Living in Calabria in Italy

Calabria in Italy is a stunning region of distinct contrasts; it’s becoming popular as a place for expatriates and retirees

The Calabria Region of Italy can be described as the toe on the boot that is mainland Italy – it is a region of contrasts with breathtaking mountainous peaks giving way to immaculate and untouched sandy beaches, with temperatures dropping below freezing in the winter and regularly topping 40 degrees centigrade in the summer, and where the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west mirrors the Ionian Sea that lies to the east of the region.

Lesser explored by large numbers of international tourists, Calabria has managed to maintain its Italian charm fully intact and it is the untouched feel of the region that is drawing an increasing number of expatriates to consider living in Calabria in Italy and getting to the heart of all that is best about Italian life.

The relatively fine peninsula that is the Calabria region seems dominated by dramatic and beautiful coastline; the sea that frames much of the region supplies it with the fish for which its cuisine is well renowned and it provides homes for resort towns for the moderate tourism levels that the region welcomes annually – but to focus solely on the seaside and beaches of Calabria would be to miss the diverse charm of Calabria entirely.

As mentioned Calabria is mountainous – there are three distinct ranges which all demonstrate different faces of Italy and which are home to a diverse array of wildlife and flora. 

You have the Pollino Mountains in the north of Calabria which act as a natural barrier separating Calabria from the rest of Italy; you have the Sila which is actually a plateau which at its highest point reaches almost 2,000 meters above sea level, here you will find lakes, forests and incredible hiking opportunities.  Finally you have Aspromonte which is framed by the sea on three sides and which protects Calabria to the south and which upon its lower slopes is home to groves, orchards and vineyards.

So as you can tell the natural scenery in Calabria is dramatic and stunning and because there is such a vast choice when it comes to views and elevations, temperatures and natural landscapes it makes deciding where to live in Calabria very difficult!  If you’re thinking of living in Calabria you have to spend significant time exploring the region and finding the location that best fulfils your expectations of a home in Italy.

There are three towns located in the north of the region in the province of Cosenza of that you might like to consider at least as bases for your exploration of the rest of Calabria as a potential location for you to retire to or set up home in – they are Cosenza, Spezzano Albanese and Castrovillari.

Cosenza is the capital of the Cosenza Province in Calabria – it is a significant economic and cultural centre and it is also a famous tourism town because it is home to such an abundance of history and stunning architecture.  The old town is well worth exploring because of its beautiful cathedral, Norman castle, ancient houses and the beautiful Rendano Theatre. 

The rest of the town is home to a bustling community, a renowned university and Cosenza is an excellent location to base yourself in for an exploration of the delights of the rest of Calabria.

Spezzano Albanese is particularly interesting because of its geographic position.  It is located on a hill in between two rivers and from the amphitheatre in the town you can just about see the Sibari plain and the Ionian Sea as well as the Pollino mountains in the north and the Sila mountains in the south.  The town is a fortnightly host to an amazing market as well as a whole host of intensely interesting historic sites and relics.  It’s well worth a visit and it might even be the sort of place you can consider living in Calabria.

Finally there’s Castrovillari – it’s a town with a lively cultural scene, where there is good shopping, a beautiful castle, a small theatre and an ancient convent and where the pace of life is typically Italian and laid back.  After a day out looking at properties and villages, land and towns as well as the sights of Calabria, Castrovillari is a good place to come back to and reflect on all that you have discovered.