George Laing, 33, was drowning in £10,000 of debt due to the high cost of living in London and poor financial decisions during his youth. Despite earning a decent salary, most of his income went toward rent, bills, and commuting costs—leaving him stuck in a cycle of debt that grew by around £300 monthly.
After losing his night shift job and facing mounting bills, George discovered Italy’s one euro house scheme, which offers derelict homes for a nominal price. In December 2022, he purchased a dilapidated three-bedroom house in Mussomeli, Sicily, for just 85p and invested roughly £2,000 into renovations.
With no running water or electricity initially, George lived frugally, using baby wipes and sneaking into restaurants for restroom access while gradually improving the property. Alongside the renovations, he documented his journey on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, turning his experiences into content that eventually sponsored his living expenses and helped him pay off debt.
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Remarkably, George cleared his £10,000 debt within two years and increased his income through content creation and real estate. He now owns two properties in Sicily, the second being a three-floor house he is converting into studio flats. By doing much of the work himself—despite limited construction knowledge—he saved on costs and gained valuable skills for his future plans.
George’s long-term goal is to build a property business, acquiring and renovating larger buildings such as old orphanages and hospitals to rent or sell. His strategy combines affordable real estate purchases and social media promotion to rejuvenate areas and inspire others to relocate.
Having sold hundreds of copies of his comprehensive 40-page guide to moving to Italy, George earns additional income by auctioning found items from his homes. He emphasizes that the one euro house schemes work best with social media visibility—a method he pioneered in his adopted town.
Reflecting on the stark contrast between London and Sicily’s property markets, George highlights the affordability and quality of life in Italy. While London rents for a one-bedroom flat can hit £1,300 monthly, average rent in Sicily is under £350, with much lower utility bills and grocery costs.
George’s advice and seminars have motivated others to follow his path to financial freedom through property ownership abroad. He praises the welcoming local community of Mussomeli and cherishes the peaceful lifestyle he now enjoys—something he never could afford back in London.