How I bought and renovated my dream Italian villa for less than £100k

How I Bought and Renovated My Dream Italian Villa for Less Than £100k

As autumn arrived and the weather turned colder, many dream of escaping Britain’s wet and chilly climate for sunnier destinations. For Jonathan Smith, 38, from the outskirts of Manchester, this daydream became a reality just over a year ago.

In 2024, Jonathan left his UK life behind. He quit his day job and purchased an abandoned Sicilian villa for €21,500 (£18,701), receiving a discount of €80,000 (£69,406). Over the last six months, he has been renovating the villa to make it a comfortable home for himself and his family.

Making the Dolce Vita Dream Affordable

Jonathan managed to realize his dream for less than €100,000 (£86,758). He encourages others looking for change to take the plunge as well.

Family and Financial Planning

Jonathan, formerly a hotel maintenance worker, and his partner Aby, an accountant, have always considered buying a second property abroad for their family, which includes their children, 13-year-old Eithan and six-year-old Hugo. Over 15 years, they carefully saved any spare cash, gradually accumulating around €100,000 (£88,000), funds they believed would cover both purchase and renovation.

“This amount would be sufficient to cover both the property purchase and renovation costs.”

Author’s summary: Jonathan’s inspiring story shows how careful planning and determination can turn a long-held dream of owning a foreign villa into an affordable reality.

Daily Mail — 2025-11-06