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One of the most popular blog posts Realestock has written was What do you Get for $1,000,000 – a fairly surprising comparison of global real estate prices. The conclusions? Tokyo was surprisingly affordable, New York and Seattle were what one would expect, and Vancouver came away seeming expensive by comparison.  So if you really are looking to buy real estate in far flung, exotic locales, here are 5 more properties for sale from all over the world. So what does a million dollars get you?

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Why would someone want to live in Toronto? Quite simply, Toronto is the biggest and most happening city in Canada. It may not boast the mountains and oceans that Vancouver has, but in terms of cultural happenings, shopping and vibrant culture, Toronto is unmatched by any other city in Canada. Toronto gets a bad rap for thinking its the centre of the Canadian Universe, but there’s a reason for it – if you want to be where the action happens, you should be in Toronto.

What do you get for a million?
A lot! For $999,900 dollars you can pick up a two level penthouse suite with spectacular downtown views. A spacious 1860 sq feet offering puts similar priced Vancouver offerings to shame. Better yet, this property is in the heart of downtown - a few blocks from Queen Street, incredible night life, world class restaurants, and the Bay Street financial district.
Downtown Toronto Penthouse
Size: 1860 sq ft
Bedrooms: 2 + den
Bathrooms: 3
Price: $999,900 CAD
Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand is a country of about 4,000,000 people, situated in a perfect climatic comfort zone. New Zealand’s climate is classified as “Mediterranean” and that actually means is plenty of sunshine, average temperatures in the twenties, and no real winter to speak of.  The biggest city in New Zealand is Auckland, a modern bustling metropolis that’s only a few hours away from the incredible rugged countryside most people associate with New Zealand.

aucklandWhat do you get for a million?
A spacious three double bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment overlooking the water in Auckland’s Viaduct Basin – which sounds sort of unappealing, but the Viaduct Basin is one of the swankiest parts of Auckland’s Central Business District (or CBD to the locals) housing the newest, most upscale apartments and best restaurants in the city.
Auckland Ocean View CBD Apartment
Size: 2260 sq ft
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Price: $1,055,000 NZ Dollars, approx $787,053.25 CAD
Washington DC, USA
Far from being just for political types, Washington DC has proven itself to be one of the most resilient and well priced property markets in the US, holding its value even as comparable markets declined.

washintonWhat do you get for a million?
Property is at a top premium in Washington DC, so for those wanting to live closer to where the political action is happening, an apartment in Dupont Circle, part of the “Old City” would be more to most people’s liking. Dupont Circle is home to numerous Embassies, countless historic residences, and the Capital Pride LGBT pride Festival.
Dupont Circle Apartment
Size: 1416 sq ft
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Price: $998,000 USD, approx $1,053,249.50 CAD
London, England
London is well known for having some of the most expensive real estate in the world – if you want to live close to downtown, a million dollars won’t get you very far at all. However, it can get a small, but attractive apartment near the action.

londonWhat do you get for a million?
A two bedroom apartment, overlooking the Thames River, across the way from Canary Warf, in Rotherhithe – a district in inner southeast London. Although quiet and suburban in nature, Rotherhithe used to be the site of the Surrey Docks, which were largely filled in during the 1980s, to be replaced by modern housing and apartments.
Thames Riverfront Apartment
Size: 904 sq ft
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Price: £595,000, approx $956,385.63 CAD


Berlin, Germany
Berlin is unmistakably a world class city. Renowned during the cold war as a bastion of freedom and artistic inspiration (David Bowie spent several years in Berlin and was so inspired by the city he named an album after it), and now as a city on the must see list for any European traveler. Better yet, property in Berlin is reasonably priced – typically at €1,000 per meter compared to London’s £5,000 per meter (or about €6,000/m).

berlinWhat does a million get you?
A 1910 apartment in Berlin’s 4th borough, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf featuring oak floors, high ceilings and incredible period details. Charlottenburg was the commercial centre of West Berlin during the Cold War, and is still the main shopping centre of Berlin, offering major hotels, theatres, bars restaurants and attractions for tourists such as the world famous Berlin Zoo.
Period Luxury Apartment in Berlin
Size: 1367 sq ft
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Price: €785,850, approx $1,073,958.30 CAD



