Photo: Venice, Italy. kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped.
An ordinary week in Italy, past the postcard towns.
Four cities to test, the paperwork that shapes your first week, and what to check before you sign a lease.
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Venice sells the dream. A working city sells the week. Try a place where people commute, shop and see a doctor.
Your first week in Italy includes a visit to the Questura. Choose a city where that trip fits your life.
Four places to put on your research list
These cities offer different settings. They are planning prompts, not rankings of safety or cost.
Bologna
A city in Emilia-Romagna known for food and wine.
During your visit. Compare two neighborhoods for noise and the walk to groceries. Find the Questura covering each address.
Turin
A Piedmont city of museums, chocolate shops and palaces, including the Royal Palace.
During your visit. Visit in winter. Ask about heating costs and building insulation.
Perugia
Umbria’s main city, known as the City of Chocolate.
During your visit. Walk the hills with shopping bags. Test the bus to the train station.
Trieste
A port city with Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia and Miramare Castle.
During your visit. Ask how the winter wind affects daily errands. Price the trip to the nearest large airport.
Try a place where people commute, shop and see a doctor.
Build your visit around a normal week
Rent where you would live. Shop at the local market and supermarket, take the bus you would depend on and test home internet at the address.
If you work, keep your real hours for three days. Note how late calls with US teams feel by day four.
Healthcare and housing, in person
Nomad visa holders keep health insurance to renew their permit. Visit a clinic near each address and ask how your insurer pays.
Get the full rent in writing, with deposit, condominium fees, utilities and any agency fees. Ask about heating and cooling. Verify the owner before you send money.
Source: Italian Embassy in Washington, digital nomad and remote worker visa, 2026
Solo women and safety
At our review, the US State Department rated Italy Level 2, exercise increased caution. Read the current advisory before you book.
We have not found evidence to give Italy a separate safety rating for women. Ask women living in your chosen neighborhood about walking home at night and late transport.
Meeting people
Pick one recurring activity before you arrive: an Italian class, a walking group or a choir. Showing up each week builds friendships faster than events for newcomers only.
Talk with Italians as well as people who moved from abroad. Ask what they would check twice before choosing the same city. Then share what you learn in the Italy chat room.
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