At Buy Puglia Homes, we specialize in listing properties for sale and guiding expats through the home buying journey in the beautiful region of Puglia.
Why Puglia is an Amazing Place to Raise Kids
Discover what family life in Puglia is really like, from relaxed school mornings and bilingual classrooms to friendly locals who treat your kids like their own. A heartfelt look at why Puglia is an amazing place to raise children.
Verena
10/13/20252 min read
If you’ve ever dreamed of moving to Italy with your family, Puglia might just be the place that makes it all feel possible. It’s not just about the sunshine or the sea (though those are incredible). It’s the slower rhythm, the warmth of the people, and how genuinely family-centered life here is.
When we first arrived, I couldn’t believe how much children are a part of everything. They’re not just accepted, they’re celebrated. They are not super structured, which makes live just more “go with the flow” aka; less stressful!
One of the things I love most as a parent here is how relaxed the mornings are. For example, our kids go to a European (international) school that’s both English and Italian speaking. Drop-off for nursery is between 8 and 9 a.m., and for primary school it’s between 8 and 8:30. That might sound small, but it makes such a difference. There’s no mad morning rush, no stressful race to get out the door. We have time for breakfast, a few cuddles, maybe even a coffee before heading out the door.
That slower rhythm carries through the whole day. Lunches are longer, afternoons are for resting, and weekends are for the beach, friends, and gelato. It’s a way of life that feels kinder to kids and to parents.
One of our favorite spots in town is this small bar with a playground out front. The kids run off to play while we sit and chat, and the waitress already knows exactly what everyone likes. She doesn’t even ask anymore, she just smiles, brings our cornetti and drinks, and it’s perfect every single time.
Moments like that make you realize how community-focused life here is. People take the time to get to know you. They remember your kids’ names, what they like to eat, and even chat with them and asked how school was.
Once, I was at a mall with the kids while my husband was away. We were having lunch when one of them suddenly had to go to the bathroom… like, now. The toilets were outside the restaurant, inside the mall itself, and we had just gotten our food. I must have looked completely torn because an older Italian couple sitting nearby immediately offered to help. They smiled and said they’d watch my bag, the food, and my other child while I took the little one to the bathroom.
I remember walking away thinking, “Wow. They really care.” That’s the thing about Puglia, people step in when they see a parent in need.
Life here isn’t perfect, but it’s wonderfully real. There are sandy feet, late dinners, spontaneous hugs from neighbors, and endless reminders that children are at the heart of everything. Raising kids in Puglia feels less like a balancing act and more like being part of a big, caring community that helps you along the way.
It’s a place where kids grow up surrounded by kindness, fresh air, and the kind of simple joy that leaves a mark on your heart.
And honestly, I can’t imagine raising them anywhere else.
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