Have you ever dreamt of running away from it all and setting up home on a rugged island with just sheep and a few hardy locals to keep you company? If the answer's yes, you're in luck! The Irish government will even pay you up to £71,850 (€84k / $91.5k) to make your dream come true. Don't believe us? Let's take a look...
The Irish government is paying people to move to some of its most beautiful (and most sparsely inhabited) islands. The scheme, known as 'Our Living Islands' was launched in June 2023 and is designed to boost the dwindling population numbers on remote isles, including the stunning Arranmore (pictured), just off the coast of County Donegal. Eligible escapees will receive a minimum grant of £51,388 (€60k / $65.3k) to breathe life back into a vacant house or up to £71,850 (€84k / $91.5k) to revive a derelict home. Of course, there's a bit of a catch...
The funds are for the sole purpose of carrying out building work such as structural improvements, installing insulation and redecoration. Yes, that's an almost £72,000 redecoration budget, sign us up! The grants only apply to a building that was constructed before 1993 and that has been vacant for at least two years. We think this incredible derelict lighthouse on Inishmore Island (also known as Inis Mór) more than fits the bill. On sale for £471,334 (€550k / $599k), the 200-year-old local landmark has incredible sea views and also overlooks the Aran Islands as well as the five costal counties of Galway, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Mayo.
The fairytale property stands on more than two acres of emerald green isle, right next to the ancient Dún Eochla monument. The large Celtic stone ring fort is thought to date to some time between 550 and 800 AD. The innermost wall is a massive five metres high and three-and-a-half metres thick and would have made an impressive dwelling for the local Iron Age chieftain who lived there. Whoever snaps up the old lighthouse may find themselves sharing the island with visitors attracted after watching the Oscar-nominated film The Banshees of Inisherin, which was filmed on Inishmore.
The government has also pledged money to improve the islands' infrastructure, including health, education and high-speed broadband, in the hope that (very) remote-workers might be attracted to island life. Homes on the islands of Clare, Achill, Inisheer and breathtaking Tory Island (pictured, population:100) are also eligible under the scheme. Applications open 1 July 2023, so if you've got your heart set on a move to one of these incredible isles, you can get going straight away. But it's not just Ireland who are getting involved with tempting moving schemes...
Read on to find more places enticing buyers with various benefits
Moving house is considered one of the most stressful and financially challenging things you can do in your life, but some locations offer an incentive that could ease the burden. Around the world, towns, cities and states are offering cash rewards to new residents that up sticks and set up home there. Click or scroll on to explore the places that'll pay you to stay, plus properties you can snap up right now.
If you're not afraid to relocate, then you could soon be a landowner in the Australian outback. The tiny town of Quilpie is incredibly remote. In fact, it's 1,000 kilometres west of Brisbane. To try and encourage people to move to the area and boost the population, Quilpie Shire Council established the Homeowners Grant, which will pay eligible applicants AUD$20,000 (£10.5k/$13.3k) to up sticks and move there. Since there are plots of land in the area listed for the same price, the scheme will essentially give people a free plot of land to build on, but there are some stipulations...
For starters, you must be a new homeowner, promise to build a property that's worth less than AUD$750,000, that's £401,000 ($501k), and commit to living in Quilpie for at least six months. The grant will be paid out per new home, not to each applicant for the same home, and it applies to all township areas across Quilpie Shire; Adavale, Eromanga, Cheepie, Quilpie and Toompine. The grant may also be available for relocated homes, which have been substantially renovated. According to The Guardian, the scheme has attracted attention both nationally and internationally, with more than 250 inquiries from as far afield as India and Hong Kong.
If you want to get your hands on a plot of Quilpie's distinctive red earth, you could snap up this vacant 28,255-square-foot lot for just £26,248 (AUD$50k / $33.4k). Marked in green, the plot is the largest of the 43 parcels on Boobook Place, only a few of which have been developed so far. With plenty of space, plus curbside access to power, water and sewerage, not to mention a financial sweetner to seal the deal, we can't see this lot remaining empty for long.
While the scheme only covers self-builds, this three-bedroom bungalow might spark some inspiration for your project. It's for sale in Quilpie for £110,000 (AUD$210k / $140k). While the grant wouldn't cover the full cost of building a property like this, it would make the task of self-building a little more affordable. It's hoped that the scheme will result in the building of around four or five new homes, easing the housing shortage affecting regional Australia, and helping to rekindle a dwindling community. But if the Outback isn't for you, Quilpie isn't the only place willing to pay you to move there...
