Bizarre reason why Italian village is offering $1 homes to US citizens

A new scheme is encouraging US citizens 'above all' others to buy a property in an Italian village.

As many of us sit at our desk jobs, staring outside the window only to be met with a bleak darkness, rain and smog, it's tempting to not just get up, quit and flock to a warm European country, drink wine and live on butter and bread for as long as we can afford.

And as luck would have it, one Italian village is encouraging US residents in particular to 'embrace a more balance lifestyle' and offering an exceedingly sweet deal.

Fancy moving to a picturesque village in Italy? (Google Maps)

The offer

Property in Ollolai - a province at the centre of Barbagia, in the province of Nuoro in Sardinia, Italy - are up for offer and the scheme's website states: "Nestled in pristine nature, surrounded by incredible cuisine, and immersed in a community with ancient traditions, in the rare Earth's Blue Zone, Ollolai is the perfect destination to reconnect, recharge, and embrace a new way of life.

"Discover an array of properties from the originators of the €1 House global phenomenon. Whether you’re searching for a €1 house to renovate or a move-in-ready home, we’ll guide you through every step of your journey, from arranging viewings to finding contractors and navigating the necessary bureacracy."

Yes, prices to live in this Sardinian village are that low, ranging from the steal that is $1 to a still solid $100,000. Oh, and some are even free too.

There are three tiers of accommodation on offer - the first, free temporary homes for anyone who works remote and wants to do some hopping about, $1 homes which need some money investing into them to do up and homes all good to go up to $100,000.

But why is the scheme targeting US citizens in particular and offering such a good deal?

The scheme is targeting US citizens in particular (Google Maps)

The reason

Well, the site states it's targeting those 'worn out by global politics' which - if we're being honest - includes most of us.

But in particular, the scheme is more aimed at those living in the US, mayor of Ollolai Francesco Columbu tells CNN.

He explained: "We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all. We can’t, of course, ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure."

And with the site and offer launched shortly after Donald Trump's win of the 2024 Presidential Election, well, you can do the math.

Columbu continued: "We have specifically created this website now to meet US post-elections relocation needs. The first edition of our digital nomad scheme which launched last year was already solely for Americans."

The village is hoping to boost it's population (Google Maps)

The scheme was also launched in a bid to help the village itself.

The population of Ollolai has dropped to below 1,150 and so is fighting to rebuild itself.

Columbu added: "We are betting on [US citizens] to help us revive the village, they are our winning card."

But you better move quickly if you want to be in with a chance of living in the 'stunning paradise', Columbu noting while the village remains 'half empty', there are only 'about 100 unoccupied cheap homes potentially on sale, ready to move in' and there's already been '38,000' shows of interest.