Right now, I’m on the road in Mexico scouting the stunning Pacific beach destinations of Huatulco and Puerto Escondido, in Oaxaca state. Here, jungle-covered mountains roll down to soft, golden-sand beaches brimming with surfers.
Big things are happening along this coast…
Last year, the government committed $4.6 billion to new infrastructure in Oaxaca state. Thousands of miles of new roads and highways are in the works. And the international airport at Puerto Escondido is being expanded and remodeled to serve an expected surge in visitors. The new facilities are scheduled to open this summer.
I’m here to determine if this represents an opportunity—a moment to invest. It’s early in my trip. More details to follow in the coming days.
While on the road in Oaxaca, I’ve also been looking over my travel schedule for the year ahead…
New investment is flowing into the stunning stretch of coast around Huatulco and Puerto Escondido, on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Join me in Las Vegas
In October, I’ll be traveling to Las Vegas to speak at International Living’s three-day Ultimate Go Overseas Bootcamp event at the luxurious Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
I speak at Bootcamp events every year and they’re one of the most enjoyable events on my calendar since I get a chance to meet with people who share my passion for exploring overseas destinations and international real estate. I also host exclusive meetups for members of my Real Estate Trend Alert group.
At this event in October, I’ll be sharing my insights on the hottest real estate opportunities in the world today. Plus, all my key contacts will be there with me.
My contact on Spain’s Costa del Sol, Geoffrey Donoghue, is set to be there and he’s due to bring enticing opportunities. I’ve asked seasoned rentals expert Ryan Pitts to join us from the beach city of Playa del Carmen on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. I have contacts coming from Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica…
This is a great chance to hang out with me, my team, my contacts, and hear about a raft of hot-off-the-presses opportunities. And as an Overseas Dream Home reader, you can sign up now and get a deeply discounted seat—with this special “Doors Open Discount.”
Last year’s event was a sellout, so this is an opportunity to secure your seat now. To join me at the Las Vegas event, you can learn more and register here.
My Upcoming Scouting in Europe
Before attending the conference, I’ll be back in Europe for spring and summer. At the end of April, I return to Portugal to spend some time at my home on the country’s Silver Coast.
Afterward, it’s over to Ireland and my primary home near the historic city of Cork. And it’s Ireland and the U.K. that I wanted to discuss with you today…
I’ve been coming to Mexico for more than two decades now. When I started, it felt like stepping into another world. Growing up in Ireland, Mexico had seemed impossibly distant—the palm-fringed beaches, the glistening turquoise waters, and colorful pueblos so unlike anything I’d see back home.
I savored it all—the mariachi and ranchera music played long into the night…the street food stands with their plastic chairs and aged glass-front refrigerators stacked with ice-cold bottles of soda… the rustic fishing villages, the jungle, the desert….
It was all new to me, and when I left, I couldn’t wait to return.
From my time on the road, I know many people all over the world see Britain and Ireland the same way. The rich history, rolling hills, and even the weather, seem as exotic as Mexico did to me all those years ago.
And interest in the U.K. and Ireland is surging. International arrivals into Britain and Ireland reached an all-time high of 52.7 million in 2023.
For many of those who come, their real estate dream is to own a traditional cottage in the rolling hills and dales.
I’ll be doing some scouting in Ireland when I return to my homebase near Cork. But in advance of heading back, my team has been digging into the real estate scenes in the U.K. and Ireland to see what kinds of properties are on the market. Here’s some interesting listings they found. (Note: We haven’t viewed these properties in person, nor have we done any due diligence on them.)
A Cottage on a Grand Estate in South Ayrshire, Scotland for $285,000
Scotland is a land of breathtaking beauty, with its gorse-covered mountains, deep lochs, and dramatic and windswept coastlines. From the historic cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow to the stunning landscapes of the Highlands and the Isle of Skye, Scotland offers natural and cultural treasures that have been captivating tourists from around the world for decades.
Throw in some of the world’s most iconic golf courses and enough whisky to float a battleship and Scotland really does have something for everyone.
The birthplace of the country’s most famous poet, Robert Burns, the region of South Ayrshire in southwestern Scotland offers a perfect escape for those seeking natural beauty, outdoor activities, and a touch of Scottish history.
My team found this two-bedroom stable cottage on the historic Coodham Estate, in the village of Symington in South Ayrshire. Both Coldham House mansion, which dates to the mid-1800s, and the stables appear to have been restored to an impressive standard with high-spec fixtures and fittings.
This beautifully restored cottage is set in an idyllic location in southwestern Scotland.
The stable cottages look out over a picturesque, cobbled courtyard, with a charming well at its center. The cottage itself boasts a wood-burning stove, modern and spacious kitchen area and two large double bedrooms. There’s a garden at the back of the cottage ideal for a BBQ or enjoying the long summer nights.
In Scotland, you’re never too far from a historic golf course, and this cottage is just a 10-minute drive from the famous Royal Troon, which has hosted the Open Championship 10 times. The cottage is on the market for £225,000 ($285,000).
This restored cottage is set in an idyllic location in South Ayrshire, which offers a wide range of outdoor pursuits such as hiking in the Galloway Forest Park and cycling along the Ayrshire Coastal Path. Not to mention the world-class golf course Royal Troon, just 10 minutes’ drive from your door.
