Why The Rich and Famous Choose Florida

What David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Jeff Bezos, Lionel Messi and Other High-Profile Buyers See in Florida

By Michael Dodd – International Sales Director, Compass Florida


Apart from extraordinary careers and considerable wealth, they have all chosen South Florida for their homes or property investments.

And that raises an interesting question for British buyers:

Why Florida?

The answer is not simply sunshine.

Florida offers something that is increasingly difficult to find in many major international cities:

Lifestyle, space, privacy, beaches, boating, restaurants, international connections and a wide choice of luxury property.

For a British buyer sitting in London considering a second home in America, the choices made by successful international buyers are certainly worth looking at.

David and Victoria Beckham – Why Miami?

Perhaps one of the most recognizable British couples in the world has made Miami an important part of their life.
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham have owned multiple properties in Miami.
They sold their luxury One Thousand Museum penthouse in 2026 for approximately $24.6 million, having bought it for $19.8 million in 2020.
But they have remained firmly connected to Miami.

In 2024, the couple purchased a spectacular waterfront mansion on North Bay Road in Miami Beach for approximately $72.3 million.
The property has extensive Biscayne Bay frontage, a private dock, pool, gym, spa and home theatre.

David's involvement with Inter Miami CF has obviously played an important role in the family's connection with the city, but the property choices also demonstrate something important.

Miami is not simply a holiday destination for the international elite.

For many wealthy buyers, it has become a genuine second home and lifestyle destination.

Jeff Bezos – The Ultimate Florida Property Statement

If you want to understand the scale of Florida's appeal to the ultra-wealthy, look at Jeff Bezos.

The Amazon founder returned to Miami and built an extraordinary property portfolio on Indian Creek Island, the exclusive community often referred to as the “Billionaire Bunker.”

Bezos has acquired three properties on Indian Creek, with reported purchases totalling approximately $234 million.

The attraction?

Privacy. Security. Waterfront living. Space. And proximity to everything Miami has to offer.

Indian Creek is an extreme example of Florida luxury, but the underlying reasons for choosing Florida are relevant to buyers at every level.

People want:

Sunshine. Outdoor living. Water. Privacy. A high-quality lifestyle. And Florida offers all of these.

Lionel Messi – From Barcelona to South Florida

Lionel Messi is another fascinating example.

After joining Inter Miami, Messi established a significant property presence in South Florida.

He purchased a waterfront home in Fort Lauderdale for approximately $10.8 million and has also acquired multiple luxury condominium interests in the Miami area.

His property choices demonstrate another important feature of South Florida:

You don't have to live directly in Miami Beach to enjoy the Miami lifestyle.

Fort Lauderdale, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Bal Harbour and other communities provide very different options within the broader South Florida market.

For a British buyer, this is important.

You don't have to choose between one city and another.
There are numerous communities that can offer the lifestyle you want.

Tom Brady – Florida Became More Than a Sporting Destination

Tom Brady has also maintained a major connection with South Florida.
His property interests include Indian Creek, one of the most exclusive residential communities in the Miami area.

Indian Creek's appeal is particularly interesting because it demonstrates what very wealthy buyers value:

Privacy and security without sacrificing access to a major international city.
That combination is difficult to find.

You can have a private waterfront home while being relatively close to Miami's restaurants, international airport, entertainment and business community.

Mark Wahlberg – Florida's Lifestyle Beyond Miami

Mark Wahlberg is another example of the wider Florida trend.

In 2025, he purchased a major estate in Delray Beach's Stone Creek Ranch for approximately $37 million.

This is important because it shows that Florida's appeal extends well beyond Miami Beach.

For buyers who want more space, privacy and a quieter lifestyle, communities around Palm Beach County can be extremely attractive.

And for British buyers, that creates a much wider choice.

You could choose:

• Miami Beach for energy and international living.
• Palm Beach for elegance and sophistication.
• Boca Raton for lifestyle and community.
• Fort Lauderdale for boating and waterfront living.
• Delray Beach for a more relaxed coastal lifestyle.
• Naples or Sarasota for a quieter Gulf Coast experience.

