You can trade in your NYC condo for these 10 Mediterranean properties

Manhattan, New York is infamous for being expensive. The city consistently ranks as one of the world’s most costly places to live in.

Purchasing a 500-square-foot condo in New York City can cost you about $750,000, according to research blog, My Dolce Casa, which based its study off Realtor data showing that the median price per square foot in the city was $1,500.

You can effectively trade your small studio apartment in the city for a mansion that sprawls over 7,000 square feet in Sicily, Italy, or opt for other properties in the Mediterranean, about 10 times the studio’s size.

Here’s what you’ll get across 10 popular Mediterranean destinations for the price of a 500-square-foot apartment in New York City, according to an August report by My Dolce Casa:

Famous for its rich history, beautiful beaches and charming hilltop towns, Sicily, Italy is a popular tourist destination, seeing over 6 million visitors a year, according to a July report by Worldmetrics.org.

Despite its popularity, you’ll get a big bang for your buck purchasing real estate on the Italian island. Sambuca di Sicilia, a commune in Sicily, went viral in recent years when it auctioned off homes with starting bids at one euro.

Porto, is the second biggest city in the country and is known for its rich history, architecture, and fortified wine. Here you can buy a property over six times the size of a 500-square-foot NYC apartment. Portugal has become a hot spot for retirees, as a safe and sunny, yet affordable destination to settle down in.

Tuscany, Italy is a popular destination among tourists and saw a more than 44 million overnight stays in tourist accommodation establishments in 2022, according to