Seaside cities: Antalya, Dubai, Budva and Limassol
The best countries to move to are the ones where it is comfortable to live, not only to holiday: we compared four cities in one format.
Four cities
Antalya — districts
Turkey: six districts, a flight of about 5 hours, residence permit through property from 200,000 USD.
Dubai
UAE: a warm winter, no income tax Golden Visa from AED 2 million
Budva
Montenegro: the euro, mountains and the Adriatic, residence permit from €150,000.
Limassol
Cyprus: an EU country, permanent residence through a new home from €300,000 + VAT.We will announce the next city in the Telegram channel.
Four cities compared
A residence permit through buying property — in which countries it exists and how it differs, shown in one table.
| Antalya | Dubai | Budva | Limassol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January, daytime | 15.0 °C | 24.0 °C | 12.3 °C | 17.4 °C |
| July, daytime | 34.2 °C | 40.6 °C | 27.8 °C | 33.2 °C |
| Flight from Moscow | 4 h 45 min – 5 h 25 min | 6 h 25 min | no direct flights | no direct flights |
| Currency | lira | dirham | euro | euro |
| Price level, EU = 100 | 52.2 | no data | 61.0 | 91.6 |
| Status through a home | residence permit up to 2 years | long-term Golden Visa | residence permit for 1 year | permanent residence, 10-year card |
| Threshold | from 200,000 USD | from AED 2 million | from €150,000 | from €300,000 + VAT |
| Tax on purchase | 2% + 2% seller | 2% + 2% seller | 3% up to €150,000 | 3–8% or VAT |
January and July — the average daily maximum; Budva — by the Bar station, Limassol — by Larnaca. Sources: MGM, WMO, ZHMS, WMO Cyprus, SVO timetable, Eurostat, Göç İdaresi, GDRFA, Montenegrin law, Cyprus MIP, purchase taxes, DLD, Montenegrin tax, DLS.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries grant a residence permit when buying property?
Of our four — all, but differently. Turkey — a residence permit of up to 2 years at a time, Montenegro — for a year, Dubai — an owner's residence permit or a long-term Golden Visa, Cyprus — permanent residence straight away. Everywhere the decision is made by the migration service.
Which countries are best for moving for permanent residence?
Montenegro or Turkey?
Montenegro — the euro, a mild summer and a residence permit threshold of €150,000, but no direct flights. Turkey — a hot summer, a flight of about 5 hours and a residence permit from 200,000 USD, but life is cheaper: 52.2 against 61.0 with EU = 100.
Cyprus or Turkey?
Cyprus — the European Union and permanent residence straight away, but prices are almost European (91.6 with EU = 100). Turkey — a residence permit of up to 2 years at a time and lower prices (52.2). The choice depends on what matters more: status or budget.
Selection
Not sure which city to choose?
Answer the 5 quiz questions: we will suggest a city and 2–3 districts, and a manager or a Life by Sea partner will put together a selection.
Current as of October 2026. Author: Life by Sea editorial team.