Do you dream about moving to Italy, but can’t decide which city is for you? Then look no further because Spotahome wants to make your life easier. Many of the guys on our team are actually from Italy, so we’re going to lay down the pros and cons of the country’s two largest cities – Milan vs Rome – to hep you decide which one’s for you!

As you probably know already, Rome is well known for having hectic streets, public transportation failure and chaotic traffic. To be fair, Rome is also one of the most beautiful cities in the world, home of a millennium-old culture. On the other hand, Milan has a better public transport system, and a more reliable climate. Read on, and you’ll see what we mean…

Weather

Take a look at a map of Italy, and you’ll see both cities are located along the Mediterranean coast, which makes them similar culture- and weather-wise. But this last statement isn’t entirely true; at least Milan doesn’t seem to be the sunny city blooming with sunshine that you might imagine when thinking about Italian weather. As for Rome, well, it certainly does follow the stereotype here.

Why do we say this? You can find the answer in a nice article from Amanda Ruggeri: Rome in Summer: Is Rome Hot? (And How to Deal). In it, she offers some tips on how to survive in Italy’s capital without melting.

Winter is another story. Milan’s cold will slap you in the face if you’re not prepared for it. Milan is colder than Rome; winters are chilly and rainy, often with snow. While Rome has a much milder winter—temperatures only drop to around 13°C.

For more info, check:

Travel & Leisure

While both Milan and Rome are big cosmopolitan cities that offer plenty of activities, sometimes you just want to escape from your daily routine and see something else.

When it comes to day trips, weekend getaways and beaches, both cities are at a draw for the Spotahome team. Sorry! Both are surrounded by gorgeous towns, cities, vineyards, beaches and of course – both have busy airports so it’s really a tough decision.

For example, if you decide to live in Milan, you’ll have Genova not too far away for you to go to the beach and bask in the sun. And if you like winter sports, you could ski in Valsassina or Piani di Bobbio just an hour away from Milan. This article, day trips form Milan from italyexplained.com, lists several places close to the city that you should check out, like Como and Maggiore Lake, Monza, Vigevano, Cremona or Turín.

As for Rome, located just 30 km away, you can visit an ancient harbour city called Ostia Antica, which has a mix of culture and a beach that makes it the perfect get-away destination, not to mention plenty of ancient archaeological sites. Here is another webpage to check out: 8 Great Day Trips from Rome by Touropia.com

Job Market

Work-wise, Milan brings home the bacon. Not only is it the Italian fashion capital, but it’s also host to some of the most important companies worldwide. On the other hand, being Italy’s capital, Rome also has a powerful economy, and of course, it’s a cultural and tourist destination for millions of people who go there every year to view the majestic Colosseum.

Nightlife

Milan has a fantastic nightlife – one of the city’s most popular areas is near the Brera Art Gallery, along with the Navigli District. The city offers you good restaurants and nightclubs, including live music, as well as lesser-known local bands. In Milan, people start going out normally at around 6 or 7 pm. The usual time for you to go clubbing is around 11 pm until 4 am. Another popular area for young people is the Colonne Di San Lorenzo area, where you can have fun and enjoy a drink or two surrounded by ancient art.

The Roman nightlife, on the other hand, starts later, often at around 9:30 or 10 pm. This is one of the biggest differences between the two cities. Generally, Roman weather works in our favor when getting from one place to another (i.e. it doesn’t rain nearly as often as in Milan). If you’re looking to visit various places at once, then it’s a great idea to be in an area where there are lots of cool places to go. Here are the main areas where local Romans like to go out:

  • Piazza Navona and Via della Pace are good for bars and cafés.
  • Campo De Fiori has a good mix of tourists and locals; people of different age groups also come here to have some drinks.
  • Trastevere, Rome’s Bohemian area, has lots of cool cafés and bars where an international crowd creates a great ambiance.
  • Rome’s main university is located in San Lorenzo, pubs and bars get filled up with young students in this neighbourhood.
  • Testaccio / Ostiense are home to all kinds of bars and nightclubs from house music clubs, salsa clubs, to gay clubs.

Housing

Accommodation tends to be a bit pricier in Milan, but of course it all depends on how much you search and a bit of a luck, too. If you’re looking for some advice on moving to Rome or Milan, then you’re in the right place. Many of the guys on our team are native to Italy and on top of that, spotahome.com offers you tons of personally-checked rooms, studios and apartments in both of these cities, so you can book your home before you even arrive!

So let us help you to make your moving abroad experience smooth and stress-free!

Check out our interactive housing maps here: Milan vs Rome

If you liked this article, here are some others that you might fancy…

Best Italian Blogs And Websites

Top Five Summer Festivals in Rome

Best Pizza in Rome: 5 Authentic Pizzerias in Rome

…and don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!