Pros and Cons of Living in Florence

Italy is a beautiful country that is packed full of amazing places where you can live. This means that when it comes to choosing an area to call your home, you are going to want to take the time to weigh up the pros and cons of that area and ascertain whether or not it is going to match what it is that you are looking for in your new home. 

For those who are thinking about a life in Italy, one area that they can pick from is Florence. It might not always be the first choice for moving home, but there are plenty of great things about choosing to live in Florence.

However, in the interest of balance, we have put together some of the pros and cons of living in Florence, all to help you make this important decision with ease. 

Pro: World-Class Cuisine at Your Doorstep

Florence is a food lover’s dream, offering everything from simple street food to fine dining. Traditional dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina and fresh handmade pasta are local staples, and eating out is often more affordable than in many other European cities, with a hearty three-course meal costing around €25–30. Food markets such as Mercato Centrale also give residents daily access to fresh produce, meats, and cheeses, making it easy to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at home.

Pro: Lower Cost of Living in Florence

Lots of people who decide to move to a city in Europe find that it can be more expensive than they realise. This is just the nature of living in a city, and many people are already aware that this is going to be the case. 

However, if you are thinking about moving to Florence, then one of the biggest plus points has to be that, compared to other European cities, it is relatively low-cost. Rent in Florence is relatively affordable, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging €775–€980 per month, compared to around €1,200 in Milan. Everyday expenses are also lower than in many European cities, as aforementioned, a casual dinner in a local trattoria often costs €25–30, while coffee and a pastry are usually under €5. However, prices rise noticeably in tourist-heavy areas, especially for dining and short-term rentals.

Con: Job Opportunities Can Be Limited in Florence

Finding work in Florence can be challenging. While tourism, teaching, and hospitality offer the most openings, competition is high and salaries are modest, with the average full-time income in Italy sitting at around €1,550 per month after tax. Professional careers, particularly in fields like finance or international business, tend to be concentrated in Milan and Rome rather than Florence. This means many expats moving to Florence either arrive with remote work already in place or view the city as better suited to retirement and lifestyle rather than career progression. If you’re considering a move, it’s worth reading up on the things to consider before moving to Italy to make sure you’re fully prepared for the realities of life and work abroad.

Pro: A Safe City with Low Crime Rates

If you are searching for a city that is going to leave you feeling safe and secure when you are walking around, even at night, then Florence is one to add to the list. Florence is seen to be an incredibly safe city, and there are very few violent crimes reported in the area. That said, due to the tourism that it sees, there are some opportunistic criminals in the city, with bag snatching and pick-pocketing being the most commonly seen crimes. 

Con: Building a Social Life in Florence Can Take Time

Whilst the people in Florence are friendly and welcoming, it can be hard to build on those initial meetings and develop long-lasting friendships—something that is often important when moving away from home to a new country.

Those who live in Florence may be either fleeting visitors, whom you can spend short periods with, or locals who have settled in the city, or who have been raised there. One way that you can give yourself the best chance possible of making friends is to learn the language, which not only makes interactions easier but also shows a certain level of respect for those who are native to Florence and the wider country. Taking time to understand local customs is equally important, and our guide to mastering Italian etiquette can help you adapt and feel more at home.

Expats also have the option of joining international and expat communities in Florence, which regularly organise meetups, language exchanges, and social events—providing a great way to build connections and settle in more quickly.

Pro: Florence is a Walkable City

Whilst it is a city, when compared to other cities in Europe, Florence is quite small. This means that it is relatively easy to move around. You can either walk or cycle in the centre of the city, which saves you time and money on public transport. 

If you do decide to take your travels further afield, then there is a good quality public transport network that will take you to a different spot. This also includes the wider parts of Italy. You can hop on public transport and find yourself in an entirely new part of this beautiful country, or, if you feel even more like an explorer, you can even travel into Europe too. 

Con: Tourists Can Make it Feel Overpopulated

A smaller city does make it easier to get around, but it can also mean that the city itself feels busy and overpopulated. This is true for Florence. It not only has locals, but it also has many tourists, which means that there are going to be times when you may feel that it is just too busy and too noisy. Not ideal if you are someone who hates to feel confined or lacking in space. 

Pro: The Art and Culture in Florence

Florence is celebrated as the birthplace of the Renaissance and is world-renowned for its art, architecture, and cultural heritage. The city is home to masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Statue of David at the Accademia Gallery and Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus at the Uffizi. Beyond the museums, simply walking through Florence feels like stepping into an open-air museum, with its grand piazzas, historic churches, and stunning palaces making art and history part of everyday life.

Conclusion: Pros and Cons of Living in Florence — Make Your Move Easy with Pinnacle Removals

If you’ve weighed up the pros and cons of living in Florence and feel ready to make the move, Pinnacle Removals is here to help. Whether you’re relocating to Florence specifically, moving elsewhere in Tuscany, or starting a new life in another Italian city, our team specialises in removals to Italy and can make the whole process simple and stress-free.

As a BAR-accredited international removals company, we work to the highest professional standards, giving you peace of mind that your belongings will be handled with care from start to finish. With Pinnacle Removals & Storage, your move can be as seamless as possible, leaving you free to focus on settling into your new home in Florence.