Avellino, Italy

Capital City

With a population of just 52,198, Avellino is a small provincial city that offers little to attract the average expat. The town sits in a plain surrounded by mountains, nearly 30 miles east of Naples, and remains largely cut off from Italy's major rail and air transportation hubs. While the local economy has seen some growth since the devastating 1980 earthquake, the city's manufacturing and agricultural base provides modest incomes well below the regional average.

Bureaucracy is a persistent headache for residents, with the city's once-vibrant rail links steadily eroding over the past decade. Avellino has also suffered greatly from seismic activity throughout its history, including the 1980 and 1981 earthquakes that caused widespread damage. Volcanic ash from nearby Mount Vesuvius is another recurring nuisance.

Avellino is best suited for retirees or remote workers seeking a quiet, affordable slice of rural Italian life, far from the crowds and chaos of the big cities.