Udine is one of those understated places, full of elegant Venetian architecture and quiet, cobbled squares, but without the tourist crush you get elsewhere. It's tucked away in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region in Italy's far northeast that borders both Austria and Slovenia. Living in Udine offers a rhythm that’s both relaxing and refined, revolving around its historic cafés and traditional osterie. It’s a city that values quality, from its food to its friendships.

There's a calm but purposeful atmosphere; things run efficiently in a way that feels distinctly northern, yet the daily rhythm is built around classic Italian rituals like the evening passeggiata and a lingering aperitivo. You’ll discover a strong sense of local community here, one that’s proud of a Friulian heritage that has a language all its own. And while you might occasionally hear German due to the nearby Austrian border, this is an Italian-speaking city through and through.