Destination Guides
Living in Florence: Oltrarno, Santo Spirito and Fiesole
Explore Oltrarno and Santo Spirito within Florence and Fiesole in the surrounding hills, comparing rental costs, space and everyday journeys.
Florence offers a combination that appeals to many Americans considering a move to Italy: Renaissance art and architecture, an international student and academic community, and the Tuscan countryside close to the city.
But where should you live? Oltrarno and Santo Spirito offer life within Florence’s historic urban setting, while Fiesole provides a hillside alternative outside the city. Understanding the difference is a useful first step before comparing apartments and rents.
A budget of €750–€1,100 a month may be enough for some rentals, but it should be treated as a starting point rather than a guarantee. In particular, current asking-price data suggests that central Oltrarno can be expensive for the amount of space available.
What is it like to live in Florence?
Florence may appeal to people who want the cultural opportunities of a famous city without the scale of a larger capital. Art, architecture and history are part of the setting, and the surrounding countryside offers a change of pace beyond the city.
The presence of English-speaking students and academics can help newcomers find an international community. Even so, your experience will depend on where you live and how you spend your time. Someone who wants to walk to museums, restaurants and classes may have different priorities from someone seeking more space and a hillside setting.
Before choosing an area, think about your ordinary week. Where will you shop? Will you need to travel into central Florence regularly? Do you want activity outside your door, or would you prefer a quieter setting?
Understanding Oltrarno and Santo Spirito
One useful distinction is that Santo Spirito is part of Oltrarno. They are not two entirely separate places.
Oltrarno refers to the area on the other side of the River Arno from much of Florence’s historic center. It includes several areas with different surroundings, so two apartments listed as being in Oltrarno may offer quite different experiences.
Santo Spirito is a part of Oltrarno centered around the square and basilica of the same name. When searching for a home, it can help to use both terms: “Oltrarno” for a broader search and “Santo Spirito” when you want to focus on that particular area.
Living in Oltrarno
Oltrarno may suit someone who wants to live in Florence’s historic city environment while being south of the Arno. The area includes places such as Palazzo Pitti and has a tradition of artisan workshops, giving it an appeal that goes beyond proximity to the city’s best-known sights.
Its broad geography is important when comparing listings. An apartment near Ponte Vecchio, for example, will have a different immediate setting from one closer to Porta Romana. Rather than relying on the neighborhood name alone, look at the exact address and consider how far you would need to walk for your everyday needs.
Oltrarno is not necessarily a lower-cost alternative to central Florence. Immobiliare.it reported average residential asking rents of €25.72 per square meter per month in Oltrarno in September 2026, compared with €21.75 across Florence as a whole.
Living in Santo Spirito
Santo Spirito may appeal to people who want a neighborhood setting around a historic square, with restaurants, shops and cultural surroundings close by. Its location within Oltrarno also puts it within reach of other parts of Florence’s historic center.
The atmosphere around a popular square can change throughout the day. If you are considering an apartment nearby, visit the street in the morning and again in the evening. An apartment overlooking a busy area may suit someone who enjoys activity outside the door, while another renter may prefer a quieter side street.
In September 2026, Immobiliare.it reported an average asking rent of €25.13 per square meter per month in Santo Spirito. Using that average as a rough illustration, 40 square meters would cost about €1,005 a month, while 50 square meters would be about €1,257. Individual properties can cost more or less, and the calculation does not establish what is included in the rent.
For someone aiming to spend €750–€1,100 a month, Santo Spirito may therefore involve a compromise on apartment size, condition or availability.
Living in Fiesole
Fiesole is a separate municipality in the hills outside Florence, rather than a Florence neighborhood. It is worth considering if you are drawn to a hillside setting and want access to Florence without necessarily living in the city center.
The trade-off is that the journey into Florence becomes a more important part of daily planning. Before choosing a property, check how you would travel to the places you expect to visit regularly, particularly if you will not have a car. A home that feels ideal for occasional trips into the city may be less convenient if you need to make the journey every day.
Rental averages for the whole municipality can help with a broad comparison, but they do not tell you what a specific apartment in Fiesole’s center or surrounding areas will cost. In September 2026, Immobiliare.it reported an average asking rent of €17.06 per square meter per month across the municipality. At that rate, 50 square meters would be approximately €853 a month, although individual properties and their locations can differ substantially.
How much does it cost to rent in Florence?
The suggested range of €750–€1,100 per month is possible for some properties, but it is not a dependable estimate for every apartment in Oltrarno, Santo Spirito or Fiesole.
For context, Immobiliare.it’s September 2026 average asking rent for Florence was €21.75 per square meter per month. At that average rate, a 40-square-meter apartment would work out to about €870 per month and a 50-square-meter apartment to about €1,088. These are calculations from an overall average, not prices for specific available homes. Central areas can be more expensive.
When reviewing listings, check:
- Whether the advertised price is for the entire apartment or a room.
- The size, condition and furnishings.
- Whether building charges and utilities are included.
- The length and type of lease offered.
- The deposit and any agency fees.
- The property’s exact location and transport connections.
A lower advertised rent may not be the better value once additional costs or the length of the lease are taken into account. Before paying a deposit, verify the property and the person or agency offering it, and make sure you understand the written terms.
How to choose the right area
Begin by deciding which part of the Florence experience matters most to you.
If you want to be within the city and close to historic streets, shops and cultural attractions, explore Oltrarno. If a location around Piazza Santo Spirito particularly appeals, narrow your search to Santo Spirito and compare properties on different streets.
If your priority is a hillside setting outside Florence, include Fiesole—but test the practical journey into the city before committing. Check the route at the times you would actually travel, not just when it is convenient to visit a property.
It is also sensible to compare homes at the same total monthly cost. A smaller apartment in Santo Spirito and a larger property elsewhere may both fit the same headline budget, but offer very different everyday lifestyles.
Is Florence right for your move to Italy?
Florence is a compelling choice for people who want to live close to art and history while enjoying access to the Tuscan countryside. Oltrarno and Santo Spirito offer central city living; Fiesole offers a different setting in the hills outside Florence.
The right choice depends on how much space you need, how often you expect to travel into the city and what you can comfortably spend. Use the €750–€1,100 range as a starting point, then check current listings and the full costs before settling on a neighborhood.
If you’re considering a move to Florence and would like help exploring your relocation options, contact Vantage Point Europe to start planning your move to Italy.