Renting an apartment in Milan in 2024 could be your life project for the year.
Milan, the iconic metropolis of Italy, captivates visitors from around the world with its unique blend of tradition and modernity. Whether you’re an art enthusiast fascinated by the majesty of the Milan Cathedral, a fashion enthusiast drawn to the luxury boutiques of Via della Moscova, or a food lover eager to explore the unmatched flavors of Lombard cuisine, the city offers an unforgettable experience at every corner.
For those wishing to fully immerse themselves in the essence of Milanese life, renting an apartment becomes an enticing option. More than just a place to stay, an apartment in Milan provides a total immersion into the city’s vibrant daily life. Discover how to find the perfect retreat to appreciate Milan as a resident rather than just a tourist.
Are you ready to come live in Milan Italy?
- Best places to live in Milan
- Areas to avoid in Milan
- Where to live in Milan?
- Cost of living in Milan
- Apartments for rent in Milan Italy
- The steps to living in Milan
- Home insurance in Milan
Best places to live in Milan
In Milan, there are 88 neighborhoods, so it’s difficult to have an overview of the entire city. Nevertheless, among Milan’s neighborhoods, there are THE favorite neighborhoods of Milan, and among those you find:
- Brera: a concentration of art and restaurants
- City Life: New buildings with iconic design. Where footballers, artists, and singers live.
- Porta Venezia: The most sought-after neighborhood by foreigners
- Pagano: The neighborhood of historic residences
- Porta Garibaldi: Iconic buildings are here and nightlife is vibrant.
- Buenos Aires: for shopping, it’s right here!
- Navigli: the perfect place for an aperitif or for Milanese nightlife
Areas to avoid in Milan
Milan, the lively and cosmopolitan metropolis of Italy, offers a multitude of housing options for those looking to immerse themselves in Italian urban life. However, like in any large city, it’s essential to know the neighborhoods to avoid when searching for an apartment. Among the neighborhoods to avoid in Milan, according to Il Giorno, there are:
- Quarto Oggiaro: a northwest neighborhood with one of the highest crime rates.
- Giambellino-Lorenteggio: where clan wars frequently occur.
- Corvetto: a dangerous neighborhood especially at night.
- Central Station area: In the area around the central station, assaults, thefts, and sexual violence are common. Via Padova, northeast of the station, remains a dangerous area, especially in the evening and at night, despite redevelopment efforts. Lastly, in Corso Como, there is now a dangerous nightlife scene where thefts and drug-related crimes have multiplied.
Where to live in Milan?
After seeing the best neighborhoods in Milan and the neighborhoods in Milan to avoid, you might have difficulty choosing. In reality, you could start by searching around the area that interests you, close to your work or university, near interesting places to go out, and close to the metro.
In the center of Milan, you may have difficulty finding accommodation because in large cities there is often more demand than supply. Some people end up choosing to live in the suburbs of Milan to access housing but especially affordable rents.
Among the possibilities, you will have, for example, the Trenord S1 train line which connects Saronno to Milan and stops at Caronno Pertusella, Garbagnate Milanese, Bollate, which are interesting alternatives to Milan. Generally, you will have a train every half hour, but in Saronno, for example, you can take a train to Malpensa Airport. These are small towns well connected with lower rents, but if it’s Milanese life that interests you, you won’t find it here.
However, starting the search in towns served by trains could be a good method.
Close to Milan but outside the city, you could also have Sesto San Giovanni, which is chosen by many “pendolari” (a term describing people who work in Milan but live outside the city, which requires them to make many round trips at the same times, like a pendulum).
Cost of living in Milan
According to the ranking by the Unione Nazionale dei consumatori, as reported by TGCOM24, Milan is the second most expensive city in Italy after Bolzano.
La Repubblica cites Istat data to define the amount of monthly expenses for an average family in Milan:
- 1325 euros for rent and bills
- 441 euros for groceries
- 151 euros for healthcare expenses
- 345 euros for transportation
- 25 euros for education
If we add childcare costs, entertainment, and unforeseen expenses, according to Moneyfarm, living in Milan for a family could cost around 3300 euros per month.
Living in Milan for a student, according to Uniaffitti, would range between 850 euros and 1450 euros per month, including rent. Helphousing gives us an idea of what a student’s expenses could be:
- 700-1000 euros for rent and bills
- 150-200 euros for groceries
- 39 euros for transportation costs (22 euros for a subscription for those under 27)
Apartments for rent in Milan Italy
Searching for an apartment in Milan can sometimes be challenging. You need to be quick, organized, and not hesitate to contact agencies. If you’re afraid of not being able to speak Italian and would like assistance with your search, apartment viewings, and contract signing, we can provide you with the professional help you need!
The steps to living in Milan
Before you dive in, I recommend reading our article on the 20 steps to expatriate to Italy, as well as the one on renting an apartment in Italy, which covers important points to successfully achieve your life project in Italy.
Home insurance in Milan
Whether you are a tenant or a homeowner, home insurance in Italy is not mandatory, but it is always advisable to protect yourself from any potential mishaps that may occur.
If you are looking for home insurance in Milan, we can provide you with a free quote from our Milanese insurer.
Now you have the important information that will serve as a starting point for renting an apartment in Milan in 2024.