International Living

Imagine being able to spend every springtime in Rome or Venice or Florence—can’t you just picture yourself meandering beside the Arno River on a perfect May evening, when all the terracotta roofs and ancient palaces are bathed in that special Florentine glow? Or discover romantic, mysterious islands, smoldering Mount Etna, or the glittering peaks of the snow-covered Alps and the Dolomites. The Italian lake district is admittedly well trodden, but what do you know about the islands of Sardinia and Sicily? Wondering if you can afford to retire in Italy? Well, you can. Although the popular areas of Rome, Florence, and Milan are admittedly expensive, not all regions are as unaffordable as you might expect. In rural areas and small towns, plenty of homes are available for less than $100,000. Often a lot less… Italy: The Owner’s Manual will provide you with all the information you will need to turn your dreams of moving overseas into reality.

Even if you’ve never been there, Italy is one of those places that tugs at the heartstrings. And once you have been there, you’re always looking for reasons to go back. Imagine being able to spend every springtime in Rome, Venice, or Florence…can’t you just picture yourself meandering beside the Arno River on a perfect May evening when all the terracotta roofs and ancient palaces are bathed in that special Florentine glow?

If you have ever wanted to rebel against a hectic lifestyle and slow down to enjoy life, Italy should be top of your list of considerations. In this special report, you’ll discover four of the most fitting places to do just that. The message from Italian living is clear: Slow down, stop rushing, and enjoy the simple virtues of life. And you can do that very easily in Italy with its romantic cities, timeless hill towns, snowy mountains, idyllic islands, and a rivetingly beautiful coastline.

The trickiest thing about France will be deciding which part of it holds the most allure for you. It could be the wild, rocky shores of Celtic Brittany, steeped in heritage and tradition…or sun-drenched Provence, with its rolling hills and lavender fields, broken by the turquoise sea of the Côte d’Azur…or the castles and sleepy villages of medieval holdings in the Dordogne… France has all the ingredients that we at International Living look for: a good climate, unspoiled countryside, top-notch culture, excellent health care, affordable real estate (despite the strength of the euro, France can still has lots of cheap property), colorful traditions and history, and, of course, the glitter and sophistication of Paris. It’s not surprising that France is the world’s favorite destination, receiving in excess of 82 million overseas visitors each year. France: The Owner’s Manual will provide you with all the information you will need to turn your dreams of moving overseas into reality.

Beyond France’s famous Riviera playgrounds lies “the other South of France”: a lavender scented landscape of sunflowers and starry nights made famous by artists like Van Gogh and Cézanne. In this special report, we’ll tell you about some of the towns and villages in the South of France that offer very affordable living, without sacrificing any of the beauty and elegance that this country is famed for.

France has all the ingredients that we look for at International Living: good food, good wine, haute couture, a good climate, unspoiled countryside, a glittering culture, excellent health care, colorful traditions and history. The trickiest thing will be deciding which bit of France holds the most allure for you. We look at IL’s favorite destinations in France in this special report. France has never been hotter as a potential place to live for discerning, budget-minded, future expats—either part-time or full-time.