Turin is famous for being one of Italy’s most picturesque cities. The capital of the Piedmont region is located on the banks of the Po River and surrounded by the western Alpine arch.

While Turin is noticeably smaller than London, the cities have a great deal in common. Both are world renowned for their cultural, educational, and business opportunities.

Turin is the cultural centre of northern Italy. The scope and quality of which is just part of the reason that Turin ranks among the world’s top 250 tourist destinations. The city is filled with art galleries, theatres, opera houses, and museums, all featuring exhibits and productions to rival those found anywhere in the world. The Mole Antonelliana, which houses the National Museum of Cinema, is the tallest museum in the world and one of the city’s major landmarks. The Museo Egizio, which specialises in Egyptian anthropological and archaeological works, is the home of the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities outside of Cairo. The Biblioteca Reale houses a Leonardo da Vinci self-portrait. The artistic and cultural influence is not confined to indoor spaces.

A very full range of architectural styles and designs can be found throughout Turin properties, including some of the world’s finest examples of Art Nouveau, rococo, baroque, and neo-classical. The public squares date back to the 16th century, as do some of the city’s gardens and castles.

Po River
The city crossed by the Po River (by Galli Luca)

Turin also rivals London in terms of educational opportunities. The University of Turin and Turin Polytechnic enjoy worldwide prestige whilst Turin is also home to some of Italy’s best lyceums, gymnasiums and colleges.

Turin’s importance as a political power and influence in Italian history is on par with that of London’s with English history. Turin was home to the Italian royal family and served as the country’s capital for a short time in the 1800s. Turin has been called the “cradle of Italian liberty” due to the number of politicians and contributors to the Risorgimento, or Italian unification movement, who called Turin home. The city continued to have a large influence on Italian politics until World War II, when its power was diminished.

As the city’s political power lessened, its business and industrial importance began to rise. Turin was a major crossroad for European trade and commerce. Turin, along with Milan and Genoa, form what is known as Italy’s “industrial triangle. Most of the Italian automotive industry, including Fiat, Lancia, and Alfa-Romero, is located in Turin, which bestows a great deal of power and influence to the city. Several modules for the International Space Station were also manufactured in Turin.

Every world-class city needs a major football team; Turin has two, Juventus F.C. and Torino F.C. Turin’s contributions to sports are not limited to the pitch. Like London, Turin has hosted the Olympic Games, in Turin’s case the 2006 winter games.

Panoramic view over the hamlet
Romantic Valentino park (by Fulvio’s photos)

There is another aspect where Turin and London are similar; both are home to a large number of Englishmen. One of the reasons for this is due to the similarities previously mentioned. The multiple business opportunities are a major draw, which coupled with the cultural and educational amenities of the city means that London ex-pats are leaving few of the comforts of home behind.

The other major reason for the number of Londoners deciding to make Turin home is financial. London was recently ranked as the world’s most expensive city in which to live. Turin offers a comparable, if not better, quality of life at what would be considered at a bargain price.

While the salaries are less than in London, the lower cost of living more than makes up the difference. The most dramatic differences between the two cities can be seen in the cost of housing. Whether one rents or buys, the prices are about 70% less in Turin than in London for an apartment of similar size in the same areas of the city. Food, especially when it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables, is up 60% less and overall entertainment prices are about three-quarters as much as in London.

Outside of housing, another area where the cost differences can be seen and enjoyed is when one is relaxing in any of the numerous pubs, restaurants and fresh air cafes. Wine and beer (both domestic and imported) are about a third less; plus a cup of real Italian cappuccino can be had for less than a pound.

If you are considering a move to Turin then we are here to help, and you can get started right away by using our tool on our home page to find the properties you are looking for.

[Featured image by iMaffo]