Italian village offers $1 homes to Americans upset by US election results
An Italian village in Sardinia, Italy is offering one-euro homes to Americans seeking a new start following the results of the 2024 U.S election that saw Donald Trump being re-elected as president.
Ollolai has long been trying to persuade outsiders to move in to revive the community after decades of depopulation.
Now, it's selling dilapidated houses for as little as one euro — just over a US dollar or $AU1.60 — to entice Americans to move abroad.
Following the November 5 outcome, they have launched a website aimed at potential American expats, offering cheap homes in hopes that those disappointed by the result and seeking a fresh start will snap up one of their empty properties.
"Are you worned (sic) out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities?" the website read.
"It's time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia."
Mayor Francesco Columbu told CNN that the website was specifically created to attract American voters in the wake of the presidential elections.
The mayor loves the United States and is convinced Americans would be the best people to revive the community.
"We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all," he said.
"We can't of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card."
The village is offering three tiers of accommodation: Free temporary homes to certain digital nomads, ($1.6) homes in need of renovations, and ready-to-occupy houses for prices up to $160,000.
The mayor also set up a special team to guide interested buyers through every step of the process including finding contractors, builders and navigating required paperwork.
"Of course, we can't specifically mention the name of one US president who just got elected, but we all know that he's the one from whom many Americans want to get away from now and leave the country," Columbo added.
"We have specifically created this website now to meet US post-elections relocation needs. The first edition of our digital nomad scheme which launched last year was already solely for Americans."
Photos and plans of available empty properties will soon be uploaded to the website.
The website has since received nearly 38,000 requests for information on houses, with most of them coming from the United States
In the past century, Ollolai's population has shrunk from 2,250 to 1,300 with only a handful of babies born each year.
Over the last few years, this has dropped 1,150 residents.
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