Adapting to Island Life In the U.S., Canada, the Bahamas, and most of Central America, you can buy an island. Environmental restrictions may limit what you can build on an island, so it helps to find an island with a property that can be grandfathered in, Krolow says.

You can find private islands for sale via Private Islands Inc. or Vladi Private Islands, or by contacting a realtor who specializes in big-ticket sales. Additionally, some high-end real estate companies, like Sotheby's International Realty or Christie's International Real Estate, list private islands for sale.

Islands are being bought and sold all over the world these days, and in some areas, islands are also being given on rent. Buying an island is just like buying a house, just choose the island of your choice and settle down there by paying the price. Buying an island is not as expensive as we think.

There are tens of thousands of private islands in the world, ranging from a few dozen square feet to hundreds of square miles. Usually, they are governed by the laws of a nearby country but restricted to use by the owner alone.