The idyllic Swedish town of Götene received an overwhelming response from interested individuals after announcing a promotion to sell plots of land at prices starting at less than 10 cents per square meter. Located about 200 miles southwest of Stockholm, Götene aims to boost its population numbers amidst a national housing crisis, mounting interest rates, and declining birth rates, according to Mayor Johan Månsson.
Götene offers a quiet rural setting with around 5,000 full-time residents and 13,000 people in the surrounding municipality. The town is situated beside the largest lake in the EU and close to a nearby mountain town, as well as home to two UNESCO-rated sites. The local government is selling 30 plots of land that have been on the market for many years, and buyers must begin building a home within two years of purchase.
Initially, only about 30 interested buyers contacted Götene city hall when the land first went on sale in May. However, the program quickly gained widespread attention, leading to “thousands and thousands” of prospective buyers reaching out to city hall, causing chaos. Due to the overwhelming response, authorities decided to pause the program until early August to address the flood of requests.
Four buyers were able to purchase plots before the temporary halt, and once the program reopens, it is likely to transition to a bidding process for the remaining land. This initiative in Götene reflects a growing trend of Americans and others looking to Europe for more affordable housing options.