Say “Tuscany” and most folks will think of historic Florence…the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance…the glorious rolling landscapes…and the world famous cuisine.
But Tuscany’s popularity has also meant that it’s often viewed as a place in Italy where only those with huge bank balances can afford to buy a dream home.
But…and if you’ve been reading this e-letter for a while you’ll know this…when you look beyond the well-trodden tourist path, in what is arguably Italy’s most famous region, you’ll discover there are bargain homes to be found.
I’m talking homes for under $100,000.
There are tranquil little corners of Tuscany where you can still enjoy all that this region is famous for…but for a lot less than you might think.
Below, are three cheap dream homes that my research team uncovered around Tuscany. Check them out…
Cetona, TuscanyListing Price: €80,000 ($92,670)
The town of Cetona is located in southern Tuscany, about a 90-minute drive west of the city of Perugia. It’s one of Italy prettiest medieval towns. The center of town is marked by the large 16th-century square of Piazza Garibaldi, its where the locals gather and is overlooked by historic churches and palaces. The area around Cetona is known for its production of wine, honey, and high-quality olive oil.
Spread out over three levels, this 2-bed, 1-bath apartment is right in the historic center of town. It also has a kitchen, living area, and a laundry room. It was renovated in 2010 and features parquet floors and exposed wood beam ceilings. At the entrance to the building, there’s a small courtyard with enough room for it to be used as a seating area.
Zeri, TuscanyListing Price: €58,000 ($67,240)
Zeri is a small town in the very north of Tuscany. You’re just under a 2-hour drive from Genoa here. Because it’s a bit off the beaten track, Zeri’s old town is well preserved and the surrounding countryside is dotted with small hilltop villages, hidden mills, and churches. Life moves slowly here and offers a tranquil lifestyle in the Tuscan hills.
Overlooking the village square is this stone house with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. There’s also a kitchen, a living/dining area and an outdoor patio area with a wood burning stove. It also has a storage room underneath the house.
Mulazzo, TuscanyListing Price: €75,000 ($86,890)
The town of Mulazzo clings to the Lunigiana mountains in northern Tuscany. The main attractions in this small historic town are the ruins of the Malaspina aqueduct and castle and a Byzantine tower. The nearby hamlet of Montereggio is known as “the book town.” About 100 years ago, some locals set off from this town with panniers on their backs to sell books all over Italy…they even reached Spain and France. Today the town is dedicated to books and publishing and they hold a festival every August.
Just a 10 minute drive from the center of Mulazzo, in the small village of Pozzo, overlooking a small square, is this 5-bed, 2-bath stone house. It has 2,000 square feet of living space. There’s also a kitchen, a large dining room, a living room, a laundry room, cellars, and a store room. The popular beach resort town of Viareggio is about an hours drive away.