Buying an overseas property has been pretty low on the agenda for hard hit travellers and potential buyers since the onset of the pandemic. However, with exceptions being made by the British government allowing holiday homeowners to travel and the mental health crisis looming owing to lockdown it’s time to think differently.
International real estate website Homesgofast.com has been online since 2002 and this year it has seen an upsurge in visitors dreaming of a place abroad. In response, the website has created its official top 10 remarkable places to buy abroad in 2021.

Nick Marr Homesgofast.com

“Overseas property buyers tend to be second home buyers, investors and people looking to relocate. We have seen more and lifestyle buyers, those with an eye to buy somewhere overseas as a holiday home. It seems the four walls of a home in lockdown have inspired those that want to be set free to look for a property abroad. It also indicates that people are positive about the future and want to create plans.

Lockdown has changed the way we work and more and more people have adapted to working remotely. This means the possibilities of working from a home overseas has become a reality.

How would you like to work from a different location than you call home?
Now, let’s see where people are looking to buy...

Spain

You can hardly find a better place to fuse both old-school and modern culture. Spain presents a new atmosphere to your shopping experience. You can hardly ever get tired of shopping on paved historic streets. Don’t stop at filling your imaginations with the beauty of this place.

Be sure to make some space in your bag for pretty much everything from food and drink to the exclusive fashion and accessories designed by A-class Spanish pret-à-porter makers.

In Spain, you never seem to get enough time to savour their inviting local dishes or to watch the morning sunrise with your castañuelas hanging down from your neck.

France

Welcome to the home of love itself one of Europe's best places to buy property abroad

Before anything, let me mention that any price you see displayed in any shop in France includes the la TVA (that is, the Value Added Tax). This means you are paying just the price you see- nothing extra!

If you have enough money to splurge, you can go right away to big brand stores like Dior and Chanel. But if you want to touch the heart of the city itself, you can shop at downtown Rue de Rivoli for some off-the-peg fashion materials.

To boost your pride when shopping, you could learn some French before your visit. Lastly, don’t forget to grab some perfume in Paris. Nothing smells better, I promise you.

Barbados

The South Coast. The sweet Mediterranean. And the picture-perfect weather. Barbados leaves you itching to return in the next summer! Your shopping thrill will be incomplete until you visit the capital city of Bridgetown. There, you get to do some awesome duty-free shopping on a lot of things including shoes, jewellery, and wristwatches.

And even more, you can get souvenirs for your home from The Crane Village. This 55,000 square-foot village was uniquely built to give you a whole life experience of arts, food, and of course, music!
And if ever you get hungry in the midst of all these, check out the food court in Sky Mall in St. Michael’s to get an unforgettable experience of real Caribbean food.

Don't forget the Barbados government are actively encouraging foreigners to live work and stay in the country

USA

Now, we are talking about a really large country. The first place you should go is Minneapolis to bask in the aura that the Mall of America gives. The Mall is the largest in the USA and it contains a lot of attractions including Nickelodeon Universe Amusement Park. And you can find pretty much all the stores you could ever wish for all under one roof.

Cap your shopping with a taste of the 100-acre palm tree-lined Las Vegas in Nevada. Even the biggest players in casinos step out doe some real dining and shopping experience.

Sprawling from New York to Texas, Washington, and Hollywood, you wouldn’t want to miss any of America (I advise you should though- it is a very large place).

Portugal

Portugal is filled with a rich history that dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The country offers you the best combo of traditional and modern shopping experience without leaving anything out.
You can do get an awesome jewellery shopping experience in the Louis XV-styled store- the Ourivesaria Aliança. The store has been standing the Lisbon for close over 100 years. You are not just shopping. You are pretty much touching the heart of the city.
You should also visit Bertrand Bookshop. It is the world’s oldest operating library in the world (even certified by Guinness!). It contains great literature from the biggest names in Portugal book writing history including the Nobel Prize winner Fernando Pessoa.

Thailand

The country of Thailand is most popular for its endless row of street markets. These markets give you the ultimate people experience and still offer you the best of prices for the food, hand-crafted items, and probably some fake designer stuff. Every city is got its flaws, you know.

But if you want to have the bustle of the city around you, Bangkok is the place for you. Here, you will find world-class shopping malls that house real designer brands and a whole lot of luxury lifestyle goods.

Don’t leave Thailand without spicing your trip by buying some Thai food on the floating market. Yes, the market is on the water! It’s a story you sure would tell your grandkids!

Thailand islands are the jewel of the crown and islands such as Koh Samui remain popular with international real estate buyers.

Iceland

Iceland perfectly combines skin-tingling adventure and heart-soothing serenity. And there are a few places that offer this boisterous peace in Europe. From earth-coloured jackets, hand gloves, wool blankets and coats, Iceland provides the surreal touch of nature into your shopping experience.

But you should also know that shops in some parts of the country such as the rural north, Westfjords, and Eastfjords are open only during the summer. But you can find all-year-round sales in places along the South Coast, and in Reykjavík.

Italy

Venice, Rome, Milan. Italy is a pool of history, modernity, and life.
You can dive into the pool by starting at the sight of Venice to dine at top restaurants in Piazza San Marco. Upgrade this experience with an exquisite feel of leather around your feet by shopping in the shoe districts of Riviera del Brenta.

Spend another day feeding your eyes and skin in the exclusive boutiques in Noventa di Pave. And do get some glass souvenirs from Murano where glass is pretty much got out of sand!

Greece

This island city never seems to quench your thirst for shopping. There is always something to buy. The Central Market offers an entire assortment of food like seafood, olive, aromatic spices, and world-famous cheese and fruits. And you don’t have to worry about being a vegetarian- the market is split into two paradises- one for meat and the other without it.

Also, check out the Aeolus and Agios Markos Streets in Athens where you can find the best of garments, trendy clothes, and footwear at some ridiculously low prices. And they are just the best you can get anywhere in the world.

And don’t stop there, be sure to relax with some drinks at the lively resto-bars in the neighbourhood.

Cyprus

Cyprus is a hub of culture, people, and goods. Pretty much Ancient Modernity, if I must say. A bus journey to the Old Town’s hilltop will land you in Paphos Town Market for anything. Here, you can get lace, soaps, ceramics, and wine all designed in Cyprus.
You will also find top designer stars close to one another in town centres. From Marks & Spencer, Gucci, and Armani to Zara, Versace and Debenhams, Cyprus thrives on the cloth economy.

You can check out some cool weaving, baskets, and pottery craft at the Cyprus Handicraft Centre.