By Riley Houstler
It is only as I walk past the exquisite Duomo in the heart of Florence that I realize I have almost made my way home without using my maps. Florence is now starting to feel like home.
I have to pinch myself daily to remind myself where I am and what I am doing. I am studying abroad in Italy. My casual walk to school passes the infamous David statue and the Gucci Garden. My classroom has vaulted ceilings with murals of angels painted inside. The Arno river glistens out the window, with bridges of yellow and blue painted buildings settled atop.
Living here, I have gotten a chance to explore lots of Italian cities on the weekends. While Rome, Milan, San Gimignano, Siena, and Venice are all beautiful; there is no place I’d rather live than Florence. It is both quaint and grand, a city with an escape to the country, and a big small town. Florence wraps me up with open arms when I come home from a weekend of traveling every Sunday.
Florence gives this welcoming hug to many, as it has become an international hub. The city has been reimagined, renewed, and transformed by globalization. Tourism is a driving economic force, as around 16 million visit the city each year. Others decide to stay. Housing over 80 institutions for studying abroad, Florence greets students from all over the globe. The melting pot of people living in the town provides inspiration from everywhere, which is what makes many decide to live here.
There is an ease about Florence. This makes moving here from another country less daunting. The historic city center is not very spread out. There is no subway system. Everything is accessible by foot. One can easily walk the cobblestone streets and stumble upon restaurant after restaurant offering homemade pasta or a savory steak. Waiters and restaurant owners often accommodate tourists and locals alike with limoncello shots and complementary Prosecco. Coffee stops linger at every corner. Not to mention, chestnut stands tempt you every 20 steps you take.
You can find yourself wandering the narrow streets with shuttered windows and flowered window boxes hanging above untroubled. The roads lead to open squares with ancient churches covered in Renaissance art. Sounds of violins echo through the tunneled alleyways as local musicians play the background music of the city. Kids ride their scooters while dog-walkers pass by. In a pedestrian city you are never alone, which makes it a very safe environment. The maze of alleyways never leads to a bad area. Florence is very uniform and it never breaks character.
At its core, Florence is the same Renaissance town it has always been. This stimulates innovation and brings more art into the city, which makes it the mix of new and old that it is now. Century-old murals of the Virgin Mary mark street corners, alongside newborn street art. Towering intricate churches and a intricate Duomo with stain-glass windows stand next to high-fashion store displays.
Here, creative minds gain inspiration from both the new and the old. Romantic relationships are revived with passion. Rushing tourists take the chance to slow down. Ice cream is acceptable at any time of day. It is pure magic. There is no better place to live.