Regional differences in Italy

The north (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria and others) is the industrial and financial heart, with Milan, Turin, Bologna, Genoa and Venice, and its wages are higher and its housing costs higher, and its jobs more.

• The centre (Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio and Marche) combines artistic heritage, agriculture, tourism and public administration, and includes Rome and Florence.
• The south (Campania, Puglia, Calabria, Basilicata, Abruzzo and Molise) and the islands (Sicily and Sardinia) are calmer, cheaper and warmer, but formal job opportunities are fewer, and agriculture, tourism and seasonal work are widespread, and the level of some services may be lower.
• And the centre and north are more attractive to migrants for work, while the south attracts for its prices, nature and warm communities.

Standard Italian (italiano standard) is the official language understood everywhere and based on Tuscan, but many people also speak local dialects (dialetti) that differ greatly between regions: Neapolitan, Sicilian, Venetian, Milanese, Piedmontese and Sardinian, which in fact are historic regional languages.

• In cities, administrations and schools standard Italian is used, and in villages, the family and markets the dialect is heard.
• And in regions with autonomy other recognised languages exist: German in Alto Adige (South Tyrol), French in Valle d'Aosta, Slovene and Friulian in the north-east, Sardinian in Sardinia, and Catalan in Alghero.
• Do not worry about not understanding the dialect, and ask people gently to speak Italian, and you will notice they switch quickly.

The north hosts most industry, financial services, fashion, cars and machinery, and has the highest employment rate and wages, and the most expensive rents (Milan especially).

• The centre has tourism, arts, government, agriculture and crafts.
• In the south and islands agriculture (olive, tomato and citrus picking), tourism and construction prevail, and seasonal and irregular work is frequent, and risks of exploitation are widespread in some sectors (caporalato), so verify your contract and rights.
• Prices in the south are lower, so you may find a flat for two to four hundred euros against six hundred to fifteen hundred in the north.
• And for remote work you can combine a northern salary with southern housing.
• Check the regional job sites, and ask local unions and associations about the market situation.

Each region runs its health system (SSR) within the national service, so the quality of services, waiting times, and types of free tests and the ticket differ.

• Usually services in the north (Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany) are better organised, and lower in some areas of the south where some patients travel north for treatment.
• And transport is better in the north: high-speed trains, buses and frequent regional trains, while the south and islands have fewer lines and a greater need for a car.
• And regional support and grant laws (housing, study and nursery) differ between regions.
• So check your region's benefits on its official website.
• And the speed of completing procedures may differ between comuni, and immigration offices (Questura) vary in crowding.

Each region has its cuisine: in the north risotto, polenta, cheese and butter, in Bologna tagliatelle and lasagne, in Tuscany fagioli and bistecca, in Rome carbonara and amatriciana, in Naples pizza, in the south pasta with tomato, olive oil and fish, and in Sicily cannoli, arancini, fish and citrus.

• And every region has festivals, markets and music.
• When choosing a place of residence think of: job opportunities, then housing and cost, then transport, then the presence of a community from your country, a mosque and halal shops, then quality of schools and health, then climate.
• Visit the region before moving if possible, and talk to those living there.
• And remember that moving between regions is possible and relatively easy, so do not fear the first choice.

How many regions in Italy?