11365 relocating to Puglia

Hi Tony - there is a forum called Puglia Posse or Puglia Uncovered - cant remember which, but if you Google it will come up. They are a more local forum for the area than this one and will be able to help you with more detailed replies. There are a few members here who are also based in Puglia - so welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the Forum, Tony. Members in the Puglia area may be able to help.

As suggested go to PP and read all the postings, you will then be better informed and then ask more specific questions

There are Trulli with sea views but the majority are inland. Like anything with a sea view expect to pay a premium but remember a sea view does not guarantee a good area. Puglia has many different landscapes so you will need to do a lot of research to identify what suits you

Also try to make a point of people who are actually living full time in trulli, rather than just spending summer months there. I am told they can be very cold in the winter.

Hi Tony

We have a trullo near Ostuni. I agree with Margaret you need to think very carefully about how you are going to use the property. Trulli are not ideal to live in permanently. In general Puglia is very cold in winter and (which is worse) can also be very damp. The damp penetrates the fabric of buildings in a way we are not used to here. The Italians are not used to any insulation and no buildings appear to be heated - even in a modern building they will work with their coat, hat and scarf still on.

Having said all that, we love our trullo and wouldn't want anything else. However, we are not aiming ever to move over permanently, although it is much cosier now with a pellet stove and some radiators. We are also fortunate in ahving an excellent open fire - many people find that their's just send smoke back into the room and end up having to fit a stove instead.

We are about 20 mins drive to the beach. Not too many trulli will have a sea view and those that do will only have the sea in the distance I would think - we didn't look at any. I actually prefer the countryside inland a bit - with the acres and acres of olive groves and all the dry stone walls.

Good luck with your search.

Hi, I would like to thank you for your advice on trulli and some of the pitfalls in owning one, I can see that we have got a lot of research to do before we can make any decisions but that was the point of asking the question in the first place. If having a sea view means living in another type of building other than a trulli then we will have to get more advice on what to look for and where in Puglia to look for it so please let us have anymore info that might help us. Thanks again Tony.

About four years ago we were considering buying a combination of trulli and lamie in Puglia. We finally gave up on the idea as it was going to add an extra day to our travelling time from Spain and it was a bit too much for us. So we ended up in northern Tuscany. Nevertheless, I found out at the time that it was much easier to find a villa in coastal areas rather than the trulli. Also, we were a bit concerned about the problems pointed out by other members. We also thought at other solutions, wanting to be near the water, and this was to get a basic villa and add some verandahs and a trullo making something harmonious. My husband is a retired architect and he said that it was going to be possible to find local builders specialised in trulli who could do that job. Just make some enquiries in the area which you like. You will also have to find out costs, etc. I once saw a very nice combination of a villa, a lamia and a trullo (which was used as a garden shed) which was ideal and I am sure that there would be other properties in that same style. You have to be prepared to look thoroughly and to make several trips before you find your dream house. But be patient, it is worthwhile.
Best wishes with your project.

Hi there, Thanks for telling me about "Puglia Posse", I contacted them and have found them to be both helpful and interested about our plans to relocate to Puglia. I would also like to say that I have no expeience of internet forums so please forgive me for any mistakes that I am sure I will make. We are going to Puglia in February to begin the daunting and no doubt lengthy process of choosing which area to settle in so any advice on the pro's and con's of the different areas would be great. Once again thanks for the help, (We need it)

Tony - we are in Lecce and I know the Salento area quite well if that interests you. Feel free to pm me if you want any info. Good luck with the search!