It’s no secret that foreign investors target real estate in the U.S. Markets like New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago seem to be the most likely recipients of funds from foreign investors, but you may be surprised to learn that this unique set of investors also targets unlikely areas like Watertown, New York and Anchorage, Alaska.

What’s the reason behind these investment decisions? That depends on the location. The popularity of Watertown relates to its proximity to Canada and its appeal to Canadian investors. Cities in the northern portion of Washington state also enjoy popularity among foreign investors for the same reason.

The appeal of locations like Anchorage is harder to identify. Investors from all over the world flock to the Alaskan city. Home prices are on the rise in Anchorage, and the relatively low unemployment rate may make the city more attractive for real estate investors who are hoping to quickly turn a profit on their purchase.

Miami is known to draw investors from Latin America, but market trends show that the entire state of Florida attracts foreign investors. Mexican real estate investors are active in Texas and California, and Indian investors tend to focus on markets in San Jose and New York.

Some investors have largely pulled out of the U.S. real estate market. Japanese investors maintain a minor presence in Hawaii and Seattle, but these investors once purchased real estate across the country. Domestic investors who target quieter markets may be surprised to learn that they have competition from abroad.