If You Were a Billionaire and could live anywhere, WHERE would you live?

[Sun Belt]

Megamillions is up to a $422 million jackpot, time to buy a ticket!
Most of these dream homes would only likely cost about $3-8 million unless you want some mega palace at $50-100 million.

I know this is an urbanist web site, but I would likely go the Ted Turner route and buy land and lots of it in the rural mountain west. I'm not sure where exactly, because there are so many places to consider, but I would love to have some rough terrain, 4 seasons, range lands that blend into heavily forested mountain terrain, with water features, streams, creeks, rivers, maybe a waterfall.

It would be a nice escape from the noise, pollution, congestion and everything else in an urban environment.

[Pavlov's Dog]

Originally Posted by Sun Belt

Megamillions is up to a $422 million jackpot, time to buy a ticket!
Most of these dream homes would only likely cost about $3-8 million unless you want some mega palace at $50-100 million.

I know this is an urbanist web site, but I would likely go the Ted Turner route and buy land and lots of it in the rural mountain west. I'm not sure where exactly, because there are so many places to consider, but I would love to have some rough terrain, 4 seasons, range lands that blend into heavily forested mountain terrain, with water features, streams, creeks, rivers, maybe a waterfall.

It would be a nice escape from the noise, pollution, congestion and everything else in an urban environment.

Check out Wallowa Lake in Oregon. There is so much amazing nature around there such as the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. It's really isolated but if you have a private jet that doesn't matter.

[Sun Belt]

Originally Posted by Pavlov's Dog

Check out Wallowa Lake in Oregon. There is so much amazing nature around there such as the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. It's really isolated but if you have a private jet that doesn't matter.

I had to google map it and wow!

That is a place that [to me] has been unknown, yet spectacular. Sacajawea Peak -- I would love to hike and camp all over that area.

What a spectacular place, thank you!

[Boisebro]

honestly, I'd still live where I'm at, though I would probably live in a different part of Boise with more land.

and I'd have a cabin Redfish Lake just a couple hours drive (or 30 minute flight) away:

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by Boisebro

honestly, I'd still live where I'm at, though I would probably live in a different part of Boise with more land.

and I'd have a cabin Redfish Lake just a couple hours drive (or 30 minute flight) away:

nice part of the country. i'd probably buy a modest place on lots of land somewhere east of the cascades in the inland northwest, somewhere up there along with the ojai valley in ventura county, ca.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by Pavlov's Dog

Check out Wallowa Lake in Oregon. There is so much amazing nature around there such as the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. It's really isolated but if you have a private jet that doesn't matter.

i really like that area, basically what i was referring to in the above post.

[dubu]

id also get a place at the survival community in south dakota. probably all billionaires have bunkers.

[bnk]

Well as a true billionaire I would choose to live in multiple areas.

My main Residence likely Lakefront Manson on the North Shore.

A double decker Pied-à-terre penthouse in one of the new Skyscrapers DT Chicago.

There is nothing I need anywhere else in the world that offers more than I want than Chicagoland.

A three month winter oceanfront get away property in SW Florida anywhere from Sanibel to Naples.


The Summer getaway, a lakefront mansion on Lake Michigan likely in the Traverse City to Petoskey areas.


Not quite sure where my forth place would be yet. But they all need to be accessed to my private jets and helicopters. Upper Michigan airports are well suited for that.


I don't desire Mountains or Deserts. Waterfronts on big waters would be what I desired most and being on the water in likely three separate boats/Yachats of different sizes so I don't have to move them.


A billionaire like Ken Griffen [1] has so many properties its crazy. I wouldn't go that nuts or build a $500 million dollar compound in Cali either. But I might consider something in Ca. Just not sure what part yet. I know the Bay Area the best but would be open to other properties south of it on the Ocean.


[1] This is before Ken bought a North Shore 58 million dollar mansion. The link is 3 years old and most of the records were broken. Not sure about NYC if that was broken.

https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/04/ken-...ate-spree.html

…

Over the last two years, Mr. Griffin, the chief executive of the investment firm Citadel, has gone on a multicity real estate shopping spree. He has spent nearly $300 million and set new price records in three cities, according to people familiar with his buying. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the deals.
The buying binge includes the purchase last year of two full floors of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Chicago, the city where Citadel is based and where Mr. Griffin, 46, has his main residence. He paid $13.3 million for the 37th floor and $16 million for the 46th floor, totaling just under $30 million. If combined, the deal would be the most expensive real estate purchase in Chicago.

