In the Micronesian subregion of the Pacific Ocean, lies Guam, a tropical paradise that also happens to be a US territory. In Guam the lifestyle is easy and laid back, the climate is mostly pleasant and mild, and the people are warm and welcoming. Making the most of Guam means being part of a community, celebrating fiestas (of which there are many throughout the year), and enjoying the natural beauty of the island.

Here, we’ll guide you through life on Guam, where it would be good for you to relocate to and what part of the island may best suit your lifestyle. Whether you’re military personnel stationed in Guam, looking to retire on a tropical island, or a professional moving for a better life, this guide will help.

Similar yet different

Being on the other side of the Pacific on a tropical island, you can’t help but realize you’re not on mainland US soil anymore. However, you’d be surprised how familiar you are with how life runs in Guam. The island uses the US dollar as its currency, English is spoken ubiquitously but there is also a strong Chamorro culture which through history has very strong similarities to the Hispanic cultures we see in the US. You’ll immediately feel right at home with malls and may even be amazed by the biggest Kmart in the world. But as mentioned earlier, Guam is a tropical island and there is undoubtedly a sense of ease in the air on how people live their lives. Some have likened it to Hawaii, without the exorbitant prices.

If you’re looking for a way to move to this paradise and you’re an American citizen, (btw, all people born in Guam are American citizens) there is no need for visas to visit, live, and work with Guam’s US Territory status. It is much easier to make the move and adapt to Guam than most realize.

Guam has a large American military population

Historical ties have placed Guam under US protection and the country now holds 2 major military bases, the Anderson Air Force Base (AAFB) and the Naval Base. This means that a considerable number of military personnel and their families live on the island.

There is housing on the bases but there is also the possibility of living outside of the bases. This opens you up to almost the whole island although it is likely that you’ll want to stay within northern Guam for proximity to the Air Force Base, or southern Guam for the Naval Base.

Northern, Central, and Southern Guam.

For military personnel who are able to live off-base, looking to move, or if you are a civilian looking to relocate to Guam, there is a lot of choice as to where to live. Let’s break down the 3 distinct regions to give a better view and help you make a more informed decision.

Northern Guam

Consisting of coralline limestone plateaus and family-centered residential communities, Northern Guam is where the majority of the island’s population lives. So, if you’re looking for great homes for sale in Guam, these two villages are a great place to start:

Dededo

Dededo is a major commercial and residential hub in northern Guam, as well as the most populous village on the island.

Most of Dededo sits on top of the limestone plateau, right above the Northern Aquifer, and is bisected by Route 1 (also known as Marine Corps Drive). It is home to well-known parks and beaches such as Haputo Beach, Urono Beach, and South Finegayan Latte Stone Park.

Housing a large and multicultural population, it comes as no surprise that the village has a highly diverse real estate market. Homes for sale in Dededo, Guam are priced anywhere from $400,000 to $3,500,000, and you can find everything from multi-family properties and condominiums to single-family homes and luxury estates. There’s also a wide range of communities to choose from, such as gated communities like Paradise Estates, as well as family-friendly subdivisions like Liguan Terrace and Kaiser.

RICH IN WILDLIFE

The Guam National Wildlife Refuge is a 771-acre, federally-protected refuge owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Its Ritidian Unit has a visitor’s center, a historic village, and pristine beaches where families can fish and picnic.

UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCES

The Micronesia Mall, the largest shopping mall in the region, is located at the corner of Route 1 and Route 16 in Dededo. Here you can find a variety of shops and restaurants, a department store, an expo hall, a supermarket, and even an indoor amusement park. If you like bargain finds, Dededo also has its very own Flea Market every weekend in the village’s Buffer Zone along Marine Corps Drive.

VAST RECREATIONAL SPACES

It’s easy to live an active life in Dededo. Skaters can enjoy their sport using the numerous cement ramps, steps, handrails, and bowl at the 11,000 square-feet Dededo Skate Park, which was funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The village also houses several sports facilities such as the Dededo Sports Complex, the Wettengel Rugby Field, and the Robbie Webber Soccer Field.

