'Israeli' retirees turn abandoned Italian ruins into dream second homes
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- A growing number of ‘Israeli’ retirees are buying abandoned properties in rural Italy and restoring them as second homes.
- Some buyers are settling in the same areas, leading to the emergence of small ‘Israeli’ communities in parts of the Italian countryside.
A growing number of ‘Israeli’ retirees are investing in abandoned and run-down properties across rural Italy, breathing new life into historic structures while creating second homes away from their primary residences.
A recent report by YNet highlighted how some retirees are spending hundreds of thousands of euros to restore derelict buildings in Italian villages. The projects can be costly and complex, but buyers describe the transformations as a long-held dream.
For many of the buyers, the move does not mean permanently leaving ‘Israel’. Instead, they maintain their homes, families and lives there while dividing their time between ‘Israel’ and Italy.
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The restored properties offer a quieter retreat in scenic rural communities, allowing retirees to spend extended periods in the Italian countryside without fully relocating.
As more buyers acquire properties in the same rural areas, small ‘Israeli’ communities are beginning to take shape, with homeowners establishing local support networks and shared social spaces.
The trend has also raised questions about whether the properties will remain seasonal retreats or eventually lead to more permanent communities abroad.
For now, the buyers appear to be pursuing a middle ground: maintaining their lives in ‘Israel’ while building a second home and a new community in rural Italy.
