Unreal estate: Homes you have to see in neighborhoods you’ll love

Ready to be wowed? These homes have views, features, and neighborhoods that’ll make you want to drop everything and move. And at least one of them wouldn’t require a surprise inheritance for you to do it. But go ahead and imagine yourself living in all of them. It doesn’t cost a thing to take a peek inside these anything-but-ordinary homes in fab neighborhoods.

$5,950,000

Miami’s Upper Eastside neighborhood offers just about everything. For those seeking cultural pleasures, Biscayne Boulevard’s MiMo Historic District offers numerous galleries, restaurants, bars, and shops. And with Biscayne Bay running along the community’s eastern edge, residents here are a stone’s throw from the water—and a very short drive from Miami Beach. “It looks like a scene out of a movie,” says one Upper Eastside resident¹ on What Locals Say, our database of neighborhood reviews.

The moveable walls in the living room are nice, but wait until you see the ones in the bedroom. See more photos here.

You’ll have a literal front-row seat for that Hollywood-quality scenery in this new construction home on the waterfront. It’s so close to the bay, you’ll think you’re floating when looking out from the living room or one of the five bedrooms.

$10,950,000

The small, Russian cemetery that gave Russian Hill its name is gone now, but the hill itself still offers stunning views of San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. The neighborhood is also home to one of the city’s most famous sights: sharply winding Lombard Street, better known as “the crookedest street in the world.”

The upscale neighborhood features numerous local restaurants, coffee shops, and groceries, as well as close proximity to the city center. Despite the big-city amenities, one local says the neighborhood’s “kind, familiar faces and friendly neighbors” make Russian Hill feel “like a small town.”²

This stunning 1914 Tudor Revival home is a perfect example of Russian Hill’s architectural riches. Its sloping corner lot provides incredible views, and its ornate period carvings and stained-glass windows coexist with more modern touches throughout.

$14,900,000

This stately home has even statelier grounds—including a two-story guest house and putting green. See more photos here.

In the heart of Northeast Dallas is the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, a 66-acre plot with numerous, distinct gardens and a view of the Dallas skyline. The neighborhood also offers attractions for arts aficionados, ranging from the free Deep Ellum Arts Festival to the Dallas Children’s Theater to the Dallas Puppet Theatre. One What Locals Say reviewer says the general attitude here and elsewhere in eastern Dallas is classic Texas: “friendly, laid back, and concerned for neighbors and the neighborhood.”³

There’s no more iconic home in Northeast Dallas than the historic Mount Vernon estate. Built in 1929 as a replica of George Washington’s original, oil magnate H.L. Hunt called it home for decades. These days, it includes a bowling alley, a 16-car showroom, and a putting green.

$249,000

Edgar Allen Poe fans: You’re going to want to see this one from every angle. See more photos here.

Overlooking Peoria Lake, North Valley is known for its many grand, historic homes. The neighborhood has seen a fresh surge of community involvement in recent years, as Habitat for Humanity and neighborhood groups have worked to revitalize the area. It’s also home to local favorites like Obed and Isaac’s, which embraces the neighborhood’s unique combination of old and new by placing a brewery inside a lovingly refurbished former church.

There’s a different wow-worthy historic detail (or two) in every single room. See more photos here.

This 1887 Victorian mansion looks straight from a Tim Burton movie. Although its exterior profile is tall, narrow, and elegant, the interior is full of expansive touches including a two-story solarium, a strikingly carved staircase, and gorgeously tiled kitchen and bathrooms.

$6,450,000

To understand how luxe this place is, you have to see the courtyard. See more photos here.

Charleston‘s compact Charlestowne neighborhood is brimming with local history. It’s home not only to the Historic Charleston Foundation, but also to historic landmarks like the Edmondston-Alston House and the Calhoun Mansion. There’s a cluster of shops and galleries on Broad Street at the neighborhood’s northern edge, and immediately to its south is the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper rivers. One local says the views of the water from the seawall known as the Battery are “spectacular, especially with the sea breezes!”⁴

This place has a chandelier in nearly every room—including some of the bathrooms. See more photos here.

If you want to live in a piece of Charlestowne history, this striking 1756 home should do it. Exemplifying the tall, narrow-fronted Charleston Single architectural style, it has gorgeous parquet floors, double-decker porches, and a pool.

$19,500,000

This place has so much deck space, but the best bit is a secluded oceanside overlook you have to see. See more photos here.

San Diego‘s La Jolla community has made pop-culture appearances for decades, from the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ U.S.A.” to Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie”—and with good reason. The neighborhood occupies a considerable stretch of prime Pacific shoreline, including both beaches and rocky bluffs. It’s also home to the University of California San Diego and other educational institutions, as well as a wide variety of clubs, cafes, art institutions, and many waterfront restaurants. “I can walk to everything I need in minutes,” says one La Jolla resident. “I rarely need to use my car.”⁵

In a house full of great views, some of the best are from the bed and the shower. Really. See more photos here.

Tucked away on its own private bluff, this exquisitely solitary home offers an extraordinary view of the Pacific. Whether looking out through the stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, relaxing on the massive stone terrace, or soaking in the infinity pool, you’ll feel truly at one with your gorgeous natural surroundings.

Want to find your own piece of unreal estate? See what’s hiding in a neighborhood near you on Trulia.

¹Avellanruby, May 2018: “Right next to water, love the Mediterranean and Caribbean mix also the bridges and overall scenery . It looks like a scene out of a movie.”

² Allie E., May 2018: “We love our quaint community up on the hill. The coffee shops know my order, restaurant staff know us by name, we play fetch in the park with our neighbors dogs, and they play and joke with our kids. We pick up trash off the street, our neighbors sweep the sidewalk. Everyone helps out. The panoramic views of the bay and city skyline, bay lights, and historic homes make it feel like you’re in a big city, but the neighborhood makes it feel like a small town. Located centrally – easy access to restaurants, services like dry cleaning, downtown, transit, the marina, etc. we’ve lived in the marina, north beach, and soma – Russian hill is the perfect spot in the city. Oozing w character and filled with kind, familiar faces and friendly neighbors. Also it’s built on bedrock, not fill, so way safer in earthquakes.”

³ Sharon s., Oct. 2018.: “The lots are minimum 1/2 acre with old growth trees throughout. There’s a nice mix of ages, although diversity could be better. There’s just an East Dallas vibe, ie, friendly, laid back, and concerned for neighbors and the neighborhood.”

⁴ Liz G, Sept. 2018: “The views walking along the Battery are spectacular, espeically with the sea breezes! Parking is also a breeze as there are no neighborhood restrictions in the area where we live.”

⁵ Gatewaytogold, Oct. 2018: “I’ve lived here for 8 years. I can walk to everything I need in minutes. I rarely need to use my car. “