“I Plan to Use It Like a Retirement Plan,” Says 29-Year-Old Homeowner

The American Dream vs. Reality

For many young Americans, homeownership feels increasingly out of reach. Skyrocketing property prices, bidding wars, and high mortgage rates make it difficult for first-time buyers to break into the market. Lauren Scott, a 29-year-old freelancer in the film industry, faced this reality while living in Los Angeles.

For years, she paid $1,175 a month for a small studio apartment, all while searching for a home within a $400,000 budget. However, the pandemic-driven real estate boom in 2020 pushed prices even higher, and Scott found herself outbid time and time again. Frustrated, she began exploring unconventional options—eventually leading her to purchase a house in Italy without ever seeing it in person.

Why Buy a Home in Italy?

Scott saw international real estate as a smart long-term investment. She viewed her Italian home as a retirement plan—one that offered affordability, charm, and potential for future rental income.

She’s not alone. More Americans are looking beyond U.S. borders for affordable housing options. In particular, Italy has become a hotspot due to initiatives such as the famous €1 home program, which aims to repopulate small towns by selling abandoned properties at symbolic prices.

Others Taking the Same Leap

Scott’s story mirrors that of George Laing, a British buyer who purchased a €1 home in Mussomeli, Sicily. While the home needed renovations, Laing saw it as an opportunity to build generational wealth. Similarly, entrepreneur Stephanie Synclair from Atlanta bought a home in Sicily for $62,000 and now splits her time between the U.S. and Italy, embracing a more relaxed lifestyle.

A Growing Trend: Americans Investing in Foreign Real Estate

With U.S. real estate prices remaining high, the trend of Americans buying homes abroad is on the rise. Many see international properties as not just vacation getaways, but strategic investments for retirement or rental income.

From €1 homes in Italy to affordable beachfront properties in Mexico and Portugal’s Golden Visa program, global real estate is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to the traditional American housing market.

Would You Buy a Home Abroad?

Would you consider purchasing a home in another country? Whether for investment, retirement, or lifestyle changes, stories like Scott’s highlight a growing movement of young people redefining the meaning of homeownership.