Can You Really Bag a Beach Home for $78,000? - International Living

For most folks, the perfect way to start a day is with a stroll on the sand or a dip in the ocean. Owning a beach home so that they can do it every day is at the top of many wish lists.

Many people think they can't afford to do that. Understandable: When you take the limited supply of beach property and combine it with strong demand, what do you get? Sky-high sticker prices.

But you can still bag a beach bargain in some overseas destinations—if you know where to look. In fact, you can own a beach property even if you're on a tight budget. Take a look at these three picks to see what less than $100,000 can buy you:

Pick #1. A Condo in Salinas, Ecuador for $78,000

This two-bedroom, one-bathroom condo in Salinas, Ecuador is less than five years old. It's in a beachfront community with a swimming pool, gym, social area, and direct beach access.

The community is a short walk to a mall and a large farmers' market. It's a 10-minute drive to downtown, where you'll find supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, and stores. But it's away from the hustle and bustle in a quiet beachside setting.

It's becoming more difficult to find a good-quality, newer condo in a beachfront location in Salinas with an affordable price tag. So, at $78,000, this condo is a bargain.

Pick #2. A Lot in Placencia, Belize for $73,000

You can grab yourself a Caribbean home, close to the beach, for as little as $95,000 in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic.
You can grab yourself a Caribbean home, close to the beach, for as little as $95,000 in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic.

This lot is in a peaceful residential neighborhood that's 20 minutes from Placencia. It's one lot back from the Caribbean Sea with several beach access points nearby.You could build a 1,200-square-foot house on this lot for around $120,000. So, your lot plus a custom house would cost around $193,000.

That's a great price for Placencia—steps to the Caribbean. The area it's in is attractive, too: a dreamy mix of pretty white-sand beaches, bright-blue seas, and a lifestyle that's incredibly laidback. It's popular with beach lovers, water worshippers, and snowbirds looking for a tropical getaway. The bonus is that Belize is an English-speaking country...so you can settle in and start making friends as soon as you step off the plane.

Pick #3. A Condo a Short Stroll to a Gorgeous Beach in the Dominican Republic for $95,000

This one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo boasts a top-notch location in Las Terrenas—it's just 100 meters from a fabulous white-sand beach. The condo has a nice terrace with views of the community's swimming pool and landscaped gardens.

It's close to shopping, cafes, and restaurants in a low-rise town that's very walkable...with 19 miles of beach to explore. This little beach town in the Dominican Republic is fast gaining a reputation as an affordable spot for a second or retirement home.

Caribbean island homes don't usually come with tiny price tags—so the list price of $95,000 on this condo is a nice surprise.

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