Anytime Dario and I travel, we like to play a little game—"Could we live here?" Does everyone play that game? Just us? Either way, we’d daydream about what daily life might look like in the places we visited, but we knew from the start we didn’t want to settle in a big city. Sometimes, figuring out what you want means knowing what you don't want. As much as we loved the energy of places like Rome or Milan, we were drawn to something smaller, more intimate, and deeply connected to the local community. Once we decided that buying a home in Italy was the right choice for us, the next step was determining where.
Several friends have asked how we ultimately chose Lucca out of all the places in Italy, and the answer lies in our shared vision. Thankfully, Dario and I have always been on the same page when it comes to big life decisions. We sat down and crafted a set of must-haves to guide us in our search for the perfect Italian home base, ensuring the town not only felt right on a personal level but also aligned with the practicalities of our lifestyle.
Close to the Coast but Not Too Close
We’ve always loved the beach, and for a while, we thought we wanted to live right along the coast. The idea of waking up to the sea every day was appealing—until we realized that many coastal towns in Italy transform into quiet, almost deserted places in the off-season. The charm of summer can quickly give way to an eerie quiet in winter. We wanted a place that remained lively and authentic year-round, where Italian locals continued to live their daily lives. Being within 20 minutes of the coast felt like the perfect solution, allowing us to enjoy beach days in nearby without having to deal with the seasonality. Plus, there’s something undeniably special about Viareggio, knowing Dario’s great-grandparents are buried there, connecting us to the region.
Lively but Not Overrun with Tourists
We’ve traveled over a lot of Italy, from the trulli-dotted countryside of Puglia to the terraced hills and medieval charm of Bergamo. We knew we didn’t want to live in a place that turned into a ghost town during the off-season, nor did we want a city constantly heaving with tourists. A town overwhelmed by crowds can quickly lose its sense of authenticity. That said, we didn’t want to be too isolated either. While idyllic and often lower-cost rural hillside villas certainly have their appeal, living without a car meant we needed a walkable town with easy access to amenities. We wanted a place where we could live as locals while still enjoying vibrant events and activities.
Though Lucca might not be on the itinerary for first-time visitors to Italy like Rome, Florence, or Venice, it provided that perfect middle ground—a lively yet authentic town, where we could live comfortably without relying on a car, while still being connected to all the things that make Italy special.
Lucca strikes that balance perfectly for us. There is always something going on here, whether you turn the corner to the surprise of a dozen Ferraris parked in front of the Tourist Center, paper sculptures scattered throughout town, or a mid-day parade passing through town. At any given day, you might stumble upon a an event on the walls, a a parade, or live music in the piazza. The town also hosts major events like the Lucca Summer Festival, where international stars perform in intimate, historic settings, and the annual Lucca Comics & Games, the largest comics convention in Europe. But outside of these bustling moments, life here slows down to a wonderfully local pace, allowing you to truly experience the Tuscan way of life.
A Gateway and a Launchpad
Having easy access to an international airport as well as trains was key for us. In Virginia, we live just 15 minutes from an international airport, and we’ve become spoiled by the convenience. After a long international flight, the last thing we want is to drive for hours. Lucca offers that same ease—Pisa Airport is just a short 30-minute drive away (or an even shorter train ride), and Florence’s airport is only an hour from town. This makes it simple for us to visit other parts of Italy or explore Europe. With our oldest son, Jackson, working on his PhD at TU Delft in the Netherlands, a quick flight from Pisa connects us, reinforcing just how central and well-connected Lucca is.
That same centrality also makes Lucca an ideal home base for exploring the rest of Italy. Whether it’s a short train ride to Firenze, Pisa, or Siena, or a quick drive to Volterra, the region is truly at our fingertips. With frequent train service and major transport hubs nearby, it’s reassuring to know that we’re never far from our next adventure—or a family visit.
