Most people assume buying a home in Northern Italy is out of reach, too cold during the year, and/or too far away from the beach. But is it actually true? Of course not. If fact, beyond the most famous spots – think of places like Lake Como, Le Cinque Terre, the area around Milan – there are tons of little villages where you can buy a house for very little money. You’d be close to several airports, have all the services you need without necessarily using a car, and enjoy excellent healthcare facilities and great overall infrastructure.
We used our Town Explorer to pull together five towns across different regions of the north where €100,000 can actually get you a home. Let’s get into it.
1. Valdobbiadene, Treviso (899 €/m²)
At €899 per square meter, a 100m² home in Valdobbiadene comes out to around €90,000 – and for that price, you’re essentially living in one of Italy’s most beautiful wine landscapes – a UNESCO-listed territory at that.
This area, in Veneto, is a paradise for people who want to be completely immersed in nature, while not being isolated at all. There are plenty of walking and cycling paths winding through the vines, but you’re also 50 minutes away from the beautiful city of Treviso – which is also called “Little Venice” (which, by the way, is just one hour away).
The town itself is small but well-served, and the quality of life here is genuinely high – excellent air quality, good internet, and healthcare infrastructure that’s above the Italian average. For getting around, both Treviso and Venice airports are under an hour away, which covers you for most international flights. This one works well for pretty much everyone: young couples, retirees, and families, as there are some international schools in the area as well.
2. Spilimbergo, Pordenone (888 €/m²)
At €888/m² (around €88,800 for a 100m² home), Spilimbergo, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, is the most affordable town on this list, as well as one of the most unique. In fact, it’s consistently listed among the most beautiful medieval towns in Italy, and it’s internationally known as the City of Mosaic – the Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli has been here since 1922 and students come from all over the world to study there.
So besides being a beautiful place to just walk around, relax, and enjoy the many cultural events organized throughout the year, this town is also really well-connected.
You’ve got three airports within an hour: Venice, Treviso, and Trieste. The ski slopes at Piancavallo are about 50 minutes away. And the surrounding area – rivers, waterfalls, hiking trails – is genuinely spectacular if you like being outdoors.
3. Mondovì, Cuneo (1,069 €/m²)
Mondovì sits in the foothills of the Maritime Alps in Piedmont, and at €1,069/m² you’re looking at just over €100,000 for 100 sqm. The town is split between a historic upper part and a more functional lower town, connected by a funicular that’s been running since the 1880s.
Practically speaking, it’s well connected: Turin and Genoa airports are both within an hour, and Malpensa (the main international hub for Northern Italy) is about an hour and 40 minutes away. So this is a great option if you travel a lot or need regular international connections. The hospital infrastructure is strong, internet is excellent, and you’ve got ski slopes just 20 minutes away. Plus, just 10 minutes away is the Nature Reserve of Crava-Morozzo, a place where you can find more than 150 bird species, ponds, streams, and ancient trees. Temperatures do dip below freezing in winter, but the rest of the year is mild and sunny.
4. Bagnacavallo, Ravenna (1,095 €/m²)
Bagnacavallo is a small town in Emilia-Romagna, about 20km from Ravenna. At €1,095/m², a 100m² home lands at around €109,500. This is a town that I’d definitely recommend to anyone, especially those looking for a mid-sized town, rich in culture and surrounded by nature.
The structure of the town is really interesting – it’s built around an oval piazza where, in the past, people used to sell their goods (particularly food). Beyond this, the town hosts several museums, the beautiful Goldoni Theatre, and it’s surrounded by walking and cycling paths. Unsurprisingly, it served as the setting for several films, including “La Riffa” with De Sica.
In terms of connections, Bologna Airport is just 40 minutes away. The hospitals are excellent. Internet is fast. And unlike a lot of the hilltop towns in this part of Italy, Bagnacavallo is flat and easy to get around – which some people really value. Plus, the beach is only 30 minutes away.
5. Vigevano, Pavia (1,219 €/m²)
Vigevano is the most expensive option on this list – at €1,219/m², 100 sqm comes to around €121,900, so it’s technically over budget. We’re including it anyway because it’s a different kind of option: a proper mid-sized city (around 63,000 inhabitants), fully serviced, with one of the most beautiful Renaissance squares in Italy right in the center.
The main draw here is proximity to Milan. You’re close enough to access Milan’s hospitals, international schools/universities, airports (Malpensa is 30 minutes away), and job market – but property prices are a fraction of what you’d pay in the city itself. It’s surrounded by hills and the Ticino river park, so you’re not giving up on nature either. If you want to be near a larger city while living in a well-sized town that has everything you’d need for daily life, then this is a great option.
How to Find More Towns Like These
With these towns, we’ve tried to meet the needs of everyone: retirees looking for a quiet place with good infrastructure (especially healthcare facilities), young couples looking for a well-connected place near larger cities, families wanting a safe place to raise their children – possibly with international schools nearby – and remote workers looking for a place with great internet connectivity.
However, if these towns didn’t convince you and you want to explore more options that fit your budget, lifestyle preferences, and practical needs, check out our Town Explorer – you can filter by price, region, population, and proximity to airports and hospitals to find the place that actually works for you.
And if you have questions about the buying process, residency, or making the move, feel free to reach out – we’re here to help.
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