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Whether you are moving to Milan for work or a more stylish lifestyle, this page has all the information you need. The city is known as Italy’s financial, industrial and cultural heart, so read this page to prepare yourself for what’s to come.
The price of moving to Milan fluctuates depending on a number of factors. The first is where in the UK you’re moving, the second is how much you are moving and the third is how you would like to move your belongings (overland, shipping or air freight). Below you can see the estimated costs of a move from London to Milan.
| Road | Sea | Air | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed house | £1,600 – £2,600 | £2,200 – £3,000 | £4,100 – £5,500 |
| 3 bed house | £2,700 – £3,700 | £4,800 – £6,500 | n/a |
| 5 bed house | £4,400 – £6,000 | £7,300 – £9,900 | n/a |
Milan is a relatively expensive city. Despite being significantly cheaper city than London it is still the most expensive city in Italy, so don’t go in thinking that it will be as cheap as you may have heard about the rest (or south of Italy). This is especially true of the touristic areas and around the centre.
Another useful tip is that it is not an absolute necessity to know Italian, Milan is a business city and English is very widely spoken. Having said that, knowing Italian certainly helps, especially when it comes to registering with the government authority. Italian people are very friendly and often go out of their way to help foreign people.
Although Milan is part of Italy you should avoid making stereotypical comments related to food and other Italian stereotypes. Furthermore you should understand that Italians are distinct from each region, especially when it comes to the north-south divide. Be prepared to hear about the cultural differences of the hardworking north and laid-back south.
Make sure you’re well prepared for you move abroad. The following things are essential:
Despite the fact the average rental price in Milan is 50% of the price of London it is still expensive – especially for Italy! The majority of neighbourhoods in central Milan surround the Duomo but where is the best place for you? That depends on your personal tastes and preferences so take a look below.
Centro Storico – The centre of the city is well located for those wanting to get a real Milanese experience in addition to being very accessible and easy to commute to the business district.
San Donato Milanese – The heart of the business district. Despite being a modern part of the city the district balances this with history and culture with charming old buildings. There are great schools and transport links but not much in the way of recreation.
Brera – More of a hip and trendy area than the previous ones but definitely a great place for professionals to live. Property prices are high so make sure you can afford the lifestyle!
Fiera – Slightly further out of the city, the rent is cheap and there are good transport links to almost everywhere however there isn’t much to do here. Most properties around Milan are flats but Fiera does offer villas and townhouses for those in need of more space.
Porta Venezia – A very popular area for students, pensioners and expats alike – its a bit of a melting pot. The area is busy and happening with cheap shopping and great transport links.
Cittá Studi – This area is home to a number of universities and therefore is seen as the studenty part of the city. Its a busy and vibrant area with a lot of nightlife, but not appropriate for families.
Isola – North of the city centre, this is popular for families who also have ties to the Porta Nuova business district. There is a lot to do for children and adults alike, however this popularity causes very congested streets.
Navigli District – This area is southwest of the city, Rental costs in the area are relatively low and residents enjoy the neighbourhood shops and markets. While public transport isn’t out of reach, Navigli is not the most easily accessible area.
Monza – Famous for hosting the Italian grand prix this area is very popular for expat families. There are great transport links into Milan and wide open spaces which are great for children. The only downside is that you might wish you had a grand-prix car yourself as commuting can take quite some time!
For other information about moving to Milan and how things work in Italy take a look at some of our other helpful pages such as:
Milan is an international city, so there are quite a lot of job opportunities for English speaking worker. This is not a big surprise, considering that the metropolis is the most important industrial and commercial centre in the country. The main sectors in Milan are metal processing and the clothing industry.
People in Milan work quite long hours, especially compared to the southern parts of Italy, and are very proud of this work ethic.
Unlike other cities in Italy the heavy business influence of Milan means that networking is less essential (albeit still important). A good way to find a job in Milan is to look online, helpful websites include Jobs in Milan and the Local.
There is a very efficient and comprehensive public transport system including buses, trams and four underground metros. The metro operates roughly from 6 AM to midnight every day (there is a night bus for lines lines #1, 2, and 3 which runs all week). Trams and buses start about an hour earlier and run until around an hour later, #90 and 91 buses operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, several ‘night bus’ lines run on Friday and Saturday nights for the party goers.
For more information on specific routes and times for the metro in Milan check out the Giro Milano website.
Now that you know a bit more about moving to Milan why not find a more accurate quote. By filling in our online quote form you can get up to 5 free quotes and save up to 40%.
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