<strong>Italy wants you: </strong>In a fight to save their dying communities, numerous small towns across Italy, like Borgomezzavalle pictured here, are offering incentives to encourage foreigners to move there.
Italy wants you: In a fight to save their dying communities, numerous small towns across Italy, like Borgomezzavalle pictured here, are offering incentives to encourage foreigners to move there.
<strong>Borgomezzavalle, Piedmont:</strong> The town's population has dwindled to barely 320 residents. The town's mayor hopes to attract new people by offering them €1,000 per child to have babies.
Borgomezzavalle, Piedmont: The town's population has dwindled to barely 320 residents. The town's mayor hopes to attract new people by offering them €1,000 per child to have babies.
Roberto Bianchetti/Comune Borgomezzavalle
<strong>Cheap homes: </strong>Borgomezzavalle is also selling homes for €1 -- just over a dollar.
Cheap homes: Borgomezzavalle is also selling homes for €1 -- just over a dollar.
Roberto Bianchetti/Comune Borgomezzavalle
"This town was created in 2016 with the fusion of two neighboring villages which were disappearing," Mayor Alberto Preioni tells CNN Travel. "We've got tons of money to invest but we need kids and youth."
"This town was created in 2016 with the fusion of two neighboring villages which were disappearing," Mayor Alberto Preioni tells CNN Travel. "We've got tons of money to invest but we need kids and youth."
Roberto Bianchetti/Comune Borgomezzavalle
<strong>Locana, Piedmont:</strong> Meanwhile, the mayor of the tiny Alpine village of Locana is willing to pay up to €9,000, or $10,200, over three years to families willing to move in and take up residency.
Locana, Piedmont: Meanwhile, the mayor of the tiny Alpine village of Locana is willing to pay up to €9,000, or $10,200, over three years to families willing to move in and take up residency.
Comune Locarno
<strong>Alpine peaks: </strong>The Locana deal is on offer so long as applicants have a child and a minimum annual salary of €6,000.
Alpine peaks: The Locana deal is on offer so long as applicants have a child and a minimum annual salary of €6,000.
Comune Locarno
"Our population has shrunk from 7,000 residents in the early 1900s to barely 1,500 as people left looking for a job at Turin's big factories," Mayor Giovanni Bruno Mattiet tells CNN Travel. "Our school each year faces the risk of shutting down due to few pupils. I can't allow this to happen."
"Our population has shrunk from 7,000 residents in the early 1900s to barely 1,500 as people left looking for a job at Turin's big factories," Mayor Giovanni Bruno Mattiet tells CNN Travel. "Our school each year faces the risk of shutting down due to few pupils. I can't allow this to happen."
Comune Locarno
<strong>Success story: </strong>Some destination have already reaped the rewards of discount home deals. Ollolai, in Sardinia, has sold several dozen €1 houses.
Success story: Some destination have already reaped the rewards of discount home deals. Ollolai, in Sardinia, has sold several dozen €1 houses.
Courtesy Sardegna Live/Roberto Tangianu
<strong>Candela, Puglia: </strong>Candela offered people up to €2,000 to move there plus tax credits. It now boasts a dozen new residents of all ages, nationalities and professions, says former mayor Nicola Gatta.
Candela, Puglia: Candela offered people up to €2,000 to move there plus tax credits. It now boasts a dozen new residents of all ages, nationalities and professions, says former mayor Nicola Gatta.
Courtesy Franceso Pio Delvecchio / Comune Candela
<strong>Sambuca, Sicily:</strong> This tiny town prompted a property stampede when CNN Travel broke the news of its €1 homes deal.
Sambuca, Sicily: This tiny town prompted a property stampede when CNN Travel broke the news of its €1 homes deal.
Simone Padovani/Awakening/Alamy
<strong>Cianciana, Sicily:</strong> Cianciana is one of several Sicilian towns that have become cheap retirement destinations thanks to low rents and cheap cost of living.
Cianciana, Sicily: Cianciana is one of several Sicilian towns that have become cheap retirement destinations thanks to low rents and cheap cost of living.
Piero Frisco/Proloco
<strong>Caltabellotta, Sicily: </strong>Another popular retirement destination in sunny Sicily.
Caltabellotta, Sicily: Another popular retirement destination in sunny Sicily.
Terre Sicane/Antonio Barone