Apartment in village house 12 km from the sea

This property is priced well below average for a house in Liguria..

Environmental risks

Why Imperia, Chiusanico

Located in the Maro Valley, just 15 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean coast, Chiusanico offers the quintessence of the "Italian Riviera" lifestyle without the premium price tags of coastal hubs like Sanremo or Alassio.

Foreign buyers are drawn to Chiusanico for its authentic, medieval atmosphere and stunning views of silver-green olive groves. It is a place of peace and silence, where the air is noticeably fresher than at sea level. Investors find value here because your money goes significantly further; a restored village house in Chiusanico often costs half of what a smaller apartment would cost in Imperia Porto Maurizio. It is ideal for those seeking a "lock-up-and-leave" holiday home or a quiet retreat for remote work.

Climate & Lifestyle

The climate is transitional between Mediterranean and Alpine. Summers are warm but rarely stifling due to the valley breezes. Winters are mild compared to Northern Europe, though the stone houses can feel damp and chilly from December to March.

Life in Chiusanico follows the rhythm of the olive harvest (late autumn). The lifestyle is slow and centered around the piazza. Local cuisine is dominated by the world-famous Taggiasca olive oil, pesto, and rabbit Ligurian-style. Expect a community where neighbors exchange garden produce and where the "Sagra" (food festival) is the highlight of the summer social calendar.

Getting There & Around

Connectivity is one of Chiusanico’s strongest selling points:

• Airports: Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (France) is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away, offering extensive international connections. Genoa Airport is about 1 hour and 30 minutes in the opposite direction.
• Driving: The village is accessed via the A10 "Autostrada dei Fiori." The drive from the coastal exit at Imperia Est to Chiusanico takes about 20 minutes on well-maintained but winding provincial roads.
• Public Transport: While there is a bus service to Imperia, it is infrequent. A car is virtually essential for daily life and exploring the nearby Alps or the coast.

Practical Living

While Chiusanico has basic amenities like a small grocery store and a post office, for "heavy lifting," you will head to Imperia (20 mins away).

• Healthcare: Imperia has a major public hospital and numerous private clinics.
• Education: There are no international schools in the immediate valley; the nearest options for English-language schooling are in Monaco or Nice.
• Connectivity: Surprisingly, many Ligurian villages now have fiber-optic (FTTH) or reliable 4G/5G coverage, making remote work feasible. However, always verify the specific signal inside thick stone walls before buying.

Property Considerations

The typical property is a Casa di Borgo—a stone-built village house often spanning three or four levels, sometimes with vaulted ceilings and roof terraces (terrazze a tasca).

Watch out for:

• Humidity: Rising damp is the #1 issue in old stone houses. Ensure the ground floor has been properly tanked or ventilated.
• Access: Many houses are in pedestrian-only zones. Consider how you will move furniture or groceries up steep, cobbled alleys.
• State of Repair: "To be restored" usually means a complete overhaul of plumbing and electrics.
• Renovation: Skilled tradespeople (muratori) are excellent but in high demand. Expect to pay €1,200–€1,800 per square meter for a high-quality renovation. Liguria is a seismic zone (Class 2 or 3), so structural work must meet strict earthquake safety standards.

Buying as a Foreigner

Italy has no restrictions on foreign ownership for most nationalities. The process is centered around the Notary (Notaio), a neutral public official who guarantees the legality of the sale.

Costs to Budget For:

• Purchase Tax: 2% of the cadastral value for primary residents; 9% for second-home buyers.
• Notary Fees: Usually €2,000–€4,000.
• Agency Fees: Typically 3% to 4% + VAT.
• The "Proposta": Once your offer is accepted, you pay a deposit (Caparra Confirmatoria). If you back out, you lose it; if the seller backs out, they must pay you double.

Tip: Always hire an independent surveyor (Geometra) to check that the floor plans at the Land Registry (Catasto) exactly match the physical building. Discrepancies are common and can stall a sale.

Community & Expat Life

Chiusanico has a modest but growing international community, including Germans, Scandinavians, and British buyers. Unlike the crowded coast, the locals here are generally welcoming and appreciate foreigners who attempt to learn Italian and restore old buildings.

Integration happens at the local bar or through communal olive picking. While you can survive with English in tourist areas, you will need basic Italian—or a very good local friend—to navigate utility companies and bureaucracy. It is a quiet social life, perfect for those moving away from "expat bubbles" in favor of authentic Italian integration.