Looking for a change of scenery? If a utopic, picturesque mountainside village in Switzerland sounds like your cup of tea, you're in luck. The small village of Albinen, in the stunning Canton of Valais, is now offering families handsome sums of money to move to their remote community, and we just have one question - would you?
Albinen is a quiet, peaceful town with spectacular alpine views, but according to municipality president Beat Jost, families and young people are leaving in droves. The population has dwindled to a measly 240, and the village school has even closed, forcing the community's 7 remaining children to commute to another nearby town. So, what's a small village in a rich country to do in times like these? Pay off prospective new residents, of course!
The initiative is meant to attract families and people under age 45 who are seeking to buy or build a new home. Each adult will be offered a little over $25 thousand for their time, with each child being worth about $10 thousand. This means that a family of four could rake in more than $70 grand, provided their investment in a home totals at least $200k. If you're like Feodor Vassilyev, the Russian peasant who sired 69 children with his first wife, you'd be in for over $700k. All those mangy kids of yours might finally prove to be a return on investment!
Scroll down to see the wondrous Albinen for yourself, and let us know if you're booking plane tickets already in the comments.
This mountainside village in Switzerland is rolling out a bold new way to jump-start the local economy
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
The small community of Albinen is facing a population crisis, with only 240 people now inhabiting the area
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
Of those hundreds, only 7 children remain, and even the local school has been forced to close its doors
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
For families looking to buy or build a home in the village, a handsome offer will be made
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
Each adult will be payed just over $25k, while each of their children will receive about $10k, just for moving there
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
That's a grand total of about $70k for a family of 4
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
If you're like Mr. and Mrs. Vassilyev, the Russian peasants who sired 69 children, you'd be in for over $700k
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
That's a relative bargain to live in the stunning Canton of Valais with million-dollar alpine views
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
Image credits: Gerhard Mathieu
Would you pack it all up and start a new life in Albinen?
Image credits: PETER P