If you live in or around the mid-south, the last two weeks have been extremely cold with enough ice, freezing rain, and snow to last five winters. Packing up and moving to a tropical location sounds good, but not very feasible. Instead read about these four tropical real estate destinations that will warm you up and help you get through this last leg of winter.
Key West, Florida
If you like living in the U.S. but prefer the Caribbean, then Key West is the place for you. Key West is a tiny 3 mile by 5 mile island located approximately 100 miles from Miami. It is the southern-most tip of the continental United States. Most people only visit Key West for vacation, but about 24,000 people call it home. With a population that size on an island that small you can imagine that real estate is a premium. The average home price as of 2010 was $423,000. While that may seem like a lot, the temperature rarely goes below 60 degrees and no matter where you are on the island, you are only a short bike ride to the beach.
Nevis
Nevis is a small island in the Caribbean located southeast of Puerto Rico and west of Antigua. If you want to live in a tropical paradise then you’ll love Nevis. Nevis is a sleepy little island that never gets cold and definitely doesn’t get snow. Nevis is only 35 square miles and has only 12,000 full time residents. Buying real estate in Nevis isn’t as difficult as it may seem. You’ll need to apply for an Alien’s Land Holder’s license and pay various fees associated with moving (read more here ), but other than that you are free to trade in your winter jackets and sweaters in for swim trunks and flip flops.
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Not far from Nevis in the southern Caribbean you’ll find the U.S. Virgin Islands. Living in the U.S. Virgin Islands can be fast paced and exciting like it is on St. Thomas or laid back and lazy like St. John. Getting to St. John requires a boat as it doesn’t even have an airport. Flying to St. Thomas then taking a short ferry ride will take you to the island of your dreams. At only 19 square miles and 4,200 residents you can practically walk the beaches alone. Buying a home in St. John can range from just around $200,000 to well over $1 million. Whether you like hiking through a national park or exploring old sugar mills, St. John will allow you to lead a quiet and easy life with no winter.
Maui
Perhaps you really want to get away. If so, then Maui is the place for you. Maui has a little bit of everything. Shopping malls, golf courses, farms, mountains, beaches, and a rain forest. When you lay your eyes on Maui, everything else will pale in comparison. Living on Maui allows you all the conveniences of modern living while having the closest thing to paradise at your doorstep. Supplies like food, gas, and clothing are expensive but you don’t have to drive that far and buying groceries in bulk will help. The average single family home on Maui was around $450,000 last year. Buying a home on Maui can be expensive but again, no snow or winter unless you go to the top of the mountain.
Hopefully reading about these places has given you some hope for warmer weather. Hang in there and know that spring is almost here. Regardless of your real estate needs, let the trusted experts at Exit Realty Bob Lamb & Associates help you.