Why Uber Cool Gay Hang-Outs Are The Place to Invest

MEPM Managing Director Edward Hill reveals where pioneering property investors should make their next purchase and why uber cool gay hang-outs are the place to invest.

What do the following “hot real estate” such as St Tropez, Key West, Mykonos, Ibiza, Marrakech and Palm Springs all have in common? They all started out life as hideaway fishing villages or desert hang outs for the rich gay community.

Yes. If you are wondering where next to drop your hard earned investor pennies, you might like to consider this unique factor in your search. Where the gay cool discover first, the straight cool with big bucks are sure to follow.

Firstly, the gay community have an excellent eye for design, decoration and property taste. Properties that the straight community either do not have the eye, money or energy to do much, turn within two years in to stylish chic, desirable bolt holes that command millions. The once rundown Cape Malay district in Cape Town is an example of this. The gay pioneers snapped up  streets of townhouses  for around 20,000 USD in the late 1990’s and did them up. Then added a few metrosexual bars, boutique hotel and designer chic restaurants. The area is now one of the smartest, chicest and most desirable areas in Cape Town and properties often exchange hands for over 1m USD.

Mykonos was never a place that the rich Athenians would even have considered. Gay pioneers went there for fun and naughtiness in the 70’s. Gradually the old town started to see designer shops, chic bars and a total tasteful renovation, without removing the essential island charm. Very shortly, the straight jet set moved in and now the resort is one the most popular places for even homophobic Egyptian rich families to get married.

Ibiza is exactly the same story. And no one likes to be reminded that Formentera was once a gay nudist beach!

Palm Springs; which is a now is “preservation” for the ex-presidents, industrialists and A list Hollywood stars, likewise started out life as a gay artistic community, those in search of the dry desert air to keep them in the Peter Pan lifestyle that they so aspire to.  Key West was essentially gay with two-man streets running riot with fun, colour, design plus the sense that in this far flung outpost of Conch, anything goes! Properties were around 100,000 USD, now go and find and even ‘try and find’ a decent property under 1 million USD.  Good luck, darling!

The best gay hang-outs

So, if gay pioneers give the hint of future success in real estate, then where should one really be looking for the next best “gay” thing? What places in the world are turning metro-sexual heads and why ? Where are the next gay hang-outs?

Cuba Hang-outs

OLD TOWN HAVANA – Yes; as deprived as it might be food and drink wise, the atmosphere, fun, bars and architecture plus the people make the perfect recipe for ‘the place to be’ in the future.  It might come as a surprise, but gays are “protected” by the Castro family. The gay beach in East Havana; Mi Cayito, is an beautiful example of this.  They even get their own policemen with rainbow truncheons! Properties that are run down can be long term leased for £90,000, done up and then run as boutique managed apartments.  This place with its mojitos, music, dance and to be honest ‘slight sense of seed’. Will; over the next 10 years, be the Gay Paris of the Caribbean.

Brazil Hang-outs

JERICOACOARA - Honed and cool with a scent of metrosexual. All eyes are turning to North Brazil.

Cape Verde Hang-outs

CAPE VERDE - Islands such as Boa Vista and Sal are attracting attention as gay hang-outs.

Red Sea Riviera Hang-outs

EL GOUNA - This privately owned town is a secret hideaway for many of the country’s gay community. Protected by its owners, rich gays have started to relax and invest in the unique atmosphere. Having its own Film Festival and Opera house helps.

TULUM, Mexico - Suddenly the twinkling waters and dazzling beaches of this headland near Cancun (but far enough away) is sending out metro-sexual buy signals. Art galleries and designer top less tree top bars have sprung up, it is getting seriously cool.

In essence, if you want to make a long term prudent real estate investment, switch on your “gaydar”, open up your wallets and remember those who once purchased a house for 10,000 USD in Old Town Ibiza and now are sitting on millions! How the other half live, hey!!

For further information on pioneering property investment- please contact Edward Hill- ehill@mepm-property.com  - WhatsApp +44 7765617209. www.mepm-property.com

Are you a pioneer? Take a look at some of the properties we have on offer in 'uber cool' Brazil. Or visit our website for Cuba, Cape Verde and El Gouna