When it comes to choosing your perfect spot overseas, a lot of it comes down to personal preference…
For instance, I don’t like the cold. I’m not a fan of humidity, either. So, I organise my life so that I never need to be in a place that requires heating or air conditioning.
Right now, I’m back in Guadalajara, having spent the summer in Europe. As temperatures drop in Europe, I can enjoy the warmth and sunshine here in Mexico (it’s been a long time since I had to endure a European winter!).
Generally, I also like to be near the beach. Which is why I have homes in Cabo and Portugal that are on or near the coast.
Many folks like the idea of owning a home in a place that’s warm and sunny, and near the beach, especially at this time of year. But that’s not everyone. Some prefer to be up in the highlands.
Take Overseas Dream Home reader Robert S., who sent in this question…
“Dear Ronan, I’ve been following you for years, thank you. All the snowbirds from North America are eagerly awaiting your suggestions of a snowbird destination outside of the hurricane zone (read Florida) that’s also in the highlands?
“Can you devote some thought to places like Oaxaca, Mexico, Medellin, Colombia, i.e., a high elevation expat destination? And flying time from Miami must be less than 3.5 hours.
“My friends and I constantly discuss new destinations (often quoting you as a source) and any regional (in the Americas) ideas would be welcome.”
Thanks for the question, Robert! It’s a great one. After recent weather events in the U.S., I’ve received some similar questions from people who are looking at locations outside the hurricane belt. (Have a question for me and my team? I’d love to hear it. Share it here.)
Here’s some choices if you want a home in an elevated destination where the hurricane risk is minimal…
I was just in Oaxaca for the Day of the Dead celebrations. This is an incredible city and just one of the highland destinations in the Americas where you can enjoy a stunning climate outside the hurricane belt.
My top choice for a location outside the hurricane belt would be Panama. When it comes to weather events, predictability is Panama’s middle name.
The dry season starts off the new year in January and lasts until mid-May. During this time rain is mostly non-existent. Days are usually cloudless, with hot breezes, and warmer temperatures. Average day time temperatures range from 90 F to 95 F with night temperatures dipping to 75 F. Mountain areas are typically about 15 to 20 F cooler.
The rainy season usually starts off in mid-May. During the rainy season daytime temperatures are about 10 to 15 F cooler than the dry season but the humidity is much higher. The rainiest month is November but by mid-December the rain is completely gone in most of Panama on the Pacific side.
In terms of flights, Panama City is well connected to the U.S. In fact, this is “the Hub of the Americas”…one of the world’s great global cities. Flights land in Tocumen airport from all over the world. Panama City has connections with 19 cities in the U.S. and Canada. (Panama’s Tocumen airport has direct routes to 93 destinations in 37 countries.) The flight time from Miami to Panama City is just over three hours.
Panama also boasts incredible highland communities and towns. Places like El Valle de Anton and Boquete in Panama’s Chiriquí province are popular with expats.
Boquete sits at an elevation of about 4,000 feet, and has a beautiful mountain setting. The Caldera River roars down the mountainside and through the middle of town. There’s rich pasture. And the dormant Volcán Barú provides a dramatic backdrop. The mountain air is fresh and temperatures are a comfortable 60 to 77 F. All around town you’ll find different micro climates. Depending on the altitude and aspect, you can choose how much sun and warmth you want.
Boquete has been an expat favourite for decades due to its pleasant climate and affordability.
In the mountain town of El Valle de Anton (just under a two-hour drive from Panama City) you’ll find hot springs, great hiking, and some nice restaurants. Fruit and vegetables grow well here thanks to the rich volcanic soil.
In Boquete you can pick up a two bed, two bath condo like this one for $179,000 or this three-bed, two-bath A-frame home for $265,000.
Prices in El Valle tend to be a bit higher, but this five-bed home with 4,300 square feet of living space can be yours for $425,000.
This large five-bed home is on the market in El Valle de Anton for $425,000. Listing here.
There are plenty of other options outside the hurricane zone besides Panama…
Parts of Mexico are also hurricane free and I recently spent time scouting in the city of Oaxaca on the country’s Pacific side.
