You Can Trade Your New York Apartment for These 10 Properties Overlooking the Mediterranean

Manhattan, New York is known for its high cost of living, with the city consistently ranked as one of the most expensive places in the world to live.

Buying a 500-square-foot apartment in New York City could cost you around $750,000, according to research blog My Dolce Casa, which based its study on real estate agent data that showed the average price per square foot in the city was $1,500.

You could trade your tiny studio apartment in the city for a 7,000-square-foot mansion in Sicily, Italy, or opt for other properties in the Mediterranean, about 10 times the size of the studio.

Here's what you'll get at 10 popular Mediterranean destinations for the price of a 500-square-foot New York City apartment, according to an August report by My Dolce Casa:

Property Area: 7,212 sq. ft.

Known for its rich history, beautiful beaches and charming hilltop towns, the Italian island of Sicily is a popular tourist destination with more than 6 million visitors annually, according to a July report by Worldmetrics.org.

Despite its popularity, you get a lot of bang for your buck when buying property on the Italian island. The Sicilian town of Sambuca di Sicilia has become a hit in recent years, auctioning off homes for as little as €1.

Property Area: 4,013 sq. ft.

Known for its stunning scenery, historic towns and world-class wines, the Loire Valley has an average price per square foot of $187. You could trade your New York studio apartment for a home eight times larger in the Loire Valley, according to My Dolce Casa.

Property Area: 3,289 sq. ft.

Porto is the country’s second-largest city and is known for its rich history, architecture and fortified wine. Here you can buy a property six times the size of a 500-square-foot New York City apartment. Portugal has become a popular destination for retirees, as it is a safe, sunny and affordable place to settle down.

Property Area: 3,165 sq. ft.

Italy's Tuscany is a popular destination among tourists and saw more than 44 million overnight stays in tourist accommodation establishments in 2022, according to Statista.

Home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Michelangelo's statue of David, you can buy a property six times the size of a New York City apartment.

Property Area: 3,488 sq. ft.

On Greece’s largest island, the average property price is $215 per square foot, according to My Dolce Casa. You could trade your New York apartment for island life in a 3,400-plus-square-foot home in Crete.

Property Area: 3,061 sq. ft.

According to Statista, the Catalonia region, which spans hundreds of miles of Mediterranean coastline and includes Barcelona, ​​welcomed more than 18 million international tourists in 2023. Here, you can expect to find a home with up to 3,000 square feet of space, according to the report.

Property area: 2,830

The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of Morocco, are also a popular tourist destination. In 2023, they saw an estimated 14 million international visitors, according to Statista. Here, you can swap your New York studio for year-round good weather in a 2,800-square-foot home overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Property Area: 2,930 sq. ft.

Known as the Italian Riviera, Liguria is home to some of the most picturesque destinations in Italy, including Cinque Terre and Portofino. Known for its delicious food and stunning views, here you can get a property that is almost six times the size of a New York apartment.

Property Area: 2,100 sq. ft.

Located on the Mediterranean coast in southeastern France, Provence is home to the popular seaside city of Marseille, which saw over 16 million overnight stays in 2023, according to recent data. The world-famous French Riviera is also located in Provence, home to the famous city of Cannes and the seaside city of Saint-Tropez.

For the price of an apartment in New York City, you can get a property four times larger in Provence.

Property Area: 2,131 sq. ft.

According to the Madrid Convention Bureau, Madrid, the capital of Spain, welcomed 10.6 million visitors in 2023. Known as Spain's financial center, the city has beautiful parks and a bustling arts scene.

Known as one of the best destinations for expats, you can trade your New York apartment for a property over 2,000 square feet here.

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