Gangi with Mt. Etna in the background. Alamy

I’m sure you’ve daydreamed about owning a home in the Italian countryside. I know I definitely have. Well, according to the New York Times, a town below Mt. Etna, Gangi is actually giving away homes! Really (some are being given away, some are going for as little as one euro). Located close to central Italy, in the Madonie mountains, Gangi has dealt with a seriously dwindling population in the last century, loosing over half of it’s population to emigration. These houses were left abandoned and the town government is trying to bolster the local economy, and attract new inhabitants that will love and want to preserve Gangi. The catch: these homes are hardcore fixer-uppers, sometimes gut jobs and you have only four years to do it. As someone that’s spent time in Southern Italy, let me tell ya, that’s a pretty big catch, especially if you’re a foreigner. However, in 2014, Gangi was voted the most beautiful village in Italy, Borgo Piú Bello d’Italia, so maybe it’s just about rolling up your sleeves and getting down to the nitty gritty! Plus, for Godfather buffs, Gangi is in the same province as Corleone.

the Ventimiglia tower in the center of Gangi. Alamy

Gangi on the Madonie Mountains. Alamy

Gangi with Mt. Etna in the background. Alamy

With an offer like this, of course, there’s a growing wait list but over 100 homes have been given away or sold so far! Priority is definitely given to those applications that aim to bolster the local economy.