Real estate on the Belgian coast is especially popular among Flemmings preparing for retirement, particularly those from West Flanders.
According to data collected last year by the national federation of notaries, 88.5 % of coastal real estate buyers were Flemish, with only 5.9 % from Wallonia, 2.8 % from Brussels, and 2.7 % from abroad.
Local residents and people from West Flanders are especially keen on coastal property.
Bart van Opstal, notary and spokesperson for Fednot, says residents of coastal municipalities made up over a third of buyers, while 46% came from West Flanders.
Buyers are often planning for their retirement. Real estate on the coast is most popular among buyers aged 50 to 55, who account for nearly 14% of purchases, followed by those aged 55 to 60.
Additionally, there is significant interest from people over 65.
“People think: we’ll buy something by the sea, maybe we’ll live there when we retire,” says van Opstal.
