BEAUTIFUL AND TRAILER HOMES

The rent IS too damn high! New York City second most expensive place on the planet to rent behind San Francisco The Big Apple is the second most expensive city to rent behind San Francisco Both are more expensive than the most expensive place to rent internationally: Hong Kong A single New Yorker will on average pay $1,994 a month; a family $3,783 a month  New York City is known as the city that never sleeps, and maybe that's because people are worried about their rent. The skyscraper city is the second most expensive city for renters in the world, according to a new report. London-based real estate brokerage Nested says that New York is only slightly behind San Francisco as the most financially onerous to renters. +9 New York City (above) is the second most expensive city in the world, behind San Francisco +9 NYC's distinct neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, above, make it a popular place to live +9 San Francisco's homes are beautiful - but not cheap. The city is the most expensive place to rent in the US +9 A New York City apartment on average will cost a family $3,783 a month +9 The country's tech capital, San Francisco, is the most expensive city for renters The average monthly rental for a single New Yorker is $1,994 and its $3,783 for a family, says the report. That's only slightly behind San Francisco, where rents have skyrocketed thanks to being a tech hub, home to hundreds of technology companies including Google, eBay and Apple (Facebook is an hour away in Menlo Park).  +9 If you're a single person in the city of angels, you'll pay on average $2,077.96 a month. A family will have to shell out $3,942.82 a month. Rents are $4.95 per square foot for San Francisco and $4.75 for New York City.  +9 Boston, above, home to Harvard, is the third most expensive city to rent  +9 Washington DC, the capital and political hub, is the third most expensive city  New York has long been known for its sky high rents, with people renting out apartments that are little bigger than large closets for prices that would bring them a house elsewhere in the country.  The city's steep rental prices have no doubt been fueled by the many industries people come here to work in, including fashion, retail, finance, entertainment, media and technology. +9 Seattle,  Prices for former second-class cousin borough Brooklyn have also soared in the past couple of decades.  If the rent in New York City is too damn high, rounding out the top five are college town Boston, political mecca Washington, DC, and progressive haven Seattle. After that comes Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Houston. Rounding out the top ten is Detroit, which despite all of the negative press it's gotten lately for its soaring crime, beat out cities like Austin, Atlanta, Portland, and Philadelphia. Globally, the most expensive city was Hong Kong, followed by Dubai, Singapore, Geneva and Sydney. Of the fifty cities listed, Barcelona, Spain was the cheapest place to rent.

Tired of the high cost of rent and determined to live mortgage-free, web designer Alek Lisefski turned his attention away from cyber space to build his very own solution. The 31-year-old has constructed a trailer home at an upfront cost of just $30,000 but with it measuring just 8ft by 20ft, he has needed all his creative abilities to maximise the limited space. Aptly naming it The Tiny Project, Alek set about building the home in Iowa before towing it all the way to Sebastopol in California, where he now lives with his girlfriend Anjali Krystofiak and their dog Anya. Scroll Down for Video +19 Small, but mighty: Web designer Alek Lisefski has built his very own trailer home that measures 8ft by 20ft for just $30,000... and now doesn't have a mortgage +19 +19 On the move: Alek Lisefski with girlfriend Anjali Krystofiak and their dog Anya (left) outside their home which he constructed on a flatbed trailer to avoid building rules +19 Resourceful: Alek said he used a trailer to avoid maximum square footage requirements that most municipalities have in place for permanent structures +19 Enjoying the great outdoors: With no rent or mortgage to pay, Alek says he will be able to prioritise his funds on health, leisure and travel 'I think tiny houses are one way in which the next generation will be able to overcome our country's current economic disparity and ever-rising housing and land costs,' Alek said. Finance is another critical aspect of home-owning and without having to pay rent Alek will be able to prioritise his funds on health, leisure and travel. 'I'll be forced to spend more time outdoors, in nature and engaging with my community. 