Illinois is a beautiful state, and Lake Forest is one of its most stunning little towns. And a very wealthy one at that. Not only does this town offer unbelievable views of Lake Michigan, and a short commute to Chicago, but it also has some of the most amazing houses in the country.
However, if you want to become a permanent, sun-soaking resident of Lake Forest, you better have some serious money saved up. For a six-bedroom house, you’d pay around $12 million, and if you’re looking for some more spacious, say, with two more bedrooms, you’re looking at $15 million minimum.
Atherton, California
Atherton is a small town located between San Francisco and San Jose, and it is considered one of the wealthiest towns in America. The mansions in Atherton are so massive and luxurious that they almost look fake, and they usually have an average price of about $6 million.
With a staggering average household income of $450,000, Atherton has become home to some of the richest entrepreneurs in the world, including Sheryl Sandberg, Eric Schmidt, and Meg Whitman. And celebrities like Shirley Temple and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham are also residents. OK, we're sold, when can we move?
Palos Verdes Estates, California
Located in the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the city of Palos Verdes Estates is part of Los Angeles County in California. And, of course, being on a peninsula means it has some of the state's most stunning coastal views.
Palos Verdes Estates was planned by famous American architect, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. Every structure, material, and style used was reviewed by an art jury before being constructed, back in the mid-1930s. The city has great schools, and beautiful family mansions, which usually start at $1.7 million.
Montecito, California
Located in Santa Barbara, Montecito is a small paradise town that is home to some of Hollywood's most famous celebrities, including Drew Barrymore, Oprah Winfrey, Rob Lowe, Portia de Rossi, and Ellen DeGeneres.
With a perfect Mediterranean-like climate, Montecito is really like a slice of heaven. And if the climate isn't convincing enough for you, just look at the multi-million dollar mansions. That should do it.
Upper Montclair, New Jersey
Located in Montclair, in New Jersey's Essex County, the neighborhood of Upper Montclair has a population of over 12,000. But it still feels like a small town, even with a mini business district that is filled with many restaurants and shops. It is also home to many nature reserves and parks, making it a perfect mix of bustling life and quiet nature.
It is known for having great schools and very expensive houses, with the median home value being nearly $1 million.