Magic Towns Italy

26 Episodes
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By: Magic Towns

Magic Towns Italy is the podcast for expats and retirees considering life in Italy. We explore towns in depth — from lifestyle and healthcare to education and transport — and share expat-relevant news and insights. Each episode offers honest, practical guidance to help you find your ideal place. Discover more with our Town Explorer at Magictowns.it

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Italy's Exit Tax: Who Pays, and Who Stops Coming
Italy's Exit Tax: Who Pays, and Who Stops Coming episode artwork
Yesterday at 5:04 PM

Danish MP Steffen W. Frølund, who fought his own country's "tax from hell", and Italian-US tax adviser Paul Rausch on Italy's proposed exit tax: who it catches, why Americans would pay twice, and the three fixes that would make it bearable.


No Dolce Vita Nonsense
No Dolce Vita Nonsense episode artwork
10/24/2026

Claire Hearn (@msbritaly) left the Met Police and her own catering business for Salerno in 2018, with no family, no ties and no Italian. Eight years on, she talks friendships, stagnant wages, taxes and why the dream sells people short.


Dan Kidson: "The Only American in Town"
Dan Kidson: "The Only American in Town" episode artwork
10/17/2026

Dan Kidson left a 25-year management career, travelled the world looking for home, and found it in Grottole, a village of 2,000 in Basilicata.


The Property Evaluator
The Property Evaluator episode artwork
10/10/2026

Discover how Magic Towns Italy’s Property Evaluator uncovers hidden risks, local prices and true costs before you buy an Italian home.


From NYC to Campania: Caroline Chirichella
From NYC to Campania: Caroline Chirichella episode artwork
10/03/2026

Anna: Hi, Caroline. It’s so nice to see you again after more than a year. Caroline: Yes, it’s very nice to see you again, too. How have things been going? Anna: Everything’s good, thanks. Everything’s good. Wonderful. What about you? I mean, I’m interesting about what happened next, but wait, let’s do a recap before. So you grew up in New York, then at 24 you completely changed your life by moving to Italy. Caroline: Yeah. Anna: But the fun fact is how you actually ended up in Guardia, like how you discovered the town, so, I don’t...


The Boy And His Football Field
The Boy And His Football Field episode artwork
09/26/2026

Luca: [00:00:00] Good morning. This week there is no usual episode. Something happened in our town and I wrote about it in a newsletter. I’m going to read it to you. That’s all there is Days before the death notices, the ubiquitous epigrafi that cover Italian town walls, the grapevine was already busy in its admirably efficient work. Morsels of information at first. Do you know that someone has been run over by a car? It was on that stretch that we all hate to cycle where the path meets the main road. By mid-morning, more detail had come in...


From "Milan Hater" To Its Biggest Advocate
From "Milan Hater" To Its Biggest Advocate episode artwork
09/19/2026

Discover Sara’s journey from Chicago to Milan, from studying Italian to building a new career, and why the city won her over.


Is Italian Property "Uninvestable"?
Is Italian Property "Uninvestable"? episode artwork
09/12/2026

Luca: [00:00:00] Hi Anna Anna: Hi, Luke. Luca: Hi. A quick quiz before we start the episode. Anna: Oh, no. Not again. Luca: Sorry. So if I told you that the town in Italy where house prices have risen the most over the past 10 years is 12 minutes from Lake Garda, would you believe me? Anna: Mm, I mean, not sure about Lake Garda specifically, but everyone says Italian property has been falling for a decade. Luca: And they are right, but that town is up 80%. So both of those things are true, and that’s what we’re talking about...


Why Tim Epstein Left Italy After Living the Dolce Vita on Lake Garda
Why Tim Epstein Left Italy After Living the Dolce Vita on Lake Garda episode artwork
09/05/2026

Tim Epstein shares why he moved to Lake Garda before Brexit, built a new life in Italy, and ultimately chose to leave the expat dream behind.

As mentioned during the show, Tim is also selling his properrty in Toscolano Maderno! Listings are the links below.

https://www.casa.it/immobili/53977401/

https://www.idealista.it/immobile/35689869/

https://www.immobiliare.it/annunci/129230480/


Italian Property: Before You Sign Anything
Italian Property: Before You Sign Anything episode artwork
08/29/2026

Discover key insights on navigating Italian property purchases and renovations as Jan shares her experiences and advice. Avoid common pitfalls!


The Renovation That Never Happened
The Renovation That Never Happened episode artwork
08/22/2026

Discover how Jan navigated the challenges of buying and renovating a house in Italy, uncovering the allure of Puglia and crucial lessons learned.


Same Life, Half the Price
Same Life, Half the Price episode artwork
08/15/2026

Discover essential tips and tools for living in Italy in the latest Magic Towns Italy Podcast episode. Learn about the unique cost of living calculator!