In an attempt to attract creatives and digital nomads, the US city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, created the Tulsa Remote program. The scheme pays out £7,850 ($10k) to eligible applicants, who commit themselves to living in the city for at least one year. Aimed at remote workers, those eligible also gain access to co-working spaces, with complimentary snacks and beverages, as well as monthly workshops with local entrepreneurs. Let's take a look at the sort of home you could buy here...
A highly affordable place to live, the average Tulsa home value is around £185,159 ($236k). This charming ranch home lies in the Sequoyah neighbourhood of Tulsa and is currently for sale with Point2 Homes for just £109,451 ($139.5k). For this tiny sum, you'll get a pretty home, plus 8,276 square feet of exterior space.
The three-bedroom, one-bathroom home was built in 1950, but a recent remodel has added a new roof, interior and exterior paint, gutters, windows, kitchen, bathroom and granite countertops. The open-plan living space has a fresh, modern feel, while the dark wood floors remind us of the home's history.
Outside, the large garden boasts mature trees, an extra-large driveway and this surprising extra, a tornado shelter! Over 2,400 people have taken advantage of the Tulsa Remote scheme so far, will you be the next person to up sticks and move to this historic city?
In order to tackle its decreasing population, the shrinking alpine village of Albinen decided to pay people to relocate there. Those happy to dedicate 10 years to living in the village, which is situated 4,265 feet above sea level, will receive £21,920 (CHF25k / $28k), with an additional £8,767 (CHF10k / $11k) awarded for every child they have. To be eligible, you'll need to be under 45 years old, own a Swiss passport and commit to using the cash to buy, build or renovate a property in the village.
If you like the sound of life in Albinen, then check out this chalet-style apartment in nearby Nendaz. Offering unobstructed panoramic views, the apartment comes with its own private balcony overlooking the area's renowned ski slopes.
Measuring 1,050 square feet, the ultra-modern apartment lies in the brand-new and exclusive Bike & Ski Residence building. With a stylish open-plan lounge, dining zone and kitchen, there's also one bedroom and one bathroom.
One of just 16 apartments in the complex, the project is due to be completed by the end of 2023, and will be finished to the highest spec. Sadly, living in Switzerland doesn't come cheap, even with cash incentives, and the place will set you back £692,560 (CHF790k / $880k). But with a little boost from the local government, and the ski slopes of the region right on your doorstep, the move might just be worthwhile.
In May 2018, the US state of Vermont began offering money to people willing to move there to work remotely for an out-of-state employer. The Remote Worker Grant Program was created to address the state’s ageing population and was refreshed in February 2022 with new set rules. To be eligible for the grant, you'll need to relocate to Vermont and become a full-time resident, and have wages that equal or exceed the Vermont livable wage rate of £10.53 ($13.39) per hour. In return, you'll be paid up to £5,900 ($7.5k).
According to Zillow, the average house in Vermont costs £272,208 ($346k), which makes this historic shiplap home in West Rutland an absolute bargain. Currently listed as 'active under contract' for a mere £157,332 ($200k), it boasts 2,944 square feet of interior space and large front and back gardens.
The charming property dates to 1900 and though it was once a single home, has since been turned into two apartments. Both units have been completely renovated and while the ground floor one spans almost 1,500 square feet and has two bedrooms, the other spans 1,100 square feet and features three bedrooms. A total blank canvas, the new owner could choose to live in one of the properties and lease the other one out, or undertake a renovation scheme to transform it back to a single residence.
What's more, there's a basement floor that's waiting to be converted and put to use. Plus, with so much space outside there's room here to extend the property further. Upon successful relocation to Vermont, applicants will be able to claim reimbursement for everything from hiring a moving company to the renting of moving equipment. How's that for helpful?
The city of New Haven, Connecticut, is granting as much as £7,867 ($10k) to help new residents get on the property ladder and boost its dwindling population. In order to obtain the funds, you'll need to be a first-time buyer. Plus, if you meet the 300% Federal Poverty Guidance (FPG) then you'll receive an extra £11,800 ($15k) toward down-payment assistance. The best bit? After five years, the loan is 100% forgiven. Let's take a look at what's on offer in New Haven.
If you want to make the most of this local contribution, then opt for something super affordable, like a compact but stylish apartment. Located on York Street in the heart of New Haven, this lovely studio is in demand, so get your offer in now!
