Chicago-based saxophonist Joshua Shapiro purchased an abandoned apartment in the village of Latronico, Italy, as part of his plan to eventually move away from the United States. Despite encountering unexpected challenges such as cultural clashes over furniture and the presence of elderly nuns as tenants, Shapiro is drawn to the remote, mountainous village's slower-paced lifestyle and creative potential. He has spent around $10,730 on renovations so far and is exempt from property and waste disposal taxes for five years, making the purchase a bargain compared to Chicago's real estate prices.
Trevor Barrett, a bladesmith living in rural Alaska, shares his experience of living on $52,000 a year in a town of 2,000 people. Despite the challenges of high living costs, limited access to supplies, and harsh winters, Trevor and his wife Larissa have found joy in the quiet life, privacy, and outdoor activities that Alaska offers. Trevor turned his hobby of bladesmithing into a successful business, Barrett Knives, which has allowed him to work from home and spend more time with his family. They prioritize living simply, managing debt, and saving for the future, with hopes of passing down the legacy of bladesmithing to their son.
Atelier Kaiser Shen has designed a straw bale duplex house in Pfaffenhofen, Germany, using locally sourced straw bales as insulation to improve thermal performance. The house is raised off the ground and comprises two interlocking duplexes, each with eight uniform square rooms that can be used alternatively as kitchens, bedrooms, living or dining rooms. The interiors are clad in untreated and white-washed spruce wood, providing warm and natural finishes to all spaces. The house has a negative annual total energy requirement and meets the Efficiency House Plus Standard.
A TikTok video by an Alaskan teenager has gone viral, revealing the high cost of groceries in the state. The video shows the prices of common household items, including coffee, tea, honey, and soda, which are significantly higher than in other parts of the US. Many TikTok users have expressed shock and recognition of their own privilege. An economist for the Alaska Department of Labor claims that food costs are outpacing inflation, making it difficult for rural Alaskan residents to afford basic necessities. Videos like this provide insight into the challenges of rural living and highlight the ways in which we may take our own privilege for granted.
With a shrinking population and over 10 million abandoned properties, Japan is struggling to match houses with buyers. An emerging segment of buyers is seeking out rural architecture in need of some love. The most recent government data reported about 8.5 million akiya across the country, but observers say there are many more today. Municipalities across Japan are compiling listings of vacant houses for sale or rent, known as “akiya banks.” Real estate companies have begun to snap up habitable antique houses and market them to non-Japanese luxury buyers.
