Most people are prepared to pay more for accommodation in the city centres out of convenience. At the same time, you'll probably be looking at the same prices in more remote parts of the countryside.

About a third of the Italian population rent accommodation, and the average length of such a contract is 4 years. You can however find shorter-term contracts in the local tourist offices, known as APT, Azienda Promozione Turistica.

Before leaving:

• Decide if you'd like to rent or buy.
• Possibly approach an international relocation/estate agent like Settler International, Sales and Lettings, Euro Property Network or Brian French
• Photocopy your passport a few times, multiple copies may be required by landlord

Once you get there:

• Check out the appartments for rent sections, appartamenti da affittare, in newspapers like Il Sole/24 Ore. Consider approaching an estate agency, un'agenzia immobiliaria, to see what's on offer. Also, the sign Affitasi, to let, is displayed outside properties available to rent.

Getting there index