3525 Cost Of Living In Umbria

My wife and I are hoping / planning to move to Umbria.
We would really appreciate any thoughts on living costs.
E.G. Monthly for two people in small house, food & wine (ex meals out!), utility bills, running a small car etc.
Any advice much apprecaited.

Thanks

John

Category
Cost of living - Utility Services

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/04/2006 - 15:40

Moved your post here ... I'm sure some of our Umbrians will be happy to help! :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/05/2006 - 03:59

Hi John,

I live in Umbria and I'd be pleased to help, but its very difficult to be specific about costs without knowing a little more about the kind of lifestyle you envisage.

If you come from the UK, I'd say the cost of groceries, petrol and clothes would be about the same. The cost of heating fuel, particularly if your house uses liquid petroleum gas from a bottole or tank, is likely to be fairly high. Best to have a wood-burning stove if possible, as well as CH.

Eating out will generally cost less than in the UK; a meal for two, with wine will be about 25-35 Euros. Property taxes paid to the local council (ICI) are likely to be much lower than in the UK. Finally, depending on where you choose to live, your petrol bills may be higher simply because you have to travel some way to get to-and-from the shops.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/06/2006 - 00:48

Live slightly further north but fully agree with everything Marc says, especially cost of running car. Friends of ours who live 5 km from nearest village can't believe how much petrol their small Peugeot consumes running back and forth. You really do have to be well organised when it comes to shopping. Something else I'd like to share with all especially if you're going to be permanent residents. It is cold in central Italy in the winter, very cold, so do spend time and perhaps a bit of money now insulating your house as well as you can otherwise your winter heating bills (like ours) are going to come as a shock. And you may still (like us) be cold! V