This story is part of the October 20 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories . By the sea or in the bush, it’s a rare Australian who didn’t grow up dreaming of one day owning a holiday home.
The dream is still there, of course, but as homes in some of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations shoot past the million-dollar mark, many of us have begun looking at inexpensive alternatives across Italy, France, Portugal and Croatia. It’s a rare Australian who didn’t grow up dreaming of one day owning a holiday home. Credit: BONNINSTUDIO / Stocksy United While many are priced well below $40,000, it’s entirely possible to buy a home in regional and rural destinations overseas for as little as €1, possible thanks to local schemes designed around reversing depopulation and restoring old homes.
The caveat? Buy a “renovators’ delight” in Sicily’s Municipality of Mussomeli through Case 1 Euro, for example, and you must completely renovate the property within three years of purchase. Whether you buy the house for $50,000 or little more than a pack of gum, what does it mean to buy, renovate and own a home in France, Italy or Greece? Three women share their journeys. “We’re renovating with the help of Google Translate” Jaclyn Lofts, tour leader, 46 It took us a year to find the perfect property.
“Italy has long been my ‘happy place’ so it was no great surprise that I celebrated Australia opening back up post-COVID with a three-week solo hike along St Fr.