As the world grapples with the prospect of Donald Trump's presidential re-election, a village on the Italian island of Sardinia has seen an opportunity.
Ollolai, like many rural areas in Italy, has been struggling with decades of depopulation and has been actively trying to attract outsiders to help revitalize the community. To entice newcomers, the village has been offering rundown homes for as little as one euro — just over a dollar.
In the wake of the November 5 election results, Ollolai has launched a new website targeting potential American expats, offering more affordable homes in the hope that those disillusioned by the outcome will be eager to move to the village.
"Are you worned (sic) out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities?" the website asks. "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 designed to attract American voters following the presidential elections. He expressed his admiration for the United States, saying he believes Americans are the ideal people to help revitalize 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.”
Columbu explained that the village is now offering three types of accommodation: free temporary homes for certain digital nomads, one-euro homes in need of renovations, and fully renovated homes priced up to 100,000 euros ($105,000).
The mayor added that he has assembled a dedicated team to assist potential buyers throughout the entire process, from organizing personalized private tours of available properties to helping with contractors, builders, and navigating the necessary paperwork.
He also mentioned that photos and plans of available homes would soon be uploaded to the website.
Over the past century, Ollolai's population has dwindled from 2,250 to 1,300, with only a few births each year. Many families left the village during difficult economic times in search of work and better opportunities.
In recent years, the population has further decreased to just under 1,150 residents.
While the village is clearly eager to attract newcomers to combat depopulation, the offer of "preferential treatment" for Americans, as Columbu puts it, could be seen as somewhat controversial.
The website does not explicitly state that a U.S. passport is required, but the mayor has confirmed that U.S. citizens will be prioritized over applicants from other countries.
“Of course, we can’t specifically mention the name of one U.S. 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,” Columbu adds.
“We have specifically created this website now to meet U.S. post-elections relocation needs. The first edition of our digital nomad scheme, which launched last year, was already solely for Americans.”
Columbu also mentioned that the town hall’s website has recently received 38,000 inquiries about available homes, with the majority coming from the United States.
“So we were really looking to create a platform that caters to U.S. citizens, and to group together our various projects,” he says.
Ollolai has previously attempted to attract new residents with a variety of housing initiatives.
In 2018, as first reported by CNN, the town hall began selling dilapidated, empty homes for just one euro. It also rented out vacant workspaces for a symbolic one euro.
Then, last year, the town launched its “work from Ollolai” program aimed at digital nomads. Four Americans have already participated, staying in fully furnished homes for just one euro. In exchange, they were asked to create something for the community, such as artwork or a book.
The town hall rents the homes from local families, paying approximately 350 euros per month for multi-floor, two-bedroom dwellings. Utilities, bills, and council taxes are also covered.
However, the revival efforts have not progressed as smoothly as local authorities had hoped. Since 2018, only 10 homes have been sold for one euro and renovated, according to Columbu.
“The village remains half empty; we still have about 100 unoccupied cheap homes potentially on sale, ready to move in. We have mapped and listed them all, and soon photos will be online for buyers to take a look at,” he says.
Most of the buildings available for sale in Ollolai are located in the town's historic center and come in a variety of sizes. These charming, old homes were originally built as farmers' and shepherds' dwellings, crafted from local granite stones. Some properties are already renovated and come fully equipped with modern amenities.
There are no specific demographic requirements for U.S. applicants—people of all ages, including pensioners, remote workers, and entrepreneurs looking to open small businesses in the village, are welcome to apply.
Ollolai, situated in a secluded mountainous region, is perfect for those seeking a peaceful, simpler lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle. The village is set in an untouched area, where ancient farming traditions continue to thrive, offering clean, fresh air, stunning views, and minimal crowds.
During the autumn months, Ollolai hosts an event called 'cortes apertas' (open courtyards), where stables and ancient turf taverns open their doors to the public, serving wine, ham, cheese, and other local delicacies. The region is also known for its Casu Fiore Sardo cheese.
A key event in Ollolai’s cultural calendar is the masked carnival, held every February, featuring participants dressed in goat-like costumes performing age-old rituals.
(Source: CNN)
BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud
