In a place like Los Angeles or Manhattan, a million dollars may not get you very far. If you want to purchase in one of the most expensive cities in the nation, you’re going to have to compromise onspace, style, setting, age of property, or probably all of the above. Getting outside these metropolises is a real eye-opener.
You could buy a studio apartment in a New York City fringe neighborhood or a tiny, maaaaajor fixer (and that’s being kind) in San Francisco for about the same price as the five lovely properties below. We’re talking 8,573 square feet in a Wisconsin country club neighborhood or a surprising, nearly-5,000-square-foot custom contemporary in Tulsa. To be fair, we did include one very urban property, a two-bedroom pad with amazing views in downtown Chicago. But, yeah, a million bucks goes a long way across the country. And that’s our target price for this week’s look at five homes.
2705 W Espartero Way
Phoenix, AZ
4 Bedrooms
4 Baths with 1 partial
4,649 Square feet
That’s a million-dollar view, alright. Make your desert dreams come true in this award-winning Phoenix estate, just adjacent to the scenic Phoenix Sonoran Preserve and revealing breathtaking vistas of the Bradshaw Mountains. Located within an upscale, gated community, this home enjoys 4,649 square feet of well-designed living space all on one level, with a slew of enticing interior features including a theater room and billiard room. The entertainer’s yard boasts a pool, spa, waterfall, and bar.
This home is listed for $1,000,000 by Lynn Green of Coldwell Banker Scottsdale Carefree.
5 Bedrooms
5 Baths
8,573 Square feet
Huge. Huge. Huge. Everything is huge in this Wisconsin home, from the individual living spaces, to the overall square footage, to the opportunity to live in Kettle Moraine, just across from The Legend at Brandybrook, the state’s only private country club. This sprawling custom home charms from first blush, with a large foyer featuring a curved staircase. Beyond, expansive living spaces include a formal dining room and a gourmet island kitchen with dual walk-in pantries and professional appliances that is open to both the sun room and family room. The grand master suite is located on the first floor of this home, which also includes a large loft area with dual work stations, two laundry rooms, and two three-car garages. In the walk-out basement, you’ll find a wet bar/kitchenette; indoor basketball; fitness room; and home theater.
This home is listed for $1,095,000 by Christine Weissgerber of Coldwell Banker Metro West.
4 Bedrooms
5 Baths and 1 partial
4,980 Square feet
Ohhhhhklahoma, where contemporary homes dazzle on the range! You may not believe you’re in Tulsa in this custom estate, featuring an open, entertainer’s floorplan highlighted by a gourmet island kitchen that flows seamlessly into the dining room and living room. Slide away the doors in the living room, master suite, and den for instant access to the outdoors, where a covered patio with outdoor kitchen, salt water pool, in-ground trampoline, firepit, and large grassy lawn await. A unique use of materials—check out that metal fireplace and orange backsplash!—further set this home apart.
This home is listed for $1,100,000 by Tawni Herburger of Coldwell Banker Select.
3 Bedrooms
2 Baths
1,906 Square feet
Yes, California makes the cut with this Lake Tahoe-area charmer. While the home is small by million-dollar standards in other locales on our list, it more than makes up for the lack of square footage with well-panned space and exceptional style. Whether for full-time use or as a ski home, you’ll love the open-plan main area with a chef’s kitchen featuring a large island with leathered countertops and sleek cabinets, and open to the dining room and living room. The living room’s corner Malm fireplace offers a bit of Mad Men flair and you can enjoy views of Homewood Ski Area and Lake Tahoe from the many windows as well as the extensive decking, where a firepit and ping-pong table await. Owning in Chamberlands provides amenities including beach access, a pool, a pier, tennis, a shuttle van, and snow plowing.
This home is listed for $1,100,000 by Becky Arnold of Coldwell Banker Tahoe City-Cobblestone.
57 East Delaware Place Unit 3502
Chicago, IL
2 Bedrooms
2 Baths
2,015 Square feet
Who knew you could live in the heart of downtown Chicago at this price point? A touch over a cool million can buy you a perfectly placed condo on the 35th floor of The Bristol, just a few blocks from the lakefront and a short stroll to the Magnificent Mile’s high-end shopping and restaurants. The two-bedroom unit offers a spacious kitchen with Sub Zero, Miele, and Bosch appliances that leads directly into the great room, where two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows provide lake and city views. The Bristol offers high-end amenities including an indoor pool, a workout room, and a sundeck, and this unit also comes with a tandem parking spot.
This home is listed for $1,100,000 by Chezi Rafaeli of Coldwell Banker Gold Coast.
