I had so much fun putting my other two blog posts about how much house $250K and $130K can buy that I got curious about how much house $1 million can buy. I live in Evanston (in an apartment) and am surrounded by multi-million dollar homes. I know it’s easy to drop a cool million (and a lot more) around here and Chicago. However how much can one million buy back in Michigan? Let’s find out. (All prices are current as of May 12, 2014.)

Chicago Area Homes

Chicago (as with anywhere) is all about location. The closer you are to downtown and the more desirable neighborhoods, the more expensive and smaller things get. Here’s a little representation of what you can find in the million dollar price range around town.

This is located in Lincoln Park right off North Pond and the park. If I could live anywhere in Chicago, it would be in this area.

$975,000
2550 N Lakeview Ave #A5-10, Chicago IL 60614
1 bed 2 bath
Deluxe 1 Bed 1.5 Bth w 1286 interior sq ft + 102 sq ft terrace w/ amazing East lake, park, & pond views. Fully appointed cooks kitchen incl lrg granite brak bar, Italian cabs, SubZero, Wolf, & Miele appliances. Gracious LR DR with oak floors, flr to ceiling windows. Lrg master suite w/ WI clst + marble spa bth & access to eat terrace. Amenities incl indoor pool, fitness center. Deeded pkg avail @ + $
This one is located in River North near Kurt’s work.

$951,900
319 W Erie St Apt 1E, Chicago IL 60654
2 bed 2 bath
Elegant boutique building offers a beautiful condominium over 2500 sq. feet! The space has a very smooth and enjoyable layout with windows everywhere, and each room has a unique look and feel. Kitchen boasts Snaidero cabinets and Sub-zero appliances, lovely master bedroom, and sunken den. Currently used as a work/live home. Tandem parking. Walk to Michigan Ave. Incredible common roof deck. This unit is very unique!
This one is located at the very northern end of Chicago near Evanston. It’s not the best area.

$965,000
2013 W Greenleaf Ave, Chicago IL 60645
4 bed 3.5 baths
Magnificent 4bed/3.5 ba renovated home w/massive 50×171 lot on highly desirable block. Home combines old world charm w/craftmanship. All new mechanicals, plumbing, elect. Dual- zoned heat. Quarter sawn white oak, australian cypress, maple, &cherry flrs. Chef’s kit. Feat. Heartland appl., htd. Stone flr & hammered coppper sink. Cstm. Woodwrk thruout .open stair design. Htd stone mst ba. Flr. 4 car brick gar!
This is located in Evanston within easy walking distance of my apartment and the lake.

$979,000
1034 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60202
7 bed 3.5 bath
Majestic home with wonderful front porch, gracious rooms, high ceilings, custom millwork, handsome mouldings and extraordinary architectural details throughout. Beautiful open reception hall with spectacular curved staircase, lovely living room with stunning fireplace, formal dining room and family room. 7 Brs, 3 Baths on the 2nd floor. Screened porch overlooking yard and gardens. Walk to the beach! A rare find!

Michigan Homes

It’s a lot more fun “shopping” with a million dollars. Again I’m checking out areas where I would ideally love to live (or have a second home). Yes – I’m doing what I can to manifest this but in the meantime I’ll happily dream.

SAUGATUCK, MI – Saugatuck is an amazing artsy resort town on the shores of Lake Michigan.

$990,000
109 Park St, Saugatuck MI 49453
3 bed 4 bath
Stunning contemporary home designed by the nationally acclaimed Chicago architectural firm of Pappageorge Haymes Ltd. Situated on the widest expanse of the Kalamazoo River, this home offers breathtaking views and deep-water dockage. The magnificent 2-story living/dining room and custom designed staircase set this home apart from all others. Extensive lighting provides for all times of day and moods and is matched with a sound system that serves the living room, master bedroom, the remarkable roof top deck and the outside decks. 
HIGGINS LAKE – Again, Higgins Lake is the place to come for affordable vacation real estate. This property is the most expensive one on Higgins Lake for sale at this time.

$789,000
103 Hitchcock, Higgins Lake, MI 48627
3 bed 3.5 bath
Spectacular sunsets and a sugar sand beach. Custom built home with 3 bdrm and 2.5 baths. Walkout basement, stone fireplace, walkout basement is partially finished with full bath. Unfinished bonus room over garage.

GROSSE POINTE SHORES – The Grosse Pointes are where you go for the multi-million dollar homes in the metro Detroit area (along with Birmingham and West Bloomfield).

$999,000
21 Renaud Rd, Grosse Pointe Shores MI 48236
5 bed 5 bath
Gracious Center Entrance Colonial custom built by Mast! Two story foyer with circular staircase! Cozy library with fireplace! Spacious family room! Updated kitchen with granite counters and butler’s pantry! Formal dining room! Light filled garden room overlooks lovely grounds! Circular drive! Located just off Lake Shore Road. 
PORT SANILAC – Own your very own lighthouse in Port Sanilac, 90 minutes northeast of downtown Detroit.

$999,800
81 S Lake St, Port Sanilac MI 48469
3 bed 2 bath
Own a piece of history – Port Sanilac’s Lighthouse & Light Keepers residence! This 2 story brick home captivates with its period charm while being meticulously maintained. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2400 sq. ft, this property overlooks Port Sanilac’s majestic harbor. The 59 foot double brick tower continues to operate & shine across Lake Huron’s shoreline. A once in a lifetime opportunity.
BEAVER ISLAND – The ultimate getaway located in northern Lake Michigan and accessible only by ferry or plane from Charlevoix.

$975,000
36355 McCauleys Point Rd, Beaver Island MI 49782
5 bed 4 bath
This spectacular home sits high on the west side of Beaver Island with almost five acres of land and 200 feet of shoreline. Built on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, this custom two-level home features 7,600 square feet of living space, 2,000 square feet of attached garage, workspace and storage, 1,500 square feet of high quality low-maintenance decking. The interior shape features 12 architecturally designed rooms that make spacious areas feel cozy and warm. (Much more info at Zillow!)


Million dollar homes are lots of fun to browse through. I could seriously spend my whole day doing this. I love seeing the interiors of all these wonderful places. And I love how you can find such unique properties (such as the lighthouse) up in the price point.

Share with me your favorite million dollar real estate spots.

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