Hi Guys

This is my first post on here. I have been toying with the idea of moving abroad for just about the whole of my life. (I say toying - its always been somthing I wanted to do).

I am thinking of moving to somewhere in the Alps. My job would allow me to do this so long as it is near an airport (pref back to Luton or Stansted). I have thought about the Trento area, but to be hounest I am not too fussed. I know Lake Garda is a popular place but I would prefer somewgere a little bit outside of there. Just living in Italy in the mountains would be cool with me.

Where would be the best place to start looking for accommodation rental in the area?

Thanks for any help and advice you can give.

You're right about Lake Garda - it is totally cramped in the summer and dead in the winter - would also be expensive as 99% of rentals would be tourist prices.
I live near Vicenza (specifically Piovene Rocchette) - if you look on a map you'll see it is basically right at the bottom of the mountains but close enough to other towns and cities so as not to be too far removed from civilisation. Closest airports near here are Venice Marco Polo - Treviso and also Verona.

You might want to look at Lago Maggiore, which, although touristy in summer also has a strong life independent of the tourist industry and so doesn't die in winter. I'm on the west side of the lake in Piemonte, with a view of the Alps. The Swiss border is ten minutes away by car. In that direction I can quickly get to the San Bernardino or San Gottardo passes, bringing you into the Alps proper, and in the other direction is the Simplon Pass, which takes you towards France, Geneva, etc. Milan Malpensa airport is less than 90 minutes by car and there are good coach, car and rail connections to the other Milan airports (Linate, Bergamo). You will find pretty good rentals because it's not all tourists, and if you're into renovating, you can still get bargains here too. Take a look.

Lorna is right about Lake Garda I lived in brescia for 5 years and it's full of germans in the summer and empty, which is nice, in winter. Good memories of walks around Sirmione on cold days and then stopping off in a bar for a whisky and a hot chocolate for the missus....

whisky AND hot chocolate for the missus? is she Scottish?

whisky for me, chocolate for her