A life-changing opportunity is being offered by a Sardinian village to Americans disappointed by Donald Trump’s re-election and seeking a way out of their country.
Like many other parts of rural Italy, Ollolai has been working hard to convince foreigners to move in and rejuvenate its dwindling population after decades of decline. As a solution, it is selling abandoned houses for just €1—just over a dollar—to entice potential buyers to take the plunge.
Following the results of the November 5th elections in the U.S., the village launched a dedicated website targeting Americans, offering more cheap homes in hopes that those unhappy with the outcome will rush to buy one of its vacant properties.
“Worried about global politics? Looking for a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities?” the website reads, adding: “It’s time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.”
The village mayor, Francesco Columbu, told CNN that the website was specifically created to attract American voters in the aftermath of the presidential elections. He noted that he loves the United States and is convinced that Americans are ideal candidates to help revitalize his community.
“We’ll focus on Americans above all. Of course, we can’t forbid people from other countries from applying, but Americans will have a fast-track process. We’re betting on them to help revive the village; they’re our winning card,” he added.
Columbu further explained that the village offers three tiers of housing: free temporary accommodation for select digital nomads, €1 homes requiring renovation, and move-in-ready homes priced up to €100,000 ($105,000).
The mayor said he has set up a special team to guide interested buyers through every step of the purchase process, from organizing personalized private tours of available homes to finding contractors, builders, and navigating the necessary bureaucracy.
Over the past century, Ollolai’s population has shrunk from 2,250 to 1,300, with only a handful of babies born each year. Many families abandoned the village during tough economic times, seeking work and better opportunities elsewhere.
In recent years, the population has further dwindled to just 1,150 residents.
While the village appears desperate to attract new people in a bid to halt its decline, offering “preferential treatment” to Americans, as Columbu describes it, might seem somewhat controversial. The website does not list U.S. citizenship as a requirement, but the mayor has said that U.S. citizens will be prioritized over applicants from other nationalities.
Additionally, Columbu noted that the municipal website has recently been inundated with 38,000 inquiries about the homes, most of which come from the United States.