School Quality and School Calendars
School Quality and School Calendars episode artwork
07/25/2026

Explore the differences in school performance in northeastern Italy, featuring top schools and INVALSI testing insights on the Magic Towns Italy podcast.


What To Ask Before Buying in Italy
What To Ask Before Buying in Italy episode artwork
07/18/2026

Explore insights on buying property in Italy with Luca and Justin. Discover challenges foreign buyers face and tips to navigate Italian real estate.


Mortgages and Mistakes, With Justin Mavity
Mortgages and Mistakes, With Justin Mavity episode artwork
07/11/2026

Justin Mavity is back in the studio — this time in person, with wine — to talk through the two things foreign buyers get wrong in Italy: the money and the paperwork.


Jasmina Wanders: Living on Sicilian Time
Jasmina Wanders: Living on Sicilian Time episode artwork
06/27/2026

At 24, Jasmina Wanders left the UK for Italy with no guarantees and a beginner's grasp of the language. First Mantova for a master's in historic architecture, then a leap most Italians warned her against: south, to Noto in Sicily, where she now works as an architect after sending her portfolio to studios across the country.

This week she tells Anna what the move actually took. Converting a student permesso into a work permit before the deadline. Living without a car in a place that demands one. Watching Noto's property market reshape itself as tourism and the 7% pensioner...


Banking In Italy: Revolut on IBANs, FX, And Skipping The Branch
Banking In Italy: Revolut on IBANs, FX, And Skipping The Branch episode artwork
06/20/2026

Discover the ins and outs of banking in Italy with Magic Towns Italy podcast's latest episode. Join Luca and Anna as they chat with Revolut's Jeffrey Chanseau about opening accounts, saving on fees, and more.


180 Empty Houses: One American Family's Mission in Abruzzo
180 Empty Houses: One American Family's Mission in Abruzzo episode artwork
06/06/2026

Discover an inspiring journey of cultural integration on the Magic Towns Italy Podcast. Join us as Joe Reagan shares his adventures in revitalizing a remote Abruzzo community.


Italy or Malta: Where Would You Move?
Italy or Malta: Where Would You Move? episode artwork
05/30/2026

Discover the expat lifestyle in Malta with insights from Gill and Boba. Compare living in Malta versus Italy on the Magic Towns Italy podcast.


Italy’s Rail Connectivity: The True Story in Liguria and Beyond
Italy’s Rail Connectivity: The True Story in Liguria and Beyond episode artwork
05/23/2026

Discover the surprising truths about Italy's rail network in this week's episode of Magic Towns Italy. Explore what data reveals about connectivity, debunking common myths of train travel in Liguria and beyond.


Top Regions for Public Healthcare in Italy
Top Regions for Public Healthcare in Italy episode artwork
05/16/2026

Discover Italy's top regions for public healthcare, with insights into how data reveals surprising leaders in quality and access.


Jaid Newstead: From Burnout to Bari
Jaid Newstead: From Burnout to Bari episode artwork
05/09/2026

Discover Jaid Newstead's inspiring journey from Toronto to Bari, Italy, as she navigates challenges and embraces new beginnings in this engaging interview.


Where Expats Actually Live in Italy (And Why)
Where Expats Actually Live in Italy (And Why) episode artwork
04/25/2026

Discover where expats settle in Italy beyond Rome and Milan. Explore the charm of smaller towns popular with Americans, Brits, and more on our latest podcast episode.


Starting Over in Florence: Shelby Canon’s Story
Starting Over in Florence: Shelby Canon’s Story episode artwork
04/18/2026

Discover Shelby Canon's inspiring journey from a restless nurse in Michigan to finding her true home in Florence, Italy. Listen to her story now!


Italy’s 7% Tax Regime Expands: The New Towns Now in Play
Italy’s 7% Tax Regime Expands: The New Towns Now in Play episode artwork
04/11/2026

Discover the latest Italian legal update that could reshape your retirement plans. Learn how a simple change expands the 7% pensioner tax regime, offering more town choices for retirees.


Property in Italy Traps: An Interview With Realtor Justin Curtis Mavity
Property in Italy Traps: An Interview With Realtor Justin Curtis Mavity episode artwork
03/28/2026

Luca: Happy Saturday everyone. Welcome back to the Magic Towns Italy podcast

This week we have a special guest. Justin Curtis Mavity. He’s been a real estate agent, one of the very few qualified, licensed, real estate agents from America in Italy.

After 10 years in the country, he has a lot to say about buying a property, which areas to pick, which areas to avoid. You can just hear straight in his words now.

Nice to meet you Justin.

Justin: You as well. Luca.

Luca: I think it wo...