A village in Sardinia, Italy, called Ollolai, is offering what it says is a deal for politically weary Americans looking for a reprieve: houses for next to nothing.
The promotion, aimed at foreigners who are disenchanted with their daily lives, offers homes for as little as €1, or about $1. By encouraging Americans and others to move abroad and spend money on renovating properties and patronizing local businesses, the offering in turn serves to stimulate the area’s own economy. Ollolai covers approximately 7,000 hectares in the province of Barbagia in Sardinia.
“Are you worn out [sic] by world politics? Do you want to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities? It’s time to start building your European escape in the breathtaking paradise of Sardinia,” reads the advertisement on a website aimed at recruiting foreigners to live in Ollolai.
According to the website, available homes in the small Italian village range from €1 to €100,000. It is one of the few Italian rural areas that have tried to revive their economies as the population ages and younger generations see few opportunities at home.
But there’s a catch. The homes that are practically given away typically require significant renovation and maintenance, and can end up costing buyers much more than the single-digit price tag would indicate.
Ollolai seems to see an opportunity in the post-American election climate. Citizenship advice agencies and migration companies that help people move abroad report receiving an increase in inquiries after November 5.
That said, the realities of uprooting one’s life and moving abroad can be more complicated than they first seem.
And although the offer is also open to foreigners from other countries, Ollolai focuses specifically on Americans, according to Mayor Francesco Columbu.
“We want and will mainly focus on Americans,” Columbu told CNN. “Of course we cannot prevent people from other countries from registering, but Americans will get an accelerated procedure. We bet that they will help us revive the village, they are our winning card.”
Columbu could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday.
According to the CNN report, his office has received nearly 40,000 inquiries about the homes.
