Living in the Italian Countryside: The Beauty and Reality of it
Moving to the Italian countryside sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Rolling hills, olive trees, sunsets over vineyards, it’s every romantic fantasy wrapped into one landscape. And don’t get me wrong, it really is beautiful. But rural life in Italy can be a little more complicated than Instagram suggests. So, below I want to walk you through some of the quirks, surprises, and unexpected perks of living in the countryside and the things that sometimes aren’t getting considered. Let’s Talk About Internet Yes, you’ll have more space, fresh air, and fewer neighbors. But what you probably won’t have? Reliable bandwidth. If you work remotely, you’ll quickly discover the pain of frozen Zoom calls, emails that refuse to send, and speed tests that make you cry. Fiber optics is available in some places, but in many small towns, it’s still a patchwork of connections. Luckily, Italy isn’t stuck in the 1920s as some stereotypes suggest. There are alternatives, such as internet via radio frequency (which is the option we chose), and in many areas, it works surprisingly well. Electricity and Water: Not Always a Given Another fun surprise: power cuts and water shortages. And no, I’m not joking. The upside is that local municipalities usually post an announcement a couple of days beforehand, a note taped in the village streets with the date and approximate timeframe of the “disservice.” Twice a year (if you’re lucky), you’ll suddenly spend the whole day without electricity. Sometimes it’s repairs, sometimes storms, sometimes no explanation at all. Same with water. Imagine turning on the tap at 9 am and… nothing. And it might stay that way for six to eight hours. Try explaining that to your employer: “Sorry, I can’t work today, I don’t have electricity.” Sounds unbelievable, but out here, it’s normal. Distances and Transport Need a larger supermarket, a hospital, or just a post office? Chances are, it’s a drive away. And don’t count too much on public transport. Some villages have a bus stop, but timetables can be, let’s say, creative. So, unless you want to test your patience daily, a car isn’t optional but essential. So, Is It Worth It? Yes and no. Ultimately, it’s a personal choice. Countryside life in Italy is both magical and maddening. You’ll trade fast internet for breathtaking sunsets. You’ll deal with power cuts but wake up to silence and birdsong. You’ll drive more, but discover hidden towns and mountain views on the way. For me, the positives outweigh the negatives, but only if you go in with open eyes and realistic expectations. My Advice Check the internet situation before you rent or buy. Don’t assume it’s good. Have a backup plan for outages, a power bank, a mobile hotspot, or a coworking space in town. Accept that driving is part of life and budget for a car. Learn to laugh about it. Sometimes, that’s all you can do. Final Thoughts If you embrace both sides, countryside life can be one of the most rewarding lifestyle changes you’ll ever make. And if you’re planning to move to Abruzzo and want help preparing for the practical side (yes, including what to do when the lights go out 😉), that’s exactly where we can support you. To get in touch, you can simply fill out the form here and let’s make your move a little easier, together.