Yours for just £51,149 ($65k), the clever apartment packs a lot in, despite its 422-square-foot layout. There's an open-plan living room, a fully equipped kitchen, a bedroom area, a bathroom and a private balcony with views of the city.
The unit has been remodelled with new flooring, doors, paint and electrics. Plus, heat, hot water and property taxes are all included thanks to a small monthly fee. Even better, the building features 24-hour security, elevators, updated laundry facilities, on-site property management and a communal swimming pool.
St. Clair County lies to the north of Michigan's largest city, Detroit. The region launched an annual Community Foundation, aimed at college students who are looking to buy their first home and settle down in the area. Also known as the Come Home Award, the program is paying out £12,000 ($15k) to each student who decides to make the move. Applications are open every year, but close in March, so keep your eyes peeled. Let's see the sort of house a student could snap up in the region...
For just £181,000 ($230k), you could get your hands on this charming bungalow in Memphis, a city that straddles the border between Macomb and St. Clair counties.
While the interior could certainly use an update, there's a cosy feel to the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, which includes a living room with brick fireplace and an all-season sunroom with wood-burning stove and French doors that lead to a deck outside.
The Rural Municipality of Pipestone, in southwestern Manitoba, Canada, is hoping to boost its economic growth by encouraging people to set up home in the area. The region is offering home purchase grants of up to £3,575 (CAD$6k / $4.5k) on a new home or up to £2,383 (CAD$4k / $3k) on an existing one. They're also offering business property grants for up to £19,000 (CAD$32k / $24). The grants are designed to build a stronger, healthier community by encouraging residential and commercial development.
The Rural Municipality of Pipestone encompasses the communities of Reston, Pipestone, Cromer and Sinclair, which have a combined population of just 1,500 residents, so the property market here isn't exactly booming. But, if you know where you look, you can find yourself a truly lovely home. This spacious fixer-upper, for example, lies in Reston and is on the market for just £78,000 (CAD$130k / $99k). How's that for cheap?
The affordable historic home was built in 1907 and while it's dated and in need of an overhaul, there are plenty of appealing features that the new owner might want to retain, such as timber trims, hardwood floors and sash windows. As for space, the interior stretches 2,189 square feet across two floors.
The house has a three-sided veranda, a large kitchen, a laundry area, a dining and living zone, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. There's even a partial basement that currently houses the mechanicals, including the electric furnace, but it could be converted and used as additional living space. Plus, there's a leafy 11,500-square-foot yard right outside.
Over in wild and beautiful Alaska, the Permanent Fund Dividend means all residents who have lived in the state for a full year and who intend to remain an Alaskan resident, receive a yearly sum. The annual amount comes from a state-owned fund, which is fed by Alaska's oil revenues, so the money varies depending on the stock market. In 2022, for example, it paid out around £2,597 ($3.3k) to every adult residing in the state. Let's take a look at some Alaskan real estate...
If you have a little cash to splash, this incredible lodge could be the spot for you. Perched on a 150-foot cliff overlooking Resurrection Bay, this special property was featured on an episode of Building Alaska and already operates as a successful wilderness lodge, however, if you fancy taking up a new career and settling in this wilderness escape you should keep in mind it's very remote, only accessible by boat or helicopter!
The tiny but picturesque Spanish village of Ponga has the oldest population in Asturias. To ensure the idyllic spot thrives for years to come, hamlet officials are offering young couples that meet their criteria £2,600 (€2,971 / $3.2k) to move there, with the same amount given again for each child born there. There's a catch to the scheme, but for many it won't be too much of an issue. In order to take advantage of the offer, relocators have to commit to living in Ponga for five years.
The municipality of Ponga is home to a vast nature reserve, lies on the cusp of the Cantabrian Mountains and is a registered UNESCO World Heritage site. But there's another huge plus when it comes to this pretty Spanish village, real estate is incredibly cheap. For just £144,737 (€169k / $184k), you could bag yourself this villa in the heart of the village.
The 2,992 square foot property is currently being used for hospitality purposes. However, if you buy the place you could easily turn it back into a family home. There's enough space for a living room, dining space, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Many of the rooms feature soaring, beamed ceilings and lovely ceramic floors.
The villa was constructed back to 1960, but it underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2005, so it's in excellent working order. There's even a gorgeous balcony outside, where you could soak up some seriously amazing mountain views. So, if you're not afraid to pack up your life and move elsewhere, these amazing opportunities await...
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