A GOLFER’S PARADISE

You don’t need to go far to enjoy a round of golf. The Guam International Country Club offers an exquisitely designed 18-hole golf course, and you can easily find them just off Route 1. The Starts Guam Gold Resort, on the other hand, can provide players with hotel accommodations, restaurants, and a pool along with its 27-hole golf course.

A NATURE SANCTUARY

If you’re looking for some rest and relaxation, there are various resorts and beaches to choose from for your weekend getaway. Along Urunao Beach, you can find Coco Palm Garden Beach, a privately owned resort with beautiful tropical landscaping and a great view of Guam’s northwestern coastline. If you want to fully retreat into nature, give Tanguisson Beach Park a visit. Located at the bottom of a cliff in Dededo, it’s a popular hiking spot with unique rock formations and a freshwater sinkhole.

Yigo

Guam’s largest village, Yigo covers around 35 square miles in the northernmost part of the island, bordered by Pati Point, Ritidian, and Pagat. Residents enjoy rural environs, where residential subdivisions are interspersed with large open spaces and abundant forests.

Home to the Andersen Air Force Base, Yigo is considered to be Dededo’s more rural and residential extension. While much of its housing market consists of single-family homes, you can also find a good selection of townhomes and condominiums. The Yigo real estate market offers a variety of vacant lots and tracts of land for investors as well.

Single-family homes are priced anywhere between $250,000 to $700,000, while condominiums and townhomes are priced at $300,000 and above. Some of its most popular subdivisions include Marianas Terrace, Pacific Latte Estates, Perez Acres, and Spring Hill. If you want to explore newly built homes for sale in Guam, check out developments such as Perez Villa, Paradise Meadows, and Starts Golf Villa and Estates.

A HISTORIC LANDMARK

Like Dededo, the village of Yigo has a rich history that is still being preserved and celebrated today. An example of this is the Battle of Yigo Monument, which is located in the South Pacific Memorial Park. This monument was built to commemorate the final battle of World War II on Guam when the US Army’s 77th Infantry managed to break through the Japanese defense and secure Mt. Santa Rosa. It was built and maintained through donations from the Japanese as a symbolic gesture of peace.

FULL OF ADVENTURES

Outdoor enthusiasts will find Yigo to be the perfect place to live. Mt. Santa Rosa, the highest point in Northern Guam, is located in the village. Residents often hike to its various lookout areas near the summit, which has unparalleled views of the island and neighboring Rota.

Those who prefer a more thrilling adventure can head down to the Guam International Raceway near Route 15, home to exciting activities such as drag racing, drifting, autocross, car shows, supermoto, and other sports events.

Central Guam

Much of the island’s economic and political activity happens in Central Guam. Whether you’re a young professional looking for greener pastures, an aspiring homeowner looking for the perfect place to raise a family, or an empty nester looking for a great resort-style community to retire in, Central Guam has a home that’s perfect for you.

Start your search for single-family homes or condos for sale in Guam in these villages:

Agana Heights

Nestled among the rolling hills in the southern part of Hagåtna, Agana Heights is a vibrant residential village. It is composed of 6 communities, namely: As Apugan, Charito, Taigigao, Hilaan, Tipugan, and Fonte. It is where the US Naval Hospital Guam, Fort Apugan, and Tutujan Park are located.

Originally a farming community, the village of Agana Heights is now home to beautiful estates, charming single-family houses, and a variety of apartment complexes. There are also mixed-purpose buildings that house different organizations and religious communities.

Barrigada

This “land-locked” village is situated on Guam’s limestone plateau, south of Mt. Barrigada. Despite having a relatively large population and booming commercial developments, Barrigada’s diverse landscapes – ranging from hills and valleys to lush tropical forests and wetlands – provide its residents with a rural and spacious feel.