In New York this year, Mr. Griffin agreed to purchase three full floors — totaling over 18,000 square feet — at 220 Central Park South, the condo tower under construction in Midtown. According to people familiar with the deal, the purchase includes a main residence as well as several other apartments that could be used for staff or guests. Mr. Griffin paid around $200 million for the space — a price that brokers say is a record in New York.

...

Mr. Griffin is also making waves in Miami. According to people familiar with the deal, Mr. Griffin closed last month on the penthouse of Faena House in Miami Beach for $60 million — a record for Miami

…

Mr. Griffin already owns homes in Aspen, Colo., and Hawaii.
Why is Mr. Griffin spending so much on real estate?

…

In court filings, Ms. Dias Griffin said that in 2014, Mr. Griffin earned an average of $100 million a month, or $68.5 million after taxes. Mr. Griffin didn't deny the claim.

So while his new real estate portfolio may sound expensive, the $290 million total still represents only about four months' work.

[Pavlov's Dog]

Originally Posted by Sun Belt

I had to google map it and wow!

That is a place that [to me] has been unknown, yet spectacular. Sacajawea Peak -- I would love to hike and camp all over that area.

What a spectacular place, thank you!

You're welcome. My son is going for a week this summer to hike in the mountains and do stand up paddleboarding on the lake. I hope to spend some time there next summer backpacking and maybe rafting Hells Canyon on the Snake River. Walla Walla, Washington is not too far away. They have some outstanding wineries.

Another cool place in Oregon that not many people know about it Paulina Peak about an hour outside of Bend. Bend itself is one of those fantastic small cities with big city amenities and a huge number of outdoor activities. It's the kind of place where people work to live and not the other way around.

[CaliNative]

Originally Posted by Sun Belt

Megamillions is up to a $422 million jackpot, time to buy a ticket!
Most of these dream homes would only likely cost about $3-8 million unless you want some mega palace at $50-100 million.

I know this is an urbanist web site, but I would likely go the Ted Turner route and buy land and lots of it in the rural mountain west. I'm not sure where exactly, because there are so many places to consider, but I would love to have some rough terrain, 4 seasons, range lands that blend into heavily forested mountain terrain, with water features, streams, creeks, rivers, maybe a waterfall.

It would be a nice escape from the noise, pollution, congestion and everything else in an urban environment.

I'm waiting for the jackpot to hit $1 billion, then I might buy some tickets. Nah....I'll buy one now.

[CaliNative]

Originally Posted by bnk

Well as a true billionaire I would choose to live in multiple areas.

My main Residence likely Lakefront Manson on the North Shore.

A double decker Pied-à-terre penthouse in one of the new Skyscrapers DT Chicago.

There is nothing I need anywhere else in the world that offers more than I want than Chicagoland.

A three month winter oceanfront get away property in SW Florida anywhere from Sanibel to Naples.


The Summer getaway, a lakefront mansion on Lake Michigan likely in the Traverse City to Petoskey areas.


Not quite sure where my forth place would be yet. But they all need to be accessed to my private jets and helicopters. Upper Michigan airports are well suited for that.


I don't desire Mountains or Deserts. Waterfronts on big waters would be what I desired most and being on the water in likely three separate boats/Yachats of different sizes so I don't have to move them.


A billionaire like Ken Griffen [1] has so many properties its crazy. I wouldn't go that nuts or build a $500 million dollar compound in Cali either. But I might consider something in Ca. Just not sure what part yet. I know the Bay Area the best but would be open to other properties south of it on the Ocean.


[1] This is before Ken bought a North Shore 58 million dollar mansion. The link is 3 years old and most of the records were broken. Not sure about NYC if that was broken.

https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/04/ken-...ate-spree.html

…

Over the last two years, Mr. Griffin, the chief executive of the investment firm Citadel, has gone on a multicity real estate shopping spree. He has spent nearly $300 million and set new price records in three cities, according to people familiar with his buying. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the deals.
The buying binge includes the purchase last year of two full floors of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Chicago, the city where Citadel is based and where Mr. Griffin, 46, has his main residence. He paid $13.3 million for the 37th floor and $16 million for the 46th floor, totaling just under $30 million. If combined, the deal would be the most expensive real estate purchase in Chicago.

