Buying a house in Tuscany

There are a thousand reasons to buy a house in Tuscany.

It is one of the Italian regions that best represents the idea of quality of life. The region in which it is still possible to live with simplicity, as in the past. In contact with nature, but without giving up the small, great achievements that modernity has made us taste: historical routes, cultural events, food and wine traditions.

There are not many places that offer a life in contact with the blue sea, with two thousand years of history and with a largely uncontaminated environment: Tuscany is able to keep easily these promises; for this reason it has always been at the top of the dreams list of thousands of people all around the world.

Living in Tuscany: an increasingly widespread choice

Looking at the statistics on the number of foreign citizens who moved to Tuscany, it can easily be seen that the Region is a favorite destination not only for tourists, but above all for those who decide to change route going towards a full and fulfilling life.

In 2016, around 4,600 German citizens have chosen Tuscany to relocate on a permanent basis, closely followed by the English, Russians, French and Americans. Overall, they are about 15,000 people in love with Tuscany to the point of choosing it as a definitive destination, and not just as a setting for an unforgettable summer vacation.

But the rainbow of nationalities is also composed of Spaniards, Swiss, Dutch, Hungarians, Belgians and Swedes who, at the moment, represent the most numerous and representative communities among those present in Tuscany.

These communities include thousands of ordinary people but, as we well know, there is no lack of a large group of VIPs, who have chosen to move here in order to search a less frenetic and certainly more intimate life. Of course, the first name that comes to mind is him: Sting. In fact, already in 1999, the former Police singer bought an estate in Figline Valdarno: more than 300 hectares that embrace a 16th century villa, embellished with organic vineyards and olive groves. In addition to Sting, in these places many of the names associated with the world musical, cinema or artistic jet set resound, an unequivocal sign of Tuscany’s ability to create indelible emotions in the hearts of those who are lucky enough to know it up close. For this reason, people as Ridley Scott, Richard Gere, Jovanotti or Kim Kardashian have already bought a property in this fantastic region.

What can you expect from Tuscany?

Investing in the purchase of a house in Tuscany means putting the quality of life on the podium of our priorities, instead of the usual numerous economic problems that, even considering the uncertain scenario in which many live, do not really change anything.

Sure, it is true that, in moments like this, the dear and old mantra of investing in real estate is often repeated, but it is also true that the fundamental aspect is the “where” this estate is located. In this context, Tuscany – as well as a precious treasure chest in which to live – proves to be a perfect investment, which resists and is re-evaluated over time. It is a perfect land for those seeking peace, for those who want to re-start the life, for those seeking freedom, for those who want to savor flavors and traditions up close: not least, for those who want to safely invest their savings.

Those who decide to move to Tuscany will be welcomed by one of the most beautiful scenery in the world, but also by one of the most controversial peoples. The Tuscans are tenacious people, curious, ingenious and always with a sassy comeback, The Tuscans are tenacious, curious, ingenious people, sometimes privacy lovers, but with a big heart. Buying a house in Tuscany and moving here means open up to a world in which human relationships are still at the center of the values that bind people together. It means being part of a community that will welcome you from the first moment: indeed, precisely because you are “new to the place”, everyone will make the transition easier and more enjoyable, competing to welcome you and – why not? – introduce you to the beauty, talents and peculiarities of the place.

Moreover, the choice to buy a house in Tuscany is often accompanied by other life choices, which concern the work and professional sphere more closely: in fact, not a few people have invested in a farm or cottage with the specific intent of transform it into an accommodation facility, a Bed & Breakfast or another type of tourist facility. Not to mention those who, tired of life in the city, choose to move to one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany and continue to teach or to write in this enchanted place.

Buying a beach house in Tuscany

Moving to Tuscany does not mean necessarily a radical change in one’s existence. Often it is sufficient to purchase a splendid beach house to make the choice more than justifiable. Tuscany is a land of dream beaches, suitable both for those who want the establishment equipped with all comforts, and for those who love little-frequented places, where it is possible to leave behind the frenzy of everyday life and breathe the real sea.

In Tuscany there are many famous beaches, celebrated all over the world by tourists, specialized guides and travel bloggers. Versilia, the Etruscan Coast and the Maremma are the most known areas, loved by travelers from all over the world, without counting the islands bathed by the Tyrrhenian Sea: Elba, Giglio, Giannutri.

