If you decide to trade in your property in Hampstead and move out of the village, you may be surprised by what you can get for your money elsewhere.
Living in prime London has obvious advantages: a prestigious postcode; convenient access to all the art, culture and bustle the city has to offer – at a suitable remove from the grubbier aspects of urban life; and a seemingly watertight financial investment. But, if you’re starting to tire of picturesque streets clogged with Chelsea tractors, or are hankering after more green space than is offered by the Heath alone (as unimaginable as that might seem), then here is a taste of what you could get for your money elsewhere.
Trade in your two-bedroom flat (average price £937,078) for a French chateau
This property in the Aquitaine region of France has 13 bedrooms spread across the main house and three gites.
Full of period charm, the manor house is the quintessential French dream, updated for modern buyers.
Long, lazy lunches can be taken on the terrace in the shade of the vines and you can cool off in one of the property’s three swimming pools.
And you can spread out through the outbuildings, which have a bar, a games room, a laundry room and barns (plural) for storage.
£1,004,880 through Prestige Properties
Or a Florida mansion
Sure, this property will stretch your budget slightly, but for only a fraction more than a two-bedroom apartment in Hampstead, you could buy this three-bedroom, bay front house in Florida.
Don’t think you’re only getting an extra bedroom for your money though; the property boasts water views an updated kitchen and bathroom and deeded beach rights.
It also comes with a heated pool and dual boat docks.
And don’t forget that Florida is also known as the Sunshine state, one luxury that Hampstead doesn’t offer.
£1,103,872 through Hamptons International
Terraced house (average price £2,069,848) or Scottish country pile?
It is a truth universally acknowledged that anyone looking for more bang for their property buck should look to Scotland and that is certainly true of this exchange.
For the price of an unexceptional family home in Hampstead, you could trade for this award-winning eight-bedroom neo-classical gem.
Originally a smaller mansion built by Robert Burn in 1781 the design was inspired by ancient symbolism and it is said that it may have been created to serve as a grand Masonic temple.
Set in 16 acres of land with outbuildings, the house was used as a farmhouse after World War II but then fell into decline until 2001 since when it has undergone major restoration.
£2,000,000 through Knight Frank
Switch your detached house (average price £4,805,900) for wide open space within commuting distance
You may have been known to turn up your nose at the idea of living in the commuter belt but this could be the property to change your mind.
Only 29 miles outside central London and two miles from Chorleywood tube station, this eight-bedroom listed Georgian house is set in 51.76 acres of land (Highgate cemetery is 37 acres).
There is space here for eight reception rooms, seven bathrooms and eight bedrooms, including a master suite with en suite bathroom, 2 dressing rooms and a small study.
Outside, the land slopes down to the River Chess and comprises a walled kitchen garden with ponds, and an indoor pool with changing rooms, sauna, gym room, hot tub and a tennis court.
There is a Victorian coach house and stables and a lodge cottage at the foot of the drive.
£4,950,000 through Savills
Read more:
Swap Camden for Cornwall at Westcountry property fair
What makes property prices in Hampstead and Highgate so high?
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