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A couple of things come to mind like from our experience there is no such thing as “quintessential ��������” as everywhere we have been has been quite different. However if it’s the core things like their love for food and coffee, then most places we have been to are the same! Someone recently was trying to put their finger on what they felt about the �������� way of life and said they just couldn’t really explain why they loved it so much and I knew immediately what they meant by it – hard to describe.We loved Tuscany as it was such a beautiful “twee” area and there lies the reason (apart from the cost) as to why we never even bothered to look at houses there, although we did have a brief look at northern Tuscany. We had been to both north and south several times and really enjoyed the place, but I’m not too sure we could have lived there.Someone recently had a similar post and I suggested they look at flights and airports as it is more than likely you will want/need to fly back and forward.  Certainly if it’s just a holiday home it will be important to have good connections. Obviously international airports like Rome and Milan come to mind, but if you are up for it there are a number of smaller airports that have good connections to either the above or other bigger European airports.We found many people when buying or having bought were keen at first to want to share their experience by meeting other English speaking people. However it was amazing how many after a short while actively avoided giving away they spoke English if they happened to bump into such in say a bar or supermarket! Oddly enough we live quite remote with the main road outside our house being a tiny rural road 3k long. But there are 2 other English speaking families on the same road 1k either side of us. If you find a place you like the look of, then look and you can see exactly how many like English speakers will be nearby. Okay the data is a little out of date, but if our place and a few others we know are anything to go by, they have increased in numbers since.

Thanks for the info Steve. I agree , building connections for the management of a holiday home are important, year round. Which is one of the reasons to settle in community with other English people. Mind you, over time I guess , more and more �������� friends and connections can be established.Question: what do you mean by "twee"?i have family in Molise, close enough and friendly. I've visited there about 7 times.  I'm sure I'll be going back. It's a nice mountainous place with nice villages, great food, great coffe, good art, friendly people but it really shines in the summer time only. Other times of the year it is rather vacant, quiet, colder from altitude and possibly boring. When it comes to investing big bucks into a holiday home over there I tend to hesitate. Probably because I would spend most of my time travelling to other hotspots in Italy where the interest lies. Sure a single home can cost a fraction of the cost but it is a rather remote area and a 3 hour drive to Fiumacino, and 2 hours to Naples. Nothing substantial in between except forest. Train rides are slow and regionale and take even longer. So the convenience of a faster arrival from Canada is not there (8 hour flight, 5 hour train, get picked up at station, etc) Im aiming for a faster arrival time and more convenient if possible.my idea is to have a holiday home in a region with more interest, activity, safe and ��������, then possibly leverage it out to Molise friends. I could always visit the Molise area and have accommodations for a short visit laid out.thinking out loud here, but trying to figure out a game plan.

twee - , but I would say over done in places! Molise is just South of us, never been, but yes similar problems regards travel. As I was hinting it depends on your nature, we would hop to Bergamo from Pescara if need be or even Milan, but Pescara to London Stansted whilst there suits us. Guess coming from Canada would be a very different issue and as the 2 hours or so to Stansted trouble me, I don'y think I would like it much!

I think Italy is unlike other European countries such as Spain and France where foreigners create their own little communities.  While there undoubtedly expat communities here, alot of people come to Italy to avoid that set up, and want to integrate as much as possible in the local community.    There seem to a fair amount of English speaking communities in Puglia, nowadays.  Otherwise I would suspect that Tuscany is your best bet. 

Try  Umbria ,http://www.lifeinitaly.it/italiasegreta/regioni/umbria/Umbria.htmfrom the point of view of real estate, it is much cheaper than the Tuscan, living there for over twenty years, many British, American, Dutch. Logistically has a small airport and well connected comuque to 2 hours by car or train are Rome and Florence

Thanks Ugo. Umbria does look nice too. Many smaller villages to pick out. I like how it's central to everything. So how do you arrive there? Rome to the Umbria airport (mabye in Perugia?)then bus ! Taxi to your house? Is it convenient? 

I went to Abruzzo looking to purchase but found the lack of public  transport off putting - Actually even looking at property was a challenge as many Agents were not very helpful or accomodating . I stayed in a larger town which i thought would assist me but overall it felt a very isolating experience. also  i found property very overpriced in terms of ammenities offered - overall not a good experience - was sadly dissappointed .

It is a shame, but Modicasa is very right about the research. We live in Abruzzo, but have been all over central and northern Italy. I have to say my first impression of Abruzzo was not great, but I'm so glad we bought there in the end. However we would have bought in none of the places we have been to if we thought we would have to depend on public transport as it's the same in all of them, unless you want to live in the city or one of its suburbs. I know some people like doing so, but it was not for us. I have little idea as to cost of houses around us, but do know there are some still for sale that we so when we bought over 6 years ago! It's also worth doing some research on what kind of prices these houses go for, and in any case none of us would pay more than we think a house was worth

You might have a look at Fivizzano and environs in Lunigiana. It is 30-40 minutes from the autostrada at Aulla on a well maintained “highway.”  About 1.5 hour drive from Pisa airport. It is a fortress city, historical, good medical facilities including a hospital, etc., a train depot in another village a few miles away, good bus service, a number of restaurants, bars, including Elvetica which hosts the English book library, Oxfam English library and store, active Expat community, small “supermarket,” gas station, a pharmacy, bank, and a number of small shops. An ideal location for someone who wants to be out of the tourist traffic, yet not too far from "civilization."  Had we been able to find a suitable property when we were looking, we would have bought in Fivizzano. They also have an extensive market in the square every Tuesday, I think.  There is a wide range of properties; from city apts. to town houses, to detached houses with small land areas just outside town, and some estate type properties with vineyards, boscos, etc. in the general area.  Check out properties at Lunigiana2000.comIt is just below the mountain range that has a fairly good ski resort. Not sure of winter snowfall ,in town, if any, or temps. Maybe someone from there might weigh in on that subject.Good luck,Fred 

This is a great lead and information to go off of! It looks like a classic �������� town and a local train station makes things better. Not far from Pisa, Florence, Genoa, coast, etc.Thanks and please share any other tips. !

It is a beautiful town, one we have very  fond memories of, but beware the station is in the middle of no where and not near the town. Still it is a place (for us) that would have made a great holiday home.