Veneto
12/11/2025
Stéphane Rabenja

Living in Veneto: between lagoons, hills and the Venetian dolce vita

What if your next chapter took place between lagoons, the Prosecco hills and cities of art? Veneto offers a rare quality of life, where you can go from a walk along the canals to a hike in the Prealps in less than an hour. 🌿

One of Italy’s most dynamic regions, it appeals as much to culture lovers as to professionals seeking opportunities and high-quality services. Here’s how to live there with peace of mind and find the place that suits you.

Veneto, a Dynamic Northeastern Region

Thriving Economy, Rich Culture, and Pleasant Climate

Veneto relies on a network of exporting SMEs, renowned industrial districts, and strong cultural tourism. This mix ensures a resilient economy open to Europe.

On the cultural side, you can alternate between museums, UNESCO-listed Palladian villas, festivals, and open-air theaters. The climate, tempered by the Adriatic and surrounding reliefs, offers real seasons with mild winters on the coast and sunny summers. ☀️

  • World Heritage sites (Venice, Palladian villas)
  • Major events: opera in Verona, Art Biennale
  • Diverse nature: lagoons, fertile plains, hills, foothills of the Alps

High Quality of Life Between Sea and Mountains

The region combines efficient services, a perceived high level of safety, and the simple daily pleasures. Getting around is easy, nature is easily accessible, and there is a wide range of sports on offer.

  • Easy weekends: sailing in the lagoon, cycling in the hills, skiing in the Dolomites
  • Cost of living often more affordable than in large international cities
  • Diverse real estate: historic apartments, country houses, contemporary villas

Venice, Verona, and Padua: Three Faces of the Region

Venice, the Unique World Heritage City

Living in Venice means adopting a gentle, pedestrian pace. The neighborhoods (sestieri) offer different atmospheres, while Mestre and the Lido provide more residential and family-oriented options.

  • Mobility by vaporetto, on foot, or with a folding bike 🚤
  • Quieter areas away from tourist crowds
  • To check: exposure to humidity and high water in certain sectors

Verona and Padua: Lively and Innovative Cities

In Verona, the Roman amphitheater, banks of the Adige, and an economy focused on logistics and agri-food create a strong framework.

Padua combines its historic university, research, and start-ups, with an efficient tram and green neighborhoods. Two cities on a human scale, well-connected and dynamic. ✨

  • Verona: culture, wine (Valpolicella), and access to the A4 motorway
  • Padua: university hub, reference hospitals, trams and bikes
  • Good price/space compromise compared with Venice itself

Real Estate Benchmarks: Budgets and Demand

According to Green-Acres, a website specializing in second homes, some general figures help you find your way around the region.

  • Venice province: Among foreign buyers, Poland accounts for 27% and Switzerland 14%. Median price is around €230,000 for 193 sqm (≈ €1,192/sqm).
  • Padua province: Median price about €218,000 for 138 sqm (≈ €1,580/sqm).
  • Verona province: Median price about €260,000 for 80 sqm (≈ €3,250/sqm).
  • Treviso province: No public table for foreign buyers so far.

The Hills and Countryside of Veneto

Vicenza, Treviso: Discreet Charm and Peaceful Living

Vicenza attracts with its Palladian villas and quality craftsmanship. Treviso enchants with its canals, city walls, and an active yet serene local life.

  • Preserved historic centers and local shops
  • Green environment, cycle paths, schools popular with families
  • Fast access to the Asolo hills and the Piave plain

For real estate in Vicenza, sought-after properties average 110 sqm for a budget of about €163,000 (≈ €1,482/sqm), according to Green-Acres.

Local Gastronomy and Prosecco Wines

Here, you can savor cicchetti, baccalà mantecato, lagoon-based risotto, Treviso radicchio, and a disputed but delicious tiramisù. 😋

  • Flagship wines: Prosecco DOCG (Conegliano-Valdobbiadene), Soave, Amarone
  • Network of agritourisms and weekly markets
  • Culture of conviviality, terrace aperitifs, and village festivals

Services, Mobility and Employment

Efficient Transport, Excellent Schools and Hospitals

Veneto is covered by highways (A4, A27, A13) and high-speed trains connecting Milan, Bologna, and Trieste. Venice, Treviso, and Verona airports make international travel easy.

  • Bus and tram networks in major cities 🚆
  • Renowned universities (Padua, Verona) and international schools
  • High-level hospitals and comprehensive medical care

Stable and Attractive Job Market

The job market is based on exporting SMEs, mechanical industry, optics, furniture, agri-food, and tourism. The unemployment rate is generally below the national average.

  • Ecosystem of family businesses and specialized clusters
  • International openness and multilingual jobs
  • Good prospects for technical, sales, and healthcare profiles

Veneto, the Perfect Balance Between Tradition and Modernity

Living on Your Own Terms, Without Sacrificing the Essentials

Historic festivals on the water, craft workshops, urban innovation and cycle paths: the region strikes a balance between heritage and future.

  • Historic neighborhoods, vibrant but regulated
  • Sustainability projects and soft mobility
  • Diversified real estate for main residences, second homes, or investments

A Few Benchmarks to Choose Your Place to Live

  • Cultural urban (Venice, Padua) vs. active mid-size city (Verona, Vicenza)
  • Residential tranquility (Treviso, Lido) vs. wine country (Prosecco Hills)
  • Transport access: station/motorway/airport proximity according to your needs
Explore properties in Veneto

Between shimmering lagoons, the Prosecco hills and cities of art, Veneto offers a smooth, creative and well-connected daily life. You’ll find jobs, strong schools, quality healthcare and a heritage that inspires every day.

Whether you dream of a bright apartment in Padua, a house with a garden near Treviso, or a romantic pied-à-terre in Venice, the region offers options for every lifestyle. With careful preparation, your project can become a gentle and lasting reality. 🌊🏡

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