American Buys 17-Room House in Italy for Shockingly Low Price, Now Reveals How Much She Spent in Renovations (Exclusive)
- - American Buys 17-Room House in Italy for Shockingly Low Price, Now Reveals How Much She Spent in Renovations (Exclusive)
Tereza ShkurtajFebruary 8, 2026 at 3:30 AM
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Kiki Leigh; her home in Mussomeli, Sicily.
Kiki Leigh (2)
After 15 years in Los Angeles, Kiki Leigh realized she was craving a change
Inspired by the trending movement of buying and renovating homes in Italy, she decided to take the leap herself
In 2024, Leigh found exactly what she was looking for in the small town of Mussomeli, Sicily
For 15 years, Kiki Leigh built a life in Los Angeles – a city that shaped her career, creativity and independence. But over time, something began to feel misaligned.
The pace was relentless, the cost of living ever-rising and the sense of fulfillment she once felt no longer kept up. What started as a quiet discomfort gradually became impossible to ignore, and rather than an escape, she was looking for a meaningful change.
“It wasn’t one dramatic moment so much as a slow realization that the life I was living no longer matched my values,” Leigh, 28, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “L.A. taught me a lot, but over time everything began to feel fast, performative and expensive in ways that didn’t actually translate into a better quality of life.”
Kiki Leigh.
Kiki Leigh
It was in June 2024 – when the feeling had become impossible to ignore – that Leigh began noticing a stream of social media videos about people buying and renovating homes abroad.
Curious, she started digging deeper, wondering whether the lifestyle was realistic and if she could actually afford it. “When I looked into it, I was surprised by how much more attainable and straightforward it was than I had imagined,” she reveals.
Leigh’s search eventually led her to Mussomeli, one of the small towns in Sicily that attracted attention for its $1 house program. While the scheme initially caught her attention, it felt too overwhelming for what she wanted to take on.
It wasn’t until she saw another creator sharing videos of homes in the area that she truly went down the “rabbit hole.” From there, Leigh began researching Mussomeli’s local property initiatives and speaking directly with local agencies.
“At first, it sounded almost unreal, like one of those internet stories that falls apart once you look closer,” she admits.
But when she arrived in person and walked through the 17-room medieval home, the $32,000 price tag suddenly made sense. “The price reflected the work it needed, not a lack of value,” Leigh explains.
“Walking through a 17-room historic home with centuries of history and realizing it cost less than a Honda Civic was surreal,” she emphasizes. “It felt equal parts shocking and exciting, but also very real once I understood the responsibility that came with bringing it back to life.”
Drone view of Kiki Leigh's home.
Kiki Leigh (2)
Italy itself wasn’t a new love. Leigh had visited Sicily before, but Mussomeli left a lasting impression on her. “It felt raw, unpolished and deeply human,” she says. “There’s beauty here that doesn’t feel curated; it feels lived in.”
More so, Leigh says Sicily’s relationship with time, food and community resonated deeply with her – offering something she hadn’t been able to find elsewhere. Moving over 6,000 miles away felt less like starting over and more like reconnecting with something she’d always been missing.
Bathroom renovation.
Kiki Leigh (2)
Leigh officially purchased the house in July 2024 and began renovations soon after. So far, she has spent around $94,000 restoring the centuries-old structure, with an estimated $30,000 left to complete the remaining work.
“Renovating a centuries-old home is less about rushing to a finish line and more about respecting the structure, the craftsmanship and the pace of the process,” she tells PEOPLE.
Today, Leigh splits her time between Sicily, the United States and occasionally Canada, depending on work. Sicily is her “home base,” and once renovations are complete, she plans to spend even more time there.
Antique details and furniture found in her home.
Kiki Leigh (2)
According to Leigh, daily life in Mussomeli looks dramatically different from her L.A. routine. “Life in Sicily moves by rhythm rather than schedule,” she says. Her days are filled with walks through town, conversations with neighbors, renovation decisions and community gatherings.
Out of necessity, Leigh has learned Italian quickly and can now communicate comfortably, even picking up some Sicilian along the way. While she misses people back in L.A., she admits she doesn’t miss the lifestyle. “Sicily didn’t replace my old life; it clarified what mattered most to me,” she says.
Though the move has brought depth, connection and fulfillment, it hasn’t been without challenges. Patience, Leigh says, has been the hardest lesson.
“Things move slowly here, and you can’t force outcomes. Sicily teaches you to surrender control, which can be uncomfortable, but incredibly transformative,” she shares.
For anyone dreaming of following a similar path, her advice is clear and honest. “Don’t romanticize it, understand it. Visit first. Stay longer than a week. Talk to locals,” Leigh tells PEOPLE. “Be honest about what you’re running toward, not just what you’re running from.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
