The houses in the movies The Others and The Changeling, or the house in Fanny and Alexander. The Fanny house I like for the setting, and the light – there was so much light in that house. The other two because of the cabinetry, the built-in shelves and bookcases and all the wood trim and floors.
It’s funny that you have houses from movies on your list. I have every Manhattan Loft that I have ever seen in a movie on my wish list.
I’ve it posted before but I love this neighborhood. Not to mention if I had a free house for the rest of my life I could quit my job and become a professional beach bum.
I would look around and pick the nicest thing within walking distance of work.
Case Study House #22, aka, The Stahl House, designed by Pierre Koening. So pure. So clean. And the view is fantastic.
Monticello. Thomas Jefferson knew how to live.
Either the Biltmore, Hearst Castle , Getty Villa , or Huntington Library . It’s not a mansion unless I need a golf cart to get to the front gate.
Nothing like lording over a city.
Though I think the Scots might be a little pissed off if I did take it.
Really? I’ve toured it several times and I don’t remember them ever mentioning that it appeared in the Back to the Future movie.
If I have to pick my own house, of course it’s going to be a castle. I would pick the castle of Gruyères, right near where my father and brother live. Sample photo
The House on the Rock in the Wisconsin Dells. Comes with a carousel, the infinity room, and is the largest house I have ever seen. I don’t remember how many rooms it has, but it’s a freaking lot. And if the contract pays to maintain the place, I could ride the carousel anytime I wanted to and never have to clean! There are also touristy food stands inside of it, which might be an innovative way to get around the food cost limitation.
Why can’t I make money off of it, though? I could rent out half a square mile to somebody and make a living off of that.
I’ll take the home that Mukesh Ambani built recently in Mumbai.
You are allowed minor redecoration just like you would be for most leases but you have to pay for it yourself. Paint and superficial enhancements is no problem and you can buy and rearrange furniture all you want. However, all you really get is the house or castle maintained in its present state to live in.
The constraints on that idea are a big part of the question and why it is something to think about. I claimed Versailles as my house the first time I stepped foot in it but it would start to seem pretty lonely if it were just me and loved ones living there with no entertainment budget so that wouldn’t be a great choice and neither would Buckingham Palace. You don’t get any guards or servants to go with that one either. The place stays as is within your taste and budget but nothing else.
San Simeon, aka Hearst Castle.
That’s kinda why I went with something non-spectacular. Obviously, my preference would have been different with different constraints - Biltmore House would have been my first choice, and would have put me closer to my family, but with the freedom not to have to interact with idiots, but my friends, life, job, and money are all here. So I went with a boring idea 
As long as the house and grounds were nice I don’t think I’d care much.
But I would care, and care a lot, about where the house was. I’d be picking for some really choice place to call home.
After actually taking a look at what else has been posted I should mention that I’m retired and don’t have to worry so much about making a living.
X2
With air conditioning added…
I like the area I live in so I’d want a good house around here. The Eastman House would be nice.
I’ll take Chatsworth, please.
I would select my current house because that’s where I keep all my stuff.
That looks familiar, was that one of the houses used in the movie Primary Colors?