What People Say About Living in Viterbo

We’ve all been to Rome and fell in love with it. After all, where do you find a beautiful city like it, so condensed with history, everywhere you go? Such warmth and welcoming atmosphere, incredible food on every corner, and that unmistakable energy that makes you feel alive just walking down the street. It’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave. However, let’s be honest – the constant noise, the crowds, the relentless pace of urban life isn’t for everyone. Living there day after day is entirely different from visiting for a weekend.

What if we told you that just 90 minutes north of Rome sits Viterbo – a medieval walled city of around 70,000 residents that offers an entirely different rhythm of Italian life? Living here means stepping back in time while staying remarkably close to the capital, enjoying a slower pace surrounded by thermal springs, medieval architecture, and rolling countryside, all without the tourist masses or Roman price tags.

But the question is: what’s living in Viterbo really like? To answer that, we’ve combined our data with insights from residents who’ve lived here for years.

Life in Viterbo: What People Say

People who live in Viterbo describe it as a really quiet, clean and safe place – the ideal if you’re seeking genuine Italian living without the chaos of bigger cities:

“This place turned out to be wonderful beyond what I imagined! I arrived six months back to attend language classes and scout other locations for a permanent move. But Viterbo completely won me over. It’s a quieter town with remarkable historical heritage, minimal crime, and there’s always some festival or new exhibition happening almost weekly. The capital is roughly 65 kilometers away with around 25 daily train connections. It’s notably cleaner than many Italian cities – you won’t encounter much litter or graffiti like elsewhere.”

Obviously, what most people consider when moving here is the proximity to Rome (and its airport). But apart from the big city, the surrounding area is truly beautiful – from the natural hot springs to the hiking trails. If you love history and nature, there are quite a lot of things to do:

“The proximity to the capital was definitely a major consideration for us. But we were instantly enchanted when we first entered the old walled section. It’s extremely pedestrian-friendly. The locals are warm and ready to help. There are countless cafés and intimate squares everywhere. Natural hot springs and hiking trails are just outside town. We’re not fans of overly touristy destinations, and here the only Americans we encountered were exchange students at the local high school or their visiting relatives.”

Transport and Connectivity in Viterbo

Viterbo‘s position makes it appealing for those who want small-town tranquility while maintaining access to major cities. Rome is approximately 2 hours away by train, with frequent daily connections making commuting or weekend trips entirely feasible. But apart from it, Tuscany is literally “down the street”… in fact, bordering Viterbo, you can reach beautiful places like Pitigliano, Saturnia, Siena, and Monte Argentario in about 40 minutes to 2 hours.

In terms of logistics, the nearest major airport is Rome Fiumicino, about 90 minutes by car or accessible via train to Rome and then airport shuttle. This is a great plus, because all the biggest flights depart from here.

The train station is pretty practical as well. From “Porta Fiorentina” station, you can reach Orte and Bracciano in about 50 minutes, Terni in 1h15, and Perugia in about 2h50.

However, for daily life, local transportation presents some challenges. While the historic center itself is absolutely walkable (with most daily necessities being within walking distance), exploring the surrounding area without a car is definitely difficult:

“The area is somewhat geographically isolated – public transit quality isn’t great, and owning a vehicle will definitely make your life significantly easier. The city and surrounding countryside are beautiful, but getting around without a car can be frustrating.”

Where to Live in Viterbo: Housing & Cost of Living

One of the biggest pros of living in Viterbo is its affordability. In fact, housing costs are definitely reasonable compared to Rome or even smaller towns in Tuscany, with prices ranging around €80,000 (for a 70m² home) in the historic centre:

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

“The cost of living is incredibly affordable. Prices are quite reasonable across the board, though groceries at major national chains are similar to anywhere else in Italy.”

