June 4, 2008

Living High On the Hog

Here is a list of the top 10 most expensive houses in the world over $1.5 million (check out the $$ per square foot on some of the places listed in the article):

1. London
2. Monaco
3. St. Jean Cap (France)
4. Courchevel (France)
5. Hong Kong
6. Manhattan
7. Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy)
8. Portofino (Italy)
9. Singapore
10. Tokyo

Okay — so now I don’t feel quite so bad about housing prices in the Bay Area. Except for the fact that I don’t really plan on living anywhere else in the world; so it’s like comparing apples to oranges. But it is still fun to mock other places, I suppose.

Here are a couple of places in the East Bay for $1.5 million or more:

430 Panorama Ct., Fremont – 5/3 – 2900 sf $1,699,000
This is described as a Mediterranean-style house so Italy eat-your-heart-out! What ‘would’ it sell for in Italy? Yikes! Guess we’re better off just keeping it in the upper-scale Fremont hills and learning to speak Italian.

Or, let’s live really ‘high-on-the-hog’ in another house described as Mediterranean-style at 44601 Gabrielino Trail, Fremont – 4/4 – 4713 sf $2,290,000
We could learn a couple of other languages whilst living here!

Or, scratch the language lessons, speak good old American-ese and live a thrifty-nifty life at 40467 Vogel Ct, Fremont – 3/1 – 950 sf $379,900
The Irvington District of Fremont demands no uppity, lotto-winning, exotic–lifestyle, yacht-owning people. Just fun backyard BBQ’s and down-to-earth livin’.

On the other hand, let’s take a look-see at Hayward fancy living. I think 3755 Arbutus Ct. – 4/3.5 – 4793 sf $2,497,000 rivals some of the homes I’ve seen in The Sound of Music! I can picture those kids on the staircase singing along with Julie Andrews. Oh yeah! Of course my kids would just have toys deposited on every step, hah!

Or who could resist a 2/1 – 1118 sf bungalow at 23098 Mansfield Ave., Hayward for $1,650,000?
Wait…that DOES sound like a house in one of the 10 most expensive places to live in the world. But, when you look closely you realize that it is zoned to accommodate up to 10 lots on 1.48 acres. This is actually a very good investment opportunity. Or an opportunity to build houses for your toddlers to live in order to save your sanity.

All kidding aside, this really does make me feel better about living here in the Bay Area even with the high cost of housing. Life is good here and gas is still cheaper here than in Europe, so far!

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REAL ESTATE TERMINOLOGY:
Expandable House - A home designed for expansion and additions in the future.

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