'But I also couldn't possibly spend $100 a month to heat the place, like I do with my apartment now. He explained that although tiny houses can be built on a foundation, most people choose to build on a flatbed trailer to make the house mobile and to avoid maximum square footage requirements that most municipalities have in place for permanent structures. Alek is not alone is his idea - smaller sustainable housing is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States and around the world as a means of affordable living. +19 Compact: Alek's design background is evident and due to its tiny size he had to be incredibly resourceful with materials throughout the house +19 Tiny and tidy: Alek believes living in such a small space will force him to live in a simpler and more organised way +19 Creative: The house is sustainable with all the necessary features and appliances you'd find in a standard home +19 Proud: Alek named his idea the Tiny Project, an innovative design allowing him to live a simpler and debt-free life because he was able to fund all the costs upfront +19 Growing trend: Smaller sustainable housing is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States and around the world as a means of affordable living +19 Labour of love: The house took Alek seven months to build and he worked most evenings and weekends entirely by himself 'Building on a trailer means the house is considered more like an RV and does not need to adhere to the same permits, codes, and rules associated with building a normal home,' added Alek. 'I hope this little house can inspire others to choose a similar way of living.' He has moved into his new home permanently with his 25-year-old Anjali and their pet dog. 'I live with my beautiful girlfriend, Anjali, and our angel of a dog, Anya. Go ahead and say it: that's a lot of "A" names.' The house is furnished with sustainable blue-stain beetle-kill ponderosa pine throughout the ceiling, walls and loft floor. +19 Age of austerity: Alek estimates that he spent $30,000 on the house including all of the tools, materials, stainless appliances and furnishings +19 Space-saving: He utilised every opportunity for storage, building shelves and fold-away cupboards above windows and doors +19 Alek used high-end stainless appliances including a marine-style propane range, propane on-demand hot water heater and compact combo washer and dryer unit +19 A birds-eye view of the bathroom: Alek says he has a passion for the visual arts, the great outdoors, architecture and all things natural and beautiful The Tiny Project is a sleek, efficiently designed, sustainable house on wheels with all the necessary features and appliances of a normal house. The house took Alek seven months to build and he worked most evenings and weekends entirely by himself. 'I had more help towards the end with interior finish work, in order to speed things up to get it done before winter. The total process, including all of the research, planning and design took about a year, he added. The house has a passive solar design with 10 windows and a glass front door to ensure that optimum light can shine through. 'I'm a web designer by trade and have a passion for the visual arts, the great outdoors, architecture and all things natural and beautiful.' +19 Charming: The house is furnished with sustainable blue-stain beetle-kill ponderosa pine throughout the ceiling, walls and loft floor +19 Smart: Alek said he had help towards the end of the project with interior finish work in order to speed things up to get it done before winter +19 Home comforts: Once the house is parked in permanent location, he plans to add solar panels and water collection to make is as self-sustaining as possible Without the added costs of labour, Alek estimates that he spent $30,000 on the house including all of the tools, building materials, finishing materials, nice stainless appliances and furnishings. Alek's design background is evident and due to its tiny size he had to be incredibly resourceful with materials. He explained: 'All it needs to operate is an extension cord and water hose from the main house on the property where it's parked.' Once the house is parked in permanent location, he plans to add solar panels and water collection to make is as self-sustaining as possible. +19 Alek said: 'All the home needs to operate is an extension cord and water hose from the main house on the property where it's parked' Alek's main priority was to build a tiny and practical house. He believes living in such a small space will force him to live in a simpler and more organised way. He utilised every opportunity for storage, building shelves and fold-away cupboards above windows and doors. To maximise space, Alek used high-end stainless appliances including a two-burner marine-style propane range, propane on-demand hot water heater and compact combo washer and dryer unit.

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Grand Elegant Mansion in Charlotte, N.C.

