Editor’s note: This story was originally published here Live and invest abroad.
The Italian Islands lie in the Mediterranean Sea, about 120 miles west of mainland Italy. Sardinia.
Corsica (a region of) is located below France), Sardinia is Italy’s second largest island (Sicily is the largest) and is home to more than 1.5 million people.
Covering approximately 9,300 square miles, it is approximately the same size as New Hampshire and has more than 1,100 miles of coastline featuring rocky coves, pebble coves, white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
Investment in tourism infrastructure on the island began in the late 1940s and its future was secured when, in the late 1950s, the English financier John Duncan Miller visited.
He was there to check on the progress of a mosquito-eradication program as vice president of the World Bank, but the island captured his heart. He planned to establish a consortium of investors who purchased a picture-perfect expanse of land along the north-eastern coast of the island.
The consortium also included Prince Karim Aga Khan who purchased unseen land. Their first journey involved a four-hour trek on mule trails, leading them to a remote, rocky wilderness with no paved roads, electricity or running water… of which they were now the proud owners.
Eager to preserve the natural beauty of the area, the group established strict architectural and zoning standards and created one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations: the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast).
Playground for the rich and famous
At its center is Porto Cervo which became the playground of the rich and famous. Here you will find a marina with 700 berths, luxury hotels, a yacht club and an airport. Over the years this luxurious resort has attracted everyone from Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy to Brigitte Bardot and Kirk Douglas.
Once Costa Smeralda put Sardinia on the map, a wave of tourism development swept the island and today there is something to appeal to every taste and budget. Whether you want designer boutiques or wellness resorts, golf or fine dining, sailing adventures or wine tasting afternoons, you’ll find it all here.
Solid options for expats to call home include the capital Cagliari. It offers a rich culture, vibrant social scene and good health care. It’s also close to beautiful beaches and you’ll find a larger English-speaking community than most other parts of the island.
A laid-back expat community
The city of Alghero, on the northwest coast of Sardinia, is also popular. Here you’ll find all the usual amenities (plus an airport) and a welcoming expat community. It is more relaxed than the capital and boasts a distinctive Catalan heritage, medieval architecture and a charming old town.
It’s a great place for foodies – the seafood is incredible – and shopaholics who can choose from upscale boutiques and markets filled with local craftsmanship and vintage items.
Further north is the coastal town of Olbia, gateway to the Costa Smeralda. Of course, with that connection comes a high price tag, but so too come museums, medieval treasures, shops, parks, pubs, and with its own port and airport it’s an ideal jumping off point for nearby beaches and further travel in the area.
Living in Sardinia can be relatively affordable compared to North America and other parts of the Italy. Like everywhere else, life will be more expensive in the capital city and the same applies to tourist hotspots.
A couple on a budget of around $2,000 per month will live well here, and that includes rent in popular places like Alghero.
If you’re happy to stay off the beaten path and live among the locals, you can find rental homes for as low as $450 per month, which will keep your overall budget significantly lower.