And finally… make Sardinia great again
The Sardinian village of Ollolai, grappling with depopulation, has launched a website to entice disillusioned American voters with homes as cheap as €1 (£0.83) and a “fast-track procedure” for relocation.
The website, Live in Ollolai, asks visitors if they are “worn out by global politics” and “looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities”, calling interested parties to “start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia”.
Ollolai offers three housing options:
- Free temporary homes – for select digital nomads.
- One-euro homes – dilapidated houses requiring renovation.
- Ready-to-occupy homes – priced up to €100,000 (c. £83,000).
A dedicated team will assist buyers with the purchase process, including property tours and paperwork navigation.
Mayor Francesco Columbu, a self-proclaimed admirer of the United States, believes Americans are the key to revitalising the community. He told CNN: “We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all.”
He added: “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.”
This initiative follows previous attempts to attract American residents, such as selling dilapidated homes for €1 and offering €1 workspaces. A “work from Ollolai” program for digital nomads has also been implemented, who in return, had to create something for the community, such as an artwork or book.