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The allure of moving to a new country to begin your next adventure, work at that dream job, or for a fresh start is a tempting notion to many of us. Though numerous people would jump at the opportunity to explore and live in a new place, not everyone has the funds to do it. But what if we told you there are many picturesque towns around the world that would be willing to pay you to move there? From top tourist destinations to quaint country villages, the below towns are giving away cheap land, paying for university fees, and some are even just handing out cash to new homeowners. So before making any decisions on where you may move to next, check out this list of places in the world that will pay you to live there — you might just find your next home.
Sambuca di Sicilia, Sicily (above)
Just an hour’s drive from Sicily’s capital, Palermo, is the small town of Sambuca di Sicilia, which is selling homes for less than the price of an espresso. The population of 6000 is in rapid decline, and the town is trying to keep residents there by putting vacant homes on the market for just €1. The only condition: new home owners must commit to refurbishing their property within three years, at a cost starting from €15,000 – equal to AU$24000 — and will need a €5000 security deposit.
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Molise, Italy
Molise is a mountainous region of Southern Italy, noted for its cheeses, its regional cuisine, and the laid back rural atmosphere. The small town is now offering people €700 – equal to $1140 Australian Dollars – per month for up to three years to move to one of its villages with fewer than 2,000 residents. However, to qualify for the generous offer newcomers have to contribute to the local economy by opening a small business. Pizza shop, anyone?
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Antikythera, Greece
A sun-speckled island in Greece full of sweeping beaches and only one village, the island of Antikythera with its 40 residents is eager to increase its population. Hoping to welcome newcomers, a selected few can receive a house, a small patch of land and a monthly cheque of €500 – equal to AU$813 – for the first three years of residence. A few families have already taken up the generous offer, which caused the island’s only schoolhouse to finally reopen its doors after years of being unused.
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Candela, Italy
Once being referred to as ‘Little Naples’ due to it’s formerly crowded streets, Candela in Puglia has seen a drop in population, from 8000 residents in the 1990s to only 2700. The residents want to revive the town by offering up to €2000 — equal to AU$3250 — to people who are willing to relocate. To be eligible, you must rent a house and have a job with a salary of at least €7500 per year.
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Albinen, Switzerland
An otherwise idyllic Swiss village, Albinen only has a population of 240 people. In an attempt to increase the population residents proposed to pay $25,000 to each adult and $10,000 per child to live in their quaint little village. The catch? Those interested must commit to living in Albinen for 10 years and build a house valued at 200,000 Swiss francs – equal to AU$295,000.
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Alaska
Known in the US as the last frontier, Alaska remains a mostly wild and mysterious place, a perfect place to live for any adventure lovers out there. There are many programs that are helping encourage people to move to Alaska’s many towns. If you make your home energy-efficient, the state gives you an interest-rate reduction. Alaska also offers programs for veterans, and live-in caretakers of disabled residents.
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Santiago, Chile
Those wishing to relocate to the capital and largest city of Chile, Santiago, may be interested in Start-Up Chile (SUP), a company that provides equity free investment for qualified start-ups, that was launched in 2010. Anyone who hopes to participate in the Santiago-based program can expect to receive upwards of $80,000, as well as included visas and office space.
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Ponga, Spain
For young couples dreaming to start afresh in a new country, Ponga is offering €3,000 —equal to AU$4900— to young couples willing to live in the village. As a bonus, for every child born in the town the couple can receive another €3,000, though to qualify newcomers are required to stay in the village for five years.
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Niagara Falls, New York
Having trouble with student debt? For those who choose to live in Niagara Falls, New York, the city will reimburse your student loans up to nearly US$7,000, as long as you agree to live in specific neighbourhoods for two years. So why not have your student debt paid while enjoying the world’s fastest-moving waterfall.
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