Vacationing on your own island property can be a dream come true…or a nightmare if you haven’t researched it first. What should you look for when choosing a second home on an island? Here are our top three considerations:
Weather
Weather is one of the first considerations. Islands have two potential pitfalls: extreme weather and wide variations in climate. Often, island destinations are in a hurricane or tornado zone, and it is important to be sensitive to the effect that these extreme conditions can have on your second home. This includes knowing what times of year you might not want to vacation there, and also what kind of insurance you want to get on your second home, just in case. It does not mean that the island is not still paradise—weather is simply a part of living there, and as long as you take it into consideration, your vacation home can still be a delight.
Wide variations in climate should be researched before you buy your home. For example, one side of the Big Island in Hawaii gets significant rainfall, while the other side has practically none. Some coastal areas have constant fog in the summer, just when you are planning your holidays. Be sure you know what you are getting into. If you are longing for a year-round sun tan, but you select a place in a rain-belt, you may be quite disappointed. Conversely, if it is extremely hot in the summer, you may find yourself house-bound, sitting in your air-conditioned room, unable to enjoy the nearby beaches. Check it out before you buy.
Wind is also a factor on some islands. This can be a boon, reducing dependence on air-conditioning, or it can be so strong you can sit outside. One family bought a condo on the coast of an island and eventually sold it to move inland, when they found they could never just sit on their balcony and be comfortable.
Accessibility
A second consideration for your island property is how accessible it is. Are there regular flights in and out of the island? What is the cost? This needs to be factored into your second-home budget, as it is a very real expense. If the access is by ferry, then you need to find out if there are times the ferry doesn’t run. Is it affected by tides or storms? Does it run day and night? Is it a car ferry or only a passenger ferry? There’s nothing worse than buying your island home, picturing excursions into the nearby city on the mainland, then discovering there’s no way to get home at night. Also, be sure you know how far your proposed home is from the transportation back to the mainland. In case of emergency, what is the nearest source of help?
Cost of Living
The benefit of island living is that you truly get away from it all. However, that also includes getting away from the source of many material things you need to live there. The result is higher costs for food products not locally grown, cars, electric appliances, etc. As you plan your perfect vacation on an island, factor in the additional expense. Cost of living does not have to be a deterrent to island living, as long as you prepare for it in advance. Privacy has its price, and for many, well worth it.
Additional factors to consider for island property include public access to the beach and marinas and how populated the area is due to hotel guests. Once you do your homework, then go for it—an island can make a perfect escape home.