After numerous Italian communities have tried to revive their dwindling populations by selling off dilapidated homes for little more than a dollar, one town has come up with a new approach.

Teora, a pretty destination located in the southern region of Campania, is hoping to lure potential residents by offering to pay towards their rent if they move in.

While the $1.60 home deals have been a huge success across Italy, with towns from Sicily in the south to the northern Alps attracting new residents committed to investing in extensive renovations, it’s feared that those buying into it are just acquiring cheap holiday homes rather than settling down.

Teora thinks its plan will work better.

It says it will pay newcomers €150 per month (about AUD243) toward the cost of renting an empty house there over the course of two years, or offer them €5,000(AUD8097) to buy one themselves.

Potentials residents can take in scenic hillside views - and get paid for it in the process.
Potentials residents can take in scenic hillside views - and get paid for it in the process. Credit: Michele Notaro/Comune Toera
The catch? Buyers will need to take up residency in Teora for at least three years, and they must already have at least one child when they apply.

“I don’t believe in selling empty houses for €1, that doesn’t incentivise people to stay in town,” Stefano Farina, the mayor of Teora, tells CNN.

“They just come a few months a year as holidaymakers. That’s not the solution. But taking up residency and enrolling kids at the local school, that does breathe new life.”

Earthquake aftermath
According to Farina, the town’s population decreased dramatically after an earthquake in 1980, which caused severe damage to Teora, as well as nearby Lioni, and has never fully recovered.

“Two babies are born [in Teora] each year versus 20 elders who die,” he explains.

“We’re down to barely 1,500 residents. After the terrible quake, many young people fled.

“I want to invert this negative trend.

Children the future
“Children are our future, new families will be the building blocks of our shrinking community, so we encourage those with more kids to apply.”

Teora may just have the edge on fellow Italian towns when it comes to the cost of relocating.

Currently, a rental here can cost as little as €200 per month, while 100-square-meter homes are on the market for just €30,000.

This means those opting to rent one of the properties could end up paying just €50 a month.

Teora is close to Naples and Rome.
Michele Notaro/Comune Teora
Meanwhile, the final cost of a home would shrink down to around €25,000 with the mayor’s €5,000 gift - less than the amount €1 home buyers have invested in restyling their crumbling properties.

The available houses are all in good condition, as they were rebuilt from scratch after the earthquake.

Some even come with furniture.

Fees waived
The town is also offering to waive school meal fees and local taxes for local services.

“So far two Italian families have settled down and one from Brazil with Italian roots,” adds Farina.

“They even brought along the grandparents.”

He hopes many others will follow suit.

But what can Teora offer that other Italian towns can’t?


https://7news.com.au/news/travel/italian-city-of-toera-will-pay-your-rent-if-you-choose-to-visit--c-703537

White life

Nah dis kind place

I for don come hide

since the 2016 massive mistake

To return 2023 to correct d mistakes!

Black countries is never sweet

Unless u just dey "4hawk something oily"

Watin I do here na