Many dream of traveling across the globe, a chance to see the wonders of the world before their short lives come to an end. However, some people desire more than just travel, wanting to relocate from their homeland to a foreign place. One significant barrier keeping many from making this move is the cost of living in a new country, along with the challenges of finding a job and adjusting to life abroad.
Fortunately, some small towns in Italy are addressing this issue by offering financial incentives to attract new residents worldwide. According to Forbes, Italy is paying individuals to relocate to its cities as a means to boost economic opportunities in areas that are suffering from depopulation. For example, the project “Reddito di Residenza Attiva” in Calabria is offering $22,000 to anyone in the world who moves to mountain areas where the population is fewer than 3,000. Applicants must relocate to the community and start a business, or, if they are remote workers, they can receive a grant of $1,000 to live in these villages.
In the central region of Abruzzo, families are being offered $2,750 a year to relocate to mountain villages. At least one family member must change their residency to the village and commit to staying there for five years. Living in the northern Alps offers stunning natural views, but it also comes with the downside of isolation, with limited grocery stores and city amenities. Residents in these villages may find they do not have many neighbors.
Italy has a high unemployment rate. In fact, it has the highest unemployment rate in Europe. As a result, finding a job in rural Italy can be quite challenging. Nevertheless, Italy is known as “Il Bel Paese,” or “the Beautiful Country,” for a reason. For some, the cost of living may be outweighed by the unique rural mountains, which offer an experience unlike any other rural area in the world.
