A viral video convinced me to buy a cheap home in Sicily. It cost less than a year of my rent in LA, but renovating it isn't easy.

Kiki Leigh bought a 17-room house in Mussomeli, Italy, after being inspired on social media. Courtesy of Kiki Leigh Kiki Leigh saw videos of Americans buying cheap homes in Italy and wanted to do the same. Leigh was drawn to Italy's strong sense of community, in contrast to life in Los Angeles. She bought a 17-room home in 2024 and is continuing to renovate it. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kiki Leigh, a 28-year-old originally from Winnipeg, Canada, who is relocating...