Do House Prices Abroad Really Seem Lower – or Is It Just Internet Envy?

This is a collaborative post.

You know those evenings where you’ve promised yourself an early night, but instead you’re still wide awake at midnight, sat in your dressing gown with a cuppa, scrolling through house prices abroad in a country you’ve never even visited? Yep – me too. It starts innocently enough. Maybe I’m just curious what our old neighbour’s house went for, or wondering how much it would cost to have a second toilet (because we all know what it’s like when someone’s hogging the loo and you’ve had three cups of tea). But before I know it, I’m knee-deep in property listings from Canada, imagining life with a boot room and a breakfast nook.

It’s a habit now, really. My partner rolls his eyes when he sees “Best Homes in Alberta” in my search history, but I like to call it research. Just harmless daydreaming, right? Just because I am looking at house prices abroad doesn’t mean I have put in a mortgage application, not yet anyway!

Why We’re All Addicted to Property Scrolls

There’s something so strangely satisfying about looking at houses – even ones we’ll never set foot in. Maybe it’s nosiness, maybe it’s hope, or maybe we’re just wired to be curious about how other people live. For me, it’s part escapism, part curiosity, and part “What if…?”

And when you look at house prices abroad, especially in places like Canada or New Zealand, everything seems shinier. Detached homes with actual garages, gardens the size of small parks, and space. So much space! No wondering where to squeeze in the washing basket, or whether the bed will fit without blocking the door.

I saw a listing the other day for a three-bed house in Nova Scotia with a wraparound porch, double oven, and a laundry room that looked bigger than my kitchen. All for less than a terrace house in our village that still has carpet in the bathroom (who thought that was ever a good idea?!).

But What Do the Photos Really Tell Us?

Here’s where I have to remind myself – and maybe you too – that pictures are lovely, but they don’t pay the heating bill. A big Canadian house might look like a dream, but I’d need about four jumpers and an industrial-sized boiler to survive a winter there. And we haven’t even talked about the snow. It’s romantic when you’re looking at a photo, but not when you’ve got to dig your car out of the drive every morning.

And then there’s everything else. Healthcare systems, local taxes, school catchments, how far the nearest chippy is… all things you won’t find in a property description. I don’t know about you, but if the nearest shop doesn’t sell Yorkshire Tea, I’m not sure I’d cope.

It’s easy to be swept away by the fantasy of starting fresh somewhere else, but moving country isn’t like moving to the next postcode. There’s visas, paperwork, cost of living, and leaving behind the things that make home feel like, well, home. All these things that we forget when we scroll house prices abroad and get excited at the prospects!

So Why Do We Keep Looking At House Prices Abroad?

Because it’s fun. Simple as that. We like to imagine what life could be like – not because we’re ungrateful, but because we’re human. A little dreaming never hurt anyone. It gives you perspective, sometimes even clarity. I’ve learned loads from my international house-browsing habit. Like the fact that I’d really like a utility cupboard. Or that I’d trade a garden gnome for a pantry any day of the week.

But it’s also made me see our little quirks in a softer light. Sure, British homes are a bit poky sometimes, and don’t get me started on the obsession with beige walls, but they’re familiar. They’ve got character. And if you can find one that doesn’t have textured wallpaper and a gas fire from 1974, you’re doing alright.

It’s Not Just “Over There” That Looks Tempting

I think one of the reasons I end up looking at house prices abroad is because new-build homes here can feel a bit out of reach, especially with prices climbing faster than my teenager’s snack bill. But there are options popping up, even if you have to dig a bit to find them. Places like Keepmoat have been building homes across the UK with families in mind – proper kitchens, green spaces, and layouts that make sense. It’s not all overpriced boxes stuck on the edge of a roundabout anymore.

Still, I like seeing how other countries do it. In Canada, for instance, new-builds often come with finished basements – imagine having a second living room or a home gym downstairs! Here, we’re thrilled if we get a cupboard under the stairs that doesn’t smell of damp.

It’s fascinating, the little things. Like how Canadian homes almost always have mudrooms (basically mini rooms for shoes and coats). I’d love that. I’ve got a pile of wellies and school bags by the door that looks like we’ve been burgled every morning.

What It’s Really About

In the end, I don’t think it’s about moving. Not really. It’s about options. It’s about imagining a life with a bit more space, a bit more ease, or just something a bit different. And even if we never pack a suitcase or hire a moving van, looking gives us ideas. It helps us dream, plan, and maybe even make the most of what we’ve already got.

I’ll probably keep browsing all the house prices abroad and imagining life there. It’s part of my wind-down routine now – pyjamas on, biscuit in hand, pretending I’m house-hunting in Toronto. And why not? There are worse ways to spend an evening than learning how people live across the world, and picking up a few ideas for our own four walls in the process.

For a peek at what’s on offer in Canada, visit the property search site, or to explore UK-based developments, visit Keepmoat. Where would you move if you could? How often do you scroll looking at houses for sale abroad? What do you think about house prices abroad, tempting or no chance? Let me know in the comments below.