In the global marketplace for luxury real estate, just what does $1.5 million buy? That’s the question Luxury Defined, the online magazine of Christie’s International Real Estate was answering in an article recently published.

Rising property prices don’t mean there are no values out there. Even a prime market like New York City still has Manhattan listings for $1.5 million—but perhaps not as much in the way of square footage. Those willing to buy farther afield will find more than bricks and mortar: They might find a lifestyle in a locale with a piece of history, and a home for living the dream. 

Considering the vineyard lifestyle? Christie’s International Real Estate offers a vineyard (and an olive grove) in one of the world’s great wine regions, with change to spare. Thinking of moving south for the winter? Well, a brand-new luxury villa on the “hurricane-free” Caribbean island of Aruba might just be the ticket.

Read on to discover what and, perhaps even more importantly, where $1.5 million gets you. Here are some examples:

Vineyard Estate, Greve in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

A hobby vineyard and olive grove highlight this turnkey fieldstone complex near Greve, in the Chianti Classico wine country. This picture-perfect farmhouse sits amid 16.7 private hectares (41 acres) of Tuscan farmland, woods, vineyards, and an olive grove in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine region between Florence and Siena. 

A hobby vineyard and olive grove highlight this turnkey fieldstone complex near Greve, in the Chianti Classico wine country. This picture-perfect farmhouse sits amid 16.7 private hectares (41 acres) of Tuscan farmland, woods, vineyards, and an olive grove in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine region between Florence and Siena.

Chelsea Garden Cooperative, New York, New York

For just under $1.5 million, this elegant pied-a-terre in the fashionable NYC neighborhood of Chelsea has much to offer: roomy, light-filled living spaces, contemporary creature comforts, and, the icing on the cake, a private, landscaped garden. This renovated, floor-through apartment is in a charming four-unit townhouse cooperative in the heart of Chelsea.

For just under $1.5 million, this elegant pied-a-terre in the fashionable NYC neighborhood of Chelsea has much to offer: roomy, light-filled living spaces, contemporary creature comforts, and, the icing on the cake, a private, landscaped garden. This renovated, floor-through apartment is in a charming four-unit townhouse cooperative in the heart of Chelsea.

Villa Bella Luna, Aruba, Leeward Antilles

Barefoot luxury beckons at this dream villa on the Dutch-Caribbean island of Aruba. One of the three “ABC” islands (along with Bonaire and Curaçao) in the Leeward Antilles, Aruba lies just outside the hurricane belt, making it the ideal year-round escape. The bold horizontal lines and cool, white-on-white color scheme of Aruba’s newly built Villa Bella Luna proclaim this home’s mastery of contemporary architectural design. 

Barefoot luxury beckons at this dream villa on the Dutch-Caribbean island of Aruba. One of the three “ABC” islands (along with Bonaire and Curaçao) in the Leeward Antilles, Aruba lies just outside the hurricane belt, making it the ideal year-round escape. The bold horizontal lines and cool, white-on-white color scheme of Aruba’s newly built Villa Bella Luna proclaim this home’s mastery of contemporary architectural design.

Louis XIII-Style Château, Normandy, France

Those looking for a piece of history in rural France need look no further than this 19th-century château in the Eure Department of Upper Normandy. This magnificent Louis XIII-style château is surrounded by two acres of private parkland in Upper Normandy, about one hour, 20 minutes from Paris.

Those looking for a piece of history in rural France need look no further than this 19th-century château in the Eure Department of Upper Normandy. This magnificent Louis XIII-style château is surrounded by two acres of private parkland in Upper Normandy, about one hour, 20 minutes from Paris.

Searching for a property priced at $1.5 million or thereabouts? Find it here.