One of the most affluent residential areas in Guam, Barrigada’s housing market is dominated by single-family homes and estates. You can also find a selection of condominiums and townhomes in the area.

Hagåtna

Hagatna is the capital of Guam and one of its major commercial districts. Located along the mouth of the Hagatna River on the island’s west coast, it is bounded by Agana Bay and the cliffs of Agana Heights.

Although it houses some of the most significant cultural and historical sites in Guam – such as The Guam Museum, the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, and the Angel Santos Memorial Park – Hagatna is one of the most sparsely populated areas of the Island. Much of its residential communities are found along the western part of the village, consisting of single-family homes, vacant lots, multi-family properties, and condominiums.

Tumon

Famous for its pristine, white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters, Tumon is the center of Guam’s lively tourism and retail industry. The district sits along the northwest coast of the island and is considered a part of the municipality of Tamuning.

Always buzzing with activity, you’ll find that Tumon’s housing market reflects its easy-going yet vibrant lifestyle. Many of the residential properties here are condominiums and townhouses, some of which have desirable locations near restaurants and shopping centers or have unparalleled views of Tumon Bay and the ocean.

Tamuning

The village of Tamuning is the main economic hub of Guam, housing important commercial and tourist districts such as Tumon, Harmon Industrial Park, Guam Premier Outlets, and the ticketing office of United Airlines. Because of this, it is also the island’s most ethnically diverse village, home to Chamoru, Filipino, Hawaiian, and American communities.

Given its urban-industrial character, the real estate market in Tamuning mostly consists of condos for sale. However, you can also find a great selection of single-family homes and townhouse units in the area.

Mangilao

Home to the University of Guam, the Pacific Islands University (PIU), and Guam Community College, it’s easy to see why Mangilao is called “Guam’s capital of education.” Bordered by Barrigada, Chalan Pago, Dededo, and Yigo, this village features dramatic cliffside views, historical coastal caves, and a scenic, 18-hole golf club.

The Mangilao real estate market offers a diverse range of properties to choose from, including single-family homes, condominium properties, townhomes, and even vacant lots.

Mongmong-Toto-Maite

As its name implies, this municipality is composed of three separate villages located east of Hagatna: Mongmong, Toto, and Maite.

Mongmong and Toto have verdant foliage and winding roads, which gives its residents a rural and tranquil environment. Maite, on the other hand, offers panoramic views of the ocean. The area along Route 8 also provides a rich shopping experience, since it is lined with an eclectic collection of mom-and-pop markets, hardware, furniture stores, and a variety of popular bargain shops.

As a mostly residential community, you’ll find mostly single-family homes and vacant lots for sale in Mongmong-Toto-Maite.

Ordot-Chalan Pago

The combined communities of Chalan Pago and Ordot make up the area across the narrow “waist” of Guam. Serving as the boundary between the island’s volcanic southern half and its limestone northern half, the village is punctuated by small hills and valleys, wetland areas, streams, and lush tropical vegetation.

Originally an area for ranches, there is a wide range of vacant lots and single-family homes in Ordot-Chalan, perfect for homebuyers and families of all sizes.

Sinajana

Named after a yam harvesting and cooking process called chinahån-ña, Sinajana was a prominent agricultural village before World War II. Today, it is one of the few villages on the island that was urbanized under the federal urban renewal program.

Southern Guam

With its beautiful landscapes and coastal scenery, southern Guam offers residents a rural paradise that truly embodies the Micronesian islander lifestyle.

There’s a great selection of single-family homes, luxury estates, and expansive lots for sale in this region. So, whether you’re searching for luxury homes for sale in Guam or planning to build your own dream home, the villages in this region offer a wealth of options to choose from:

Hågat (Agat)

Once a quiet seaside village, the village of Hågat has developed over the past decade into a thriving commercial center. Sitting just south of Naval Base Guam and Apra Harbor, it is the western entry point to Southern Guam and home to some of the most beautiful parks and beaches on the island. Here you’ll find Nimitz Beach, Hågat Marina, and Mount Alifan.

