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Moving to Ostuni, historic centre

Last activity 13 October 2024 by Mohamed Benharir

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Lucca Magic
Hello,

I have lived in Tuscany for many years and am wanting a change-something more exotic. I am a legal resident of Italy, retired with two dogs. What kind of life can I expect there? I would like a fruit and veg, a baker and butcher, bar near and prefer a homeopathic vet (who makes house calls!) if possible. Since I am not a citizen, Europe is not available to me unless I jump through lots of hoops and I want to simply move and relax. I thought of Tangier but the hoops there are extensive and I live alone so, it may not be the best place to live.  Here in Lucca, I have Italian friends and am not very connected to the expat community-as for Ostuni, I am craving a quiet and solitary life. The foreigner always stands out but I am used to that. Thank you for any insight you might offer.
clauser1961
@Lucca Magic Hi, I am Italian, actually living in Italy,  but I have lived for 20 years abroad, USA included. Ostuni is a beautiful small city, very close to the Adriatic Sea, and close to other beautiful small cities of Puglia (Monopoli, Otranto, Lecce, etc). Nevertheless, it is a Southern Italian small city and people's way of living and thinking is very different from Lucca and Toscana. From many points of view, Southern Italy is like a different country from Central and Northern Italy. You might find it is better, but it is very different.
Regards
mfilo
Hello Lucca Magic, I think that you would love living in Ostuni. I don't know how many years of experience and knowledge of life in Puglia does Clauser1961, but their comments appear typical of someone full of prejudice and arrogance. Puglia is known as the Lombardy of the South for its entrepreneurship, is full of cultured, ingenious people who love music and the arts. Ostuni in particular has a very artistic soul and the countryside around the area is just perfect for the peace and serenity you are looking for, not to mention its sheer beauty. Bari and Lecce are not far away if you need clubs, theatres etc. in the winter. Helen Mirren has bought a farm here; she loves the area and the friendliness and warmth of the locals, and the food... oh the food! And if the Beckhams and Madonna holiday here with their families, there must be a goid reason. Puglia is beautiful and unspoilt. People are welcoming and generous. My best friend is a pure Venetian (ah, the North! a different world right..?) and the stories she tells me about beaurocracy and bad government vindicate the prejudice that some people have about this Southern region. Anyway, my humble suggestion is that you could rent somewhere for a bit to get a feeling for the place and make your OWN mind about it! ;-). Good luck with your search for your corner of Paradise.
sylviepost
@Lucca Magic

Ciao, Lucca Magic

I LOVE OSTUNI!!  I have an apartamento just a bit south of Centro Storico, a five minute walk to the piazza.
I can’t answer your questions about availability of professionals but I can tell you the people in the south are friendly, helpful, admire that we TRY to soeak their language.   All the young people speak English and they are polite and helpful.  I call myself their nonna.  I’m just home (Tucson) from Ostuni after three weeks.  I will count the days (months!) until I can return.  I'm have a 15 year old dog and I want to see him cross the rainbow bridge before I can spend three months in Ostuni.  Can we exchange information privately?  If so, I’ll meet you at Pasquale’s in Centro for cornetti and Proseco!
Sylvie
Luca Mindelli, 36
michellefaul

@Lucca Magic 
Greetings Lucca Magic,
You'll find that you don't stand out at all in Ostuni, except in winter, when the many foreigners with holiday homes here or just tourists, disappear.
I'm a brown-skinned African (from Zimbabwe), have lived a fairly solitary life in the countryside near Ostuni for the past four years and have found nothing but encouragement, help and hospitality from new-found friends here, Italian and otherwise.
If you're in Ostuni, come by for an aperitivo.
Michelle Faul
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dolceporta

@sylviepost


Hello Sylie


i am just buying a home in Ostuni .. would be great to have an english speaking contact to meet for coffee!


My number is ***

***


Great to hear from you some time


My Best Sarah-Jane

Moderated by Bhavna 11 months ago
Reason : For security reasons, please share contact details through the private messaging system. Thank you
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Carmen0477

@Lucca Magic


Hello Lucca. I do not know Ostuni but I do know it is becoming a very popular tourist destination now.

Going south the people are warmer and friendlier.

I would say go for it!

Carmen0477

@sylviepost


Hello Sylvie,


I am meaning to ask you - was it hard to find a flat in Ostuni? And also how much do you pay in rent roughly?

Is it easy to get a year long rental?


ANy insights would be greatly appreciated.


Kindest regards,

dannyboy9979

@dolceporta

im thinking of purchasing a small property in Ostuni. Im a recent widow with two dogs. I was very curious with all that sun if a solar panel is allowed on the one hectrae proerty?

DiMontelisa

Greetings everyone! I have just returned from a visit to Lecce and surrounding areas and absolutely lioved the peoplw, food, and towns.  I plan to go back in December or January to look for a condo to purchase in Ostuni. Does anyone have any suggestions or a referral to a realtor?

Mohamed Benharir

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