Daily Telegraph, 5 March 2005
"Waking on water"
...Many British people dream of owning an apartment in Venice but few seriously consider it because the problems seem too daunting. The city is plagued by subsidence, flooding, air and water pollution – it's enough to scare anybody away. But if you can find the right property, a flat will be a good investment because Venice is one of the world's top tourist destinations.
"It's such a small area and demand outstrips supply. There are always more people looking than there are properties for sale," says Ann-Marie Doyle, whose London-based company specialises in Venetian sales and rentals.
Property seekers have two choices. They can buy an apartment in Venice itself or they can invest in one of the islands in the Venetian lagoon, the most popular being Giudecca, where Docklands-style developments are being built.
Properties in Venice are roughly twice as expensive and much more problematic because of restoration issues, but you do get the rewards of living amid the fragile beauty of the city. New-build properties on neighbouring islands may have less charm but you can move straight in and getting across to Venice is easy...