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There is a unique enchantment to being encircled by water.

Tom Godfrey, a native of Yorkshire, traded the overcast skies of Britain for the stone-paved streets of Venice in July of this year—and claims he’s never regretted the move.

“I’m not entirely sure how to express the emotion, but you end up pinching yourself from time to time and wonder, how can this place be real?” he says.

That mystical, enchanting view of Venice is what has led to the city being classified as a costly, crowded tourist destination. It’s certainly not recognized for its affordable options.

However, when, at only 25, Tom began an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection art museum in an Italian city, he discovered the opposite was the case.

Of course,” Tom says, “you can explore the typical Venice. Or you can experience the part of Venice where your bill at the end of the night is €250 (£218).

But you can also experience the kind of Venice I’m experiencing—I’m dining well and sipping €3 (£2.60) Aperols.

During a pause from his doctoral studies atCambridge University, Tom has been uncovering the truth of residing in a city that attracts tourists from all over the globe.

He posts about his experiences on his Instagram account.@thomasrgodfreyto his 32,000 followers, where he has been sharing images and clips showcasing his new life in the Italian city renowned for its beauty, art, history, cuisine, beverages, and cultural significance – along with its tourism.

According to Tom, the city offers plenty of chances to spend a lot for a lavish vacation. However, this kind of lifestyle is beyond his financial reach.

Fortunately, he says, it’s simple to experience Venice on a budget – provided you know where to search, that is.

Venezia is a very good place to reside, as although there are costly areas, it remains significantly more affordable than living in London,” Tom adds. “Especially if you know the right places to go.

The surprise I experienced upon coming here was that I had visited Venice previously and really enjoyed it, but I still had this sense that it was somewhat like Disneyland, and that it felt not entirely genuine.

And this experience has completely altered my perspective on that, as I’ve been staying in areas of town where, for some reason, tourists don’t really go. You should keep in mind that many of the tourists who visit here are only here for a day.

He states: ‘Individuals are highly conscious of the exploitation associated with tourism, yet it’s a two-sided issue, as they also rely on tourists to sustain their financial stability, not that there’s any intention to make a pun.’

Certainly, approximately 30 million visitors come to the city annually.

A week before arriving here, I thought I would have fun, but likely be eager to leave by the end, simply because it’s such a popular city,’ Tom reveals. ‘But now, I could definitely imagine living here.

Instead of being overwhelmed by large numbers of tourists, Tom claims he has found it simple to locate areas of the city that remain largely unexplored by global visitors — and which, therefore, are significantly cheaper.

Building friendships with Italians has enabled him to discover places where he can enjoy good meals without spending much, while steering clear of the crowds, long lines, and thieves found in popular spots like Saint Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.

He adds: “It’s not expensive, and that surprised me, as I really thought I’d be going to bars every night and paying €12 (£10) for a beer. It’s much cheaper than in England. Even the most expensive beers here are €6, which is around £5.20, more than you’d”want to payWhen you’re in Italy, but in comparison to London, it’s now almost half the cost. A budget beer in Venice ranges from €3.50 to €4 (£3-£3.40).

Osteria Al Squero and Corner Pub provide Aperol for €3 (£2.60) in the city – and the latter also offers bottled beer at €3 or draft beer up to €5 (£4.40). Tom also suggests Il Mercante and Chet Bar for a more refined setting with Aperol priced at €5 each. Al Chioschetto on Zattere usually serves wine and spritz for €3.50 and €4 (£3-£3.40).

His preferred restaurant for dinner, Pizza al Volo, serves pizzas for €8 (£7) – and, as Tom mentions, ‘many of the pizzas in Venice aren’t very good, because they’re’prepared for a tourist market. However, this one, located on Campo Santa Margherita, where students reside, is intended for Italians.’ He also suggests Gelateria Nico, where a takeout ice cream costs approximately €3 (£2.60) for two scoops.

His daily espresso — similar to how Italian gentlemen drink it, standing at the coffee counter — costs him just €1.50 (£1.30). This is considerably lower than the £4 and above prices commonly seen in the UK.

He receives a monthly stipend of €1,000 (£870) from his job, which is sufficient to cover his rent and daily expenses. His employer created a list of affordable rentals ranging from €300 to €400 (£260 to £350) to help reduce living costs—otherwise, renting in Venice can amount to approximately €1,500 (£1,300) per month.

In addition to lower living costs, there are many other advantages.

Tom says: “It feels more secure than any of the safest places I’ve lived in the UK, and I believe this is partly because it’s an island where living is quite costly for locals. People who want to take advantage of tourists aren’t present here, as it costs them money to even reach the town.”

There’s also the weather, of course. He will return to the UK soon to complete his studies, but Tom is hoping to go back to Venice.

He states: “I’m not fundamentally against the UK, it’s just that I appreciate the rhythm of life here. We wrap up work at 6pm and head to a bar. In this part of town, at least, where the Venetians actually reside, they are willing to have a conversation with you. They’re very friendly and curious about what you’re up to.”

The drinking habits are entirely different from those in the UK. It’s not similar to Thursday night gatherings where individuals become extremely intoxicated and show up for work the following day with a hangover.

He also enjoys the city’s culture, since there is always an event happening, ranging from masquerade balls to the Venice Film Festival, exhibits dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci, and musical performances.

When questioned about whether he had any regrets for relocating to Venice, Tom replies in an unusually short manner: ‘None.’

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