Finding Their Place on Lake Como: Tunde & Gergely’s Story of a Dream Home in San Siro
From searching for the perfect investment to finding a place to call home, their journey brought them to the western shores of Lake Como. After exploring different corners of Italy, they fell in love with San Siro, where nature, authenticity and the charm of village life come together.
Gergely & Tunde with Lake Como in the background.
A chance encounter in a restaurant led them to Lakeside Real Estate, and soon to a house they could truly make their own.Today, after a complete renovation, their little corner of Lake Como has found a new life.
Step into their story and discover their journey on Lake Como!
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR STORY. WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN LAKE COMO AS A LOCATION FOR BUYING YOUR SECOND HOME IN ITALY? DID YOU KNOW THE AREA BEFORE? HAVE YOU EXPLORED THE REST OF ITALY? WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT LAKE COMO / WHAT WAS YOUR PERCEPTION OF THE LAKE FROM ABROAD?
We had been looking for real estate investment opportunities that would not only provide solid long-term returns but also be a place we could genuinely enjoy ourselves as a second home. That balance between investment potential and lifestyle was very important to us from the beginning.
We were already familiar with Italy and had travelled to several regions over the years, including Venice, Rome, and Tuscany. When we started seriously exploring opportunities for a second home investment, we focused mainly on Northern Italy. We visited and researched different areas, including San Remo, Lake Garda, and eventually Lake Como.
What ultimately drew us to Lake Como was the unique atmosphere of the region. It offers an exceptional combination of natural beauty, elegance, tranquillity, and quality of life. While Lake Como has a strong international reputation, experiencing it personally gave us a much deeper appreciation of the area. It feels sophisticated without losing its authenticity, and peaceful while still being vibrant throughout the year.
Each time we visited, we could increasingly imagine ourselves spending extended periods there — not just as tourists but truly feeling at home. We also appreciated how accessible the region is and how well it combines lifestyle appeal with long-term value as an investment.
From abroad, our perception of Lake Como was naturally shaped by its beauty and prestige, but once we got to know the area better, we discovered a much richer experience: the local culture, the atmosphere in different seasons, and the everyday rhythm of life around the lake. That combination made the decision feel very natural for us.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES LAKE COMO SO SPECIAL COMPARED TO OTHER LOCATIONS IN ITALY OR EUROPE?
What makes Lake Como truly special for us is the combination of several elements that are very difficult to find together elsewhere — not only in Italy, but even across Europe.
We were especially captivated by the architecture, the atmosphere of the towns around the lake, and the natural surroundings. Every village and town has its own personality and charm, yet the entire region feels harmonious and timeless. There is a certain elegance to Lake Como that feels authentic rather than artificial. The historic villas, narrow streets, waterfront promenades, and the way the mountains meet the lake create a unique character that is hard to compare to other destinations.
The natural environment is also extraordinary. The scenery changes constantly throughout the day and across the seasons, which gives the lake a very special atmosphere year-round. Even after multiple visits, it still feels inspiring and peaceful at the same time. We also appreciated that despite its international reputation, many places around the lake still maintain a strong local identity and relaxed Italian lifestyle.
Of course, gastronomy is another major part of the experience. The quality of the food, local ingredients, restaurants, cafés, and the overall dining culture add enormously to everyday life there. It is not only about fine dining, but also about the simple enjoyment of spending time with friends and family in beautiful surroundings.
From an investment perspective, Lake Como also stood out because of its long-term appeal. It is one of the most recognised and desirable destinations in Europe, attracting visitors from all over the world while still remaining relatively exclusive. That combination gives us confidence not only in the lifestyle aspect of the purchase, but also in the long-term value and stability of the investment itself.
YOU END UP BUYING TWO LOVELY APARTMENTS IN SAN SIRO. WHAT MADE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH IT? WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF SAN SIRO AND ITS SURROUNDINGS? WHAT DO YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE ABOUT THESE VILLAGES?
Our budget was naturally an important factor in the decision-making process, and we knew from the beginning that some of the most famous and highly sought-after towns around the lake would be difficult for us to afford. At the same time, we did not want to compromise on the atmosphere or the overall experience of living near Lake Como.
From the very beginning, we felt more connected to the western side of the lake. It felt slightly more relaxed and authentic to us, while still offering excellent accessibility to the main destinations around the area. San Siro turned out to be the perfect balance. Being only a few minutes from Menaggio — one of the most visited and vibrant towns on the lake — meant we could enjoy all the advantages of the central lake area while living in a much calmer and more peaceful environment.
