Italy (besides being one of the most fascinating countries in the world) is very famous for its €1 houses. The program began when Sicilian towns started to attract more and more people with cheap properties that require renovations and residency. At the beginning the whole idea has been to bring back former citizens who left for work and study. But after a while many towns started to attract even foreigners, who wanted to change the scenery behind the window and build their own home in Sicily.
A small town of Cammarata took that principle even further and made headlines by attracting newcomers withy… Free housing! As a result, the demand has been huge. But not a single house was given away. How so? You guessed it right, the pandemic yet again has ruined all plans.
But the right button has been pushed, and those who left a pretty village once in their past, decided to come back to their roots and settle in their hometown. Because of the COVID-19, people started to look for real estate in suburbs and less crowded areas. Cammarata is not an exclusion.
Young professionals, who moved away to bigger cities like Milan and London to chase money, decided that they’ve had enough. The generation of millennials, adult enough to live and move on their own in their own place want to participate in bri8nging life back to their homeland. CNN has prepared an interview with volunteers, who returned to Cammarata to start a new life and help others find piece and comfort in a beautiful Sicilian destination.
15 former residents came back home to found a cultural association called StreetTo, the main aim of which is to bring life back to the quiet historic center. Volunteers want to help everyone who submits into the program to choose a good house in a nice suitable location, help with renovation plans and assist in adaptation to Sicilian culture and traditions.
The whole point is to breathe new life into the town, not to turn it into a resort with vacation housing. The group is not stuck on Italian culture, on the contrary they are looking for more opportunities for cultural diversity. After all, people come here from Italy, Britain, Argentina and even Iran to begin a whole new life. The process of cultural exchanging will only make this place more living.
Just like in other places, here the repairmen of a house can cost up to €60,000-80,000. But if you don’t mine to buy a smaller place in a relatively good condition, then refurbishment requires only about €25.000.