The Italian region of Molise has Campobasso for its capital city and has a population of less than 350,000 people. This part of the country only became a separate region in 1963. There are two provinces in the region and there are some good sized towns including Termoli and Isernia. The population is fairly low due to the large numbers of people that left during the 1950s and 60s, but has been stable in recent years.

The climate of the region is good, with very warm summers and mild winters. Rainfall is heavier in winter than in summer but is not excessive, with more rain falling inland than at the coast.

For anyone who is looking for a quiet area to retire to, Molise is the region of Italy that will suit. The low population means that none of the towns in the area are overcrowded, and while there is a reasonable tourist industry, none of the towns becomes so busy that is it unbearable. There are few new developments, so this area is also ideal for those who are looking for the traditional Italian way of life.

Starting a business in the area needs careful consideration. Tourism is limited but is beginning to develop, so a tourism based business is a risk unless you are sure you can bring in enough business. There may be opportunities in the area for those who want to run activity based holidays, such as Italian cooking holidays, writing or painting. There are fewer opportunities for those who want their own business as a tradesman.

Molise is one of the least populated regions of Italy, and much of the population lives in the cities of Campobasso and Isernia. Newcomers to the region will find that they can get more for their money in this region due to the very low cost of living. It is a good time to buy in Molise as there are plans to promote the area to tourists and this could help property prices to rise. The area is small and mainly rural, but there are large numbers of properties sitting empty and ripe for development.

There are areas of the countryside which are relatively empty, with some villages only having a few inhabited houses. There are many empty farmhouses sitting on large parcels of land which can be bought very cheaply. There is also the added bonus that local labour costs very little, so renovating on a tight budget is relatively easy.

The city of Campobasso is not known for being picturesque but does have many low priced properties. Several districts are home to modern developments with apartment blocks and detached houses. The city has good schools and there are some commercial shopping areas. The town has some leisure facilities such as restaurants, bars and cafes, although not in any great quantities.

There are a number of villages and towns in Molise that have a long history. Larino and Ururi, for example, are good examples of the traditional way of life in the area, and offer the expat the chance to live the traditional Italian lifestyle without a high price tag, although the local dialect is Albanian rather than Italian so expats will get the opportunity to see more than one culture in the area.

The area is ideal for those who want to retire to the coast, as there is over 40km of coastline and there are very few urban developments along the coast. The town of Termoli is situated on the coast but there are very few visitors, even in the summer. This area guarantees a quiet retirement and property prices are very low when compared to other coastal areas of Italy. Properties available include small cottages and larger villa style houses, although most are in need of renovation.

For those who are looking to start their own business there are opportunities to renovate and rent out property, although the current lack of tourism in the area makes this a bit of a risk and business could be slow for a while. Once the tourism industry develops there are a number of properties which can be converted into bars or restaurants at a very reasonable cost.