It’s all very well having a dream of a new life abroad – but actually making the dream come true requires massive determination and commitment, and a certain amount of cash too!
The latter is probably the main reason why most of us put off our expatriation to pastures new – but at Shelter Offshore we’re in the business of enabling, hence our report today into how cheaply you can potentially buy a decent new home abroad.
We always advocate that newly arrived expats should rent property abroad when they first arrive, but ultimately we’re also aware that many people would like to buy a home overseas one day…so, if you really want to move overseas and start a new life, where can you afford to make your home?
Before we begin exploring the affordable property options open to you around the world, we need to take a moment to define ‘cheap’ – after all, cheap to you could be downright expensive for me! We’ve decided to keep our focus under £100,000 and be very strict in terms of the standards we set – i.e., we want stunning homes for sale, not just a caravan on the side of a motorway because this is your dream, and we want to help you realise it. Whilst £100,000 is still a large sum, it is far from the cost of an average property in the UK, and as you’ll see, in many of the locations we’ve looked at, you can get a whole lot of real estate for a lot less than this much money anyway!
Affordable Asian Property
The first property we’re going to feature has to have the wow factor we feel! So, how about a stunning and spacious Balinese style home that comes complete with a massive freeform swimming pool and spacious grounds, comprising landscaped gardens and featuring a series of pools and water features? The property, Lovina Hill House in Kayuputih, Bali, Indonesia is on the market for just £98,000 from NorthBaliVillas.com. It has 3 bedrooms, an office space, open living areas and incredible views because of its elevated position. If you want a stunning property in a paradise location, this could be it!
Alternatively, if you want to spend less but like the thought of living in such a tropical part of the world, have you considered Malaysia? For someone who would like to take advantage of the tax benefits associated with the Malaysia My Second Home programme, an apartment for sale through ThinkProperty.com.my in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur that’s on the market for just £55,275 could be ideal. The apartment is very new, it has three bedrooms, office space and 2 bathrooms, it is finished to a high standard, it’s on a complex with security and communal gardens, and offers a living space of over 900 square feet.
Accessible Real Estate in Africa
If you prefer the stunning landscapes and magical quality of Africa, you can perhaps afford a dream marina based home on the Eastern Cape of South Africa in Jeffreys Bay if you’ve got £81,000 to play with for example. This apartment at Marina Martinique is for sale through PrivateProperty.co.za, and is described as the ultimate holiday home offering a lifestyle to dream of. So you could live in it and love it, or you could even use it as a rental property if you’re looking to make an income from an investment property abroad?
It is right on the canal meaning you can jump off your private deck into the water if you want! It comprises of 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, an open plan living area and it even comes fully furnished.
But if Africa for you is more about being away from the ‘maddening’ crowds and closer to the wildlife and the natural environment, how about heading to the Limpopo Province where for the same amount of money on the same website as detailed above you can buy yourself a detached home on 1,650 square meters of land that even has its own separate guest house. The main house has 2 lounges, a massive veranda that overlooks the private pool and three bedrooms – and it is fully alarmed throughout for security reasons. The guest house has one double bedroom and can be rented out potentially.
In the grounds, apart from the swimming pool you have a workshop, a carp pond and stunning, fully irrigated grounds. Locally there are schools, clubs to join, medical facilities and everything you could want for a comfortable life in beautiful Africa.
Nice North American Homes on a Budget
For those who prefer perhaps a more ‘conventional’ relocation abroad, what about Canada and America where, believe it or not, your budget can stretch far further than it seemingly can in the UK. If you dream of emigrating to Canada how about buying a beautiful 150 year old homestead for £51,000 on Prince Edward Island? The property has three bedrooms with additional space for conversion in the attic, it has had new windows, new wiring and new insulation recently and is beautiful inside with a massive fireplace and lots of exposed wood. Whilst you may want to upgrade the décor to your own tastes once you move in, at this much of a bargain price you can certainly afford to! The home is for sale through PropertySold.ca.
However, if Canada is too cold for you to consider, what about Florida in America – the sunshine state! For just £34,400 plus closing costs you can buy a detached three bedroom, 1 bathroom townhouse in Kissimmee direct from the owner. This property is approaching foreclosure hence the incredibly low asking price – and it even comes with a swimming pool. If you don’t like the thought of getting involved with a property on the brink of repossession, how about a large detached home in a gated community for £80,000? Advertised on TheMoveChannel.com this home is in Indian River County in Florida, it has a community pool within the gated residential complex and comes with a huge double garage and lots of lawn space.
Sweet South American Property
Of course, if you head further south than the USA you can get just as much if not even more for your money. Take Argentina as a prime example of where your money will go a very long way for a home overseas. For £98,000 you can buy a spacious three bedroom finca in San Rafael in Mendoza – which is prime wine and tourism country. Or you can buy an incredible home in the Barracas district of Buenos Aires that’s been totally renovated to funky and modern standards for roughly the £100,000 budget we’ve fixed as our top price.
The home has three bedrooms and loads of living space, it’s in an excellent part of the city and has to be seen to be believed. Check out LeticiaFirpo.com and be amazed!
Entry Level European Houses
If you don’t want to move too far abroad then what about a home in France for under £100,000 – we’ve found a seven bedroom, four storey townhouse in Craon for just £85,000. It does need renovation, but even so, that’s a lot of real estate for your money! The house is for sale on the FranceHouseHunt.com site – as is a beautifully renovated 3 bedroom cottage in Limousin which has an outbuilding of a similar size that’s already got planning permission for renovation – making this a home abroad and an investment opportunity. It’s for sale for £84,000 and is well worth a look.
Elsewhere on the European continent we have Sweden of course, where did you know you can buy exceptionally cheap homes for sale? For just £30,000 you can afford a 4 bedroom villa in Vasterbotten that has a pool, tennis court and which backs on to a forest. Check out Sweden’s listings on Viviun.com for more amazing options in this often overlooked nation.
In Conclusion
As I hope you can see, there are real estate options all over the world for a limited budget – so even if you haven’t yet saved your millions so that you can retire overseas in style, you can still go in search of a brand new and better life abroad and afford yourself a lovely home at the same time.