The expat life can feel enthralling at first. Plenty of new opportunities in glorious locales and a chance to globetrek with experts in their professional fields. Expat life also involves several challenges, with many experiencing isolation and loneliness. These limitations can also affect your decision to buy a home in a foreign country: will it be worth it?
A 2025 Bloomberg report finds that foreigners find it permissive and straightforward to buy property in Japan. The US home purchase market is being dominated by foreigners, especially people of Chinese origin. The UAE is another hotspot for foreign real estate investment, thanks to the residential benefits under its Golden Visa program.
So, what do these buyers prioritize in their investment? How can they select properties that make financial sense and also let them enjoy the local culture?
1. Select a Balanced Neighborhood
As an expat, it can be tempting to select a neighborhood with a large expat population. These localities often simplify day-to-day activities, such as grocery shopping and healthcare. They may also have community-based events and celebrations to make you feel at home.
However, the risk of living in such neighborhoods is that you might get trapped in an expat bubble. When the opportunities for associating with locals are few, you may find yourself not venturing out of your comfort zone. Over time, the resistance can deepen, making it harder to adapt or adopt new practices.
According to Psychology Today, expatriates have a higher risk for mental health concerns, such as depression, adjustment disorders, and acculturation concerns. Social isolation can aggravate these challenges. On the other hand, interacting with others in the community and participating in social events may reduce these risks.
When buying a home, focus on neighborhoods that are more balanced. Also, look for community spaces in the area, such as shopping streets and parks that locals prefer.
2. Partner With a Local Property Expert
Selecting the right property for your needs is a weighted decision, particularly when you are in a foreign country. While you may have lived in the country for a long time or visited often on work trips, buying your own home is a different ball game.
A local consultant can support you with the selection process and make it easier to overcome obstacles, such as not having a local bank account or struggling with the native language.
For example, if you want to invest in Dubai real estate, you can choose from downtown properties or beachside villas. You may prefer a home in a gated community if you wish to live with your family. An experienced professional can support you in selecting, purchasing, and maintaining the property.
According to RD Dubai, this approach can also help you access exclusive properties (that may not be available on regular listings). Moreover, you may strike a more cost-effective deal due to the consultant’s trusted relationship with the developer.
3. Consider a Home That Encourages Cultural Experiences
Imagine a house with a patio, where you can invite neighbors over for a barbecue on weekends. Or a balcony where you can read and soak in the riveting sights and sounds of the street. What if your home is in a building where the residents frequently organize events for local festivals and special occasions?
Choosing housing that enables such interactions can be a simple but powerful way to stay connected to the world around you. If you have opportunities for social interaction near your living quarters, you won’t need to make much effort to feel integrated.
These considerations are even more vital for expats raising children far from their home country.
A Business Insider feature notes the obstacles that third culture kids face. These include challenges related to identity and even simple life events, such as the language to converse in at home. Encouraging children to learn new languages and have new experiences can help in such cases. It helps them develop identities based on core values, not geography.
As parents or individuals looking to adapt to the local culture, you can make a proactive effort through hobby-based activities, such as a book club with your colleagues or a weekend matinee with neighbors. Homes that have spaces for shared activities, such as bar stools in the kitchen and adequate seating in the living room, can facilitate such interactions.
Arguably, this can be harder for introverts, which is why maintaining a balance between shared and solo time will be essential.
Purchasing a house in a foreign country is a significant life decision, one that can be rewarding but overwhelming. It raises apprehensions about potential culture shock and whether you and your family will feel comfortable personally and professionally.
However, with the right mindset, it makes perfect sense to leverage the fading boundaries between nations and build a home away from home. Cultural growth may require effort, but it remains a core part of being human.