Is Molise a good place to live? Absolutely! Discover the charm of Molise and the advantages of living in this Italian region.
Living in Molise, Italy
Living in Molise, Italy idealista

Molise, with its capital Campobasso, is a region located in southern Italy and holds the record of being among the smallest and cheapest places to live in Italy. Tourists and inhabitants alike appreciate its small size, close human ties, varied natural heritage, and the spread of cultural assets throughout the territory.

The region recently launched an initiative that is attracting attention from across the globe: you could even get paid to move to Molise. Those who decide to move to and live in Molise in 2023 will receive 700 euros. The project was created to reduce depopulation, and the subsidy is only valid for those who move and decide to open a business in Molise's small villages. This is after other initiatives in previous years where the region of Molise offered free stays to visitors, and even up to 25,000 euros to those who moved to the region in 2019

So, is Molise a good place to live? What is life like in the region? We're here to tell you everything about living in Molise, Italy, which allows you to benefit from numerous advantages.

1 euro houses in Molise 

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Molise has participated in Italy's 1 euro house project with the aim of stemming the depopulation that many Italian villages are experiencing. Where can you buy a house in Molise at the low cost of 1 euro? In this region there are mainly 2 municipalities that have houses for sale at 1 euro: Castropignano and Sant'Elia a Pianisi. Being able to take advantage of this opportunity is a real chance that no one should miss, given the many advantages of living there.

The region is little known amongst foreigners and tourists

Molise is not a place that one comes across casually, and a the majority of tourists from Italy and beyond don't tend to plan a stop in this land, crossing it to get to the area further south.

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However, for those with keen eyes, it is easy to capture the scenic beauty of this region. The area offers a glimpse of true authenticity and a great place to discover the best of what Italy has to offer. 

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The tourist industry in the region is undeveloped, which is precisely why any adventure experienced is totally natural and spontaneous, as well as not being overrun by tourists like other areas in Italy. 

The climate in Molise

Snow in Molise
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When it comes to the climate in Molise, there is something for everyone. For snow lovers, Molise in winter is the perfect destination: in 2015, the municipality of Capracotta, in the province of Isernia, received the world record for the heaviest snowfall. 

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In summer, the coast benefits from a perfect Mediterranean climate, and certainly does not suffer from the sultry, suffocating heat of August that other parts of Italy experience

Food and eating in Molise

Molise offers traditional dishes, from maccheroni alla chitarra (a variety of egg pasta typical in the region), pallotte cacio e uova (bread and cheese balls), to pasta and beans, polenta and lamb. Some of Italy's most important chefs have admitted to being fascinated by Molise's cuisine, so much so that they have called it almost the best in Italy.

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Hospitality in Molise

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Hospitality is a gift from the people of Molise and, in any corner of the region, guests will feel welcome and at home. Here you can breathe in the air of conviviality and timeless history: it is a region far removed from the stereotypes and hectic life to which most people are used to.

In short, anyone who visits this area and sees for themselves what life is like in Molise will probably never want to leave.

A wide range of sport in Molise

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Such a small territory offers numerous possibilities for entertainment when it comes to sport, from water sports, given the many towns that overlook the sea, such as Termoli, Campomarino, Petacciato... to the ski slopes at Capracotta and Campitello Matese. In addition, there are many mountains to visit on foot and also by climbing.

Wide choice of excursions and things to do in Molise

The scenic beauty of Molise is no secret, but what not everyone knows is that the Molise sea boasts a prestigious record: its waters have been awarded the European blue flag for their clarity for many years. Moreover, during the summer period there are numerous festivals and village fairs, making the atmosphere pleasant and cheerful.

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Living in Molise means having the opportunity to visit medieval villages, as well as going on nature hikes, and visiting seaside towns such as Termoli.

Close to the big cities

The question many people have is: where to buy a house in Molise? Is it easy to reach? Yes, the region is easy to reach, as is moving within it. On the coast, the region is connected to the Adriatic by road and rail and is close to the airports of Naples and Pescara.

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Who likes being stuck in traffic for hours? Most probably no one and that is why you can love Molise where provincial and municipal roads are never busy. For those who want a vintage experience in the hinterland, there is the Transiberiana d'Italia, a tourist train that connects Isernia to Sulmona.

Abundant nature and scenic beauty in Molise

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Molise is a region with a low population density and is certainly not known for metropolises or large industries: the agricultural sector is the undisputed protagonist and this means that the air quality is optimal and the natural resources are far from major pollutants. The entire Molise area is a natural oasis, in the province of Cambobasso is the Enel Green Power wind farm and in the north-west is the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. The villages are built on hills and nature separates them by the presence of valleys.

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What to see and do in Molise? The choices are varied: from the town of Capracotta, the highest in the Apennines, to the beaches of Petacciato Marina, to the seaside village of Termoli, you can visit Miranda and its colourful houses, Castropignano, a stone jewel, or Casalciprano, an open-air museum.

Furthermore, the Molise region has the greatest biodiversity on the Italian peninsula, and has numerous protected reserves, also characterised by an original dune landscape.

Living in Molise extends your life

Retire Molise
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Molise holds the record for the highest number of people over 100 years old, so what is the secret? Breathing clean air not polluted by large factories, contact with nature, taking long walks, good, healthy food, are all elements that improve the quality of life. Thinking of retiring to Italy? Molise could be the perfect spot! 

Molise FAQs

  • How much does it cost to live in Molise? The cost of living in Molise is usually below average and property prices both to buy and rent will be much lower than other Italian regions. As always, the cost of living in the region will also depends on your lifestyle.
  • Why live in Molise? Living in Molise means having human relations and also establishing a relationship with the varied landscape. In addition, the cost of living is lower than in many other regions.