Like many Americans, I like to daydream about winning the lottery. I know about what sort of house I’d build, and what sort of property I’d be looking for. I also know it wouldn’t be in my current state, and I’m not even certain I’d stay in this country. But I just can’t decide where I’d live.
How about you? If you suddenly found yourself with all-but-inexhaustible means, what city/country/area would you choose? Why? Any places you’d certainly avoid? Also why?
To avoid immediate hi-jack, let’s assume that the initial taxes will be paid in the area where you won, and only on-going income taxes would be a factor, if at all.
My first thought was Hawaii, but I’m not sure. My second thought was the Seychelles, but I’d hate the flight. I think I’d live on Martha’s Vineyard in the summer and fall, and somewhere in Florida for the rest of the year. And I wouldn’t have to spend much to do that.
I’d try a lot of places for a few weeks each: Lincoln (NE), Bloomington (IN), Austin, Chicago, and Brisbane all come to mind. Wherever I chose, it would would be more of a “home base” than anything else. If I felt like going to Dubrovnik or Cairo for three months, there’s nothing to stop me.
If I could figure out some way to be able to bring my cats with me, I’d live in California six months of the year, and Australia the other six. I’d never have to put up with the sun setting before 5pm again.
Same town I’m living in now, I’d just buy a very nice house. (A builder basic 3 bedroom/2 bath with bonus room house in a subdivision can be had for $150k here.) Sink about $50k in remodeling into it and I’d be prepared to stay there for the rest of my life.
I always thought that if I had the money and the time off, I’d spend an entire summer travelling between Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Rockport. I would never stay anywhere more than 2 weeks. But I wonder if I’d get tired of living out of a suitcase for 3 months.
Right here (San Francisco), I don’t like traveling and moving even less so. Even if I were the sole winner of the half billion jackpot I would stay here, just upgrade my lifestyle a bit. I would likely visit my mother a few times a year in Los Angeles reluctantly.
I have thought about Seattle or Vancouver from time to time, but yeah, I would just stay here.
A lot of different places (if we’re talking about the 470 million price). An appartment in New York, London, Berlin, Prague, Hawaii, Gstaad etc. Just find a few places I’d like to spend more time and swich between them.
I learned long ago that money does not improve my life. I’ve been rich. I’ve been poor. In between works best. I might move if the publicity became a security problem. Otherwise, stay where I’m at and help out where I can.
I’d probably live here in this house. Except I’d do all the renovations I’ve always dreamed of and have the BEST BACK YARD EVER!
I’m not going to have enough money to move my friends and family with me, and all their friends and family. I’d rather be here with them than in some fancy locale.
I’d stay in my current house. I love where I live, my kids are still in elementary school and the school system is one of the best in the state, we just moved here a few years ago and have no desire to leave the area, family is nearby, and we have renovation and refurbishment plans that will last me another ten years or so. I might buy a vacation house somewhere, but it would have to be a really special place that I wouldn’t mind going back to repeatedly. Not sure I’ve found that place yet.
I live in DC, and love this city. In fact, I quite like my apartment - it’s small, but fine for my needs, and it’s very close to two metro stations. Plus, I have good friends living in my building. This being said, I’d be using the bulk of my fortune to do nonprofit work; if I needed to move for that, so be it.
I would have houses in several different places, but one of the main ones would be in Eureka Springs, AR. That place is neat, I have relatives that I actually like that live in town, and the scenery is beautiful.
I would likely also have a place in a tropical location to go to after I get tired of the winter in AR.
I would likely also have a modest place somewhere near the Rockies because I love the snow and cold and mountainous terrain is second only to crystal clear beaches in beauty.
Buy a condo where I am now. Buy nice house in Milwaukee, my adopted hometown. Both locations are near family and friends. Million dollar cabin up north Wisconsin. Split time between all three plus vacations. Id always be moving around. I like variety.