A village on the island of Sardinia in Italy is offering to sell homes to Americans for just $1. Pictured here: Cala Corsara in the Maddalena archipelago.
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After a polarizing presidential election, many Americans are fantasizing about how to leave the U.S. and escape to another country. Ollolai, a pretty mountain village on the island of Sardinia, is capitalizing on that wanderlust with an irresistible offer: Now you can buy a house here for just €1 (which converts to $1.06).
“Are you [worn] out by global politics?” asks the village’s new website, which was launched with U.S. voters in mind. “Looking to embrace a new lifestyle while securing new opportunities? It’s time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.”
The message is clear: Ollolai is extending a warm Italian welcome to people fed up with the current state of affairs back home. The town’s mayor. Francesco Columbu, is being even more direct. “We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all,” Columbu told CNN. “We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card.”
Leave The U.S.: A Trend In Italy
Ollolai’s push to attract new residents isn’t simply a reaction to the election—it’s part of an ongoing campaign across Italy to fight population decline. In 2022, the island of Sardinia offered new residents around $15,000 to move there, while Tuscany offered to pay $32,000 to move to some of its most charming villages. Towns have also given homes away for free or next to nothing.
The idea of offering homes for $1 or paying people to move there isn’t new. Tuscany recently got in on the trend by paying new residents up to $32,000. Pictured here: Castiglione della Pescaia, a quintessential village in Tuscany.
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The reason? Italy’s Ministry of Environment released a study in 2016 showing that almost 2,500 towns were so depopulated that they wouldn’t survive more than 25 years.
Although Ollolai offers a relaxed, simple lifestyle is in one of the world’s Blue Zones (where people live longer), the village’s numbers have shrunk, with young people seeking better opportunities elsewhere. It has left this Sardinian village with aging locals and empty homes.
Leave The U.S.: How To Move To This Italian Village
To breathe new life into the village and attract a range of expats, Ollolai is offering a three-tiered program. The most attention-grabbing deal is the $1 home. These are old properties that require significant renovation, with estimated costs ranging from $21,000 to $52,800. Buyers are expected to commit to the renovation within three years and may need to pay a guarantee fee to prove their dedication.
For expats who want to skip the fixer-upper experience, Ollolai also has move-in-ready homes priced up to $105,000.
The Necropolis of Madau, an archaeological site in Ollolai, Sardinia.
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And if you’re a digital nomad who dreams of working remotely from an Italian island, Ollolai is also offering free temporary housing to a select few applicants. In exchange, these digital nomads are expected to contribute to the community, whether by creating art, leading workshops or engaging in other projects.
What also sets Ollolai’s offer apart is the level of support offered to newcomers. Unlike many relocation schemes, this one includes a dedicated team to help with every aspect of the transition—from property tours and renovation advice to navigating Italy’s famously complex bureaucracy.
Leave The U.S.: What You Need To Know
While the idea of owning a $1 home in a beautiful Sardinian village sounds like a dream, it’s essential to weigh the financial considerations. Renovation costs, legal fees and taxes can add up quickly. According to reports, the true cost of renovating one of these $1 homes in Italy can range from around $35,000 to $446,000.
However, it might still work out to be less than living in the United States, where the median price for a home is $440,000, according to a new report from Redfin. Plus, the investment also comes with the priceless benefit of being able to leave the U.S. and live la dolce vita in Italy.