Situated in the heart of the pretty riverside town of Chabanais and a short walk from the river Vienne you will find this rare hidden gem of a property that has the definite wow factor. Beautiful original features such as oak flooring, a spiral staircase, exposed beams, coloured glass doors and exposed stone work adorn this grand house with spacious light rooms. GROUND FLOOR The hall way with original tomette floor tiles leads off to: Living room with 2 sets of French doors that lead into the garden plus another 3 sets of windows make this room a bright and spacious living space. There is an open fireplace , polished stone flooring and a lovely oak staircase leading up to one part of the 1st floor. Kitchen with fireplace, some units and doors to garden. Library/dining room with open fire and built in bookcase. WC Hand crafted spiral staircase in oak twists its way up to the first and second floors with a backdrop of exposed stonework. FIRST FLOOR In the round tower part of the house is Bedroom 1 which has a fireplace and view of the garden. Bathroom Bedroom 2 has a marble fireplace Bedroom 3 also has a marble fireplace Bedroom 4 with a fireplace and 3 sets of windows over the garden Bathroom with bath, hand basin, shower and basin WC SECOND FLOOR Bedroom 5 is again in the tower part of the property and features a stone curved wall Bedroom 6 overlooks the front of the property and has a sink and bidet Bedroom 7 overlooks the garden Bedroom 8 could easily be split back to 2 rooms as it is huge and has 2 doors. This is a beautiful room with a stunning exposed oak vaulted ceiling Bathroom The wonders of this property go further once you step out into the rear garden where you will find an amazing former furniture making factory built in stone of approx 400m2 over 2 storeys with some beautiful features. This would make a fabulous 2nd house to possibly rent out or for family and friends. The character and mature garden is totally enclosed and private with a 2 metre high stone wall. Box hedged rose beds and fruits trees make this a truly blissful place to sit out and is a very good size considering the location. Huge double gates with covered parking allow access into the rear of the property with enough headspace for a camper van or truck. The property does need some decorating work and probably the electrics and kitchen/bathrooms updating but overall it is in very good condition with potential to be a great family home, B&B or gite business. Within 7kms from the lakes of the Haute Charente with its man made lakes with beaches for swimming,45 kms Limoges and 60km from Angouleme. Properties in this location, this size and this price don't come along everyday! DPE : The energy estimation cannot be produced owing to a lack of appropriate data that conforms to the "arrêté du 15 septembre 2006 relatif au DPE". Location in France The Charente department is home to over 340,000 inhabitants and is located in the south-east of Poitou-Charentes. The countryside offers a unique and varied environment for walkers and mountain bikers from rolling hills in the east to a flatter landscape in the west. The northern area is wild with deep forests and peaks reaching to over 1000ft. The Charente has long relied on agriculture to fuel its economy. In the 18th Century, however, the department started mass producing its infamous Cognac drink, which proved extremely popular with people from all over the world. The department is very well situated for expatriates looking to purchase French property here, with great roads down to the Charente and the Channel ports just a short days drive away. The department has access to Poitiers, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bergerac and Limoges airports, all within 2 hours. Furthermore, in the centre of the department you will be able to fly from either Gatwick or Stanstead direct to the Angouleme Champniers-Brie airport . Angouleme is a small yet cosmopolitan city, with a fairly dynamic feel about the place when compared to the neighbouring Dordogne or Haute Vienne. It hosts a lot of events such its vintage car racing (the Circuit des Remparts) which takes place in September , the cartoon festival in January and a great music scene which just seems to get better every year . Both Cognac and Confolens have annual festivals which attract tourists to the area. The Charente has an immensely varied countryside bordering 5 departments, famous for both its Cognac vineyards in the west, and its Limousin beef production in the east, which in terms of scenery are worlds apart. The valley of the Charente River meanders down from Ruffec in the north through Angouleme onto Jarnac and Cognac. Confolens in the East of the department is situated on the banks of the majestic River Vienne, this area being known as the Charente Limousine, and is extremely popular with expatriates because it looks and feels like the UK. The south of the county which borders the Charente Maritime has a much better climate but less undulating scenery. CHABANAIS Dept Charente Floor 0 M2 Plot Size 2070 M2 Bath 3 Bed 9   1/10   3/10 PlayPrevious 5/10   7/10   