#1 $500,000 Is a Lot of Money - In Some Cities
$500,000 can buy you a pretty big house, if you live in the right place. But in a wealthier city, you may find things a little cramped. Here are a few examples of what sort of property you can snag for half a million.
#2 London, England
London has just about everything, from ancient gothic castles to modern, shimmering skyscrapers. One thing you won't be able to find there is cheap housing. But if you're willing to put up with the crowds, $500k could get you a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony (if you're lucky).
#3 Tijuana, Mexico
Just south of the border, half a million bucks could afford you a lovely villa with a swimming pool and wrap-around balcony. The largest city of the Baja Peninsula may not be the richest place in the world, but it sure has its perks. Beaches, palm trees and blue skies await you in lovely Tijuana.
#4 San Francisco, California
San Francisco is California's most densely populated city. The property values here are some of the highest in the US, as is the average income. So it comes as no surprise that $500,000 won't get you much more than a tiny bungalow on the outskirts of the City by the Bay.
#5 Lagos, Nigeria
The streets of Nigeria's largest city are filled with music and nightlife. And although the city is not exactly a mecca for the rich, it is Nigeria's economic center. Here, $500,000 could bag you a pretty sweet three-bedroom house. Not bad!
#6 Los Angeles, California
$500k won't get you very far if you're looking to buy a house in LA. In fact, it might be a good idea to just rent a place in the burbs if those Hollywood dreams are calling. Still, if you're intent on buying property in the middle of all the action, you can always land an okay apartment in the City of Angels.
#7 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Despite Rio being the world's 30th richest city, the real estate in the area is remarkably affordable. This 3,600 square foot villa is going for right around $500,000. It sports three floors, four bedrooms, two adjacent apartments, a garden and a pool. If we spoke Portuguese, we'd be packing our bags right now!
#8 Sydney, Australia
The largest city in Australia is — surprise — also the most crowded. The average rent in Sydney is the highest in all of Australia. Buying a $500,000 house isn't much of an option for those wishing to stay in Sydney proper, but apartments are always for sale.
#9 Cape Town, South Africa
The port city of Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destination in all of Africa. It's also filled with some stunning historical architecture. And despite its recent housing boom, $500,000 can still fetch a nice 4 bedroom villa with a pool in this mountainous coastal city.
#10 Moscow, Russia
Thanks to the former Soviet Union's unrealized goal of providing homes for every citizen, Russia's capital is filled with huge, monolithic housing blocks. Fun fact: it's estimated that Moscow contains more than twice the number of elevators as Manhattan. Finding an affordable house isn't likely to happen within the city limits, but there are plenty of apartments to choose from.
$500,000 can buy you a pretty big house, if you live in the right place. But in a wealthier city, you may find things a little cramped. Here are a few examples of what sort of property you can snag for half a million.
#2 London, England
London has just about everything, from ancient gothic castles to modern, shimmering skyscrapers. One thing you won't be able to find there is cheap housing. But if you're willing to put up with the crowds, $500k could get you a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony (if you're lucky).
#3 Tijuana, Mexico
Just south of the border, half a million bucks could afford you a lovely villa with a swimming pool and wrap-around balcony. The largest city of the Baja Peninsula may not be the richest place in the world, but it sure has its perks. Beaches, palm trees and blue skies await you in lovely Tijuana.
#4 San Francisco, California
San Francisco is California's most densely populated city. The property values here are some of the highest in the US, as is the average income. So it comes as no surprise that $500,000 won't get you much more than a tiny bungalow on the outskirts of the City by the Bay.
#5 Lagos, Nigeria
The streets of Nigeria's largest city are filled with music and nightlife. And although the city is not exactly a mecca for the rich, it is Nigeria's economic center. Here, $500,000 could bag you a pretty sweet three-bedroom house. Not bad!
#6 Los Angeles, California
$500k won't get you very far if you're looking to buy a house in LA. In fact, it might be a good idea to just rent a place in the burbs if those Hollywood dreams are calling. Still, if you're intent on buying property in the middle of all the action, you can always land an okay apartment in the City of Angels.
#7 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Despite Rio being the world's 30th richest city, the real estate in the area is remarkably affordable. This 3,600 square foot villa is going for right around $500,000. It sports three floors, four bedrooms, two adjacent apartments, a garden and a pool. If we spoke Portuguese, we'd be packing our bags right now!
#8 Sydney, Australia
The largest city in Australia is — surprise — also the most crowded. The average rent in Sydney is the highest in all of Australia. Buying a $500,000 house isn't much of an option for those wishing to stay in Sydney proper, but apartments are always for sale.
#9 Cape Town, South Africa
The port city of Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destination in all of Africa. It's also filled with some stunning historical architecture. And despite its recent housing boom, $500,000 can still fetch a nice 4 bedroom villa with a pool in this mountainous coastal city.
#10 Moscow, Russia
Thanks to the former Soviet Union's unrealized goal of providing homes for every citizen, Russia's capital is filled with huge, monolithic housing blocks. Fun fact: it's estimated that Moscow contains more than twice the number of elevators as Manhattan. Finding an affordable house isn't likely to happen within the city limits, but there are plenty of apartments to choose from.
