Things to Know Before Moving to Turin

There’re a lot of things to consider before moving to a new city. Read our guide to find out what you need to know before moving to Turin!

Yordan

5 minute read

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Updated on 10 Mar 2023

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Moving

Turin is a great place for expats to live in. If you're considering a move to Turin, there're a few things you should know about this charming Italian city.

In this article, we’ll give you information on:

• The cost of living in Turin
• The best neighborhoods in Turin to live in
• The pros and cons of living in Turin

Despite ranking among the best cities in Italy to live in and having a thriving business environment, cost of living in Turin is a minimum of €1,200 per month.

The biggest chunk of your monthly budget will go towards your rental expenses. The average rental prices across all types of properties in Turin have gone up by around 15% since the start of 2021.

As per the HousingAnywhere Rent Index, the rental prices per type of property in Q1 2022 were:

Aside from your rent, you should be prepared to spend €700 each month on food, utilities and recreational activities. However, making do with less isn’t impossible! It all depends on your lifestyle and financial situation!

If you're looking for the best neighborhoods in Turin to live in, you'll want to consider a few factors:

1. Proximity to the city center. Turin is a large city, and you'll want to be close to the action if you're going to be living here.
2. Affordability. Turin can be an expensive city and you'll want to find an area that fits your budget.
3. Safety. Turin is generally a safe city, but you'll want to find an area with the lowest risk.

Now let’s dive into the neighborhoods that’re the best considering all of the above factors.

• Centro is as central as it gets. Also known as Centro Storico, this area is the historic center of Turin and the most popular area to live in nowadays. You can expect a lively atmosphere and many things to do. This is where you’d find some of the more expensive accommodation in the city. Considering the hustle and bustle in the area, the safety in the area is low, with many pickpockets roaming around.

• Aurora is another great option for those looking to be close to the city center. This neighborhood is home to some of Turin's best restaurants and bars, as well as the Palazzo Reale. The accommodation here is significantly less expensive than in the city center. It's also a safe area, making it a great choice for families.

• San Salvario is a great choice if you’re looking for affordable accommodation. This neighborhood is located close to the city center and it's filled with small businesses and cafes. The safety is above the average for the city.

• Mirafiori Sud is another great option for those looking for an affordable neighborhood. This area is located a bit further away from the city center and it's filled with parks and green spaces. The lack of major tourist attractions and social hotspots makes the area quiet and suitable for families.

• Falchera is also definitely worth considering. It's located just a few kilometers from the city center, so you can easily get into town when you need to. It’s far enough away from the hustle and bustle for you to enjoy some peace and quiet. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that Falchera is a bit of an up-and-coming neighborhood, meaning that it's not as safe as some of the other areas in Turin.

Besides the cost of living and neighbourhood, here're some of the pros and cons of moving to Turin that you should consider before making the move.

You Could Be Earning More Than the Average Salary in Italy

If you're planning to work in Turin as an international, you'll be happy to know that typically the average salary in Turin is higher than the average salary in Italy. The average salary in Turin per month is €2,750, compared to the national average of €2,583.

Knowing Italian Is a Must

Turin is a great city for expats, but it can be difficult to live in it if you don’t know Italian. This is because most people in the city don’t speak English well. Apart from that, many of the job opportunities require proficiency in Italian, so it's essential to learn the language if you want to have access to more well-paying career prospects.

There're a few different ways to learn Italian before you move to Turin. You could take an online course or find a language exchange partner who is willing to help you learn in exchange for you teaching them English. Once you’re in the city, there're many language schools that offer classes for all levels.

Learning Italian before you move to Turin can be a great way to ease your transition into life in the city.

Turin's Weather is Relatively Mild All Year Long

The weather in Turin is relatively mild all year round, although there’re some differences between the seasons.

• Winter temperatures average around 7℃. There’s snowfall sometimes but it isn’t usually heavy.

• Spring weather in Turin brings average temperatures to around 17℃. There is often rainfall at this time of year.

• Summer weather in Turin is usually very pleasant, with average temperatures of around 25℃. There’s rainfall sometimes, but it's not usually heavy.

• Autumn weather in Turin sees the average temperature decrease to around 17℃. This time of year brings a lot of rain.

You’ll Be Getting Around Without a Car

Turin is a beautiful city, but getting around can be a challenge if you're relying on a car. This is due to the narrow streets and the difficulty in finding parking. So it's worth considering the alternatives to using a car.

Walking is a great option for getting around Turin, especially if you're only going short distances. If you need to travel further, Turin has an excellent public transport system that can take you around the city in a breeze.

If you're looking for a more personal mode of transport, it’s popular for Turin’s residents to get around on their scooters. There're also several ride-sharing apps available in the city, so getting around Turin is easier than you might think.

The Nightlife in Turin is Vibrant

Turin is a lively city with great nightlife, despite its small size. There’re many bars and clubs to choose from; some of the most popular ones include Bunker, Henness, Big Club, The Dora Docks, and Hiroshima Mon Amour.

You may start the evening with aperitivo accompanied by guest or resident DJs in several of the restaurants and bars around Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Quadrilatero, and San Salvario.

San Salvario is a multi-ethnic district that has evolved a lot in recent years as a youthful, stylish option for nighttime revelers who want to enjoy its alternative restaurants, pubs, and clubs.

The Infrastructure of Turin is Old

One of the things to know about Turin is that unlike the other major cities in Italy, the city's infrastructure is old. The buildings are old and power outages are quite common. While this can be part of the city's charm, it's important to be prepared for some inconveniences when living in Turin.

Internationality in Turin is Low

Apart from English proficiency being low, there're several jobs that require knowing Italian in Turin. This can be uncomfortable or difficult to adjust to in the beginning. But the silver lining is that you'll become proficient in Italian in no time!

Tip: Look for expat groups on Facebook or on platforms like Meetup to get to know other expats.

Finding an Apartment Can Be a Hassle

Finding an apartment in Turin can be a real hassle, especially if you've to deal with a real estate agent.

Most of them have a limited selection of rentals and you’d better off using online rental platforms which tend to be much cheaper and have a wider selection.

If after reading this you're excited to move to Turin, have a look at the relocation checklist to prepare for your move to Italy.

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