Housing and property guidelines
Finding the right accommodation in the Como area is not an easy task. As in every other town, different residential areas mean different living conditions and costs, so before you make your choice you might want to know a little more about the area.
House Hunting
Residential Areas in Town
Como is surronded by timbered mountains which are a good source of oxygen and more than make up for the limited space and lack of greenery in the city itself.
Given the geographic morphology of the valley and the density of population, there is a particular scarcity of houses in Como, especially in the North-East side of the city, the one more exposed to the sun. The centre of Como is a pedestrian area and no cars are allowed in the narrow streets. Residents have special passes to reach their parking spaces and delivery trucks can circulate only at certain times. Housing in Como will be exponentially more expensive if your house or apartment has a stunning view of the city, or even more so ,if it has a lake view.
Residential Areas on the Lake
If you are looking for housing in the villages by the lake you should bear in mind the main differences between the two shore-lines as well as the kinds of houses to choose from.
- The West Vs. the East side of the Lake, i.e. the side towards Cernobbio-Menaggio or Torno-Bellagio respectively. The main differences are the amount of exposure to the sun and the traffic at rush hour. The Cernobbio-Menaggio side has heavier traffic but a more favorable exposure to the sun, particularly in winter ; the opposite is true of the Torno-Bellagio shore.
- Villa versus apartment When it comes to types of housing you can choose an individual house (villa) or a traditional apartment in one of the many villages along either side of the Lake. Such features as a lakeside location, a boat access, a lake view and/or a beautiful garden are all characteristics with significant – positive/negative – impact on the sale/lease price.
Residential Areas in the Suburbs
Many little villages surround Como, either in the direction of Milan (South), Erba-Lecco (East), or Varese (West). A wide choice of accommodation is available ranging from gated communities around a golf course (Carimate) – some with a relatively high concentration of Expatriates – to beautiful little villages by very small lakes such as Montorfano, just 5 Kms. from the city, or the Lago di Pusiano. Some expatriates who settle in the Como area pick a nice place close to a railway station for easy commuting to Milan, where they work. Two train lines serve Como and Milan, and each follows a different route: Tren’ Italia (formerly Ferrovie dello Stato , the national railway) reaches Milan from a western route and the Ferrovie Nord, (a commuter line) gets to Milan by an easterly itinerary. Both stop at several stations en route, which makes commuting possible from many of the smaller towns.
Brunate, a village at the top of a mountain overlooking Como, deserves a chapter of its own. The town can be reached by car or buses but a much more exiting cable car will take you from the approx. 200 mt. above sea level of Como, to the approx. 850 mt. Above sea level of Brunate in only seven minutes! By car the ride might take up to 15 minutes if there is not much traffic. From up there you will enjoy a stunning view over the city, the lake, the western Alps and, on a clear day, over the Apenninnes! A unique setting with typical mountain weather, snow in winter and pleasantly warm summers.
Italian Lessons
There are FREE Italian lessons from the Centro Territoriale Permanente (CTP) which take place in Como three times per week and begin on 29th & 30th September with “meet the teacher” sessions between 2pm and 7pm. The lessons take place in Via Gramsci 6, Como. To register, call 031 305450.
For 10 euros per year, you can also access Italian lessons in Menaggio. They take place twice a week at the CTP in Via Camozzi 3 22017 Menaggio and begin on September 19th at 6pm. To register call 0344 32069.
