Buying on the west coast of Puglia
Hi everyone,
my girlfriend and I (in our 30s, from Germany) are currently dreaming about buying a house in Apulia as a holiday home.
Were planing to become Parents and after the birth of our child, we’ll be having one year of „Elternzeit“ each (paid parental leave - about 70% salary). We would love to spend that entire year living in our Italian house. After that, the property would mainly be used as a holiday home, and possibly be rented out wenn its season and were not there.
We’re especially interested in the west coast of Apulia (Salento). We’re not looking at first-row coastal hotspots like Nardò or Gallipoli, but rather quieter towns in the “second line” inland — places like Sannicola, Tuglie, Parabita, Racale, etc. Our budget is around €120,000.
Until yesterday we were extremely enthusiastic while browsing listings on Idealista, Immobiliare, and similar platforms. Then we started reading in this subreddit about buying property in Apulia… and honestly, we haven’t found many positive experiences so far.
So we’d really appreciate some honest perspectives:
- Is buying a house in southern Apulia really as difficult as Reddit sometimes makes it sound?
- What are the biggest downsides or risks people underestimate?
- Is it really that dead outside of season?
- Are there also success stories or “light at the end of the tunnel”?
Would love to hear from owners, expats, Italians, or anyone with first-hand experience.
Thanks a lot!