Top 6 Cities For The Ultra Rich: For most people, choosing where to live is largely a monetary decision, but if money isn’t an issue, figuring out the best place to live can be based on multiple different factors. It’s not purely about the cities that are home to the most billionaires (such as Moscow and New York City), as most ultra rich people prefer things such as exclusivity, comfort, and scenery versus the sheer volume of rich people in their surrounding environs.
Forbes recently ran a list of the best places for the super rich solely in the United States based off characteristics such as the average age, population size, and economic indicators such as average household income and home prices. This list will factor in those selections, and combine with other choices around the world that fit this criteria as well.
Also, health care is very important for the ultra rich and must be taken into consideration, and we recently ran a list ranking the 16 highest paying countries for doctors, which gives us a good gauge to work with. Lastly, no ultra rich person wants to spend time in a dangerous area, so crime rates have been weighed in these rankings as well.
Now lets take a look at the top cities for the ultra rich:
6. Fitts Village, Barbados
Fitts Village has increasingly become a haven for the ultra rich in recent years. The town, located on the western coast of Barbados, is home to clear blue waters on picturesque beaches, and a multitude of luxury villas. Of course, weather is not an issue here, as the city retains a tropical climate at all times of the year. As if it needed more in order to seduce the ultra rich, this Caribbean enclave has a 5-star Italian restaurant in Il Tempio, where you can eat while overlooking the sea.
The five top cities for the ultra rich continues on the next page with our first foray into the United States.
5. Winnetka, Illinois
Located just outside of Chicago, Winnetka is stationed in the city’s wealthy northern suburbs. It’s a small town, with under 13,000 residents, and sits on the shore of Lake Michigan. One thing many people don’t associate this area with is beaches, or good weather as a whole for that matter. While the Winters will be long and brutal, Winnetka’s summer is optimal and comes with a long and well maintained beach. Lake Michigan is huge, and not your average lake by any stretch, as the north shore’s beach retains the calmness of a lake shore, with the waves and sand of the ocean. Moreover, it has an almost non-existent crime rate and an average home price just south of $1 million, easily making Winnetka one of the top cities for the ultra rich.
4. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
If golf is a major part of your life, than Kiawah Island definitely deserves some attention. Off the coast of South Carolina, the city is home to seven different courses ranked in America’s top 100 golf courses, and has a plethora of breathtaking properties on the shore. As the average home is worth more than $1.1 million, the ultra rich can be sure they’ll feel comfortable if they choose to come to this famed South Carolina vacation island.
3. Pau, France
Pau is positioned in the south of France, next to the famous Pyrenees Mountains. It has a rich history, providing culture to go along with the adventurous opportunities presented by the mountain range. Moreover, the city remains beautiful all-year long, with no drastic weather swings, and has a very low crime rate to go with a high median household income. Whether you like skiing, hiking, or reading a book with a fantastic view surrounding you, Pau offers the chance for the ultra rich to enjoy themselves to the fullest.
2. Darien, Connecticut
One of this area’s most common and profitable jobs is selling wine and yacht insurance, which should tell you, at a minimum, that the people of Darien, Connecticut frequently indulge in the purchasing of these two items. Only an hour away from the financial capital and one of the richest cities in the world in New York City, Darien sits on the coast and is known for its exclusivity, as many of New York’s richest flock here after making their fortunes. Moreover, there are now over ten separate clubs for activities such as yachting and tennis, which is amazing considering there are only 20,000 people in the entire city. The beach, easy access to a major metropolis, and luxurious lifestyle makes Darien another one of the top cities for the ultra rich.
1. Costa Smeralda, Italy
This small area is notorious for its posh lifestyle and wealthy residents. Costa Smeralda combines the serenity of white sand private beaches, with overly luxurious features such as private jet and helicopter return services. The areas great food, and rich and private environment combine to make Costa Smeralda the world’s top city for the ultra rich.