A Historic Cottage in Snowdonia, Wales for $336,000
With cloud-covered peaks, glacial valleys, towering castles, and hidden surfing beaches, the mountainous Snowdonia region in north Wales has been attracting tourists and adrenaline junkies for years. Taking its name from Mount Snowdon, the highest point in England and Wales, this is a haven for nature-lovers, and the perfect place to spend time outdoors. The slate landscape includes nine mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls, rolling valleys and river gorges.
Snowdonia is also a popular hiking destination with numerous trails to explore. It’s rich in history too, with five castles and a Cistercian abbey dating to 1198.
My team found this Grade II-listed cottage in the Snowdonia national park. Listed at £265,000 ($336,000) the cottage is believed to date to the 17th century. Numerous period features remain, including vaulted, beamed ceilings and stone walls.
This Grade II listed cottage is set in the heart of Snowdonia in Wales.
Grade II listed buildings like this are protected, meaning renovations can be problematic. But this one comes with planning permission for a new entrance, bedroom, and sliding doors.
The cottage also would make a great base for exploring the rest of Britain and Ireland. A 90-minute drive northwest takes you to the port of Holyhead, where you can take the ferry over to Dublin, Ireland.
A 90-minute drive northeast brings you to Liverpool, home of the Beatles. From Liverpool, Manchester is just 35 miles away.
On the subject of driving, the winding roads through Snowdonia’s picturesque countryside are a driver’s dream. The Llanberis Pass route in Snowdonia was named as one of Britain’s most scenic drives in a survey conducted by National Geographic.
Planning permission has been approved to build a new entrance lobby, a double-bedroom on the ground floor with its own bathroom and sliding doors that open onto a veranda.
A Two-bed Home with Lake Views in Donegal, Ireland for $270,000
County Donegal, located in the wild and remote northwest of Ireland, feels like the end of the world. Look up at night, and on occasion you can see the Northern Lights here. Look out over the Atlantic Ocean, and there’s nothing but thousands of miles of open water.
Donegal was once considered Ireland’s forgotten county, but it could be about to have its moment in the limelight as it was named one of the best regions in the world to visit in 2024 by Lonely Planet.
The recognition is well earned, Donegal is stunning. The county boasts the longest stretch of coastline in Ireland, home to beautiful sandy beaches, rocky inlets, and towering sea-cliffs, buttressed by the rolling waves of the Atlantic. Inland, you’ll find mountains, lush green valleys, peat bogs, and miles and miles of unspoiled countryside.
The cottage in County Donegal, Ireland, is in a privileged location close to Sessiagh Lake, a fishing lake.
This two-bed, one-bath cottage in Donegal in the northwest of Ireland certainly fits the bill as a charming rural home. The cottage has views overlooking Sessiagh Lake, a fishing lake with stocks of wild brown trout.
It’s also located just 1.5 miles from Dunfanaghy village, a former shipping port where you’ll find bars and restaurants. It’s on the market for €250,000 ($270,000).
A One-Bedroom Cottage in Queensbury Village, England for $139,000
This small, one-bedroom cottage, listed for £110,000 ($139,000), is located in Queensbury Village, a charming suburb in Bradford, West Yorkshire in the north of England.
The village is known for its traditional stone-built houses, quaint local shops, and the historic Black Dyke Mills, once the heart of the area’s textile industry. Time spent in Queensbury Village offers a glimpse into Yorkshire’s rich heritage.
This small cottage is in Yorkshire, affectionately known by locals as “God’s Own Country.”
The cottage has an open-plan living area, a big main bedroom, and a private patio garden in the back. It also has nice touches like wooden beams and stone walls.
Queensbury Village is a 45-minute drive from the city of Leeds, and just over an hour from Manchester, where you will find an international airport, as well as some of the best restaurants, bars, shopping, and museums in the north of England.
A Three-bed Cottage Close to Edinburgh in East Lothian, Scotland for $465,000
From the enchanting harbor of North Berwick to the historic Tantallon Castle perched on a clifftop, the region of East Lothian in southeast Scotland offers a blend of natural beauty and historical sites that makes it a hidden gem.
This three-bed end terrace cottage, on the market in East Lothian, is just a 20-minute drive from Edinburgh, Scotland’s breathtaking capital city. The cottage is also just 10 minutes’ drive to the historic Muirfield golf course, giving this home some serious potential rental appeal with golf fanatics.
This cottage is located just 20 minutes’ drive outside Edinburgh, Scotland’s historic capital.
At £370,000 ($465,000) it’s not cheap, but the rental market in Edinburgh is thriving. Edinburgh sees over 4 million tourists each year and gets visitors year-round, which means you have the potential to generate steady rental income.
Ronan McMahon, Overseas Real Estate Expert
P.S. As I say, I’ll be heading to Las Vegas in October to speak at International Living’s Ultimate Go Overseas Bootcamp and share my insights on the biggest real estate opportunities and trends in the world today. This is a great chance to hang out with me, my team, my contacts, and hear about a raft of hot-off-the-presses opportunities.
As an Overseas Dream Home reader, you can sign up now and get a deeply discounted seat—with this special “Doors Open Discount.” Click here now to get all the details and register for the event.
