Image source: Xenos/Wikipedia Commons
Ever wanted to feel like you're living in the classic novel Heidi? Are you inclined to skiing and yodelling? Then the tiny village of Albinen in Switzerland has an offer for you.
Albinen, in the canton of Valais, has seen its populations decrease in recent years, down to only 240 residents, according to The Local. To be fair, it's never been that large, with the population peaking at 380 people in 1900.
While full of holiday homes, permanent residents and younger families have begun to move away. The school was even forced to close after eight children and their families moved away in recent years.
As a solution, the idyllic village's government has proposed the idea of paying 25,000 francs per adult (about €21,500) and 10,000 francs (€8,600) per child who choose to move to Albinen. For a family of four, that's 70,000 francs, or €60,000!
The village's council will be voting soon on whether or not the policy will be put in place. They plan on putting 100,000 francs (€86,000) in every year in order to fund the grant scheme.
In order to qualify, you must be younger than 45 and agree to live in Albinen for at least 10 years. You also must purchase or build a house valued at 200,000 francs (€170,000) or more, and make it your permanent residence.
The money only must be repaid if you leave before the 10 years are up.
While there aren't many employment opportunities in the village itself, Albinen is only a half hour commute away from the towns of Visp and Sion.
So... who wants to move to a picturesque village at an altitude of 1,300 metres? We have our suitcases packed and ready to go!
