What is it like to live in Puglia?
Puglia is a beautiful region in Southern Italy known for its stunning coastline, historic towns, delicious cuisine, and iconic trulli houses.
I just spent a month in Puglia myself, as part of a remote work program, and that is when I met Markus, an expat from Germany who now calls Puglia home.
I really enjoyed Puglia, but of course, spending one month here is not the same as deciding to move to Puglia and making it your long-term home.
That is why I’m excited to do this interview with Markus about what moving to and living in Puglia is like.
This interview is part of the Ask an Expat series. In this series, I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, and share tips about moving to the place the expat now calls home.
Living in Puglia
Name: Markus
Age: 41
Hometown: Falkenstein/Harz in Germany
His Story:
”I grew up in a small village near the beautiful Harz mountains in eastern Germany.
The area didn’t offer many job opportunities at the time so I moved away once I finished my education. First to Leipzig, then to Munich, and later to London, where I lived and worked for more than 15 years in various project management and finance roles.
Traveling and discovering new cultures, cuisines, and landscapes has always been something I enjoyed. I share this passion with my partner Elisa, who I met in London more than 10 years ago.”
Why Did You Move to Puglia?
”The long-term plan was always to move to a warmer country, where we could enjoy the sun and the sea more often.
Our desire to have more flexibility on where and when to work grew after the pandemic, and so did the wish to see more of the world.
So, in 2022, we decided to move to Italy, where Elisa is from. We chose to live in Puglia, a region in southeast Italy, because it has a lot of charm and potential.
Coinciding with our move to Italy, I set up my own consulting business, Three Ducks in a Row, allowing me to work remotely. I help founders, SMBs, and startups align people, processes, and technology to achieve German efficiency.”
Also Read: How to Work Remotely From Anywhere and The Best Digital Nomad Jobs
What Do You Like About Living in Puglia?
”There are so many things I like about living in Puglia!
First of all, the weather. Though we get a fair bit of rain during the winter, the weather is generally great.
Second, the history and culture. Puglia is full of medieval towns that are rich in history and architecture. You can find castles, churches, cathedrals, trulli (cone-shaped houses), masserie (farmhouses), and more.
Each town has its own character and charm, and there is always something new to discover.
Third, the landscape and beaches. Puglia has some of the most beautiful scenery and coastline in Italy.
You can find olive groves, vineyards, hills, caves, and more. And the beaches are stunning, with crystal-clear water.”
What Do You Dislike About Living in Puglia?
”To be honest, there isn’t much I dislike about living in Puglia.
However, being German, I have to constantly moderate my expectations on what is an expected timeline.
In Puglia, things tend to move slower.
You have to accept that things happen when they happen and that sometimes you have to wait longer or deal with more bureaucracy than you would like.
Besides that, you are sometimes limited in your choice of restaurants. Don’t get me wrong, we have many great restaurants around us, but most of them offer only Italian cuisine.
As an expat you want to find something more exotic from time to time.”
Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving Abroad
Is Puglia Safe as a Place to Live?
”Yes, to me it feels very safe.
I have never had any problems or issues with security or crime in Puglia.
Though, as is the case pretty much anywhere, you should look after your valuables when you are in a packed area full of people. You never know who might try to take advantage of a distracted tourist or a careless local.
But overall, I feel very comfortable and secure living in Puglia.”
What Are the Best Places to Live In Puglia?
”I might be partial here, but to me, the best place to live in Puglia is the Valle D’Itria.
Valle D’Itria is a valley that stretches across the provinces of Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto, and is dotted with charming towns and villages.
Here you find Ostuni, the white city, Cisternino, to some the crown jewel of the Valle D’Itria and the home of the bombette (meat rolls stuffed with cheese), Locorotondo, to enjoy stunning views over vineyards and olive groves, Martina Franca with its Baroque old town and Alberobello for the peculiar trulli (limestone houses with conical roofs).
These towns are all within a short drive from each other and offer a variety of attractions, amenities, and events.
Beyond that, I also like Monopoli, a coastal town with a lively atmosphere and a rich cultural heritage.
Lecce, often called the Florence of the South because of its artistic and architectural splendor, is another good place to live. It has a magnificent Roman amphitheater, a historic center full of baroque architecture, and stunning churches.
Also Read: What’s It Like to Live in Lecce – Interview
If you’re looking for more of a city vibe, then living in Bari might be a good option for you. Bari is the capital of Puglia and a lively university city. It has good connections to other parts of Puglia and the rest of Italy which makes it a good place to live as well if you don’t want to drive places.”
