BEST PLACES TO DOWNSHIFT TO ITALY

Are you planning to change your life by living better with less? Then head to Italy as from Lombardy to Sicily here is where you should head to if you want to follow in the downshifting trend.

Downshifting is a social trend in which individuals live simpler lives to escape from the rat race of obsessive materialism and to reduce the stress that comes with it. It is about finding an improved balance between leisure and work and focusing life goals on personal fulfillment and relationship building instead of the all-consuming pursuit of economic success. And why not trying to do this in one of the most beautiful Countries on Earth, Italy? This list is meant to be as an inspiration for a life-change for whoever is seeking beauty, great food, relax and a comfortable life that doesn’t require too many expenses.

Veneto, Torcello

If you love Venice but – planning a downshifting – you don’t want to pay the rents of Venice pick the beautiful Torcello. Same atmosphere, less crowd, although tourists still visit as it’s such a beautiful Island in the Venetian Lagoon. If you want to re-invent yourself, open a restaurant here: there are only few. If you’d like to venture in the glass-making business instead, head to Burano.

Lombardy, Monte Isola

 

In the province of Brescia, Monte Isola is Italy’s largest island within a lake. It is located on an island of the same name in Lake Iseo. Due to its size and road construction, Monte Isola has driving restrictions: only public transports and priests (yes, priests) are allowed to drive on the island. This makes the little fishing village a peaceful retreat. Bike hire, although already partially present, it is a good idea for a start-up.


Liguria, Framura

 

This jewel – a municipality (that contains Anzo, Ravecca, Setta, Costa, and Castagnola) – located in the Province of La Spezia it the perfect retreat if you love Cinque Terre but can’t stand the crowds of tourists. Framura in fact sits just next to Cinque Terre, and in Framura, unless you don’t want to invest in a house with sea view like the Case Rosse by archi-star Vico Magistretti, you’ll be likely to find very good prices of real estate and still have room for a big chunk of land (cultivable). You can make olive oil (thanks to the mild climate, another plus of the area) and when missing a big city – or in search of a full time job – you can head to Genova, which is an hour distance by car.

Umbria, Spello

 

Spello is an ancient town in the province of Perugia, Umbria. Sitting on a sloping ridge, Spello has a good view of the Umbrian plain towards Perugia. It is one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, featuring works of art by Perugino (1512) and the Baglioni Chapel by Pinturicchio. Move here to produce olive oil – the Umbria Region produces one of the best kinds in Italy – or simply to enjoy the beauty while living in a town and not in a chaotic city.

Marche, Corinaldo

 

Corinaldo is a town in the Province of Ancona, within the Marche region of central Italy. Also funnily known as “the town of the crazy people”, this place is what you are looking for if you want a still lively historical town. Real estate prices here are lower than many other parts of Italy and there is a choice of farmhouses requiring restoration that can be acquired at bargain prices: open a B&B!

Abruzzo, Castelvecchio Calvisio 

 

Castelvecchio Calvisio is located in the Province of L’Aquila in Abruzzo. Its territory belongs partially to the territory of Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga. The elliptical shape of this borgo (town) makes it unique. The ancient stairs made of stones here are called “barbacani” and give access to beautiful houses. Move there to go back in time and to find extremely kind, generous people instead of today’s frenzied society. Not enough? Real estate prices are typically 50% less than its neighbours of Tuscany and Umbria.

Sardinia, Laconi

 

In the province of Oristano, Laconi has been awarded in 2005 the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club for its quality hospitality, its well-tended green parks and areas, historical and heritage attractions and its outstanding restaurants. The area has plenty of archeologic sites, like a nuragic fortress. Move here if you want good weather but you don’t want to reach the hot temperatures of Sicily. The cost of life is definitely among the lowest in Italy so count that in.

Apulia, Martina Franca

 

Martina Franca is a town in the Province of Taranto, Apulia. The town has a particularly beautiful “old city” surrounded by stone walls with prominent Baroque gates leading to piazzas and narrow, winding streets. What you can do here is…wine! This town in fact produces a white Italian wine with which is produced still or sparkling spumante. The wine is made predominantly from Verdeca and Bianca d’Alessano.

Basilicata, Pisticci

In the province of Matera, Basilicata, this town is plain beautiful, so much so to seem out of this world. What to do here? Eat. Enjoy the perfect weather. Rest. Also, you can easily invest in Real Estate here and live with your savings as food and facilities are cheaper than the rest of Italy.

Sicily, Erice

 

Erice is located on top of Mount Erice overlooking the city of Trapani, the low western coast towards Marsala, the dramatic Punta del Saraceno and Capo San Vito to the north-east, and the Aegadian Island on Sicily’s north-western coast, providing a stunning view. Move here if your profession has something to do with science: Erice hosts important scientific meetings at the Ettore Majorana center. If you are foodie, it’s good to know that Erice hosts an annual Workshop on Molecular Gastronomy.