€9.59 | ~€670 |
| Ippodromo, San Gallo, Montello | ~€1,810 | ~€126,700 | ~€10.92 | ~€760 |
| Sant’Ambrogio, Velate, Avigno, Santa Maria del Monte | ~€1,840 | ~€128,800 | ~€10.05 | ~€700 |
| Viale Europa, Bosto | ~€1,730 | ~€121,000 | ~€11.62 | ~€810 |
Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it
Choosing the right area, as one local suggests, really depends on your priorities and lifestyle: do you want to be surrounded by nature? Are you looking for larger homes at lower prices? Or do you prefer to live somewhere where you won’t need to rely on a car every day?
“First of all, you need to decide whether you want to look for a home in Varese city or in the wider province. If your priority is living close to nature and having a larger house with a garden, it’s better to focus on the provincial areas. Of course, you can still find homes like that in the city center – but they’re harder to come by.”
Beyond the historic center, some of the most popular neighborhoods are Ippodromo, Biumo Superiore, and San Gallo – all really charming and well connected to both downtown and the train stations. Alternatively, Sant’Ambrogio, Velate, and Avigno are also great options, just a short walk from downtown.
If a bigger place with a garden is on your wish list, check out Capolago, Cartabbia, or Gaggio. And for those who want to be near the lake, Calcinate, Bobbiate, and Lissago are all very close to Lake Varese.
Challenges of Living in Varese
One of the main issues residents often mention is traffic and parking, so getting around during rush hour, especially on weekdays, can be pretty stressful:
“Traffic and daytime life deserve their own “chapter”: in my opinion, it’s more complicated than Milan. The city is full of one-way streets and most parking is paid. The good thing is that coming to Varese from nearby towns by train isn’t too expensive, but it does take time.”
Others point out that, for younger people, Varese can feel a bit too quiet:
“In the summer, the areas near the lake come alive with events, local festivals, and parties, but during the rest of the year, there’s not much for young people to do. Evenings are calm…the city is small compared to Milan and doesn’t offer many attractions, which is why many young people end up heading to the bigger city.“
Finally, another downside for many is the weather (by the way, we recently published a detailed article about it):
“The weather can be a bit gloomy, especially in autumn and winter. The province of Varese is the rainiest in Italy, so always have an umbrella handy; in winter, the sky is often overcast. On the plus side, there’s none of the smog you find in Milan or the rest of the Po Valley, and none of the typical fog and dampness of the lowlands. All in all, there are still quite a few sunny days compared to harsher climates, like those across the Alps.”
Varese by the Numbers: Key Data
- Quality of Life: Good (79/100) – taking into account air quality, amenities, walkability, population, and environmental risks
- Air Quality: Good (80/100)
- Safety: Moderate to Low Earthquake Risk
- Healthcare: Circolo Fondazione Macchi (8 min.)
- Internet Speed: Good (average of 170 Mbps)
- Rent: ~€670 – €900 (70 m²)
- Transport: Really good, both for buses, trains and airports.
- Airport: Malpensa, Milan (28 min.), Linate, Milan (45 min.), Orio al Serio, Bergamo (54 min.)
- Train Stations: Stazione di Varese Casbeno (4 min), Stazione di Varese Nord (8 min), Stazione di Barasso-Comerio (11 min.)
For more detailed information about Treviso and its services and infrastructure, visit the Magic Towns city profile.
Is Varese right for you?
✅ Choose Varese if:
- You want a peaceful, green city with easy access to Milan and Switzerland
- You value proximity to airports – Malpensa is just 30 minutes away
- You love nature and lakes – Lake Varese, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Orta are all nearby
- You’re looking for more affordable housing than Milan while maintaining good train connections
- You appreciate a slower pace of life with a human-scale city feel
- You’re raising a family and want access to good schools, hospitals, and green spaces
❌ Think twice if:
- You’re looking for a vibrant nightlife or lots of entertainment
- You don’t do well with rain – Varese is the rainiest province in Italy, so expect frequent showers, especially in autumn and winter
- You need excellent public transport within the city – while trains to Milan are great, local bus service can be limited
- You’re after a cosmopolitan, international vibe
- You rely heavily on car – traffic and parking can be frustrating
Final thoughts
In short, Varese is an ideal choice for those who value tranquility, nature, and easy access to both Milan and international airports. It’s a city where housing is affordable and you’re never far from beautiful lakes, mountains, or the Swiss border. This makes it perfect for families, retirees, or young professionals who want a quieter lifestyle without sacrificing connectivity.
That said, it has its challenges: the weather can be gloomy with frequent rain, traffic and parking can be frustrating, and if you’re looking for nightlife or a bustling social scene, you may find it too quiet.
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Want to explore more options?
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