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Where You Can Still Buy a Home Without Debt
New global data reveals overlooked housing markets worth your attention.
Philip Saparov
December 17, 2025
In partnership with
Greetings, bold explorer of opportunity!
Sky-high housing prices may dominate the headlines—but not everywhere. Hidden around the globe are rare gems where you can still own a home without drowning in debt.
This week, we reveal where affordability lives on—and why these overlooked places might just be your next smart move.
Let’s uncover the last real estate deals that still make sense.
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In a region once defined by Cold War boundaries, Eastern Europe is now quietly offering some of the most affordable housing in the developed world.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria tops the list for bargain-hunters. In towns like Veliko Tarnovo or Plovdiv, homes can still be found for under $60,000. It’s not just the price—residents enjoy stunning scenery, robust expat communities, and EU residency perks.
🇷🇸 Serbia, though not yet in the EU, offers ultra-low prices—homes in smaller cities like Niš or Subotica often go for under $40,000, with fast-growing digital infrastructure and a rising startup scene.
🇲🇩 Moldova has some of the cheapest real estate in Europe. Though it’s not for everyone (infrastructure varies), it's drawing remote workers intrigued by ultra-low costs and EU border access.
📌 Curious detail: In rural Bulgaria, some properties still sell for under $1,000—often in need of work, but undeniably real.
Latin America continues to be a beacon for retirees, expats, and digital nomads seeking value without sacrificing lifestyle.
🇪🇨 Ecuador remains a standout. In cities like Cuenca or Loja, it's not uncommon to find modern condos for under $100,000, and monthly living costs stay under $1,500. The country also offers a generous pensioner visa.
🇲🇽 Mexico, particularly inland cities like Mérida or San Miguel de Allende, balances affordability with high quality of life. Real estate remains undervalued relative to the U.S., though prices are climbing in coastal areas.
🇳🇮 Nicaragua, despite its political complexities, offers beachfront homes on the Pacific for under $75,000—something that’s nearly impossible elsewhere.
🔍 Perspective shift: According to the Global Retirement Index, a retired couple can live comfortably in Ecuador on $1,600/month—including rent.
Yes, it’s true: even in the U.S., some places still offer surprising value.
🏞️ West Virginia tops the affordability charts—where the median home price is under $150,000, and property taxes are among the lowest in the nation.
🌾 Iowa and Kansas boast livable small towns where homes under $120,000 are still common, and safety and community remain strong.
💡 Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is attracting remote workers with cash incentives and bargain properties surrounded by pristine nature.
🏡 Did you know? In Beckley, West Virginia, the average home price is $116,000—nearly a sixth of the national average in San Francisco.
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In Southeast Asia, the cost of living is famously low—but real estate, especially in second-tier cities, remains remarkably affordable too.
🇻🇳 Vietnam offers coastal cities like Da Nang where modern apartments go for $70,000 or less, and where strong economic growth signals long-term potential.
🇵🇭 The Philippines has long been a retiree favorite. In cities like Dumaguete, expats report buying beachfront properties for $50,000 and living comfortably on $1,200/month.
🇨🇲 Cambodia, especially in provincial towns like Kampot, offers charming French colonial villas for a fraction of what they’d cost elsewhere.
🌴 Fascinating twist: In the Philippines, foreign retirees can qualify for a special resident visa by depositing just $10,000 in a local bank.
Often overlooked, Africa has quietly become home to some of the world’s most undervalued real estate.
🇲🇦 Morocco offers riads and villas in cities like Fez and Marrakech for surprisingly low prices—many under $100,000. Its proximity to Europe and stable expat communities make it a rising destination.
🇬🇭 Ghana, especially around Kumasi and Cape Coast, provides land and homes at a fraction of the cost seen elsewhere, and its English-speaking population is a draw for international buyers.
🇳🇦 Namibia offers a safe, sparsely populated environment with property prices still grounded in reality—and stunning natural beauty to match.
💡 Unexpected fact: In Morocco, it's possible to buy a restored riad in the old medina of Fez for under $70,000—a deal rarely seen in Europe.
While big-city housing in Western Europe has gone sky-high, rural and small-town Portugal and Spain are rewriting the script.
🇵🇹 Portugal’s interior towns like Castelo Branco and Fundão offer homes for under $50,000—and Portugal’s Golden Visa and D7 passive income visa continue to attract non-EU residents.
🇪🇸 Spain’s “empty villages” program allows buyers to purchase abandoned properties for nominal sums—as low as €1 in some cases—with the promise of restoration.
🇪🇸 Andalusia offers some of Europe’s sunniest small towns with surprisingly affordable housing and excellent healthcare access.
🏘️ Curious revival: Entire villages in Spain are now being auctioned off online—some with 20+ homes—for less than the cost of a studio in Madrid.
As housing prices surge in traditional hotspots, new frontiers are opening in unexpected places.
🇬🇪 Georgia (the country) is becoming a hub for digital nomads, with apartments in Tbilisi starting at just $40,000, visa-free access for many, and a low flat tax system.
🇦🇱 Albania’s Riviera remains one of Europe’s last affordable coastlines, with seaside apartments starting around $50,000—offering a Mediterranean lifestyle for a fraction of the price.
🇧🇷 Brazil, especially inland and northern regions, offers large rural properties for stunningly low prices—attractive to homesteaders and agripreneurs alike.
📈 Insightful edge: Tbilisi, Georgia saw a 19% increase in foreign property buyers in 2024—early signs of a market on the rise.
Affordable homes still exist—if you know where to look. From mountain towns to coastal hideaways, the world hasn’t run out of value—it’s just hiding off the beaten path.
Whether you're eyeing your next move or simply staying sharp, knowledge is your edge in a fast-changing world.
Until next time—stay curious, stay ready, and keep uncovering what others miss.
Warm regards,
Shane Fulmer
Founder, WorldPopulationReview.com
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