Moving to and living in Bergamo
A city an hour from Milano that the community praises for quality of life: cleaner, greener and cheaper than the Lombardy capital, with a beautiful old town up on the hill. A strong Russian-speaking community, good schools and a low-cost airport. It suits families and remote workers who do not want to pay for Milano.
Updated: - permesso.love editorial team
In brief: city and relocation
- Region: Lombardia
- Cost level: medium cost
- Single-person budget, rough: 895-1770 euro/mo
- Questura: permesso speed: varies (per community)
Housing and rent
Housing is noticeably cheaper than Milano's at comparable quality, and the market is more organized (agencies with proper listings). By the community a permanent place still takes more than a day to find, especially with children; the questura is overloaded with migrants. Check current prices yourself.
Russian-speaking community
One of the most active and friendly Russian-speaking communities: businesspeople, musicians, beauty, translators, regular events and even a venue with Russian roots. Many note that here "people actually live", not just survive.
Jobs
Work is largely tied to nearby Milano, but there is local employment too, plus the Lombardy auto industry and logistics. It is convenient to commute to Milano for work while staying in a cheaper, greener city.
Living budget: Bergamo
- Single person, one-bed
- 895-1770 euro/mo
- Family with kids, two-bed
- 1700-2980 euro/mo
Rough ranges: the community has few concrete rent figures here, so this is a price-tier estimate plus ARERA and ISTAT reference values. Check current numbers.
Build your own budget line by linePros
- Cleaner, greener and cheaper than Milano while being close to it
- A very active and welcoming Russian-speaking community
- Good schools, including English ones, with no shortage of places
- A low-cost airport and convenient access to the lakes and Milano
Cons
- The questura is overloaded, the fingerprint queue is often a year out
- Less everyday English than in Venice or Padova
- Smaller than Milano - fewer specialized services and jobs
- More expensive than the south or small towns, though reasonable for the north
Community voices
We were aiming for Milano but fell for Bergamo. Housing here is noticeably cheaper, there are lots of parks, my daughter likes the school, there are English schools and a university. By car we drive to the lakes and to Milano itself.
We moved to Bergamo, and here people really live: folks are friendlier, the city is much greener, there are 24-hour supermarkets, the airport is 20-25 minutes away. We have not once regretted staying.
Quotes are paraphrased and anonymized; subjective experience, not statistics.
FAQ
How much does living in Bergamo cost?
Mid-range northern costs: housing is noticeably cheaper than Milano's at comparable quality, and the market is better organized. By the community a permanent place still takes more than a day to find, especially with children. Check current prices.
Is there a Russian-speaking community in Bergamo?
One of the most active and friendly: businesspeople, musicians, beauty, translators, regular events and even a venue with Russian roots. Newcomers say people here "actually live", not just survive.
Is Bergamo worth choosing over Milano?
By community experience - yes for families and remote workers: cleaner, greener and cheaper than Milano, good schools (English ones included) and a low-cost airport, with Milano about an hour away. The main downside is the overloaded questura with a fingerprint queue often a year out.
Documents and timing
Other cities in Lombardia
These are subjective community observations across different years, not a ranking or a promotion. Verify prices and conditions on the ground.
All cities for relocation