Making the step up from having vested interests in the UK housing market to being a global luxury real estate investor can be daunting. Suddenly those rungs on the premium property ladder are feeling pretty slippery underfoot, and more than just a little heavy on the wallet, too.
Whether planning for retirement or simply plotting an escape from these shores, you’ve got to speculate to accumulate, as the experts say, and if you’ve got the capital available to back your ambitions up, you might even find the world of luxury real estate investment is a very lucrative one indeed.
This shouldn’t just be a case of spinning the globe and seeing where your finger lands. You might as well be spinning a roulette wheel with all your money on red. Instead, to make sure you’re in the black, here are some of the best places in the world for luxury real estate investment.
Dubai, UAE
They don’t call it the City of Gold for nothing. In just a few years Dubai has grown spectacularly from a sleepy Gulf port to a global business hub and icon of ostentatious luxury and wealth the world over.
Dubai’s rapid expansion is symbolised by its skyline, with the current record breaking collection of towers unrecognisable from the same view just twenty years ago. Incredibly, the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, has only been standing for just 15 years.
This breakneck redevelopment spells something of an opportunity for luxury real estate investors, as property in Dubai is ultra-modern and as technological advanced as it comes. What’s more, with a transient working population, the city offers much higher rental yields than many more mature, established real estate markets. Investment properties in the Middle East never looked so lucrative.
There are also new visa laws concerning residency and property ownership in the country that are more favourable to foreigners. Do check out these useful tips for expats moving to Dubai for more on that.
Manchester, UK
Whilst London is the obvious choice for a premium property investment on terra firma, it’s in Manchester that we think the luxury real estate market presents more lucrative opportunities.
Let us explain why.
Manchester is predicted to have huge property price growth across the next five years. On the whole, property prices will increase by an average of 6.2% across the UK over by 2027, with some high-performing regions such as the North West set to witness a growth of as much as 11.7%, where key cities like Manchester stand out as some of the best places to invest in UK property.
There are also high levels of employment and capital growth in the city, spurred on by regeneration projects like the development at St Johns, a new Manchester city-centre neighbourhood that will create a number of new homes, workplaces, and leisure and shopping attractions. All of this means a luxury property purchase here makes a whole lot of sense, and could well see a significant return on investment.
Alternatively, another predicted upcoming investment hotspot is Birmingham, with average yields set to grow by 8% in some areas of the city following the construction of HS2 and, consequently, some London commuters choosing to leave the Big Smoke for Brummagem.
Read: 5 IDEAL reasons to buy property in Manchester
Toronto, Canada
Toronto is a city on a seemingly unstoppable upward trajectory. In Resonance’s annual ranking of the World’s Best Cities, ‘The Six’ (as one famous resident has nicknamed Toronto) ranked 15th, with experts praising its exponential growth, culturally, financially and in terms of size. It’s the fastest growing in all of North America, and is predicted to be the continent’s third largest in the not too distant future.
What’s more, Toronto has the ninth highest number of Global 500 head offices in the world, encouraged by fast growing real estate wealth. Luxury real estate auctions are particularly big business here, driving prices up by increasing that sense of exclusivity and scarcity in premium property listings in the city.
All of this makes it an incredible place to invest in luxury property; there are young, aspirational folk living here with big money to spend. Will you join them?
Fortaleza, Brazil
For luxury beachfront property investment, Brazil’s Fortaleza ranks as one of the top five in the world, according to the Global Property Survey, as reported on by Forbes.
Brazil is one of the world’s largest economies, and growing fast. The capital of the country’s Ceará state in the northeast, Fortaleza is one of the largest urban centres in South America, in terms of both size and population. Considering it’s also a beach town, with long stretches of golden sands and surf, it’s no surprise that luxury properties here are in high demand, bolstered by that exquisite mix of a prime location on the coast and big-city amenities further inland.
With recent increases in the number of international flights into Fortaleza, tourism is booming here, with so much to see and do in the city. Combine this with the fact that Brazil’s middle class has been growing at a confident, consistent rate of 1% per year, and it seems like luxury property investment here makes perfect sense in terms of ROI.
Singapore
Singapore is consistently named as the world’s most expensive city, and there is serious money in the Lion City.
In fact, low taxes, continued stability, capital preservation, and a universally-praised response to global challenges have made Singapore a more attractive place to invest than ever before. The luxury property market has shown remarkable resilience, with Q1 2025 data revealing a sharp 44.6% quarter-on-quarter rebound in transaction values for private homes priced above $5 million in the Core Central Region, reaching $1.37 billion.
The number of luxury transactions climbed significantly to 143 units in Q1 2025 – up 43% from the previous quarter and representing the highest quarterly sales volume since Q4 2023. The super luxury segment is particularly strong, with 17 condominium units selling for over $10 million in the first quarter alone. One standout transaction was a Park Nova unit that sold for $38.888 million at $6,593 per square foot – the second-highest price per square foot ever recorded in Singapore.
With Singapore ranking 11th in the world in terms of millionaire density, and the luxury market showing such robust performance even amid global economic uncertainties, the purchase of a luxury property here continues to be a wise investment indeed. The market’s strength in 2025 suggests this momentum will continue well into the future. Might 2026 be the year you move to Singapore?
Antalya, Turkey
We’re finishing up in Antalya, Turkey’s premier coastal destination and a luxury real estate hotspot that continues to attract significant international investment despite broader market challenges.
Recent market data from 2025 shows Antalya’s remarkable resilience and growth. The city saw home sales surge by 19.8% year-on-year to 77,512 units in 2024, capturing more than 5% of Turkey’s entire property market. What’s particularly compelling for international investors is that Antalya accounts for an impressive 34.6% of all foreign property purchases in Turkey – second only to Istanbul.
While Turkey’s property market faces the challenge of high inflation (with nominal price increases of around 30% masking real value declines), Antalya offers decent rental yields ranging from 3.46% to 8.17%, with a city average of 5.73%. This makes it an attractive option for investors seeking rental income from Turkey’s booming tourism sector.
The city benefits from its unique position as the gateway to Turkey’s stunning Turquoise Coast, combining year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, and a growing infrastructure that continues to attract both tourists and permanent residents. With Turkey’s revised investment thresholds for residency and citizenship still drawing international buyers despite recent increases, Antalya remains one of the most accessible entry points into the Turkish luxury property market.
If you’re keen to read more about that, then check out these 7 reasons investors are buying property in Antalya.
*Anything written by IDEAL Magazine is not intended to constitute financial advice. Always consult with an independent financial advisor or expert before making an investment or any personal finance decisions.*
