Top 20 Most Popular Home-buying Destinations for Canadians in 2022

Average monthly Google searches: 1,240

Language(s): English (official); Saint Lucian French Creole (most widely spoken)

Most of the people of this mountainous island in the Windward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean live along the coastline in the capital of Castries or towns like Soufrière, Gros Inlet and Vieux Fort. Inland you’ll find dense tropical forest. The healing volcanic mud found on the island is the perfect excuse to convert a house into a spa.

Average monthly Google searches: 1,250

Language: Spanish

Diverse Colombia – in addition to Spanish, there are nearly 70 regional languages spoken here – offers everything from Amazon rainforests to Caribbean coasts, deserts, plains and highlands. One of the most popular cities for expats is Medellín, home of impressive, innovative architecture. Santa Marta, Cartagena and Barranquilla on the Caribbean coast, Pereira in the foothills of the Andes and the capital city Bogotá are also sought-after destinations.

Average monthly Google searches: 1,360

Languages: Spanish and English

This territory of the United States lies in the northeast Caribbean, some 1,000 miles away from the mainland United States. But in terms of its beautiful, vibrant culture, it’s a whole world away. Canadians look towards Puerto Rico mainly for the tropical climate and the beaches. The capital, San Juan, is the most popular with expats, but smaller beachside cities like Dorado, Rio Mar and Cayey have large expat communities too.

Average monthly Google searches: 1,550

Language: English

The southernmost island nation in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago lies just off the coast of Venezuela. The oil industry provides much of the employment for expats but the islands also attract many retirees who’ve decided to add a tropical twist to their downsizing. The capital city of Port of Spain, the most populous city of San Fernando on the island of Trinidad, and Scarborough on the island of Tobago are highly popular destinations for expats.

Average monthly Google searches: 1,590

Language: Spanish

The Central American country of Nicaragua offers a range of climates, from cool and temperate in the coffee-growing highlands to sweltering along the coasts. Expats avoid the capital city of Managua and instead flock to colonial Granada on the shores of Lake Nicaragua or San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast. Matagalpa in the highlands is becoming increasingly popular too, as are the islands of Lake Nicaragua.

Average monthly Google searches: 2,160

Language: Spanish

Like neighbouring Colombia, Ecuador offers everything from mountains to sultry coast. For expats, the mountain city of Cuenca is even more popular than the capital, Quito, which itself is a destination with a big expat community. Other sought-after destinations include Vilcabamba in the south, Ibarra and Cotacachi in the north and Guayaquil, Playas and Salinas along the coast. Wherever in Ecuador you decide to settle, make sure to bring your favourite mug to enjoy the perfect cup of Ecuadorian coffee.

Average monthly Google searches: 2,210

Languages: Dutch and Papiamento

Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this island in the Leeward Antilles lies in the south Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela. Aruba is generally quite flat and most people live along the western and southern coasts, where the stunning white beaches are protected from strong ocean currents. Oranjestad is the capital. Other popular destinations for expats include San Nicolaas and the touristy inland town of Noord.

Average monthly Google searches: 2,480

Language: English

Tired of paying taxes? The Cayman Islands in the western Caribbean are famous for being a tax haven. There are three islands in this British Overseas Territory: Grand Cayman is the most populated and most developed while Cayman Brac is popular for offshore fishing and Little Cayman is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. However, property here does not come cheap and immigration laws are strict.

Average monthly Google searches: 3,500

Language: English

Part of the Lucayan Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, the Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory. The capital, Cockburn Town, lies on the island of Grand Turk. However, it is the Providenciales in the Caicos Islands that is home to most of the country’s people and some of its most spectacular beaches.

Average monthly Google searches: 3,650

Language: English

You won’t have to learn a new language when you move to the country with the third highest Anglophone population in the Americas but you will need to get used to the accent: think Bob Marley or Jimmy Cliff. Expats tend to forego the capital, Kingston, for destinations like inland Mandeville with its more temperate climate and the coastal towns of Negril, Ochos Rios and Montego Bay.

Average monthly Google searches: 4,410

Language: Spanish; Bay Islands Creole English in the Bay Islands

Mountainous Honduras is becoming increasingly popular with expats despite its reputation for violent crime. Expats moving here tend to opt for either the capital of Tegucigalpa or the Bay Islands along the north coast, where English is the lingua franca. The island of Róatan is especially popular with expats and shows like House Hunters International provide tons of inspiration.

Average monthly Google searches: 5,880

Language: English

Part of the Lucayan Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamas consists of some 700 islands, cays and islets. Only 29 are inhabited, though. The capital, Nassau, lies on the island of New Providence and is one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in. Expats also tend to favour the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco with their beach resorts. As you may have learned from Island of Bryan, Andros is the largest and least developed island in the Bahamas.

Average monthly Google searches: 5,900

Language: English

The only Anglophone country in Central America, Belize is famous for its natural beauty. Expats tend to leave Belize City, which is the largest city and former capital, for more remote areas like idyllic Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulkner, the Placencia Peninsula, the Corazal District in the far north and the lush Cayo District, where you’ll find the capital, Belmopan. Belize is a good place to look for your own private island, too.

Average monthly Google searches: 6,400

Language: Spanish

Taking up the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles, the Dominican Republic is especially popular with those preferring all-inclusive package tours. While the country is geographically diverse – it’s home to the four highest peaks in the Caribbean – expats tend to flock to the capital of Santo Domingo on the south coast as well as Puerto Plata, Sosúa and Cabarete along the north coast.

Average monthly Google searches: 6,450

Language: Spanish

Hot and humid Panama draws more and more Canadians looking for better weather. Still, most expats avoid sweltering Panama City and instead opt for cooler mountain destinations like Boquete and El Valle de Antón. Those who want the beach life tend to flock to Coronado along the south coast or the islands of Bocas del Toro in the north.

Average monthly Google searches: 6,810

Language: English

A territory of the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands are part of the Leeward Islands. The most popular destinations for expats here are Saint Croix, which is the largest of the islands; Saint Thomas, where you’ll find the capital and largest city, Charlotte Amalie; and Saint John, where it’s easier to get away from the crowds and the hiking is fantastic.

Average monthly Google searches: 9,630

Language: English

Even if you haven’t heard of newly (un)crowned republic Barbados in the Lesser Antilles, you’ll have heard of its most famous citizen, Rihanna. A third of the country’s population live in the capital, Bridgetown. Expats also tend to congregate in the touristy parish of Saint James and the parish of Christ Church along the south coast.

Average monthly Google searches: 14,840

Language: Spanish

Eco-paradise Costa Rica is the most popular of the Central American nations not only among tourists but also among those who decide to stay. Expats in the country tend to opt for smaller towns in the Central Valley rather than the capital, San José. They also flock to the Lake Arenal area, Tamarindo and Nosara along the Gold Coast, Jacó along the Central Pacific coast and the more remote beach towns of the Southern Zone near the border with Panama.

Average monthly Google searches: 17,310

Language: English

Canadians looking for property in the United States have a vast range to choose from. The most popular destinations tend to be glitzy New York City and Las Vegas and the beaches of Florida and Hawaii. Increasingly, they also look to buy in sunnier states like Texas and Arizona.

Average monthly Google searches: 31,120

Language: Spanish

By far the most popular home-buying destination for Canadians is Mexico, where the living is cheap and the weather is great. The country has a vast array of climates and landscapes to choose from: shows like Mexico Life can give you all the ideas and inspiration you need. Canadians’ most searched Mexican destinations are at the beach, though: Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.