International Living Magazine

Buy Your Dream Home on the Beach in Brazil for $63,000

By Lee Harrison

I just bought a house on the beach in northeast Brazil (Bill says; from my team!). Now, for the first time, I can walk out my front door, cross the white sand, and dive into warm, turquoise waters. It’s on a large tropical island, and there’s a pleasant 1500s-era colonial town within walking distance.

Life on the island of Itamaracá is simple. For entertainment we’ve got thatched-roof beachfront bars, open-air seafood restaurants, a new gym, and frequent shows and music on the town square. We spend days swimming in the warm, reef-protected waters, snorkeling, walking on the beach, or enjoying cold beers and grilled shrimp for a few dollars per person.

We can also take a canoe through the mangroves, hang out with others from the English-speaking expat community, or, for a taste of the big city, take the causeway to the mainland and head to Recife. There are no high-rises, no car dealers, and no malls. In fact, most of the island is a forest preserve.

Life is uncomplicated and inexpensive…and you can find your dream home on the beach for around $63,000; or in the island’s best planned community—in the hills with an ocean view—for about $34,000.

It’s a great lifestyle…for me. But it’s just one of many available in Brazil’s northeastern region, where you’ll find an option for every taste and budget.

Brazil’s northeastern region draws people from all over the world with more than 1,500 miles of shimmering, white-sand beaches bordering tropical waters. The temperatures are warm all year, and rarely fall below 77° F or rise above 90° F. You can expect pleasant onshore breezes most of the time.

All areas have a dry and a wet season. How much rain you see—and the months you see it—depend on where you are.

The northeastern region is composed of nine states, from Maranhão on the north, to Bahia on the south. It’s home to almost 30% of Brazil’s people. With its natural beauty, great weather, and low cost of living—and variety of lifestyle choices—it’s no wonder that the region attracts so many travelers and expats.