Moving to and living in Milano
Italy's most expensive and most "European" city: a business pace, IT and creative industries, the best transport links. By the community it suits young professionals and remote workers with income, but it is hard on families and on anyone watching their budget.
Updated: - permesso.love editorial team
In brief: city and relocation
- Region: Lombardia
- Cost level: very high cost
- Single-person budget, rough: 1305-2322 euro/mo
- Questura: permesso speed: usually fast (per community)
Housing and rent
The toughest rental market in the country. By the community a decent one-bed or studio in the centre runs roughly 1200-1500 euro a month, cheaper on the outskirts, and good listings vanish the day they appear. Without a "trusted" agent it is nearly impossible to land anything decent, and a foreigner on a Russian passport is often quoted a higher price. Check current prices yourself.
Russian-speaking community
One of the main hubs of the Russian-speaking community: active chats, networking meetups, Russian-speaking accountants, lawyers and doctors (often at a markup). The vibe is businesslike and "transactional" - many note it is not quite enough for everyday friendships.
Jobs
Italy's best market for IT, design, marketing and remote work, with international companies that use English in the office. But local salaries lag the cost of living - the chat compares it to Munich, and not in Milano's favour. Without Italian, many positions are closed.
Living budget: Milano
- Single person, one-bed
- 1305-2322 euro/mo
- Family with kids, two-bed
- 2420-3884 euro/mo
Rough ranges, from the community and open data (ARERA, ISTAT). Check current numbers.
Build your own budget line by linePros
- A strong job market in IT, design and marketing
- Excellent transport: trains, airports, an hour or two to the mountains and lakes
- A rich cultural and dining scene, an international environment
- A large and organized Russian-speaking community
Cons
- Very expensive and highly competitive rent, with quality that often disappoints
- Salaries below the cost of living compared with northern Europe
- Without Italian, both work and daily life are hard
- A businesslike, burnout-prone pace - hard for families and for those who like calm
Community voices
In Milano you do not choose the apartment, the landlord chooses you. Listings mostly go through agencies, you have to view them the day they appear, and finding a decent agent is the hardest part.
I compared Milano and Munich on expenses and it came out against Milano: you spend about the same, but the average salary there is nearly double.
There are Russian speakers here and the chats are alive, but meetups are rare and it is all fairly business-focused. After a big community in another country, Milano feels cool in that sense.
Quotes are paraphrased and anonymized; subjective experience, not statistics.
FAQ
How much does living in Milano cost?
Milano is Italy's most expensive city. By the community a decent one-bed or studio in the centre runs roughly 1200-1500 euro a month, cheaper on the outskirts, while salaries often lag the expenses. Prices move - check current numbers.
Is there a Russian-speaking community in Milano?
Yes - one of the country's main hubs: active chats, networking meetups, Russian-speaking accountants, lawyers and doctors (often at a markup). The vibe is businesslike and "transactional", which many find thin for everyday friendship.
Is Milano worth moving to?
By community experience - yes for young professionals and remote workers with income: Italy's best IT, design and marketing market plus excellent transport. It is hard on families and budget-watchers: very expensive competitive rent and a burnout-prone pace.
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.
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