Yes, we’re having another moan about London property prices. After spending the weekend perusing totally unaffordable, but nevertheless tiny, studio flats in South London, I decided to see just how much my money was worth further afield. And it turns out, it’s worth a whole lot more than 3 square-metres of space, a pull out bed and an ‘open plan’ toilet. You can buy private, tropical islands for the same price as a garage in London, for god sake! But is it worth giving up tube strikes, busy commutes and polluted roads for a slice of tropical solace? Give me a volleyball called Wilson and I’m there.
1. Mavuva Island, Fiji: Private lots from £88,400
[Private Island Online]This gorgeous South Pacific island has 42 acres of land up for grabs. Gorgeous turquoise waters, beautiful white sands and tropical greenery. Are we dreaming?
VS. A garage in London: £100,000
[Zoopla]OR you could ditch your island dreams for THIS purpose built garage in North West London. It’s a bargain for £100,000. Now all you need is to buy a car…
2. Spuhn Island, Alaska: £120,000
[Private Islands Online]Perhaps this tranquil haven North West of Canada is a little bit too isolated for some, but waking up to those views every morning would be something special.
VS. Shared ownership of 1 bedroom flat (in Croydon): £120,000
[Zoopla]Or you could get half of this. Wow. (Does that mean half of the one bedroom too?!) Oh, and it’s in Croydon. Double wow.
3. Tahifehifa Island, Tonga: £240,000
[Private Islands Online]This is the archetypal tropical island. The isle that comes to mind when you shut your eyes and imagine your perfect life. All it needs is a bar.
VS. Studio in Paddington: £235,000
[Zoopla]Annnd this is what appears when you wake up from your island dream.
4. Plitvice Island, Croatia: £281,000
[Private Islands Online]This baby’s just a stones throw away from the mainland (meaning easy access to Hideout and Outlook festivals). And that sea looks so inviting.
VS. 1 bedroom flat in New Cross: £274,000
[Zoopla]Comes fully furnished. Grime included. Inviting for vermin, perhaps.
5. Temple Island, Australia: £453,000
[Private Islands Online]We like this one because it’s shaped like a sting ray. It’s full of fresh oysters, ready to eat off the rocks (and they won’t cost you £5 a pop). It also has its own private airstrip, so probably more accessible than Oxford Street tube station on a Saturday.
VS. 1 bedroom flat in Clapham: £465,000
[Zoopla] So this doesn’t look so bad right? (Don’t scroll up again, avoid looking at those lovely islands. Everything will be ok.)
