Every year I speak with hundreds of potential expats in person and get countless e-mails from people who are thinking of moving abroad. When picturing their life overseas, most say they would not consider living in a gated community… especially not an expat-oriented one.
Their arguments are valid, and almost always the same.
Because when we’re dreaming of moving abroad much of the appeal has nothing to do with the practical issues of managing a property. The allure of overseas living at that point often has more to do with adventure, excitement, and a rich cultural experience.
And the best way to get that dreamed-about experience is to be part of the local culture… not to be part of a North American enclave.
So most potential expats—probably 90%—in the “thinking about it” stage aren’t interested in gated communities.
But then a strange thing happens when people face the nuts and bolts of living abroad… about 90% of those who make the move end up buying in some sort of planned community, either a gated community or condo project.
There are valid reasons for this, too.
Before you opt out of a planned community, here are some key factors to consider…
How Often Will You Use The Property?
If you’re living abroad full-time, you may be a good candidate for immersing yourself in a local neighborhood. But if you’re using your property as a part-year residence or vacation home, then you have to consider how the property will fare during your long absences.
Planned communities have someone on staff to look after the property while you’re gone. With a single home, you’ve got to arrange for this yourself within the local community. A local property management company would serve the purpose, but you’d have to consider the cost… and whether or not you could trust them.
And making arrangements for a caretaker requires knowledge in the local language. I’ve had four caretakers, in Ecuador, Uruguay, and Brazil, and none spoke English.
Do You Speak The Local Language?
If your Spanish, Portuguese, or Malaysian isn’t what it should be, it’ll be a challenge when you need to call a plumber, a roofer, or a gardener. In a planned community, knowledge of how to find services like these is shared among the English-speaking residents, making it easy to get things done.
Who Will Pay The Utilities And Taxes?
My two properties in Colombia produced (annually) eight tax bills, 48 utility bills, and 24 invoices for condo fees… and it took months to get things set up so they’d all be paid on time. In one case, I paid condo fees a year in advance because there was no other easy way to do it.
In a planned community, this is easy to figure out. This is because everyone’s doing it the same way… you often have an English-speaking developer… and you’ll usually have English-speakers around to show you the ropes.
How Are The Crime Levels In The Country You’re Considering?
Gated communities are inherently more secure than unattended, standalone homes. In many countries, that’s one of their primary benefits. In countries with poverty and crime issues, only residents in gated communities can live without bars on their windows or fences or walls around the house.
Are There Local Public Facilities And Amenities?
Many planned communities come with a pool, a gym, tennis, and club house, and other facilities that you can enjoy when you’re there. Some even have stables, shops, a private beachfront, a clinic, and more.
In a planned development, you don’t have to look for these amenities, and they’re maintained for you. In a local town or city, you may have to look far and wide, and pay for the individual memberships… assuming they exist at all.
Here are some projects that I’ve personally visited that tick all the boxes for the North American expat…
Los Islotes, Panama
Los Islotes is a high-spec, planned community located among the rolling hills on the west side of Panama’s Azuero peninsula. This area is called the Sunset Coast, because it’s the only developed stretch of coast in Panama that faces west. The sunset views here are remarkable.
Los Islotes offers rolling hills, mountain and ocean views, two beaches, and will host elegant, tasteful homes of several attractive designs.
It’s also one of the few communities (in any country) that offers an equestrian center… along with a clubhouse, bar, fitness center, and 24-hour security.
Los Islotes is the project and passion of Kathleen Peddicord and Lief Simon, and its high standards reflect their personal hands-on approach to design and development.
Building lots start just $29,000. Ocean-view lots start at $65,000. Completed homes are available at $169,000 (for the Casa Flores model). You can learn more about Los Islotes here.
Vista Encantada, Mexico
Located just north of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast, this area is known for lush, green hills, unspoiled beaches, and magnificent views.
This project not only offers North Americans that community feel, sound infrastructure, and rich amenities (including pickleball), but it also is earning itself a good rental track record with both local and foreign travelers.
The development is on a new path of progress, which bodes well for future income and capital gains. A new highway was just completed, cutting the travel time here by a large margin… and a few big-name resort developers have already set up shop nearby.
Condos here start at $109,000 and developer financing is available.
You can learn more about this project here.
Carmelita Gardens, Belize
This is a 100% off-grid eco community located in the Cayo District of western Belize. It’s in a rural area of lazy rivers and rolling hills, far from the hordes of tourists found in the far-more-famous Ambergris Caye on Belize’s coast.
With elegant homes, it offers the very latest in off-grid design. The state-of-the-art solar technology supports air conditioning, washers, dryers, and refrigerators. Plus, all homes have high-speed internet, so some residents here work remotely.
Residents here are both young and old… male and female… full-time and part-time. The community vibe is strong, whether residents are pitching in at a community garden or just hanging out at a neighborhood picnic.
The development offers building lots, custom-designed homes, and tiny homes. Building lots start at just $39,000. Houses start at $130,000.
For more information, take a look here.
Sincerely,
Lee Harrison
Contributor, Global Property Advisor