Asan

Asan is a census-designated place (CDP) that makes up one-third of the village of Asan-Maina. Located along the western coast of Guam, the community has unparalleled views of the Philippine Sea.

The village was recently developed in the 1980s by the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority (GHURA), where the traditional yet somewhat outdated Spanish style of its community plan was renovated to exhibit a more modern and suburban sensibility. The village’s main landmark is the vast and grassy park that separates Asan from the ocean, also known as Asan Beach Park or the Asan Beach Unit of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park.

Inarajan

Rich in Chamorro culture and Spanish history, Inarajan is the oldest village in Guam, whose existence predates even the island’s discovery by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. It is a designated folk arts village, housing some of the best-preserved Spanish-era historic sites and villages like the Gef Pa’go Cultural Village. Outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy exploring the unique rock formations and topography of Agfayan Bay, Salaglula Pool, and Talofofo Falls.

Merizo (Malesso)

Merizo (officially known as Malesso) is Guam’s southernmost village, located along the island’s scenic southern shoreline. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, it is home to a myriad of gorgeous bodies of water, such as the Cocos Lagoon and the Mama’on Channel. The village of Merizo is also where the annual Fiestan Tasi (the Festival of the Sea) is held, where residents celebrate the ocean’s significance and importance to the people of Guam in the past, present, and future.

Piti

Located on the central west coast of Guam, the village of Piti contains the northern and eastern coastlines of Apra Harbor, which houses the commercial Port of Guam, the Piti and Cabras Power Plant, and the Piti Underwater Observatory. Residents also enjoy a wide range of recreational parks and sites such as the Tepungan Beach Park, Pedro Santos Memorial Park, Atlantis Guam, Fish Eye Marine Park, Mahogany Forest (near Piti Guns), and a marine preserve called Piti Bomb Holes.

Sånta Rita-Sumai (Santa Rita)

Covering the southwest coast of Guam is the village of Sånta Rita-Sumai. The newest village in Guam, the village was only established after the 2nd World War. It is a rural village on the island, surrounded by natural water resources such as Tarzan Falls, Fena Lake, the Guatali River, and the Namo River. Some areas and communities also sit atop hills that overlook Apra Harbor, providing residents with awe-inspiring views of port lights, the coastline, and the ocean.

Talo’fo’fo

The village of Talo’fo’fo (formerly known as Talofofo) encompasses the southeast coast of Guam. Its center is marked by a four-way intersection, which serves as the village’s main economic hub as well as its point of reference for its various landmarks and recreational sites, such as the Onward Talo’fo’fo Golf Course, Jeff’s Pirate’s Cove Restaurant and Museum, Talo’fo’fo Falls Resort Park, and Ipan Beach Resort.

The main village is actually located on top of the hills above the coast, while the coastal residential community below these hills is known as Ipan, Talo’fo’fo.

Humåtak (Umatac)

Nestled along the southwestern coast of Guam is the pristine and historic village of Humåtak. It is one of the very few villages on the island that still retains many structures and reminders of its Spanish colonial past, such as the former Spanish governor’s residence, the site of the old San Dionisio church, Fort Santo Angel, and Fort Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. It also houses other cultural and historic sites such as the Fouha Bay (Creation Point), Guam Veterans Memorial, and the Humåtak Pride Outdoor Library.

Discover luxury homes for sale in Guam

With more than two decades of experience in Guam and the Marianas Islands, RE/MAX Diamond Realty provides full-service real estate experiences to the local community, military members, overseas investors, and home buyers interested in the Guam real estate market.

Our expert and multilingual team is made up of 20+ licensed Realtors and 15+ staff members. Our Realtors have special accreditations and certifications, such as Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Military Relocation Professional (MRP), and At Home With Diversity (AHWD).

Work smart by partnering with Outstanding Agents who deliver Outstanding Results®. Get in touch with us by phone, email or our contact page.