You could be paid £1,800 to move to an idyllic hilltop village… there’s no traffic & top beaches are a short drive away
A WHOLE new life in the beautiful Italian countryside could be yours if you take up this once in a lifetime offer.
The Italian town of Candela, previously known as ‘Little Naples’ due to it’s similarities with the country’s third largest city, is looking to grow its population.
Tucked away in Italy’s farming country, it is located just under two hours from Naples and an hour away from the beach in Puglia.
But with a residence of just 2,700 people to its name, Mayor Nicola Gatta is looking to boost Candela’s dwindling population.
“I work each day with passion and commitment to bring Candela back to its ancient splendor”, Mayor Gatta told CNN.
“Up until the 1960s, travelers called it ‘Nap’licchie’ (Little Naples), for it streets full of wayfarers, tourists, merchants and screaming vendors.”
Many houses have been left empty over the years but a plan has now been put in place to bring the population back up to 8,000.
And in order to achieve this, Mayor Gatta has announced that he is willing to pay people to move to the picturesque location.
He is hoping that free money will be a good enough incentive for a few thousand people – foreign or Italian – to help revitalise the area.
And as revealed by the mayor’s assistant Stefano Bascianelli, who spoke to CNN, between €800-€2,000 (£684-£1,710) is on offer.
He said: “This is how it works: 800 euros for singles, 1,200 euros for couples, 1,500 to 1,800 euros for three-member families, and over 2,000 euros for families of four to five people.”
He also confirmed that there might be tax credits for people who relocate.
But there are three conditions, however, to prove that you will be a productive resident of Candela.
The first two go without saying – you must move there and you must rent a house there.
But the third one, however, requires you to have a job that pays a salary of more than €7,500 (£6,413).
And with the requirements being so easy to meet, applications are already flying in.