Italian Village Is Offering Americans $1 Homes

Ollolai, a charming mountain village on the island of Sardinia, is inviting American citizens, to make the move abroad with an enticing offer: homes ranging in price from just 1 euro to 100,000 euros ($1.05 to $105,000 USD). Prospective buyers can choose from properties that require renovation or those that are ready to move into with minimal work, as outlined on the village’s website.

Beautiful black luxury female woman tourist enjoying a sightseeing day in Lucca, Italy. Source: Lorado / Getty

According to CNN, Francesco Columbu, the mayor of Ollolai, has created a dedicated team to assist potential buyers through every step of the process. This includes personalized tours of available homes, connecting buyers with contractors and builders, and helping navigate the necessary paperwork. The mayor also mentioned that photos and detailed plans of available properties will soon be uploaded to the website for easier access.

With political tension looming following the Nov. 5 election, Ollolai aims to offer American expats the perfect place to “reconnect, recharge, and embrace a new way of life,” to escape the uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency.

“We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all,” Mayor Columbu told CNN. “We can’t of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure.”

Necropolis of Madau, an archaeological site on the slopes of Gennargentu that reveals the Nuragic civilization “u2019s worship of the dead, in the central region of Barbagia, Ollolai, Sardinia. Source: ArtMassa / Getty

The village’s offer comes at a time when many Americans are increasingly interested in relocating abroad.

According to global investment firm Henley & Partners, inquiries from Americans seeking to move overseas skyrocketed by nearly 504% in 2023 compared to 2019. 

“Most of this interest is driven by high-net-worth families who see investment migration as an insurance policy against economic and political uncertainties with the USA’s precarious landscape,” the company wrote on its website. 

For many, concerns about the results of the 2024 election, rising gun violence, and recent Supreme Court rulings are fueling their desire to leave, with investors from both sides of the political spectrum expressing growing unease. Additionally, some individuals are drawn to countries that had fewer restrictions during the pandemic, such as no vaccine mandates or mask requirements, in search of more flexible policies.

Small group of luxury friends enjoying a sightseeing day in Lucca, Italy. Source: Lorado / Getty

Work opportunities are another key factor driving Americans abroad. According to the Expat Insider 2021 survey, which examined 8,313 working expats across 175 destinations, 36% of U.S. expats moved overseas for job-related reasons. The report also revealed that 3 out of 4 Americans who relocated for work are satisfied with their jobs, citing strong work-life balance, job security, and flexible working hours as major benefits in their new home countries, according to the study. 

Mayor Columbu told CNN that Ollolai will offer free temporary homes to certain digital nomads looking to live and work in the beautiful Italian destination. He is hopeful that this new initiative will help reverse Ollolai’s population decline, which has seen a sharp drop from 2,250 to just 1,300 residents, with only a few births each year. The exodus began as families left in search of better economic opportunities and a higher quality of life. In recent years, the population has continued to shrink, now standing at just over 1,150.

The mayor is “betting” on American expats to “revive” and breathe new life into the village with the hope of combatting decades of population loss. “They are our winning card,” he added.

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