I found it to be one of the coolest small cities I’ve ever scouted. I was blown away by its captivating blend of colonial architecture, vibrant culture, and rich culinary traditions…
Vibrant, colorful, and a pleasure to spend time in, Oaxaca is one of the coolest small cities I’ve ever scouted.
Set in a valley surrounded by mountains, Oaxaca city is a colonial gem. The cobblestoned streets of the city center are lined with colorful historic buildings that house boutique hotels, restaurants, cafés, art galleries, museums…
You can read more about what I uncovered here, including my take on the real estate scene.
Medellín is another great choice if you’re looking for a city at a higher elevation. I first scouted it in 2011 and found it to be a charming destination with tree-lined streets, outdoor gyms, trendy cafés, and most notably, the incredible weather.
Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellín boasts a year-round temperate climate that hovers around a perfect 72 F.
Today, Medellín has become a magnet for people from all over the globe. It’s a top-rated destination for digital nomads and tourists alike. Its reputation as the world’s most dangerous city is firmly in the past and two decades of urban development, massive infrastructure projects, and social investment have transformed it into a highly sought-after destination.
Once plagued by a bad reputation, Medellin today is a modern, perfect-weather city.
This influx of visitors and expats have sent real estate in Medellin’s most popular neighborhoods (Laureles and El Poblado) into overdrive. Though you can still get modern condos for very reasonable prices. As an example, this modern three-bed, three-bath condo with an open-plan kitchen/living area, storage and parking in Laureles is on the market for $221,400.
Another highland destination worth considering is San Miguel de Allende. This perfect-weather city in Mexico’s Colonial Highlands has been attracting artists, poets, and expats for decades.
It’s not just artists flocking to San Miguel these days though. It’s now a trendy destination for the well-heeled of the world.
The city’s colonial center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so all buildings—homes, churches, civic structures, businesses—must retain their original, historic appearance. The charming narrow streets, made of cobblestone or flagstone, are lined with homes in shades of yellow, red, orange, and brown.
San Miguel was made a UNESCO heritage site in 2008 and is famous for its architecture and incredible foodie scene.
The city hosts a jazz and blues festival, a chamber music festival, a performing arts festival. And there’s an incredible food and wine scene, too. You can sample delicious French pastries, eat fine Italian fare, or sip expensive cocktails at a rooftop terrace bar. If you’re a foodie, San Miguel will keep your taste buds busy.
Right now, the San Miguel real estate market has a healthy amount of inventory, good news if you’re looking for a home here. For example, right in the heart of Centro, this charming one-bed, one-bath apartment is currently on the market for $175,000. The building has a rooftop terrace with views over the historic city.
These are just some of the cooler-weather locations on my international real estate beat. They all offer the peace of mind that comes with not having to worry about tropical storms or hurricanes…but more than that, they are interesting, fun, and affordable places to spend time.
Hope that answers your question, Robert. And thanks again for sending it in.
And if you have a question that you’d like to share with me and my team, you can send it to us here.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. If colonial cities interest you, check out this special free report my team and I created for Overseas Dream Home readers about the stunning city of Merida: Own a Colonial Home in Mexico from $126,000. Some of the listings may have expired since we sent you this report, but you’ll find lots of great information on living and owning in this stunning destination.
Your Daily Dream Home
Stjärnsnäs, Hagfors, Sweden
Click here to view the listing.
This charming two-bedroom villa is within walking distance of the town center. The main floor includes a kitchen and living room with fireplace. The upper floor contains two bedrooms, one with a walk-in closet and balcony access, plus a shower room. The basement houses a boiler room, bath/laundry facilities, and sauna.
The property includes a detached garage and garden storage, with views of a nearby lake.
Stjärnsnäs is set among the dense forest and rolling hills of the Swedish countryside, with views of Lake Värmullen. It’s popular with outdoor enthusiasts thanks to an abundance of hiking trails through the forests. There’s also fishing in Lake Värmullen, and cross-country skiing in winter.