Imagine a million dollar home.
Did you imagine a palatial estate, with sprawling, manicured grounds, a pool and guest house? Or did you think of a glamourous  apartment, in the trendiest part of town, close to incredible shops and world class restaurants?
Depending where you choose to live, a million dollars could get you your dream palace, or it could you you an apartment that may... not live up to your daydreams. Realestock searched all over the world to show you what a million dollars will get you in five world class cities.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
vancouver 1
Well known for having the hottest real estate market in Canada, Vancouver defied market trends, with the average prices increasing despite the worldwide recession. Famous for incredible mountains, a strong economy and being an olympic host city.
What do you get for $1,000,000?
If you’re looking for a home to call your own in Vancouver without moving to the suburbs or the rougher east side, and all you have to spend is a million, you’ll be looking at a fairly modest house pretty far away from downtown. The better bet is on a condo - in the million dollar price range, you can get yourself a two bedroom sub-penthouse in the tony Yaletown district.
Size: 1049 sq feet
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Price: $999,900 CAD
Tokyo, Japan
tokyo 1
The original housing bubble economy, Tokyo real estate is expensive because the city is incredibly crowded - over 8 million people live in the city proper, but adding all the outlying suburbs and towns that are connected by the massive rail network swells that number to a mind blowing 30,000,000 people. With so many people wanting to live in a limited area, real estate is valued above all else.
What do you get for $1,000,000?
A surprisingly large apartment in Kagurazaka - a neighbourhood in the classy, ultra-modern and fashionable Shinjuku Ward of Tokyo. Kagurazaka boasts tree-lined streets, some of the best traditional Japanese restaurants in Tokyo, and lots of of history - the area was home to geisha and artists in the 18th century. Watch out for the extra fees though - parking, building management and maintenance fees are an extra $1,300 a month!
Size: 125.55 sq m (1,351 sq feet)
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1
Price: ¥89,500,000 (or about $1,002,129 CAD)
Seattle, Washington, USA
seattle 1
Seattle - the home of high tech companies such as Amazon and Microsoft, and the birthplace of the global obsession with good coffee. Despite its high tech industry, Seattle is delightfully down to earth, filled with funky, hole in the wall eateries and friendly people.
What do you get for $1,000,000?
A brand new apartment right the middle of downtown with a waterfront view - and only a few blocks from the internationally famous Pike Place market. The Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue condominiums have floor to ceiling windows, high end appliances and all the amenities that you’d expect to have in a million dollar apartment in one of the best and most exciting parts of Seattle.
Size: varies (from 1,787 sq feet)
Bedrooms: varies
Bathrooms: varies
Price: $1,000,000 USD + (or about $ 1,032,680 CAD +)
Paris, France
paris1
Ask almost anyone to name the most romantic city on earth, and they'll probably say Paris. Historic, beautiful, and cultural. Those fortunate enough to live in Paris live in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world - Paris gets an estimated 45,000,000 annual visitors to see its sights.
What do you get for $1,000,000?
Paris is divided into 20 Arrondissements (administrative districts), and for $1,000,000 or about €785,000 Euro, you can have your pick of where to live - one of the best places would be the 1st Arrondissement, one of the oldest in Paris, home of the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens to name just two of the famous sites. This one bedroom apartment is a little less than $1,000,000 but it's smack dab in the middle of the Arrondissement, and only blocks from some of Paris’ most famous museums.
Size: 58m sq (about 625 sq feet)
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Price: €630,000 (or about $800,000 CAD)
New York, New York, USA
new york 1
If you’re bored in New York, you’re doing something wrong. From chic galleries to broadway plays, from the quiet of Central park to the hustle of the financial district, when most people think of a world class city, they think of New York.
What do you get for $1,000,000?
Manhattan real estate is expensive because there’s just not that much to go around, but at the 1 million price point, you can live almost anywhere in the city, including the super desirable Park Avenue in midtown. A historic pre-war building with high ceilings, art deco style and doorman make it a perfect New York apartment.
Size: varies
Bedrooms: varies
Bathrooms: varies
Price: up to $1,055,000 USD (or up to about $1,094,140 CAD)

In the last three weeks I've covered the ground from West to East accross Europe - on the hunt for depressed economic conditions. They seem to be more rare than the sighting of the Loch Ness Monster. From London to Paris to Budapest - Picadilly to the Champs Elysees - and East to Andrássy Avenue in Budapest - the crowds fill shop floors and busienss workers I've spoken with say "...business is good..."

What struck me was the numbers of people traveling and buying. The other thing that was apparent is whether you're used to walking down (or shopping - not my favorite pass time - but I do like to walk in and see the business models) New York's 5th Avenue or Robson Street in Vancouver, the main stay stores are all broadly distributed accross these European Cities.

In my estimation, this is the "grass roots" recovery - where consumer confidence is voted by the ringing of cash registers and count of shopping bags.

What's different? US Media reported loosing $10 Billion last year - while online media companies like Google, Bing, Yahoo, Face Book all contemplate how to take on the new role of media and get "content" that is relevant.

There has never been a more clear Connected Market than what we're witnessing today. With online media and content driven by users and giants alike - and distribution channels boasting globalized brands shipping to markets all over the world, the connections are inseperable. The evolution of The Connected Market Space is obvious in the main stream retail and media - the Connected Market Space emergence for entrepreneurs is comming fast for those ready with the recovery here.

Information moves fast - the world is connected. Financing is returning to the scene. From retail to real estate - the market is on the move - I give it 18 - 24 months before the "window of opportunity" closes by the "smart money".

Heading back in a couple of days - with a lot of insight from the world scene.

Tim


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