If the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing lockdown has given you the itch to ditch your job and move far away, read on for a budget-friendly chance to do just that.
Cinquefrondi, a village in the southern region of Calabria, Italy, is offering up homes for €1 – around 90p – to encourage people to flock to the town.
The mayor, Michele Conia, has launched Operation Beauty (yep, there’s an official spy-sounding name for this mission) to tackle a trend for younger people leaving the village in search of work.
The idea is that the cheap property in a beautiful setting will lure people in to restore the village to its former glory.
Michele tells CNN: ‘Finding new owners for the many abandoned houses we have is a key part of the Operation Beauty [mission] that I have launched to recover degraded, lost parts of town.
‘Too many people have fled from here over the decades, leaving behind empty houses. We can’t succumb to resignation.’
It’s a pretty lovely place to live, with gorgeous coastal views, beaches just 15 minutes by car, and rolling hills.
Plus, there have been no reported cases of coronavirus among the village’s residents. That’s a nice bonus.
Before you rush too quickly to head over, however, it’s worth noting that you won’t just be able to pay up 90p and then relax in luxury.
The idea is that you renovate the home you buy, which may be rundown and even unstable. You’ll need to pay a €250 (£224) insurance policy annually until the property has been renovated, and if you fail to complete renovations within three years you could be liable for a €20,000 (£18,000) fine.
Renovations shouldn’t cost too much, though, as the homes on offer are pretty small at around 40 square metres wide. The mayor estimates costs between €10,000 and €20,000.
It’s also worth noting that while the village is wonderful if you’re after peace and quiet, it’s not the most accessible spot.
Cinquefrondi sits in the toe of Italy’s boot and is more than five hours away from Naples airport – although if you’re happy to go by boat, it’s close to the harbour.
What it lacks in hustle and bustle, though, Cinquefrondi makes up for in charm. It’s rundown, sure, but also very pretty and old-world, with overgrown plants climbing up terracotta walls, winding streets, and views perfectly suited to an Instagram backdrop.
It’s a foodie hotspot too, with specialties including salami, struncatora pasta, and zeppole doughnuts. Drool.
If you’re already packing your bags, you can enquire about the houses on offer by emailing protocollo@pec.comune.cinquefrondi.rc.it.
There are currently 12 houses on offer, so move fast if you’re desperate to head over now – though 50 more could end up on the market.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/06/12/italian-village-cinquefrondi-selling-houses-90p-12842152/
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