A 4,277-square-foot home in Lake Oswego outside of Portland showcases the increased privacy and ... [+]
More space, less cost and quieter living—the benefits of buying a property in the suburbs are many. Where cities provide easy access to clusters of restaurants, shopping and nightlife, the suburban lifestyle places a premium on the comforts of home.
As such, luxury residences outside of major cities offer much in the way of amenities, like gardens, nine-car garages and uninterrupted views. Normally occupied by the most expensive listings in cities, homes with such grand scales, wealth of luxuries and utmost privacy can be purchased in the suburbs for $3 million or less.
Despite these shared benefits, not all suburbs are quite the same. Like the urban centers they surround, each suburb features a unique character displayed in architecture, public spaces and community lifestyle.
Take a short ride outside of the city and check out these exceptional $3 million homes in distinct suburban markets across the United States.
The Tudor-style design from Richard Sundeleaf was inspired by an English farmhouse.
Lake Oswego, Oregon ($3.25 Million)
Once the site of an Oregon Iron & Steel Company iron ore quarry, this nearly 1-acre property off the shores of Lake Oswego is dotted with moss-covered rock formations and sunken gardens, making for a storybook-like setting befitting the home it surrounds. Designed by Richard Sundeleaf, the 1936 residence was inspired by an English farmhouse. Cross-gabled roofs, steep gables and half-timbering showcase this Tudor influence. Inside, many updates and renovations have been thoughtfully integrated into the four-bedroom home without sacrificing its original character.
Extensive renovations have modernized amenities while maintaining the home's original charm.
Modern amenities combine with a classic aesthetic throughout the home, notably in the kitchen with its 1940s black and white tiles covering heated floors, Wolf and Miele appliances and black-lacquered cabinetry with Norton hardware. In the primary suite, the bathroom features a 1940s athletic club aesthetic, with marble finishes, a heated-tile floor and oversized walk-in shower.
Premier listings such as 1032 Westward Ho Road, held by Terry Sprague of LUXE, are one of the reasons why Lake Oswego home prices are more expensive than in the city proper. Home values in Lake Oswego have been on a steady climb over the past five years, growing by 44.6% and landing at $883,965 as of January.
Dense forestry surrounds the 10,200-square-foot mansion located in Clifton outside of Washington ... [+]
Clifton, Virginia ($3 Million)
In contrast to many parts of Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., the landscape surrounding Clifton remains largely undeveloped thanks to an ordinance enacted in the 1980s to protect the environment near Bull Run, the Occoquan River and Occoquan Reservoir. As a result, only one building could be constructed on 5-acre parcels, leading to the development of sprawling estates like this 10,200-square-foot home at 7502 Amkin Court.
The interior combines traditional French colonial architecture with modern touches.
From a bird's-eye view, the French Colonial-inspired estate is nearly engulfed by the dense forestry that surrounds it. Inside, reclaimed wood beams add a rustic touch to an interior otherwise defined by its grandeur. Notable spaces include the eye-catching kitchen, which features a massive stone island, and a lower-level entertainment space with six-seat bar. The primary suite bathroom was inspired by a Tahiti spa.
Priced at $3 million, the listing, held by Jason Fiallo of Long & Foster Real Estate, sits well above the Zillow Home Value Index of $923,000.
This stately manor sits on 3 acres in the New York City suburb of Bernards Township.
Bernards Township, New Jersey ($2.99 Million)
Located some 35 miles from New York City, Bernards Township is considered a bedroom community. The designation is apt considering the New Jersey township's relative lack of commercial activity, meaning many travel to New York for work and play. This freedom from the presence of big businesses and towering office buildings is exactly what attracts people to Bernard, which provides a bucolic backdrop for the countryside estates within it. One such property at 57 Overlook Avenue, set along a cul-de-sac north of the Passaic River, embodies the combination of privacy and a scenic setting that the area is known for.
The two-story library is clad with tasteful wainscotting.
At the heart of the nearly 3-acre property is a stately seven-bedroom manor that is surrounded by manicured, level lawns and thickets of trees. Dormer windows, a portico and a stone facade lend to the home’s Colonial character. Covering just under 9,000 square feet, the interior follows suit with traditional touches like columns, hardwood floors and ornate moldings and millwork throughout. The maple-paneled, two-story library complete with an office loft is another feature of note.
Bernards Township is part of New Jersey’s Somerset County, where roughly 65% of home sales close for over the list price, according to Zillow. The listing is held by Theresa Beneventine and Susan Miller of Turpin Realtors.