What Auckland prices can get you in France.

leggettprestige.com
Yes, this French manor truly does cost the same as a five-bed in Mt Roskill.
Auckland's housing bubble shows no signs of deflating, so maybe it's time to
check out other options. The French countryside, par example?
With a strong Kiwi dollar, a weak euro and a surfeit of "chateaux" on the
continent, maybe it's time to check out "la vie francaise".
1. Here's a countryside starter in the western region of Charente.

Dating from the 15th century, this three-bedroom stone cottage has a 100square-metre living room, out buildings, 5900sqm of grounds and gardens, and a
two-bedroom maison gardien (caretaker's house). All yours for $298,000
(208,500), which in Auckland would get you something like this:

This 52sqm, one-bedroom loft apartment in downtown Auckland is on sale for

$299,000, and the "outgoings" are less than $1000 a month.
2. Need a pool?

This three-bedroom home in the Dordogne region sits on four hectares of land,
has a barn with a kitchen and wine cellar, an independent flat, and more than an

acre of "parkland" with a pond and a pool. All yours for $590,000, which in
Auckland would get you:

This 75sqm two-bedroom apartment in Chapman St, just minutes walk

from Ponsonby Rd. The asking price is $585,000, though it is already under
contract.
3. Maybe you need a bit more land?

This Lot-et-Garonne four-bedroom, three-bathroom property is described as

"comfortable, luxurious living" with "attached barn, heated swimming pool,
tobacco barn and just over four acres of gardens".

And a similarly priced property in Auckland?

This Mt Eden "two-bedroom brick and tile corner unit" is in the highly desirable
Grammar zone. It has timber floors, open-plan living, an updated kitchen and a
small garage. The asking price is $639,000.
4. But you really want to live in a chateau, right?

Featuring six bedrooms on two acres of parkland near Gontaud de Nogaret, this
"elegant bourgeoise chateau-style property" has a stone staircase rising from the
entrance hall, three floors, a roof terrace, chandeliers and "is walking distance of
a charming village with all amenities".

Or there's Te Atatu:

With asking price of just $619,000, this three-bedroom house

in Te Atatu South has a great location and is described as a "funky threebedroom home, refurbished to high standards".
5. Sure, it's a chateau, but you're going to need at least 14 bedrooms for all your
friends to come on holiday ...

Set in 3 1/2 acres of parkland in Vienne, this 19th-century chateau has 14

bedrooms, seven reception rooms, a 50sqm swimming pool with "Roman steps"
and its own chapel, in case you want to host a wedding. All for the price of a twobedroom apartment in St Heliers:

6. But I need a 16th-century vaulted cellar ...

Dating back to 1551, this seven-bedroom chateau in Poitou-Charente is bordered

by a river and has 6.5 hectares of private grounds including outbuildings, stables
and a pool. "The chateau consists of a 16th-century vaulted cellar, three floors of
living space and an attic, with a minimum of 400sqm per floor."
And a similarly priced property in Auckland's Onehunga:

This brand new three-bedroom, three-bathroom home has "stunning modern

design, [and] is finished to an immaculate standard, with accents on quality,
durability and ease of living". The asking price is $1,295,000.
7. Look, if it's not "belle epoque" I don't want to know about it.

This eight-bedroom, six-bathroom 19th-century chateau is set in 13 acres of

parkland in the Tarn, east of Toulouse. Along with your amazing pool you'll get a
four-bedroom caretaker's cottage, extensive barns, stables, and garages, two
large Pigeonniers (pigeon towers) a well, and a 268sqm wine cellar. All for the
same money as this house in Mt Roskill:

This five-bedroom home in the heart of Mt Roskill has a large 637sqm section
and is zoned for mixed use so there is potential for future development. The
asking price is $1.49 million. Bon appetit!