Is Tuscany Affordable?

PART 146: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.

We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!

We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).

Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems worth sharing. Some are well-known tourist magnets, and others are lesser-known but always amazing. 

This week, let's explore whether Tuscany is an affordable option for house hunters.

Step 2: When my partner first suggested living in Tuscany, my response was, "We can't afford it."

At the time, I was still working, and we were evaluating all the factors involved in establishing a life in Italy. Since we planned to maintain residences in both California and Italy, we needed to stick to our budget to make it feasible.

I argued that living in Tuscany would be impossible due to the high cost of housing.

We then shifted our focus to other regions and ultimately decided on Puglia, where our friends lived, as it resembled our lifestyle in Southern California and was very affordable.

Step 3: My statement, "We can't afford Tuscany," was based more on impressions than on thorough research.

We had previously visited the Val d'Orcia and fallen in love with the rolling hills, the iconic town of Pienza, the charming Montepulciano, the wineries, and the stunning city of Florence. It felt like a magical land, seemingly out of reach for us to live in, but accessible for visits.

Eventually, we settled in Puglia. However, after about a year, our local friend repeatedly urged us to return to Tuscany to explore another part of the region. "You should go to Monte Amiata! I have ridden through its towns on my motorcycle; there are beautiful villages, breathtaking panoramas, and some areas are as affordable as Puglia! You have to see it," he said, time and again.

For reasons I can't fully explain, we didn't heed his advice until a year later, when we finally decided to drive up to the Monte Amiata region of Tuscany.

Step 4: Monte Amiata

Monte Amiata is a mountainous region located in southern Tuscany, between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto. There is an extinct volcano that has significantly shaped the local landscape, which offers various outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking, and skiing. The region is also known for its medieval villages, chestnut forests, and natural spas. Additionally, it is located near the famous Val d'Orcia.

Step 5: What we found.

Our intention was to visit the area, explore some towns in the Monte Amiata region, enjoy the local cuisine, hike up the mountain, and, just for fun, look at a few houses for sale. We had already reviewed some homes on the market in Puglia and were curious to compare them with what was available in this part of Tuscany.

What we discovered included:

- An amazing natural area for skiing and hiking on Monte Amiata, with a lift operating in the summer and winter; below the lift is the coolest mountain bike track I've ever seen.

- An easy drive to the Val d'Orcia region, where we visited Pienza, the iconic Renaissance town.

- Multiple medieval towns situated on hilltops and elsewhere closeby.

- Friendly people.

- Housing options that fit within our budget.

- A historical house that truly captivated us with its charm.

Step 6: What we did.

We had no intention of buying a house when we visited the Tuscany region, but that's exactly what happened.

As we explored the area, we grew fond of it. We visited several homes on the market, but none felt like the right fit. At the time, we were just looking for fun.

Then, our gracious realtor introduced us to a 16th-century gem in the medieval Templar town of Arcidosso. When we found ourselves alone, I asked my partner what he thought.

"Well, we didn't come here to buy; we were just looking," he said. "What do you think?"

I replied, "What do you think?"

He responded, "Well, what do you think?"

I said, "I think we're on the same page."

So we decided to make an offer. If it didn't go through, we would be content renting in Tuscany or even staying in Puglia. We felt at peace either way.

In the end, our offer was accepted, and here we are in Tuscany!

Step 7: The lessons

Affordability is a relative concept; what is affordable for one person may not be for another. We had a specific price range that guided our house search since we were still maintaining our home in California, and I am now retired and living on my teacher's pension. This range helped us narrow down areas where real estate was available within our budget.

Southern Tuscany offers options for those looking to buy a house for under or around 100,000 euros. In fact, some towns have fixer upper properties well below that price, while others may be slightly above it.

I never thought we could find a decent home in Tuscany for less than 500,000 euros. My initial perception was due to my lack of research and the fact that I associated Tuscany primarily with Florence and the big villas of Val d'Orcia. However, by speaking with locals, following up on leads, and remaining open to new discoveries, we ultimately found this region of Tuscany, which is rich in charm, history, and stunning views. And, it's affordable!

Step 8: So is Tuscany affordable?

Tuscany can be affordable, depending on where you search and what you're looking for. Specifically, the southern region of Tuscany, particularly around Monte Amiata, offers reasonable options for those who want to live near the Val d'Orcia. This area is packed with medieval towns and offers numerous opportunities for an active lifestyle. However, it's important to note that the nearest major train station is 45 minutes away, so it's also important to become comfortable driving in Italy.

Overall, Tuscany can indeed be affordable!

See blog post on selling our house in Tuscany. Link here.

More next time.

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