House Hunting in Paradise: How to Find Your Perfect Home in Guam

By Katie McDonald • Published on August 21, 2025

Moving to Guam represented a big change in my life professionally and personally, but it was also a big step for me romantically: I chose to travel thousands of miles from home to live with my boyfriend who, as of a couple months ago, is now my husband. This was the first time it wouldn’t be “his place” and “my place” but “our home” that we would choose together. In our whirlwind of a house hunt, we learned some important lessons and picked up some pieces of advice that will help you to find your own dream home in paradise.

Different Than the States

When you’re shopping for a home in Guam, you’ll notice that there are some noticeable differences between a typical Guam home and a home you might find in the States.

To save money on utilities, split air-con (air conditioning) is far more typical than central air conditioning, and the flooring is predominately tile.
If you dislike washing dishes, you may be surprised that many properties don’t have a dishwasher. If that’s an important appliance for you, be sure to check under “features” on Realtor.com to see if it’s included under the list of appliances.
Not all homes have USPS delivery, especially if they are off unpaved roads. We ran into this situation and rent a PO box from Guam Postal Express, but you can also set up a box with your local post office. Important

We were excited to see bananas growing in your yard!

Features for Island Life

You’ll want to make sure that your future home is prepared for Guam’s typhoons and tropical storms.

Typhoon shutters help to protect your windows and doors from the strong winds, and if the home comes with a generator, that is a huge plus! Check out our Typhoon Preparation Guide.
We prioritized having a two-car garage to keep our vehicles protected during storms and to keep us dry during the frequent rain showers, and many homes offer some form of covered parking.
Water softeners are also a great bonus feature because the hard water can be tough on hair and sensitive skin.
The best surprise is finding out you have a banana, avocado, or mango tree in your backyard!

Mangos grow well on Guam, and you might even have a tree in your backyard!

Don’t Worry About Wildlife

Most neighborhoods in Guam are home to flocks of wild chickens, and you’ll soon get used to them being your alarm clock. House geckos will inevitably make an appearance in your home, and while these little lizards will initially catch you by surprise, they are actually beneficial because they eat insects. Boonie dogs roam in packs throughout Guam, but they are friendly or avoidant for the most part. You might even see a monitor lizard or wild pig in your yard (they’ve surprised me a couple of times!), but as long as you give them their space and keep your trash secure, you’ll be fine!

Geckos are your friend because they eat unwanted insects.

Where to Live in Guam

Guam has 19 villages, and each has a unique personality and vibe. Here are my personal top 5 villages to consider living in!

1. Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon

If you want to be close to resorts, restaurants, nightlife, and beaches, this is the place for you! Shopping is a breeze because the Guam Premier Outlets, Micronesia Mall, Don Don Donki, and T Galleria by DFS are all close by. Guam Memorial Hospital and Guam Regional Medical City are nearby as well, making it a convenient location for hospital employees to live.

The best night life is in Tumon, and my favorite bar is Tabu Tiki Bar.

2. Yigo

If you’re working at Andersen Air Force Base, you won’t be able to beat the convenience of living in this northernmost village. The gated subdivisions give a cozy suburban feel, but you also are close to the unspoiled nature of Ritidian Beach and Pagat Cave Trail.

Ritidian Beach is one of the most beautiful and quiet on the island.

To get to Ritidian Beach, see Off The Beaten Path: The Trails of Ritidian Beach. Also, check out Take a Trek to Pagat Caves.

3. Mangilao

Because of its central location and quieter feel, we ultimately chose to live in Mangilao. We are about half an hour from Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base and 20 minutes from Tumon’s resorts and the airport. The University of Guam and Guam Community College are both in the village, making it convenient for professors and students. We are also fortunate to have the Mangilao Thursday Night Market for a weekly community event.

We love the community feel of Mangilao, especially its patron saint's fiesta!

4. Yona

If you want easy access to the more rural, laidback lifestyle of the southern villages, the capitol village of Hagåtña and Naval Hospital Guam, and scenic trails to explore, Yona is the village for you! One of the more unique housing options is LeoPalace Resort Guam which leases duplex golf villas and 1–3-bedroom tower apartments with access to the resort’s amenities. Between the waterfalls, Pago Bay, and the famous golf courses, you are surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

LeoPalace Resort gives you the chance to live on the grounds of a resort.

5. Asan-Maina

Asan-Maina offers you easy access to Naval Base Guam, Joint Region Marianas, Naval Hospital Guam, and Hagåtña. Asan War in the Pacific National Park has a walking path filled with beautiful views and history, and the Chamorro Village Wednesday Night Market is just a short drive away. Nimitz Hill offers some of the most stunning views on the island if you’re not afraid of heights, and the community is home to many military families.

Being so close to Slowalk Coffee Roaster is another huge perk!

Set these basics and the rest comes together. Need more information? Check out our other helpful articles.

House Hunting in Paradise: How to Find Your Perfect Home in Guam