Should You Live in Bologna? The Great Pros and Cons
Taken by me! View from Torre Prendiparte
Recently, over aperitivo, an acquaintance was considering where to relocate to in Italy, and she wanted my opinion of Bologna. It made me think. Specifically, foreigner to foreigner, would I recommend living in Bologna? Surely, it depends on your motivations. Being a student can be fun, although I'll save my thoughts on Italian universities for another post. But if you were to ask me generally about life in Bolo, what would I say? Let’s see
Pros:
Quality of life and livability:
Bologna always ranks high for quality of life and livability. Having lived here for almost two years, I see why: It has the best features of a large city – liveliness, cuisine, and train connections to other major areas – and education (home to the oldest and one of the top universities in Italy). Historically, it's more progressive and liberal, both socially and politically, by Italian standards. Aesthetically, it's BEAUTIFUL. My favorite pastime is sitting under the porticoes for a cappuccino or spritz, admiring the vibrant orange, red, and yellow-toned architecture. Relatively, I feel just a bit safer compared to when I visit bigger cities in Italy. When I speak to Italians, many of them often describe the work culture in Bologna (Emilia-Romagna in general) as more sustainable in work-life balance compared to other regions, such as Lombardy or Veneto. Take the work culture with a grain of salt, but it's interesting to cite.
Food
Yes, everywhere in Italy BUT Bologna is nicknamed La Grassa (the fat) for a reason. Whether it's the appetizer or the dessert, it's all chef's kiss. The region is home to those popular staples like lasagna, Bolognese ragu, etc. From newer places to trattorias that have been around for over one hundred years, I have so many restaurants saved and have yet to go to, which leads me to my next point.
Liveliness:
You can't get bored here unless you actively try. There are always events, things to do, and places to see. There is never a dull day in Bologna. Piazza Maggiore gets crowded during the weekends, but not uncomfortably so. If you subscribe to alternative indie rock scenes, you will especially love Bologna. That IS the vibe here. From time to time, I can even find my favorite indie bands playing here. It's a city for and filled with young people, reflecting its vibrant energy
Can be a nice place to study Italian.
On top of the aforementioned qualities, if you want to learn or use your Italian, I'd consider Bologna. I can only speak in comparison, but whenever I visit other cities, say Florence or many parts of Rome, without me saying a word, most people will revert to English. But in Bologna, because there are fewer tourists, you will feel all the more encouraged to take that extra step with your Italian (at least, that's how I feel). This could probably be said elsewhere, but the more Italian I've been learning, the more I'm enjoying the city. It's part of how I became sort of a local in some bars, made friends, or even found out about cool events by consuming content from Bolognese influencers.
While I'm typing, I'm thinking Ah, Bologna. Fate brought me here for the past two years, and if the right opportunity came along, I wouldn't object to staying post-graduation. When I meet foreigners who have found jobs and settled down here, I wonder if that could be me. And the thought sounds promising. At the same time, living in Bologna does not come without its drawbacks
Cons:
Air Quality
As I write this, I gaze at the smog outside my window. This problem isn't necessarily exclusive to Bologna but to living along the Po Valley in general. Luckily, if I take a train down to Tuscany, FRESH AIR.
Smaller and less internationalized
To be fair, I say this as someone who grew up in New York City and lived in Tokyo for two years. The university has historically attracted international students and continues to do so, but outside of that can leave a lot to be desired. Bologna is known to be an international and open-minded city, but personally, as a non-EU foreigner, I don't 100% agree, maybe 75%. However, this is MY opinion and doesn't dramatically detract from the quality of my daily life. In terms of size, it is smaller, but again, there will always be something to do. If you want to travel, the plus is that Bologna is the central intersection for northern Italy. The bad news is when you want to travel within the city. See next con
Transportation within Bologna
Bologna has a slightly higher element of chaos. Just slightly. Bologna isn't abundant in public transportation options within the city. Taxi apps are not popular (yet?) here. While I do bike everywhere, and you can get scenic views along the city walls, it's not that bike-friendly with unfinished/unclear lanes. Still, it is scenically walkable everywhere you turn. I wish Bologna had a tram. If you're not a fan of buses, the city might not be for you (although, I do like that you can pay for the bus with credit cards).
Housing
This is the biggest con of them all. Housing is scarce, very expensive, and as a foreigner, finding a place adds to the challenge. When I see listings for just a room or even a shared room, I think, 'Am I in Brooklyn?' Not just for students, but for workers as well. But like everything in Italy, it's about who you know and connections, so it's possible to find an affordable place. It's also a matter of when. It isn't entirely impossible, and when you do, you can enjoy all that the city has to offer.
The cons come with an understanding that Bologna is not grand in size, being situated along the Po Valley, and because it's so popular, housing is difficult. Verdict? If there's an opportunity to live in Bologna, I'd say give it a go