Where to buy a house in Milan: the best areas to invest
21 February 2022 - Insights

Where to buy a house in Milan: the best areas to invest

From the district hosting the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics to the area where Italy's largest thermal park will open, here's an overview of the best places to buy a house in Milan.

Cosmopolitan, eclectic, and energetic, Milan is a city full of opportunities where tradition and modernity coexist, creating a truly unique vibe. And the residential market here is just as dynamic, constantly evolving amid historic districts undergoing renovations and new developments happening despite the price hike for raw materials.

Whether it's for work, for family needs, or to generate an income, buying a house in Milan is always a smart move. But keeping up with all new projects and redevelopments happening in the city is not easy. Here are some neighborhoods to keep an eye on.

Santa Giulia

Among the best places to buy a house in Milan, Santa Giulia is undoubtedly the district that the most forward-looking investors should consider. It's a brand new neighbourhood, smart and sustainable, part of one of Europe's biggest urban regeneration projects. The residential area coexists with retail spaces, schools, a large urban park and a business district (the first in Italy to obtain LEED Neighborhood certification). Additionally, the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be held here - a huge draw for short-term rentals. House prices are still low, around 2,700 euros/sqm.

San Siro

Another good bet is the San Siro neighbourhood, in Milan's north-western suburbs. This is one of the biggest public housing districts in the city, with a lot of green space and sports and leisure facilities. And since the M5 underground line opened, it's also well connected to the city center.

The San Siro neighbourhood undoubtedly has great potential, and it's destined to take off in the coming years thanks to the construction of the new stadium and the opening of the largest thermal park in Italy in the old De Montel stables. Currently, the average house price is around 3,500 euros/sqm.

Forlanini and the new M4 metro line

Those who want to buy a house in Milan should also focus on the areas near the new M4 metro line stations, which will connect San Cristoforo, to the west, with Linate airport, to the east. The atmosphere in here is a mix of tradition and creativity, with a wide variety of trendy bars and shops and a strong sense of community. The first six stops are already open, but by 2024 the line will be fully operational and you can bet that traditionally peripheral neighborhoods will experience a renaissance, with property values rising.

NoLo - North of Loreto

Located in the north-east quadrant of Milan, NoLo (short for North of Loreto) has been undergoing a significant redevelopment process thanks to a clever territorial marketing campaign. The atmosphere in here is a mix of tradition and creativity, with a wide variety of trendy bars and shops and a strong sense of community. This area is well served and has a beautiful park with nursery and primary schools. As the district continues to grow, it's not surprising that prices are high: at the moment, they start at 4,000 euros/sqm.

Tre Torri - City Life

Located in Milan’s north-east quadrant, Tre Torri - City Life is one of the city's most iconic districts, resulting from the redevelopment of Portello. It's a modern, green and sustainable area where architecture and urban planning combine to create a truly unique residential scenario that is always in high demand. Buying a house in City Life means living in an innovative neighbourhood, with the largest pedestrian area in Europe, futuristic skyscrapers, a beautiful urban park and Italy's biggest shopping district. The cost of a house here is quite high - over 6,000 euros/sqm - but it's definitely worth it.

The university districts

Let's wrap up this overview of the best places to buy a house in Milan with a great classic: the university districts. Houses near universities are always a good buy, especially in Milan, home to prestigious academic institutions at an international level. Due to the high demand from students and university staff, this is definitely one of the most profitable real estate investments in Milan. The area around the new Bocconi campus in Porta Lodovica, designed by the archistars from the Japanese architecture firm SANAA, is an exciting location to look at, with prices averaging around 6,000 euros/sqm. Another area to keep an eye on is Città Studi, where there's always a lot of demand, and residential prices start at 4,800 euros/sqm.