Purchasing a property in Tuscany

Hi  everyone,

I'm Diego, I've found this forum by chance since I was looking for trends and opinions by foreigners as to purchasing a property in Tuscany. Some day ago, I heard that an australian bought  a house (needing renovation) in Casciana Terme (a well renowed spa little town 20 minute away from Pisa) and moreover moved there to rent another house in order to look after the renovating process and site, so I started mulling over the reasons which lead someone to undergo such a huge effort and great amount of stress: I mean, what stirs  a person to such an extent that he considers moving from (probably) a huge and wealthy city like Melbourne or Sidney to a tiny and basically unknown town in Tuscany?

As an italian living in Pisa, I myself am trying to find a new house (to lease during the good season), so I was wondering if I could help someone here, coming up with advices or opinions for those who are looking for a property in the aformentioned area (Pisa's province). I'm not a real estate agent but I know quite well the real estate market here and above all I could let someone learn about prices or best places to buy a property before making such an important and demanding step like purchasing a house. Many little professional agents wouldn't ever tell you pieces of information since they're just interested in profits and sale commissions and in many cases they overlook or understimate aspects the buyer should know instead. Therefore, were someone to  be interested in having opinions, I'd be more than pleased to help even if, as said before, neither am I an expert nor a real estate agent. Yet, the point of view of someone living here might help many.

In any case, let me give you all my best wishes for a happy new year, in the hope that all your dreams may come true.

Diego