Family at Heart
Italy is all about family connections, and we love being able to see relatives scattered across the country, from Dario’s aunt on his dad's side just outside of Milano to cousins and aunts in Napoli. Italy, roughly the size of Arizona, makes travel within the country relatively easy, whether by car, train, or even inexpensive internal flights. With family spread out between the north and south, Lucca’s central location makes it the perfect midpoint. We can visit loved ones without feeling too far from home.
Navigating with Ease
In 2016, we stayed in Florence’s Oltrarno neighborhood, and that experience made us realize how much we valued being able to walk everywhere. We love the freedom and ease of exploring a city on foot without relying on a car. The idea of weaving through narrow streets, discovering hidden gems along the way, and being part of a community where walking and biking are part of daily life was incredibly appealing. In Lucca, the historic center (Centro Storico) is almost entirely car-free, making it one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in Italy. This was a huge draw for us, and it eliminated many of the bigger cities that felt too chaotic with traffic and noise.
Embracing an Active Lifestyle
We’re an active family, and we wanted a place that encouraged an outdoor lifestyle. Lucca’s ancient Renaissance walls, originally built to protect the city, now offer a beautiful, tree-lined park where locals and visitors alike can run, walk their dogs, bike, or even take yoga classes under the shade of trees. These wide promenades atop the walls are perfect for long walks or morning runs, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The town’s walkable nature ensures that even daily tasks like going to the market keep you moving, making it easy to get your steps in without having to schedule a formal workout. It’s especially inspiring to see the elderly out and about, doing their shopping and enjoying the temperate weather—a reminder that a body in motion stays in motion.
Beyond the city, the area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Nearby hiking trails wind through the lush hills of Tuscany, inviting us to explore breathtaking landscapes and quaint villages. Cycling routes lead us to vineyards, where we can indulge in wine tastings while soaking in the stunning scenery. In winter, the nearby Apennine mountains offer skiing opportunities, ensuring we can embrace an active lifestyle year-round.
Lucca’s commitment to outdoor events sealed the deal for us. The city recently hosted a half marathon and even welcomed the Giro d’Italia, one of the world’s most prestigious cycling races. Whether jogging along the walls, cycling through vineyards, or catching a glimpse of world-class cyclists racing by, we could easily see ourselves blending into this vibrant, active lifestyle.
We're Not That Unique
We’re always curious why others chose Lucca. Many of the friends we’ve made here have shared similar reasons for settling in this charming city. Like us, they were drawn to Lucca’s unique blend of liveliness and tranquility, appreciating how it remains vibrant without being overrun by tourists. Many loved the idea of a walkable, car-free center, where daily life unfolds at a slower, more deliberate pace. Some, like Dario and me, were looking for a place that was central to family or served as a convenient base for travel across Italy and Europe. Others were attracted to Lucca’s strong sense of community, where locals gather at the walls for evening strolls or in the piazzas for lively conversations.
It’s been comforting to meet so many others who, like us, fell in love with Lucca’s balance of history, culture, and modern living. Each person has their own story, but the common thread is how Lucca offers a way of life that encourages connection—whether with the local community, nature, or loved ones.
Our Wishlist
On paper, Lucca ticked every box on our wishlist: close to the coast, not too touristy, central to family, walkable, active, and convenient for travel. But beyond the practical reasons, Lucca resonated with us on a much deeper level. The proximity to Dario’s family history, from his great-grandparents in Viareggio to his grandparents in Pescia, gave this part of Tuscany a personal significance. It’s not just a place to live; it’s a place that feels like home in more ways than one.
Like many others during the pandemic, much of our preliminary search was done online. We spent hours pouring over property listings, working with our consultants, and watching YouTube videos, hoping to get a feel for the town. Even though Lucca looked perfect on paper, we had never been there before our house-hunting visit! We trusted our instincts, and when travel restrictions eased, we finally visited Lucca in person.
The moment we first passed through Lucca's ancient walls, it was as if everything clicked. The feeling of being surrounded by history, the charm of the narrow streets, and the liveliness of the piazzas made us feel like we had stepped into a place that was meant to be home. It wasn’t just a matter of checking off items on our wishlist anymore—we knew we had found home.
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