When choosing where to live, consider your priorities carefully. What one local suggests is to consider that the town has a university, so some areas could be way noisier compared to others – particularly on weekends and during term time. But generally speaking, no major drawbacks emerged for any specific neighborhood. The town is pretty small and all areas are within easy reach, so the main consideration is simply whether you want to be in the heart of the medieval center or prefer a slightly more residential setting on the outskirts:

“If you’re looking at properties, be careful about proximity to bars frequented by university students – areas like the San Pellegrino medieval quarter around certain piazzas or the streets near the main fountain. If you end up in these zones, invest in quality double-glazed windows immediately.”

If you’re also considering nearby villages in the broader Tuscia area, make sure to check out Tolfa, Sutri, and Anguillara Sabazia – all are within 20-40 minutes of Viterbo and offer similar affordability and essential infrastructures for daily life.

Challenges of Living in Viterbo

According to some residents, Viterbo may not be the best choice for young people for two main reasons: the limited entertainment options and the lack of employment opportunities:

“To be frank, while it’s a charming small town, I wouldn’t recommend it to young people, as the social scene isn’t particularly vibrant, and being surrounded mostly by rural areas doesn’t help at all. Plus, if you’re planning to work here, understand that wages are low and opportunities aren’t abundant. This is fine if you’re retired, working remotely, or studying, but it’s a real limitation otherwise.”

According to our data, healthcare quality shows some concerning gaps. Treatment times for certain procedures, particularly orthopedic care and some cancer treatments, tend to be longer than national averages. While emergency care is available, specialized treatments may require trips to Rome’s better-equipped facilities.

And finally, the expat community is definitely limited, but this can be either an advantage or a challenge, depending on perspective:

“Unlike many Italian cities, there aren’t many American or international expats here. Depending how you look at it, that’s either positive or negative. Personally, I consider it a plus because it pushes you to integrate and absorb Italian culture more rapidly.”

Viterbo by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life: Pretty good (73/100) – taking into account air quality, amenities, walkability, population, and environmental risks
• Air Quality: Excellent (90/100)
• Safety: Moderate earthquake risk and low crime
• Healthcare: Belcolle Hospital (14 min.)
• Internet Speed: Good (average of 217 Mbps)
• Rent: ~€430–€560 (70 m²)
• Transport: Pretty good, but a car is still a must to explore the surrounding areas
  • Airport: Rome Fiumicino (1h), Rome Ciampino (1h), Perugia-San Francesco d’Assisi (1h)
  • Train Stations: Stazione di Viterbo Porta Fiorentina (8 min), Stazione di Viterbo Porta Romana (8 min), Stazione di Bagnaia (11 min)

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

Is Viterbo Right for You?

✅ Choose Viterbo if:

• You want dramatically lower living costs while staying within reach of Rome
• You value low crime and cleanliness in your daily environment
• You’re looking for a genuinely non-touristy Italian experience
• You’re a retiree, remote worker, or student not dependent on local employment
• You want to stay in a place with plenty of nature spots to discover nearby

❌ Think twice if:

• You need diverse cultural offerings – entertainment options are quite limited
• You’re seeking career opportunities or professional growth locally
• You need a car-free lifestyle – while the center is 100% walkable, exploring the region requires a vehicle
• You require cutting-edge healthcare readily available (Rome is your nearest option for specialized care)

Final Thoughts

In essence, Viterbo works beautifully for people who prioritize affordability, authenticity, and tranquility over career prospects and cultural variety – retirees, remote professionals, or students who can appreciate medieval charm, excellent air quality, and proximity to Rome without needing local employment or constant entertainment.

The city genuinely delivers on its promise of slower-paced, affordable Italian living. You’ll pay a fraction of what Rome costs, enjoy remarkable historical surroundings, and experience genuine Italian daily life without tourist crowds. The connection to Rome means you’re never truly isolated when you need big-city resources.

If you’re experiencing difficulties with your relocation process, become a member and get a one-hour free private consultation to help you navigate it smoothly.

Want to explore more options?

If Viterbo 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.