Some may call Europe boring, preferring to spend holidays in the dynamic resorts of Southeast Asian and Arab countries. However, the European coast did not lost its luxury and splendor. Moreover, things are looking up there after centuries of development. Cote d'Azur and the Ligurian coast of Italy every year attract those who love sea, sun and beautiful life.
Vernazza (La Spezia)
If you look at the map, you can see that Cote d'Azur and Liguria are, in fact, two parts of one coast, divided by the state border. In half an hour after leaving Nice and following along the seaside road, you will find yourself in Ligurian San Remo. Italian Riviera stretches for 200 kilometers - from San Remo on the border with France to La Spezia on the border with Tuscany. Genoa, a large city with a population of nearly 900 thousand, is in the center of the coast. Genoa splits Italian Riviera into two parts: the Western (Riviera di Ponente) and the Eastern (Riviera di Levante).
Two thousand years ago, Liguria has been a powerful player in the Italian league. Piedmont, Lombardy and even proud Turin were under control of Genoa. Now all of it went up in smoke, but however Liguria still has a good industry and the main source of income - tourism.
Portofino (Genoa)
Thanks to its mild climate and endless succession of beautiful beaches Liguria has earned the title of the Italian Riviera. The climate here is really nice. The sky is clear and only occasionally obscured by clouds. The summer is not too hot and winters are warm. There are pebble (in Genoa and La Spezia) and sandy (Savona, Imperia) beaches in Liguria. Landscapes here are mainly mountain, and tourists are generally rich.
It is really difficult to find a hotel with less than four stars, and there are many residences of different level of luxury. Indeed, the real estate on the Ligurian coast is very expensive. Liguria is a continuation of the famous French Riviera, so that the upper strata of European society spend summer holidays here. They live in lavish mansions and they yacht in the countless lagoons and bays of the Riviera di Levante.
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Living well isn't against the law
When asked, "What kind of real estate to buy in Liguria?" the most obvious answer is "Of course, villa!" Indeed, in a place like this, villa perfectly fits in the landscape, being proportionate to surrounding buildings, and to luxurious way of life of coast inhabitants. In average, villas in Liguria cost €5,000 and more per sq.m. For example, a beautiful villa in Alassio, located on a hill with breathtaking views to the coast, can be purchased for €1.25 million. There is no need to remind that you will not only get a house of 220 sq.m, but also a piece of land with a beautiful garden and the necessary outbuildings.
Portovenere (La Spezia)
If you think there's no room to swing a cat in a house of 220 sq.m, you can find more impressive offers in Liguria. Villa of 320 sq.m, with four bedrooms, two kitchens and a swimming pool goes for €2 million. A larger three-storey house, but without a pool, cost €1.8 million. Luxury villa in Chiavari with its own garden of 10 acres, as well as with a 50 sq.m swimming pool, is offered for €2.8 million.
San Remo
There are also really pricy houses on Ligurian coast. Buyer of 1,400 sq.m villa in the suburb of La Spezia will have to fork out €10.5 million. He'll get ten bedrooms, ten bathrooms, two dining rooms, kitchen, office, library, and lots of outbuildings, as well as spacious private garden of 30,000 sq.m.
Villa in the legendary San Remo costs much less - €1.5 million (250 sq.m).
Vernazza (La Spezia)
By the way, if you desperately want to live in the villa, but you don't have enough money, you can purchase an apartment inside a villa. Two-level apartment costs about €800-850 thousand.
Beautiful, but more modest life
If luxury living is not in your plans, but you still want to live in a separate house on the Italian Riviera, there are smaller houses in Liguria. Smaller than villas, but with the same view from the window. Detached house with four bedrooms in Alassio costs about €500-550 thousand.
Riomaggiore (La Spezia)
However, buying a house leads to high expenses for upkeep. To those who do not want to burden themselves with such troubles as cleaning and landscaping, garbage removal, contracts for electricity, garden work, ee24.com recommends to focus on apartments in elite residential developments. For example, Le Calle in Ospedaletti (close to San Remo) offers lovely apartments overlooking the sea. There are a swimming pool, private parking and a small park in the territory. An apartment of 80 square meters in this area of Liguria costs € 500 thousand.
If you prefer big cities, and you want to live on the Italian Riviera, the ideal option would be buying an apartment in Genoa, the capital of Liguria and the sixth most populous city in Italy. A cozy apartment with two bedrooms, which offer a beautiful view of the sea, can be purchased for €409,500.
Genoa
Although since XIX century the Ligurian coast is considered to be a resort for the rich, you can buy relatively modest property. For example, one-bedroom apartment in Bordighera, a 10-minute walk to the beach, is available for €230-240 thousand.
Portofino (Genoa)
Ligurian coast is for a person who has passed a certain way and achieved success. Among the azure lagoons, cypress groves and luxury villas, you will enjoy a well-deserved break from the din and bustle of business life. Italian Riviera offers a quiet life to those who did not let the grass grow under feet, tho those who want to reap the harvest of labor. If you are one of such people, Liguria will embrace you with open arms!
Text: George Nachkepiya, especially for ee24.com
Main photo: Bogliasco (Genoa)