Want to live the fantasy of living on the beach?
Or perhaps owning a second home by the ocean to visit whenever you feel like it?
One way to make that dream a reality is to look internationally…
Coastal real estate in the United States is out of reach for most regular folks because of home prices and the sky-high real estate taxes you’ll have to shell out every year.
California and Florida top so many lists of “best places to buy a beach home,” but these are also some of the most expensive places to look at buying a seaside home and come with thousand-dollar bills for taxes every year, maintenance costs aside.
In California, an average home is said to cost about $425 per square foot, with an average home totaling about $774,500, plus over $5,000 a year in taxes—but you can forget about actually living oceanfront for that price, which would run you several times those numbers.
Florida looks like a discount in comparison, with average home prices clocking in around $409,000 (at $278 per square foot), and annual taxes on it running $2,338.
But, again, those are just averages that aren’t in line with beachfront real estate, which will cost a good bit more.
Why You Should Buy Property Overseas
By comparison, the exciting international destinations below offer homes at a fraction of the price, with less than a couple hundred due in annual taxes.
Not to mention the exciting extras you can take advantage of…
Things like hiring affordable household help (from cleaning staff to in-home health care)…
Historical and cultural entertainment at your fingertips—think beautiful Spanish Colonial cities, museums, and active performance arts scenes…
Thrilling pastimes like water and mountain sports, national parks, and wildlife you just don’t see back home…
Owning international real estate is the adventure of a lifetime and something I’ve built my life and business on and helped thousands to do themselves over the last 30+ years.
It’s why America’s #1 International Property Expert, Lief Simon, and I put together the International Property Summit, taking place June 12–14 in Panama City, Panama.
We want to show others how to get rich through overseas property investment. Click here for more information about IPS.
Meantime, here’s an overview of affordable beachfront property opportunities available overseas…
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Cost per square foot: $216
Property trades in: BZD (or USD)
Belize is an English-speaking Caribbean paradise with white-sand beaches, sun, surf, and scuba diving, and Ambergris Caye is the heart of this beachy delight. Plus, it’s close to the United States, making travel to and from a quick and affordable prospect.
Belize is naturally beautiful, with year-round warm weather, warm waters, sandy beaches, swaying palms, and friendly people.
This intrinsic beauty keeps Belize at the forefront as a successful and mature tourist market. It’s also a big player in the ecotourism market and ranked as world-class for diving and snorkeling. Boaters, fishermen, and anyone who appreciates water sports will be kept busy and happy here.
Belize is the best property value you’ll find in the Caribbean, with properties selling for a fraction of what most other Caribbean destinations sell for. You can own here from $185,000 or so and pay a mere $185 in taxes on it per year (rates are based on the assessed property value, which is typically far less than the sale price).
And the Belizean dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar (at a 2:1 ratio) so investors don’t have the currency fluctuation risk that’s inherent to many overseas investments or relocations.
Plus, condos here come with plenty of on-site amenities, like fitness centers, tennis and/or pickleball courts, restaurants, and pools. If you choose to own outside of a condo or community, your house is likely to come with a pool, as well.
And no matter where on the island you choose to settle, you’re only a few minutes’ walk, bike, or golf cart drive to the beach…
Mazatlán, Mexico
Cost per square foot: $295
Property trades in: MXN (or USD)
Mazatlán, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, named third best place to retire overseas in 2024, has a large, world-class colonial center.
And hidden away in this colonial center, you’ll find a wealth of fine dining, cafés, galleries, theaters, and shops… plus its own beach. A colonial center is rare for a beachfront city.
Mazatlán offers almost 11 miles of mostly contiguous, beautiful beaches, bordered by warm, clean, swimmable waters. The adjacent boardwalk is five miles long, most of it with adjacent bike lanes. The two longest beaches are each three miles in length.
Mazatlán is a city of almost half-a-million people. You can choose to be part of the American-Canadian community, speak mostly English, and ease your way in, aided by people who have come before you…
Or within a few hundred yards, you can live in one of several Mexican environments, speak only Spanish, and immerse yourself in Mexico’s rich culture.
There’s even an in-between world where bilingual Mexicans and Spanish-speaking expats happily share the same neighborhoods.
Prices are great. Whether you’re dining out or buying a property, you’ll find prices to be remarkable at today’s exchange rates. Property prices are low when compared to other beachfront markets around the world… including elsewhere in Mexico.
In fact, properties in Mazatlán cost less than half the price of those in Puerto Vallarta or Playa del Carmen, even though most of Mazatlán’s inventory is front-line or on the beach.
Choose to live on the beach or in the historic center, either way, you could a home from just $150,000. The real estate tax rate is 0.1% of the property value, so if you buy a $150,000 home, you’ll pay $150 a year on it.
It’s a quick flight from the States, and you can even drive; it’s an easy, comfortable trip from Arizona on a great highway.
Northern Cyprus
Cost per square foot: $241
Property trades in: GBP
For the lowest beachfront prices in the Mediterranean, look no further than Northern Cyprus.
Northern Cyprus is blessed with year-round warm weather, clear blue waters, and over 400 miles of coastline. The summer here is the longest in Europe, beginning in March and lasting until October, even November, with over 300 days of sunshine a year…
Here, English is so commonly spoken that you’d never have to learn the local language (in fact, the locals even speak English among themselves). The food is light and fresh; fish and salad are served with every meal, and the coffee is strong and aromatic.
To top it off, life—and real estate—is as affordable as it gets in Europe. Enjoy a healthy meal and a cold glass of wine for just 10 euros a person, for example…
In terms of real estate, this has been one of the hottest market performers in terms of appreciation, price point, and cash flow potential for the past half-decade.
Today, you could snag your own home here for about $140,000 and pay the equivalent of about 4 cents per square meter on it in annual taxes.
Until next time,
Kathleen Peddicord
Founding Publisher, Live And Invest Overseas