What truly made us fall in love with the house itself was its unique setting. The property is located next to a small stream, with the forest starting only about 50 metres away, which creates an incredible feeling of tranquillity and connection to nature. At the same time, the historic old town is literally a one-minute walk away, so there is still a strong sense of local life and community around us.
That combination felt very special to us — nature, privacy, authenticity, and proximity to everything we love about the lake. The moment we saw it, we immediately knew it was the right place for us.
Gergely enjoying his coffee by the small stream next to their house.
HOW WAS YOUR PROPERTY SEARCH ON LAKE COMO BEFORE FINDING THE ONE?
Before traveling to Italy, we had already done a lot of research and created a shortlist using the major Italian real estate listing websites. This helped us better understand the market, the different regions, and what kind of properties were realistically available within our budget and expectations.
Once we arrived in the area, we started contacting local real estate agencies directly and arranging viewings. Looking back, even those meetings became part of the experience itself and are now very positive memories for us. We really enjoyed the personal and welcoming nature of the Italian agents, and we were fascinated by the stories behind many of the houses and apartments. Unlike in many other places, the properties often feel deeply connected to the local history and character of the region.
We also had a very lucky and unexpected moment during our search. One evening, in a small and crowded restaurant, we happened to share a table with an American couple who were also looking for property in Italy. During our conversation, they highly recommended Lakeside Real Estate to us — a recommendation we are still extremely grateful for today.
That encounter ultimately played a very important role in helping us find the right property and navigate the process with confidence.
DO YOU THINK IT’S EASY TO BUY A PROPERTY AT LAKE COMO OVERALL? DID YOU FIND ANY DIFFICULTY OR CHALLENGE ALONG THE WAY?
Overall, we found the process of buying property at Lake Como surprisingly smooth and well organised. Everything progressed according to the agreed timelines, and the entire experience felt very transparent and professional from beginning to end.
The real estate agency supported us exceptionally well throughout the whole process. As international buyers, having local expertise and guidance was incredibly valuable, not only during the negotiations and paperwork, but also in understanding the local market and regulations. Their support gave us a great sense of confidence at every stage.
The main challenge was related more to the type of property we were looking for rather than the buying process itself. We specifically wanted a property with renovation potential, which naturally comes with additional risks and uncertainties. Evaluating the condition of older buildings, estimating renovation costs, and understanding what is realistically possible always requires careful consideration — but that would be true anywhere.
Even in this aspect, the agency was very supportive and helped us navigate the process with practical advice and local knowledge, which made a significant difference for us. It was also a great advantage that the agency has a dedicated in-house specialist team, so we were able to work closely with experts who specifically focus on renovation and technical aspects of the properties.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE RECOMMENDING TO FOREIGN CLIENTS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR SECOND HOME AT LAKE COMO?
Our main recommendation for foreign clients looking for a second home at Lake Como is to take the time to truly understand the different areas of the lake before making a decision, as each part has its own character and lifestyle. It is also essential to work with a trustworthy and experienced local real estate agency that knows the market well and can guide you not only through the property search, but also through the legal and practical aspects of buying in Italy. Having the right professionals by your side makes the entire process significantly smoother and more secure, especially for international buyers.
Tunde admiring the endless views from their window at home.
HAVE YOU DONE ANY UPDATE TO YOUR HOUSE?
We’ve renovated and updated almost everything in the house. Rather than listing details, we think the results speak for themselves — the transformation is best seen in the photos.
WE THINK EVERY HOUSE HAS ITS OWN SONG. IS THERE (YET) A SONG YOU LINK TO YOUR LOVELY NEW HOME?
Ornella Vanoni - L'Appuntamento
IS THERE ANY OTHER LOCATION OF LAKE COMO YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE, AND IF SO, WHY?
Tremezzo stood out to us mostly for its distinct atmosphere along the lake — it feels a bit more refined and historically layered, with a strong sense of elegance in how the villas interact with the shoreline. There’s also something very special about the way the gardens open directly onto the water, creating a continuous dialogue between architecture and landscape. Compared to other parts of the lake, it has a more “composed” and almost cinematic feel, which makes it particularly memorable for us.
Inspired by Tunde & Gergely’s journey? Perhaps your own Lake Como story starts here!