Think of Forte dei Marmi, a place renowned at all latitudes with its kilometer-long beaches, services for couples and families, memorable restaurants and bars, to the extent of becoming one of the favorite destinations of Italian and non-Italian VIPs.

Think of Le Rocchette, not far from Castiglione della Pescaia, suitable for those who love adventurous holidays and perfect for snorkeling, or also at Follonica, near Grosseto, which offers tourists some of the most beautiful beaches in Tuscany and has a huge number of free and accessible beaches throughout the year.

These are just some examples of Tuscan beaches. I just choose three that, in my view, best represent some of the most popular holiday archetypes in these parts: the solitary journey in contact with the wild nature, the “all inclusive” holiday with all the amenities within easy reach and, finally, the holiday for water sports and diving lovers. Three different dreams that Tuscany could easily transform into reality if you want.

Buying a villa or a farm in Tuscany

Anyone who has spent at least a weekend in Tuscany knows that it is a region that is easy to fall in love with and probably the most capable to give unique and unrepeatable emotions. For this reason, many choose to invest in this area and buy a villa, a cottage or a farm to renovate to make it the basis of their new life. The question arises: which areas of Tuscany are best suited to the purchase of a villa or a farm? Several can be identified, each with unique characteristics, which make it particularly suitable for a specific target.

The Val d’Orcia is a magical place, with a taste of the past. Rows of cypress trees accompany ancient Benedictine monasteries and old farmhouses set in gray stone villages like Piena or San Quirico. The Chianti hills, located between the provinces of Florence and Siena, are certainly one of the most well-known names in the world, thanks to an almost pristine environment, the food and wine culture and for some products – not least the wines – renowned all over the world. Then there is the Maremma, wild land and marked in the past by the natural elements, which knows how to enchant with the Argentario sea, the inland hills, the charming Saturnia SPAs, and the ancient Roman and Etruscan ruins, from Talamone to Ansedonia , but without giving up offering tourists more “crowded” places like Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole, Capalbio or Orbetello. And last but not least the Etruscan coast where the hills, medieval villages and the sea unite together creating an incredible microcosm

Where is it better to buy a house in Tuscany?

Of course, natural beauty, history or culture are not the only benchmarks for the choice of buying a house in Tuscany, a real oasis located in central Italy. The economic element also is important, precisely because the need to make safe investments is increasingly felt. Hence the question: where is it more convenient to buy a house in Tuscany?

Let’s start by saying that there is no area better than another one, as they all have characteristics that make them unique and unrepeatable. I choose some of the best known and appreciated ones, starting from Versilia, certainly an area where many would like to own a sea house or villa, as well as a farm or an ancient farmhouse dating back to the Middle Ages. One of the most famous seaside resorts in Italy, it has beaches known all over the world, whose name evokes a timeless beauty. Forte dei Marmi, Marina di Pietrasanta, Lido di Camaiore: are the places of the VIPs, known for the beauty of the environment but also for personal services and a certain exclusivity. In Versilia it is possible to buy a prestigious villa, almost always with a swimming pool, or a renovated house: the price per square meter is proportional to the fame of Versilia, but this does not mean that it is not possible to make good investments.

Moving a little further south, the province of Pisa and Lucca also offers hundreds of solutions suitable for those who want to buy a sea house or villa. Marina di Pisa, for example, with its vintage houses or prestigious villas – crowning the dream of a lifetime – but also many places known for their farmhouses or villas that harmoniously blend luxury with privacy, the tradition of a millenary culture to the criteria of the most modern green building.

Province of Livorno means Etruscan Coast, a row of blue flags, beaches or cliffs overlooked by villages and fairytale villages, from Castiglioncello, the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea, to Bibbona, Bolgheri, Castagneto C.cci, Casale Marittimo, Suvereto. Inhabited since ancient times, as its name easily suggests, the Etruscan Coast is a continuous embrace of archaeological and naturalistic areas, of pristine blue sea and of hills rich in history and remote legends. It is a place of cultural events and shows that livens up the summer evenings, makes it even more special and, for this reason, worthy of the best dreams and investments that are needed to turn them into reality.

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