Discover Emilia Romagna - the overlooked region

June 21st 2007

Emilia Romagna is Italy’s gastromic heartland and is a region awash with farms, adorable cities (Bologna, Parma, Modena) and outstanding countryside........

The region

Emilia Romagna is not very often included in the itineraries of the places to visit and is overlooked by its famour neighbours. However, it is a place worth discovering since its central location makes it easily accessible; Emilia Romagna is at the centre of a network of motorway and railway routes, and, most importantly, it encompasses many of the qualities and charm that other regions offer.

In addition to its successful industries and businesses (mainly food oriented, Parma ham and Parmesan – Parmigiano Reggiano - to name just two worldwide known brands) Emilia Romagna can be also a place of relaxation and entertainment. The famous Adriatic Riviera, of which Rimini is the emblem, offers large sandy beaches which are ideal for families with young children but also a lively nightlife for young people.

But Emilia Romagna is more than its Riviera, its hills and mountains are worth exploring, these are generally an excellent retreat for relaxing, and also an exciting place where to practice both summer and winter sports, including skiing! The Appennine mountains which run along its southern border, and which represent the natural boundary with Tuscany and Marche, have a wealth of picturesque villages and ancient castles or fortified towns with medieval walls, such as Compiano, Castell'Arquato, Scandiano, Bertinoro and many others.

Property to buy

Buying a property in Emilia Romagna is generally a good investment; whereas other regions depend a lot on tourism and the property market is mostly linked with the demand for holiday places, this area of Italy is also a very lively, productive and economically thriving place, therefore investing in Emilia Romagna is a reasonably safe bet. Many overseas buyers have only discovered this region in the past 3 or 4 years. The market is not saturated, so it is unlikely of finding yourself surrounded by British, German or American buyers.

Adjacent to the well known region of Tuscany, Emiglia does offer excellently and realistically priced properties compared to its neighbour. Prices do however vary considerably according to location: Bologna centre and the beautiful hills that surround it are possibly one of the most expensive places in Italy together with Rome and Milan if you wish to buy or rent a property. However, there are some areas which offer good value for money such as the Val di Taro, which is near Parma or Villa Minozzo and Lama Mocogno near Reggio Emilia and Modena.

There is an abundance of unrestored properties especially in the Apennine area, which means that those looking for a project to get their teeth into will not be disappointed. In these areas a “rustico” needing renovation can cost between 60-80,000 euros, depending on location and condition. Renovated houses in good condition are valued at 1000-1500 euros per square meter. New build houses are valued at approximately 2000 euros per square meter. In the hill villages the architecture and style is reminiscent of the typical medieval borgos with stone houses and rustic features with beamed ceilings and terracotta tiled floors. Many properties come with breathtaking views of the mountains.

The pick of the crop

Homes in Italy have a range of properties available from apartments to villas and rustico’s. Here are just a few of the options available:

How to reach the area

Reaching Emilia Romagna could not be easier; low-cost airlines have direct routes from the UK to Bologna, Forli and Rimini, all allowing reasonable travel for both holidays and short trips.

Infrastucture is reliable and there are excellent motorway connection east and west as well as north to south. It is an excellent base to explore central Italy as the region borders not only with Tuscany but also Liguria, Piemonte, Lombardia, Veneto and Le Marche.

Summary

To sum up, for those looking for relocation, you will find a high standard of living in Emilia Romagna, good infrastructure and a good lifestyle. The region itself has been quoted many times as offering the best quality of life available in Italy. Despite being an affluent region with industry, the pace is gentle and the people of the region still uphold traditional values.

For those looking for a holiday home, then it offers an excellent base with access to both the coast and mountains and within reach of many other destinations. The food is to die for and the property very interesting and characteristic. For those looking for activity, Emiglia boasts some 20 golf courses, it is exellent for cyclists and skiing in Apennines.

This region has really been overlooked by overseas buyers for too long, maybe because of the lack of media coverage outside Italy but for those looking for a truly Italian experience, it really is worth a visit!

To view properties further properties available in Emilia Romagna, please search on our site: http://www.homesinitaly.co.uk/smx/home/index/