For Ann and Barry White, who own a private island in Maine, life has been nothing short of idyllic. During their two decades living on Long Point Island in Harpswell, the couple has hosted enthralled visitors, heard waves crashing on rocks like thunder during storms, and watched blooming flowers on their daily walks. But as their children grow older and visit less frequently, the couple is ready to sell their secluded sanctuary and move to a more conventional spot on the mainland. “A lot of people who would never have considered buying an island are now considering it,” says Chris Krolow, CEO of the Ontario real estate company Private Islands, which rents and sells more than 800 islands around the world.
Whether for a vacation or a forever home, owning a private island is often viewed as the ultimate luxury. But it’s not for everyone. It’s expensive — you can expect to pay millions for a small plot of land — and requires a unique set of skills to live there, from understanding tides and weather to coordinating with a team of contractors for construction projects. And it’s not exactly stress-free, since a lot of issues that don’t arise on the mainland can pop up on an island.
There are also practical considerations: Island owners need to be ready for an isolated lifestyle, including dealing with the occasional swarm of mosquitoes and figuring out how to deal with the challenges of living without a grocery store. They must keep in mind that a private island is not immune to natural disasters like hurricanes or tsunamis, and they must make sure their property is high enough to survive floods and sea surges. They must have an understanding of how to sustain themselves without relying on outside sources of food and freshwater, and they must know what to do in the event of a medical emergency.
Island living also appeals to the survivalist, the prepper and the “homesteaders,” who, for a variety of reasons, bristle against government regulation. Some of these folks, like Patri Friedman, the former Google engineer who founded the Seasteading Institute in 2008, have attempted to build floating cities as utopian experiments in alternative forms of governance.
And then there are the maintenance issues, such as repairing a faulty electrical system or a leaky roof. Getting help when needed isn’t always easy, either. It’s also important to consider tax laws. Even if an island is owned by one person, it is likely technically part of a country, and that country may require fees or taxes on the island, which can add up over time.
Still, for the right person, a private island can be the perfect escape. Improved technology makes it easier than ever to work from a hammock, and who wouldn’t want to do that while surrounded by turquoise waters? But, as with any major purchase, it’s essential to consider all the factors before making a final decision.