Living in Italy: Best Places to Live in Lombardy

The Lombardy region is located in the northern part of Italy and is a popular destination for tourists for its museums and impressive architecture. If you are planning on living in Italy, Lombardy has many towns that offer great value and lifestyle options. We have compiled a list of the best places to live in Lombardy.

About Lombardy

An incredible place to visit and live, Lombardy is home to approximately 10 million people, accounting for more than one-sixth of Italy’s population, and it generates more than a fifth of the country’s GDP, making it the most populous, wealthiest, and productive region in the country.

Lombardy is one of the most populated areas of Italy. The central hub of the region is the Milan metropolitan area. The region is made up of the provinces of Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Mantova, Milano, Monza e Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio, and Varese. The official language of the region is Italian and like many other parts of Italy has a variety of local dialects. Lombardy has a temperate climate that is characterized by warm summers and cold winters.

Why Choose Lombardy?

Lombardy or Lombardia is a region located in the most northern part of the country and is known for being the hub of the Italian economy. It has the largest concentration of international companies, some of the country’s best universities, an international population and beautiful landscapes; it is easy to understand why many UK and US expats decide to settle here.

The Lombardy region is the most advanced in public transportation, which is essential, especially if you want to explore and learn about Italian culture.

Lombardy offers unique landscapes such as the Alps, Lake Como, Lake Garda and picturesque little colorful towns filled with tiny restaurants, interesting cafes, and little neighborhoods just waiting to be discovered.

Working in Lombardy

Milan, the region’s capital, is a central hub for multinational corporations, offering abundant employment opportunities. The rise of remote work has provided professionals with greater flexibility in choosing their residence, allowing many to consider living in smaller towns and villages within Lombardy. This shift has enhanced work-life balance by reducing commuting time and associated stress.

Living in Italy

Remote work has opened new possibilities for residing in Italy, with Lombardy being a top choice due to its economic opportunities, cultural richness, and quality of life. The region’s proximity to the Swiss border, efficient transportation networks, reputable universities, and diverse job market make it a preferred destination for both locals and expatriates.

Top Places to Live in Lombardy

Here are some of the most desirable places to reside in Lombardy:

Milan

Milan / Photo CanvaPro

We cannot talk about Lombardy without mentioning the capital of fashion, Milan! Italians consider it the most cosmopolitan city in the country, thanks to its multicultural blend. People come from all over the world not only to shop but to admire the beauty of the Duomo, Da Vinci’s Last Supper, as well as the park and grounds of Castello Sforzesco.

Milan is a great location, especially if you like to travel or need to travel frequently for work. It has three airports; Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo Orio al Serio. Train stations Stazione Centrale and Stazione Garbaldi have fast, inter-urban and international trains, making traveling to anywhere quick and easy.

Milan is also a major city for art, culture and music. It’s a large cosmopolitan city with an excellent infrastructure, transportation and a variety of housing options and an eclectic mix of neighborhoods. Living in Milan is ideal for university students, professionals and anyone who loves urban living.

Lake Como

Living in the city center of Milan can be expensive compared to the outskirts, but being a well-connected city, living out of town saves money and offers better weekend opportunities in areas such as Lake Como or Lake Garda.

Varenna, Lake Como/ Photo Travelspot

For centuries Lake Como has been thought of as a popular hideaway for the rich and famous. Living on Lake Como is the picture-perfect image that many expats dream about when moving to Italy. Quaint, colorful houses and villas surround the beautiful Alpine scenery. Como is the most popular for expats, and being so close to Switzerland offers an inter-culture lifestyle; close to metropolitan Milan or the Swiss countryside.

The town of Bellagio, located on the top of the peninsula, looks like a postcard; no wonder it’s known as “The pearl of Lake Como” and, although not the easiest to get to, is a real treasure. Its splendor is out of this world, and some might even consider it the most beautiful city in Italy. The town of Varenna, also on Lake Como, is very accessible by train from Milan. Its Passeggiata degli innamorati, lover’s lane, is perfect for a romantic walk.

The town of Menaggio, with its glorious Medieval past, has more of a laid-back image than its neighbor Bellaggio which is usually filled with tourists, especially in spring and summer. The town of Tremezzo is known for its stunning natural scenery. It is home to many luxury hotels and the Villa Carlotta, a 17th-century neo-classical villa filled with embroidered tapestries, statues, and paintings and has what is considered one of the most gorgeous public gardens.

Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio are laid-back locations for residential life, but if you decide to live there, be forewarned that they are swamped during the tourism season and can be very sparse in the off-season.

Lecco, Lake Como / Photo Celia Abernethy

If you are looking for a small city, the city of Lecco and surrounding villages are excellent options. Trains to Milan run frequently, and it’s only a 40-minute commute to Milan.  Lecco is famous for water sports such as kite surfing, kayaking and sailing, and if your passion is cycling or hiking, it’s an excellent starting point for discovering the surrounding pre-Alp hills and mountains.

Lake Garda

Limone Del Garda / Photo Reinhold Schlager

If you want to settle near a lake but are not interested in Lake Como, you might want to check out Lake Garda. For nature buffs and culture lovers, the town of Sirmione, known for its Mediterranean feel, is charming. At the same time, Desenzano Del Garda, with its Roman ruins, is submerged in the history of a glorious Empire. Limone Del Garda has an unusually mild climate, making it very pleasant all year round; it is famous for its lemon tree orchards.  

Brianza

Monza Park / Photo Sergio Cerrato

The Brianza area, which lies between Milan and Lake Como, is known for its history, culture, and good food! This little area is very close to Milan, explaining why many locals decide to work in Milan but live here. Monza is a small city with a beautiful historical center accessible by train to Milan and Switzerland. Brianza is filled with little towns that make them the perfect place for anyone who wants to live in a historical center but still be within close reach of the heart of Milan.

Mantua

Mantua / Photo Cristiana Franzini

Mantova or Mantua, given its importance, should not be overlooked. Mantua’s uniqueness lies in its art and architecture, the beauty of the territory, and the variety of its cuisine. Mantua was the Italian Capital of Culture in 2016, which highlighted its vast historical heritage of museums, churches, and buildings. UNESCO declared its city center and the nearby town of Sabbioneta to be World Heritage Sites. Mantua is surrounded by artificial lakes and parks, perfect for nature lovers. Compared to Milan, the cost of living in Mantua is very affordable.

These are just a few ideas of where to live in Lombardy.  Lombardy is filled with many small and unique towns. The choices are truly infinite, but you will never regret choosing Lombardy as your home, no matter the city you might pick.

Article by Veronica Oni & Celia Abernethy, EasyMilano.com

First published 17 March 2022. Last Updated on 10 January 2025.

Featured photo by DCube