Location, Location, Location

When searching for that dream home abroad there’s a certain amount of homework you can do to save yourself time, energy, effort and money before you even begin your property hunt.

By preparing well you will be able to target your search to key locations that fulfil your location checklist, you’ll be more likely to find a property that matches your expectations and you’ll be more likely to avoid disappointment and mistakes when buying property abroad.

There are 10 key location, location, location questions that you should ask yourself before you begin your property search to help determine exactly where you should be looking for that home from home abroad.

With the answers to these questions firmly established in your mind you can set out on your hunt for that perfect property.

1) Are you a townie or a country-bumpkin at heart?

If you know there is no way you’d be able to cope with traffic and tourist volumes in the major towns of your country of choice you might be drawn to small town or even rural living.  Alternatively if the thought of curtain twitching, small minded tiny town communities drives you to drink you might prefer the degree of anonymity big town life will afford you! 

Think carefully about the kind of person you are and the type of location that best suits your personality.

2) Would you prefer coastal living or a home inland?

If you’re moving abroad for sun, sea and sand chances are you dream of a home on a beach or overlooking the sea, if you desire a holiday home in the sun again you might be drawn to coastal living.  Those who are looking abroad for affordable property options may find that by moving back from the coast property becomes cheaper and more financially accessible.  Another benefit of moving away from the coast is the fact that the sea water is less likely to turn every metal object in your home rusty, but there again if you want to lie on the beach you may have to travel a certain distance before you can even see the sea! 

Think about what it is exactly that you want from your home abroad - from a happy holiday home to a quiet retirement home or something else besides, and then think about the coastal or inland options that best fulfil your brief.

3) Do you dream of rural isolation or of being in the middle of a cosmopolitan hub?

Are you looking for a peaceful, secret hideaway or somewhere you can be surrounded by life and excitement, or do you crave a lifestyle somewhere in between?  If you want to hide from the world you may find your perfect property abroad along a deserted track high in the hills, alternatively if you want to live your life to the fullest an apartment in a thriving city might be more your cup of tea, if you and your family would like a steady pace of life with options for both peace and quiet and fun and excitement a medium sized town with easy access to countryside and cityside could be your ideal location.

Decide on the pace of life best suits you and your family and this will help determine your location options.

4) How much outdoor space do you require?

When thinking about property type you will of course need to consider how much indoor living space you need, but more importantly for your location, location, location options will be the amount of outdoor space you need.  Clearly you’re unlikely to find farmhouse with 50 acres in the middle of a major town, just as you are unlikely to find an apartment with just a balcony in the middle of nowhere along a wilderness track!

By being clear and practical about the amount of outdoor space you need and want certain locations will remove themselves from the running, others will present themselves as ‘best option.’

Further Buying Property Abroad Advice Articles

Share this article with others.