Village near Palanga called a phenomenon as prices approach resort levels

Real estate specialists are calling the village of Vydmantai and its surroundings, located near Palanga in the Kretinga district, a phenomenon. "Prices in Palanga have risen sharply and show no sign of decreasing. Nearby areas, such as Vydmantai, which have infrastructure, kindergartens, schools, and shopping centers, are becoming attractive," explained Romas Perminas, head of the coastal department at the real estate company "011".

He added that investors are arriving and residents are building homes, making the nearby town, even if part of the Kretinga district, feel like an extension of Palanga. Residents of Vydmantai have noticed an influx of neighbors from afar, including those with English license plates. A family from the Plungė district is set to become new residents, purchasing an unfinished house with a 7-are plot for over 200,000 euros, citing Vydmantai as a more affordable option than Palanga.

People from all over Lithuania have chosen Vydmantai and nearby villages for summer holidays or permanent residence. "Many people from Vilnius, Kaunas, and Šiauliai have invested in plots here. The mayor of Šilutė has bought a block and wants to develop construction, so many have come to live in Vydmantai," admitted Vydmantai elder Rimvydas Šakinis. Some residents have even returned to Vydmantai from Germany and Australia.

Šakinis described Vydmantai as the most rapidly expanding municipality in the entire Kretinga district, with intensive construction occurring on the Paružė side and along Liepų Street. Simas Končius, the community chairman, highlighted the "golden triangle" location, being close to Palanga, Klaipėda, and Kretinga. "You live in the village, in peace, but if you want entertainment, it's only 2 kilometers to the Palanga border," he said.

The popularity of Vydmantai has significantly driven up prices. "Initially, plots for residential purposes cost around 500 [euros] per are. Of course, it depends on the location, but on Liepų Street, for example, they asked for up to 5,000 euros per are," shared Šakinis. Perminas noted that Vydmantai's prices are catching up to those in Kunigiškės, but housing there is still 20-30% cheaper. Finding a plot within Vydmantai itself is becoming difficult, with development expanding into surrounding villages like Kiauleikiai, according to Končius. Developers see potential for more construction due to available fields, but obtaining permits remains challenging.