As many communities around the world wonder what to make of Donald Trump’s presidential re-election, a village on the Italian island of Sardinia has smelled a potential opportunity.
Like many other towns in rural Italy, Ollolai has long tried to persuade foreigners to settle there to revive its fortunes after decades of depopulation. He sells dilapidated houses for just one euro, or just over a dollar, to sweeten the deal.
Today, following the result of the November 5 vote, he launched a website aimed at future American expats, offering more cheap housing in the hope that those unhappy with the outcome will rush to snap up one of its empty properties.
“Are you exhausted (sic) by global politics? Are you looking to adopt a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities?” » asks the website. “It’s time to start building your European getaway to the beautiful paradise of Sardinia.”
Mayor Francesco Columbu told CNN 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 best to help revive his community.
“We really want to and we will focus first and foremost on the Americans,” he says. “We cannot of course prohibit nationals of other countries from applying, but Americans will benefit from an accelerated procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card.”
“Preferential treatment”
Columbu says the village now offers three tiers of accommodation: free temporary housing for some digital nomads, one-euro accommodation requiring renovations, and ready-to-occupy homes for prices up to 100,000 euros ($105,000). ).
The mayor says he has established a special team to guide interested buyers through every step of the purchase process, from arranging tailor-made private tours of available homes to finding contractors, builders and navigating the required documents.
He says photos and plans of available empty properties will be uploaded soon to the website.
Over the past century, Ollolai’s population has fallen from 2,250 to 1,300, with only a handful of babies born each year. Many families left the village during difficult economic times, looking for work and a better life.
In recent years, the population has further declined to just 1,150.
Although the village is desperate to attract newcomers to try to stop depopulation, offering “preferential treatment” to Americans, as Columbu describes it, may seem a bit controversial.
The website does not list having a U.S. passport as a prerequisite, but the mayor says U.S. citizens will be favored over potential applicants of other nationalities.
“Of course, we can’t specifically name a newly elected US president, but we all know he’s the one many Americans now want to get away from and leave the country,” adds Columbo. .
“We specifically created this website to address America’s post-election relocation needs. The first edition of our digital nomad program, launched last year, was already aimed solely at Americans.”
The mayor says the town hall website was recently flooded with 38,000 requests for information about houses, mostly from the United States.
“So we were really looking to create a platform that speaks to American citizens and bring together our different projects,” explains Columbu.
A secluded paradise
Ollolai has already tried to attract new residents with attractive housing programs.
In 2018, as CNN first reported, the town hall began selling empty and dilapidated houses for one euro. She then rented empty workspaces for a symbolic euro.
Finally, last year it launched a “work from Ollolai” program for digital nomads. So far, four Americans have been accommodated in fully equipped accommodation for the symbolic sum of one euro. In return, they had to create something for the community, such as a work of art or a book.
The town hall pays to rent homes to local families for remote workers, paying around 350 euros per month for multi-story, two-bedroom accommodation. Utilities, bills and municipal taxes are also covered.
But the recovery plans are not going as well as local authorities hoped. Since 2018, only 10 houses have been sold for one euro and renovated, says Columbu.
“The village remains half empty, we still have around 100 unoccupied cheap houses potentially for sale, ready to move in. We have them all mapped and listed, and soon photos will be online for buyers to view.”
Most of the buildings are located in the historic center and are of different sizes.
These are picturesque old homes of farmers and shepherds built from local granite rocks. Some turnkey properties are even furnished and equipped with modern comforts.
There are no demographic requirements for American applicants; these can be people of any age, retirees, remote workers or entrepreneurs who want to open a small business in the village.
Ollolai is off the beaten track, ideal for those who want to unplug and live a simpler life.
Located in a wild mountainous region, it rises on virgin land where ancient agricultural traditions persist. It offers fresh, unpolluted air, few crowds and great views.
In autumn, during an event known as cortes apertas (open courtyards), stables and old lawn taverns are open to the public, offering wine, ham, cheese and other delicacies. The area is famous for its locally produced Casu Fiore Sardo cheese.
Another highlight of the Ollolai calendar is a masked carnival with goat-like costumes and archaic rituals that takes place every February.
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