Is Puglia Expensive to Live In?
”After living in London for so long, Puglia does not feel that expensive to me.
However, like everywhere, some things have become very expensive recently. Utilities and groceries, for example, are no longer cheap here.
But renting or buying a property is more affordable in Puglia than in other parts of Italy.”
What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Puglia?
”There are so many things that I love to do in Puglia, but if I had to choose one, it would be eating all the local delicacies.
Puglia has a rich and diverse culinary tradition that reflects its history and culture. You can find dishes that are influenced by Greek, Roman, Norman, Spanish, French, and Arab cuisines.
Some of my favorites are orecchiette alle cime di rapa (ear-shaped pasta with broccoli rabe), friselle (dried bread) with tomatoes and olive oil, burrata (fresh cheese with a creamy center), taralli (crunchy rings of dough flavored with fennel seeds or pepper), and pasticciotto (pastry filled with custard cream).
Another thing I enjoy doing in Puglia is hiking in the countryside. Puglia has a lot of natural beauty and diversity that is worth exploring.
And every year when the weather gets warmer I love to explore different beaches and swim in the sea. Puglia has some of the most beautiful beaches and coastlines in Italy.”
What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Puglia?
”There is a growing international community in Puglia, especially in the Valle D’Itria and the Salento areas.
There are a few active Facebook groups where you can find information, advice and support from other expats living in Puglia.
You can also join some meetups and events to socialize and network with other like-minded people.
We organized a few meetups and have made some great friends this way.”
Any Tips for Moving To / Living in Puglia?
”One tip that I would give to anyone who wants to move to Puglia is to scout locations before moving.
Puglia is a large and diverse region, and each town and area has its own pros and cons.
Some towns are more suitable for expats and more lively all year round, while others are very busy in summer and then things like restaurants and shops shut down over the winter.
You should do some research and visit different places in Puglia to find the one that suits your needs and preferences.
Another tip that I would give is to learn some Italian, something I am still working on.
While English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among younger generations, Italian is still the main language in Puglia. Knowing some Italian will help you communicate better with locals, make friends, find work, deal with bureaucracy, and enjoy the culture more.”
Also Read: A Moving Abroad Checklist – Things to Do Before You Move
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Puglia?
”There are many resources I found useful during the process of moving to Puglia. Here are some of them:
Casa.it and Idealista.it: These are two of the most popular websites for finding apartments or houses for rent or sale in Italy.
Facile.it: This is a website that allows you to compare prices and offers on utilities, bank accounts, insurance, and more.
There are several Facebook groups where you can connect with other expats and some locals in Puglia. You can ask questions, share information, get advice, and join events.
Some of the groups that I recommend are: Expats in Puglia, Expats and Friends in Valle D’Itria, and Digital Nomads Puglia & South Italy.
About Puglia, Italy
Puglia, also known as Apulia in English, is a region located in the southern part of Italy.
Puglia is home to several beautiful towns and cities, attracting people from all over the world.
The region is known for its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, stunning countryside, and rich cultural heritage.
Puglia is a great place to live for people looking for a relaxed pace of life and a welcoming local community.
Puglia has a population of approximately 4 million people, with the largest city being Bari, which has a population of just over 600,000.
The region enjoys a pleasant climate, with hot and dry summers and mild winters, which can be cooled down by humidity and occasional downpours. Temperatures in Puglia hardly ever fall below 0ºC (32ºF) in winter, and generally stay between 25 and 33ºC (77-91ºF) in summer, with rare peaks exceeding 35ºC (95ºF) in July and August.
Puglia has two international airports, one in Bari and one in Brindisi. The train network is also well-developed, with several major lines running through the region, connecting it to other parts of Italy.
The regional bus network is extensive and connects most towns and villages, making it an affordable option for getting around.
That being said, buses in smaller towns can be infrequent and they won’t get you to more remote places.
For that reason, most expats who choose to live in a smaller town or in Puglia’s countryside will use a car as their main mode of transport.
Overall, Puglia offers a blend of natural beauty, culture, and affordability, making it an attractive destination for those considering a move to Italy.
Also Read:
- Things to Know & Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Puglia
- Where to Stay in Puglia
- Living in Lecce, Puglia – Interview With an Expat
- The Most Beautiful Towns in Italy – including 2 in Puglia
- Living in Milan – Interview With an Expat
- Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
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