9/10   2/10   4/10 PlayPrevious 6/10   8/10   10/10 Situated in the heart of the pretty riverside town of Chabanais and a short walk from the river Vienne you will find this rare hidden gem of a property that has the definite wow factor. Beautiful original features such as oak flooring, a spiral staircase, exposed beams, coloured glass doors and exposed stone work adorn this grand house with spacious light rooms. GROUND FLOOR The hall way with original tomette floor tiles leads off to: Living room with 2 sets of French doors that lead into the garden plus another 3 sets of windows make this room a bright and spacious living space. There is an open fireplace , polished stone flooring and a lovely oak staircase leading up to one part of the 1st floor. Kitchen with fireplace, some units and doors to garden. Library/dining room with open fire and built in bookcase. WC Hand crafted spiral staircase in oak twists its way up to the first and second floors with a backdrop of exposed stonework. FIRST FLOOR In the round tower part of the house is Bedroom 1 which has a fireplace and view of the garden. Bathroom Bedroom 2 has a marble fireplace Bedroom 3 also has a marble fireplace Bedroom 4 with a fireplace and 3 sets of windows over the garden Bathroom with bath, hand basin, shower and basin WC SECOND FLOOR Bedroom 5 is again in the tower part of the property and features a stone curved wall Bedroom 6 overlooks the front of the property and has a sink and bidet Bedroom 7 overlooks the garden Bedroom 8 could easily be split back to 2 rooms as it is huge and has 2 doors. This is a beautiful room with a stunning exposed oak vaulted ceiling Bathroom The wonders of this property go further once you step out into the rear garden where you will find an amazing former furniture making factory built in stone of approx 400m2 over 2 storeys with some beautiful features. This would make a fabulous 2nd house to possibly rent out or for family and friends. The character and mature garden is totally enclosed and private with a 2 metre high stone wall. Box hedged rose beds and fruits trees make this a truly blissful place to sit out and is a very good size considering the location. Huge double gates with covered parking allow access into the rear of the property with enough headspace for a camper van or truck. The property does need some decorating work and probably the electrics and kitchen/bathrooms updating but overall it is in very good condition with potential to be a great family home, B&B or gite business. Within 7kms from the lakes of the Haute Charente with its man made lakes with beaches for swimming,45 kms Limoges and 60km from Angouleme. Properties in this location, this size and this price don't come along everyday! DPE : The energy estimation cannot be produced owing to a lack of appropriate data that conforms to the "arrêté du 15 septembre 2006 relatif au DPE". Location in France The Charente department is home to over 340,000 inhabitants and is located in the south-east of Poitou-Charentes. The countryside offers a unique and varied environment for walkers and mountain bikers from rolling hills in the east to a flatter landscape in the west. The northern area is wild with deep forests and peaks reaching to over 1000ft. The Charente has long relied on agriculture to fuel its economy. In the 18th Century, however, the department started mass producing its infamous Cognac drink, which proved extremely popular with people from all over the world. The department is very well situated for expatriates looking to purchase French property here, with great roads down to the Charente and the Channel ports just a short days drive away. The department has access to Poitiers, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bergerac and Limoges airports, all within 2 hours. Furthermore, in the centre of the department you will be able to fly from either Gatwick or Stanstead direct to the Angouleme Champniers-Brie airport . Angouleme is a small yet cosmopolitan city, with a fairly dynamic feel about the place when compared to the neighbouring Dordogne or Haute Vienne. It hosts a lot of events such its vintage car racing (the Circuit des Remparts) which takes place in September , the cartoon festival in January and a great music scene which just seems to get better every year . Both Cognac and Confolens have annual festivals which attract tourists to the area. The Charente has an immensely varied countryside bordering 5 departments, famous for both its Cognac vineyards in the west, and its Limousin beef production in the east, which in terms of scenery are worlds apart. The valley of the Charente River meanders down from Ruffec in the north through Angouleme onto Jarnac and Cognac. Confolens in the East of the department is situated on the banks of the majestic River Vienne, this area being known as the Charente Limousine, and is extremely popular with expatriates because it looks and feels like the UK. The south of the county which borders the Charente Maritime has a much better climate but less undulating scenery. CHABANAIS Dept Charente Floor 0 M2 Plot Size 2070 M2 Bath 3 Bed