In New York this year, Mr. Griffin agreed to purchase three full floors — totaling over 18,000 square feet — at 220 Central Park South, the condo tower under construction in Midtown. According to people familiar with the deal, the purchase includes a main residence as well as several other apartments that could be used for staff or guests. Mr. Griffin paid around $200 million for the space — a price that brokers say is a record in New York.

...

Mr. Griffin is also making waves in Miami. According to people familiar with the deal, Mr. Griffin closed last month on the penthouse of Faena House in Miami Beach for $60 million — a record for Miami

…

Mr. Griffin already owns homes in Aspen, Colo., and Hawaii.
Why is Mr. Griffin spending so much on real estate?

…

In court filings, Ms. Dias Griffin said that in 2014, Mr. Griffin earned an average of $100 million a month, or $68.5 million after taxes. Mr. Griffin didn't deny the claim.

So while his new real estate portfolio may sound expensive, the $290 million total still represents only about four months' work.

Never admit to being a billionaire. You will be plagued with purveyors of business investment opportunities and long lost relatives seeking handouts. I am not rich, and am not plagued by these people. If I ever win a lottery jackpot or make a fortune in the stock market, I will tell no one and go live far away where nobody knows me. The rich are different than you or I....they have money. Money doesn't buy happiness, but you never have to worry about money ever again. You will always have good food and good lodging and nice cars and ....

[CaliNative]

Originally Posted by Boisebro

honestly, I'd still live where I'm at, though I would probably live in a different part of Boise with more land.

and I'd have a cabin Redfish Lake just a couple hours drive (or 30 minute flight) away:

Nice, but a pond compared to Lake Tahoe Boise Bro. Plus Tahoe has those casinos, and I do have a weakness for gambling I must say.

[creamcityleo79]

I would live between San Francisco (Pacific Heights or Presidio Heights) and Manhattan. I'd probably buy a cottage up in Bodega Bay or Bolinas so I could spend weekends away from the city and close to the Redwood Empire, if I wanted to.

[floor23]

Originally Posted by CaliNative

Buying a hotel would entail multiple responsibilities and potential costs. I prefer to be free of worry, although even the rich have worries. We are all mortal. Money can't stop that.

I use to work at a hotel during my college days and made lifelong friends with many American and foreign tourists. It was a fun job and I know how hotel/resort operations work (I appraise them for a living)

I'd prefer owning a beachfront hotel in Hawaii, but even a billion wouldn't last long as most of my money would be tied up in the property. Last Hawaii beachfront property sold was the Grand Waimea which sold for $1.1 billion.

On the flip side, a beachfront hotel/resort in Vietnam or Thailand would be far less expensive.

Some ideas I had in mind:

[SFBruin]

I would live in Chicago. I only left it because I ran out of money.

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by SFBruin

I would live in Chicago. I only left it because I ran out of money.

You couldn't afford Chicagoland, so moved to the Bay Area peninsula? Odd, to be sure.

[CaliNative]

Maybe I'd have a fortress of solitude in the Antarctic before all the glaciers melt. Maybe some remote island like the Falklands or Kergelen or St. Helena. Not for all the year, but just a few weeks a year of silence to meditate and think.

[HurricaneHugo]

Main house: La Jolla

Secondary: Manhattan Penthouse

Third...dary: Villa in Tuscany

[Nantais]

I would probably buy my own tropical island, or even better a disused offshore oil rig, an live there as an eccentric recluse.
Then, when I would get bored by this life, I would buy huge chunks of land in Siberia or Amazonia and start my own millenarian cult.


Yes, I would be that kind of billionaire.

[CaliNative]

Originally Posted by Nantais

I would probably buy my own tropical island, or even better a disused offshore oil rig, an live there as an eccentric recluse.
Then, when I would get bored by this life, I would buy huge chunks of land in Siberia or Amazonia and start my own millenarian cult.


Yes, I would be that kind of billionaire.

Being a "recluse" means just not wanting to be bothered. I can understand that. Recluses have things we don't have enough of...time to think, rest, contemplate, read, enjoy silence. Newton was a recluse, and look what he did. Many great discoveries probably were birthed in solitary contemplation. On the other hand, some recluses like Howard Hughes do go a weeee bit to an extreme. When you let your fingernails grow a few inches, that is a warning sign.