Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential elections has caused unrest in many corners of the world. However, a village on the Italian island of Sardinia has found in this event an opportunity it wants to take advantage of: Americans who want to leave the country to escape Trump are offered houses for just one euro.
Like many other places in rural Italy, the authorities in Ollolai have long been trying to persuade foreigners to move to this village affected by decades of depopulation. They have now launched a website targeting potential American expats, offering them several cheap houses, hoping that those upset by the US election results will hurry to purchase the empty properties.
Mayor Francesco Columbu did not hide from CNN that the website was created specifically to attract American voters following the presidential elections. He says he loves the United States and is convinced that Americans are the most suitable people who can contribute to the revival of the community.
The village now offers three levels of accommodation:
- temporary free housing for certain digital nomads;
- one-euro houses in need of renovation;
- houses you can move into immediately, at prices up to 100,000 euros.
Photos and plans of available empty properties will soon be uploaded on the website.
The mayor also mentioned that he has set up a special team to guide interested buyers at every step of the purchase, from organizing personalized private tours of available homes to finding contractors, builders, and obtaining necessary documents.
Americans have priority
Holding an American passport is not a prerequisite, but the mayor says that applicants from the US will be favored over those from other nationalities.
Moreover, there are no demographic requirements for US applicants - they can be people of all ages, retirees, remote workers, or entrepreneurs looking to open a small business in the village.
"We will focus especially on Americans. Of course, we cannot prevent people from other countries from applying, but Americans will have a quick procedure. We rely on them to help us revive the village; they are our winning card," Columbu said.
"I specifically created this site now to meet the post-election relocation needs from the US," the mayor added.
In the last century, the population of Ollolai has decreased from 2,250 to 1,300 inhabitants, with only a few children born each year. Many families left the village during difficult economic times in search of work and a better life.
100 one-euro houses in a fairy-tale place
Ollolai has also tried in previous years to attract new residents with attractive housing schemes.
In 2018, the municipality started selling dilapidated houses for one euro. Then, it continued to rent out empty workspaces for the same symbolic amount.
Since last year, the municipality has launched the "work from Ollolai" program for digital nomads. So far, four Americans have been hosted in fully equipped homes at the symbolic rate of just one euro. The only condition was for them to create something in return for the community, such as artwork or a book.
However, the community revitalization plans did not go as hoped by local authorities. Since 2018, only ten houses have been sold for one euro and renovated. "The village remains half empty; we still have about 100 cheap unoccupied houses for sale, ready to be inhabited," Columbu said.
Ollolai is located away from busy roads, making it an ideal place for those who want to disconnect and live a simpler life.
T.D.