Kevin James Chooses Boca Raton

In 2026, actor and comedian Kevin James purchased a newly built property in Boca Raton for approximately $17.15 million.
The house is inside the prestigious Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club and overlooks the golf course.

Again, the lesson isn't that every British buyer should spend $17 million.

Quite the opposite.

The lesson is that Boca Raton is attracting buyers who want luxury, privacy, golf, restaurants and a high-quality residential lifestyle without necessarily choosing Miami Beach.

What Can British Buyers Learn From These Purchases?

This is the really interesting part.

The average British buyer obviously isn't looking to purchase a $70 million mansion.

But successful buyers often identify lifestyle trends before the wider market.

Looking at where wealthy international buyers choose to live tells us something about what Florida offers.

1. Privacy

Florida has communities where privacy is extremely difficult to match in major cities.

2. Waterfront Living

Florida provides an extraordinary range of waterfront property.

Oceanfront. Intracoastal. Canal. Bayfront. Lakefront.

3. Outdoor Lifestyle

Swimming, boating, golf, tennis and outdoor dining are part of everyday life.

## 4. International Connections

Miami International Airport provides access to Europe, Latin America and the rest of the United States.

5. A Wide Range of Property

Florida isn't one property market.
There are luxury condominiums, family homes, golf communities, waterfront estates and more affordable properties.

6. Lifestyle

This may ultimately be the biggest reason.
People aren't simply buying square footage.
They're buying a lifestyle.

Why Are British Buyers Interested in Florida?

For a British buyer, Florida can provide something particularly appealing.
Imagine leaving London in January.
A few hours later, you are in Florida sunshine.
You can spend the morning walking on the beach, have lunch outdoors, play golf in the afternoon and enjoy dinner overlooking the water.
And if you own the property, you don't have to search for a hotel every time you visit.

Your Florida home is waiting for you.

Miami Beach, Palm Beach or Boca Raton?

This is where choosing the right Realtor becomes important.

A buyer may start by saying:

"I want to buy in Miami."

But after understanding their lifestyle, budget and objectives, they may actually be better suited to:

Palm Beach. Boca Raton. Fort Lauderdale. Delray Beach.

Or somewhere else entirely.

My job is not simply to find a property.
It is to help you find the right location and the right property for your lifestyle and objectives.

You Don't Have to Be a Celebrity to Own in Florida

This is the most important message of this article.
You don't have to be Jeff Bezos.
You don't have to be David Beckham.
You don't have to be Lionel Messi.
Florida offers property at many different price points.

The same lifestyle principles that attract the world's wealthiest buyers can also attract a British family looking for a second home.

Maybe you want:

• A two-bedroom apartment near the beach.
• A condominium in Miami Beach.
• A home in Boca Raton.
• A retirement property in Palm Beach County.
• A waterfront home.
• Or simply somewhere warm to escape the British winter.

The choice is enormous.

And This Is Why I Believe British Buyers Should Be Looking at Florida

The celebrity story is interesting.
But the bigger story is Florida itself
Florida continues to attract entrepreneurs, business leaders, athletes, entertainers and international buyers.

The reasons are clear:

Climate. Lifestyle. Water. Space. Privacy. International access. Property choice.

And for many buyers, the opportunity to own a home in a place they already love visiting.

Could Florida Be Your Second Home?

If you are sitting in London thinking about buying property in Florida, perhaps the question isn't:

“Should I buy a Florida property?”

Perhaps the better question is:

“Which Florida property is right for me?”

That is where I can help.

I work with British and international buyers looking for property throughout South Florida and other desirable Florida locations.

Whether you are considering Miami Beach, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Delray Beach or another Florida community, I can help you compare the markets and identify properties that fit your requirements.

From London to Florida

You don't need to be a celebrity to enjoy the Florida lifestyle.
You simply need to find the right property.
If you are thinking about owning a second home in Florida, I would be delighted to have a confidential conversation with you.
Tell me what you are looking for.
Tell me where you like to spend time.
Tell me your budget.
And let me help you explore what is available.

Michael Dodd

International Sales Director
Compass Florida

Helping British and international buyers find their perfect Florida property.