Why Lombardy Still Attracts in 2026
A Powerful Economy, One of the Lowest Unemployment Rates in Italy
Lombardy accounts for a major share of the national GDP and attracts both large companies and startups. Milan remains the engine, but real estate in Bergamo, Brescia, or Monza also drive growth. 💼
The job market is dynamic, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Italy. Qualified professionals find work quickly, and entrepreneurship is encouraged.
- Key sectors: design, luxury, finance, health, industry 4.0, green tech.
- Assets: research hubs, international fairs, quick access to Central Europe.
- Bonus: proximity to Switzerland for cross-border careers.
Budget benchmark: in Milan, houses for sale average around €1,606,000 for 261 sqm (≈ €6,153/sqm), according to Green Acres data, a website specialized in second homes.
High Quality of Life in Milan and Bergamo Suburbs
Just 20–45 minutes from Milan or Bergamo, well-connected towns offer more space and softer prices, without sacrificing services. 🏡
- East of Milan: Cernusco sul Naviglio, Vimercate, Melzo.
- Around Bergamo: Dalmine, Seriate, Treviglio.
- To the north: Seregno, Desio, Cantù for the lakes.
Budget examples: in Seregno, the average is around €433,000 for 135 sqm (≈ €3,207/sqm). In Cantù, expect about €289,000 for 204 sqm (≈ €1,417/sqm).
These areas combine schools, local shops, and reliable transport. Ideal for families, remote workers, and first-time buyers.
Milan and Its Influence on Lombard Lifestyle
Innovative City, Design, Culture, and New Mobility
Milan concentrates creativity: Fashion Week, Fuorisalone, Triennale, La Scala. Daily life benefits from an extensive network of metro, trams, and bike-sharing. 🚲
The city is accelerating mobility: new stations (M4), low emission zones, and calmer central thoroughfares. Result: more livable and attractive neighborhoods.
- Trendy districts: Porta Nuova, Isola, Città Studi in transformation.
- Comfort assets: urban parks, cultural facilities, destination shops.
- For investment: strong student and international rental demand.
The Boom of Remote Work and « Green » Districts Around Porta Romana
Around Porta Romana, brownfield regeneration (Parco Romana, Olympic Village, Symbiosis) is shaping low-carbon urbanism. 🌱
Coworking spaces, local services, and high-performance new housing attract executives and freelancers.
- Landmarks: Fondazione Prada, bike lanes, rapid links to the center.
- For buyers: target quiet streets near parks and schools.
- Budget tip: widen your search to Corvetto, Calvairate, Porta Vittoria.
Lombardy’s Lakes: An Unparalleled Sweetness of Life
Como, Garda, Maggiore: Postcard Scenery and Flowering Villages
Between historic villas and colorful towns, the lakes offer a pleasant microclimate and sumptuous scenery. 🏞️
- Lake Como: houses for sale in Menaggio, Bellagio, Varenna for elegance.
- Lake Garda: houses for sale in Salò, Sirmione, Desenzano, ideal for families and sports.
- Lake Maggiore: houses for sale in Stresa, Laveno, Borromean Islands, refined ambiance.
The market is driven by international demand, with character properties and sought-after second homes.
Lake price benchmarks: in Menaggio, the average is about €854,000 for 136 sqm. In Salò, expect an average of €1,321,000 for 342 sqm (≈ €3,863/sqm). In Stresa, the average reaches €1,350,000 for 238 sqm (≈ €5,672/sqm).
Lakeside lifestyle: boating, gastronomy, hiking
Daily life is lived outdoors: marinas, terraces, scenic paths. ⛵
- Activities: sailing, paddleboarding, mountain biking, via ferrata, thermal baths depending on the shoreline.
- Art of living: cucina di lago, local olive oil, wines from Garda and Valtellina.
- Real estate: lake-view apartments, semi-detached houses, villas with private docks.
For a pied-à-terre, aim for gentle altitudes above the shores for more peace and a better budget.
Methodological note: these averages reflect second homes displayed or searched for on a specialized website and do not summarize the entire local market.
Lombardy’s Hinterland and Traditions
Franciacorta, Pavia, Mantua: Authenticity and Gastronomy
Franciacorta attracts with its AOC sparkling wines and ordered hills. Pavia charms with its rice fields, the Certosa, and a lively medieval center. 🥂
Mantua (UNESCO) offers palaces, artificial lakes, and trattorias. You’ll find cascine to renovate and charming village houses.
- For year-round living: full services and a relaxed pace.
- For investment: less volatile markets than the most touristic lake shores.
- For settling as a family: schools, sports clubs, cultural heritage.
Rural Tourism Rediscovered Since 2023
The rise of slow tourism and agriturismi is reviving valleys and plains. Cycle routes and natural parks are becoming new draws. 🚴
Remote workers enjoy better internet and a growing offer of third places.
- Where to look: Oltrepò Pavese, Val Camonica, Valtellina, Val Seriana.
- Types of properties: stone farmhouses, renovated barns, small co-ops.
- Tip: check winter/summer access and sunshine.
Everyday Challenges in Lombardy
Housing Cost in Milan, Congested Mobility, Pollution
In Milan, prices remain high and competition fierce. Anticipating your criteria and widening your search perimeter often pays off. 🏙️
- Mobility: crowded roads at peak hours, prioritize rail and park-and-ride options.
- Air: the Po plain concentrates particles and fog; choose ventilated areas near green spaces.
- Bills: look for well-insulated buildings to keep energy costs down.
Buyer tip: prepare a strong file (financing, timelines, diagnostics) to move quickly.
Regional Strategies for Sustainable Development by 2030
The Region is investing in cleaner transport, low-carbon districts, and energy renovation. The goal: air quality and efficiency. 🌍
- Transport: electrification of fleets, new rail links, hydrogen pilots on regional lines.
- Cities: brownfield renaturation, green roofs, photovoltaic canopies.
- Territories: ecological corridors, protection of lakes and wetlands.
For buyers, these policies translate to better serviced neighborhoods and higher performing properties over time.
Lombardy, an Art of Living Between Modernity and Nature
From Milan’s towers to the vineyards of Franciacorta, from the shores of Como to alpine trails, Lombardy offers rare diversity.
Life here is shaped by your priorities: career, family, sport, culture… with nature as a backdrop.
