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An average home in the western part of the United States would cost around $240,000. In the east, the average home costs around $231,000. It gets a little less expensive in the south and the Midwest, with homes there costing an average of $152,000 and $132,000 respectively.
The most expensive among all these is a $135 million house in Texas. In Los Angeles, the most expensive house is worth around $37 million. Certainly, a great disparity exists between the average person and the billionaires.
And there is an even higher class of billionaires. They are those with so much money that they can afford to buy an entire island. Take note that this is not the billionaire’s home, but just a spot where they can jet off and hide when they want to get away from it all.
Here is a list of the most expensive island purchases, as well as some that are still for sale.
10. Charles Island, Bahamas - $39 million
Charles Island is located just off the coast of the main island of Bahamas. It boasts of complete utilities, as there are already electric, water and even telephone facilities available for tapping in the area. The island is a great escape destination for lovers of the sun and the beach. It provides great swimming and snorkeling opportunities.
9. Motu Tane Island, Bora Bora, French Polynesia - $40 million
Motu Tane Island is valued at $40 million. It currently hosts a resort that provides accommodations to only up to eight people at a time for around $30,000 per night. A minimum stay of three nights is required.
8. Hans Lollik Island, US Virgin Islands - $45 million
Hans Lollik Island is located in the US Virgin Islands just a short distance away from the main island of St. Thomas. It has virgin beaches and great spots for fishing, diving and snorkeling. The place also offers a stunning view of the ocean and the other islands in the area.
7. Caye Chapel Island, Belize - $65 million
Caye Chapel Island is an island located about 12 miles off the coast of Belize. The island was bought for $65 million and has been developed into a full-fledged resort. It now has a marina for yachts, airplane landing strip, bar, restaurant, conference facilities, 18-hole golf course and swimming pools. There are also luxury villas available, as well as sporting facilities, including basketball, volleyball, fishing and kayaking. There are also facilities for spa treatments.
6. James Island, Canada - $75.1 million
James Island is located in British Columbia in Canada. Craig McCaw, the former owner of McCaw Cellular Communications before AT&T bought it for $12.6 billion, bought the 780-acre island in 1994 for $19 million. He then developed the island by building a 5,000-square-foot mansion, six guest houses, private docks, airplane landing strips, a private pool and an 18-hole golf course especially designed by Jack Nicklaus. It also has a library, gym and even a store. The island is clean and green as smoking is not allowed and electric vehicles are used to roam the place. Electric lines are also buried underneath.
5. D’Arros Island, Seychelles - $94 million
D’Arros Island lies southwest of the main Seychelles island of Mahe. It is 1.25 miles long and is located in the Indian Ocean just off the east coast of Africa. The island used to be owned by Liliane Bettencourt, the owner of L’Oreal and considered to be one of the richest women in the world. Bettencourt purchased the island in 1997 for only $18 million. She then sold it in 2012 to the Geneva-based Save Our Seas Foundation. Actual price has yet to be confirmed, with estimates ranging from $60 million to $90 million. Bettencourt had to pay $8 million in back taxes to the Seychelles government, however, leaving her with a still substantial $86 million.
4. Ronde Island, Grenada - $100 million
Ronde Island is a 2,000-acre island located in Grenada. It has great beaches brought about by its strategic location along the Caribbean Sea. The island boasts of crystal clear waters, with visibility of up to 100 feet highlighting the pristine nature of the place. It is also a great spot for diving and snorkeling with its abundant sea life. Nature trippers will also love the caves on the island. Swimmers can go through the cave and witness the quartz crystals on display.
3. Necker Island, British Virgin Islands - $100 million
Necker Island is located in the British Virgin Islands and is owned by the business tycoon Richard Branson of the Virgin Group. He bought the island for £180,000 back in 1978. By 1984, the 74-acre island had been transformed into a luxury retreat, complete with Bali-inspired houses staffed by 60 personnel. Branson rents the island out, with individual rooms going for as much as $35,000 for one week. The entire island can also be rented out for $50,000 a night. It also features a submarine called the Necker Nymph that guests can use to go underwater for a fee of $2,500.
2. Lisbon Island, Portugal - $310 million
Lisbon Island is located at the mouth of Lisbon in Portugal. The island is still undeveloped, though there have been plans to convert it into a luxury retreat facility. With 3,000 acres at its disposal, an investor would probably build high-end residential units and a golf course on the island. Conveniently located near the capital of Portugal, the island’s desolation is a marked contrast to the city’s dense population.
1. Lanai Island, Hawaii - $600 million
Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, bought Lanai Island in Hawaii for a whooping $600 million. Technically, he only owns 98 percent of the island, however, with the remaining two percent owned by some private residents and the local government. David Murdock, the founder of Dole Foods, owned the 141-square-mile island before. It is home to around 3,000 people and a host of pineapple fields. As part of the sale agreement, Ellison also took over the island’s two Four Seasons resorts, its golf courses and luxury houses. Murdock, however, retains the right to develop a 200-megawatt wind power project on the island.
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