HGTV’s FrontDoor.com Names the Top 10 Dreamy Neighborhoods

(BUSINESS WIRE)--In honor of HGTV's 13th Dream Home Giveaway, FrontDoor explores 10 of the dreamiest places to live in the United States. Whether it’s lush acreage, majestic views or exclusivity that you crave, each of these neighborhoods offers all that and more. Perhaps that's why they're in high demand, with buyers willing to pay millions to call them home. Find out what makes them so irresistible. (http://www.frontdoor.com/top10)

1. Sonoma, California. What's not to love about Sonoma? The wine country's rolling hills and sandy beaches make it an all-inclusive place to live. While the median home price is more than $500,000, acreage is in high demand here and buyers pay millions for it. Architecture ranges from Mediterranean to Victorian to Craftsman, and houses come in all sizes, from stunning estates to modest bungalows. No wonder HGTV chose this quaint northern California town to be the site of this year's Dream Home. Don't forget to sign up for a chance to win it.

2. Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia. This trendy district north of Atlanta is a fascinating blend of old-money mansions and new-money nightlife. Whether it's a cozy cottage in Peachtree Hills or a magnificent estate in Tuxedo Park, you'll find Southern charm on every corner. Buckhead is a shopper's paradise, with two major shopping areas -- Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza -- that offer high-end retailers and great people-watching. The district also boasts the best dining and nightlife in the region, with more than 300 restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

3. Gold Coast, Chicago, Illinois. Old money and stunning lake views characterize this hot neighborhood that runs contrary to the Chicago phrase, "cooler by the lake." Oprah lives on the border of this high-priced community, where homebuyers can pay millions for a two-bedroom condo. The neighborhood offers world-class shopping, dining and entertainment as well convenient proximity to the lake and business district.

4. Scottsdale, Arizona. With upscale shopping, an active nightlife scene and a number of high-end residential golf communities, Scottsdale is the "it" place to be in the Phoenix area. The average home price is $2 million to $3 million, but homes can easily sell for a lot more. Home to more than 70 resorts and hotels, the city has designed itself to be a big tourist draw, creating a high demand for land in this area and raising property values.

5. Coral Gables, Florida. Just eight miles south of Miami, Coral Gables is quintessential old South Florida, featuring historic architecture, good schools and the Miracle Mile, a lively street lined with restaurants, bars and high-end boutiques. Expect to see lush landscaping and charming 1920s stucco homes with red tile roofs, archways and private courtyards.

6. Mercer Island, Washington. Location plays a key part in the high-end real estate market on Mercer Island. Connected to Seattle by two bridges, the island offers incredible views of the city's skyline without the hustle and bustle of urban life. Tranquility and convenience come at a price: a luxury home on Mercer Island can cost up to $40 million.

7. Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York. This neighborhood's historic charm, top-notch restaurants and shopping, and proximity to Prospect Park make it an attractive alternative to Manhattan for families and professionals. Seventh and Fifth avenues are Park Slope's main commercial areas, while other streets are occupied by renovated brownstones, which can sell for millions of dollars.

8. Lower Downtown (LoDo), Denver, Colorado. Looking for a Rocky Mountain getaway? Lower Downtown Denver is perfect for urbanites who love the mountains. The neighborhood is filled with old brick buildings converted into lofts, new condo towers, and a density of restaurants, bars and shops. The Riverfront Park, a rolling, meandering grassy swatch of real estate fronting the Platte River, offers great mountain views, places to barbecue and plenty of space to enjoy the fresh air of the Mile High City. Colorado boasts excellent skiing, world class dining and majestic views, which made Winter Park a great Dream Home location in 2007. And ski havens Aspen and Telluride are within driving distance.

9. Atherton, California. Located on the San Francisco peninsula, this high-end California neighborhood is home to computer company execs and venture capitalists. By preserving the area's wooded scenery and rural charm, Atherton is able to offer a quieter lifestyle than its neighbor, San Francisco. As of December 2008, the median home price in Atherton settles in at more than $4 million.

10. Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts. One of Boston's priciest neighborhoods, Back Bay is both a residential and commercial area, featuring Victorian brownstones on its northern end and some of Boston's tallest skyscrapers on its southern end. The neighborhood's historic Newbury and Boylston streets offer trendy cafes and upscale shopping, and Copley Square boasts several 19th century landmarks.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

FrontDoor.com Powered by HGTV Launches Online Insider City Guides Helping Real Estate Professionals Introduce Home Buyers to Top U.S. Markets

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumers looking to move, but not sure where to begin, need look no further than the new online City Guides at FrontDoor.com powered by HGTV. FrontDoor.com City Guides not only provide valuable decision-support content to consumers exploring a move to a new city, but also offer real estate brokers and agents an opportunity to introduce their brand and expert know-how to consumers earlier in the home research process. (http://www.frontdoor.com/city-guide)

FrontDoor.com’s City Guides take users on an insider virtual visit to America’s most popular areas and make scouting for new digs fun and easy. Users can now access City Guides for 21 major areas, including: Aspen, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Sonoma, Tampa and Washington, D.C. More City Guides are scheduled to be added soon.

Combining great visuals, informative articles, neighborhoood videos, real estate listings and even reviews and tips from locals, FrontDoor.com’s City Guides are user-friendly research tools for both novice and experienced househunters looking to acquaint themselves with the aspects of a city that make it unique. From the excitement of the Big Apple and flash of Aspen, Colorado, to the rich, agricultural aspects of Sonoma, California (the site of the 2009 HGTV Dream Home), the City Guides capture the flavor of small and large markets alike. What’s more, select real estate markets have their own custom pages, filled with detailed articles about the location, including information about local customs, culture, and even slang! Check out some of the informative topics explored with City Guides:

* Facts and Figures: How does the town population skew? What’s the weather like? How old are most of the homes? Where are the schools, and what are they like? Find out all that and more with “Facts and Figures” on City Guides.
* Reviews: What are the best local restaurants? What sights are worth seeing? What’s the best place to go dancing? Which parks are nice for picnics? FrontDoor.com’s partnership with Yelp.com allows City Guide users access to thousands of Yelp’s user-generated reviews.
* Explore: Using the advanced technology of Google Maps, the “Explore” section allows visitors to check out the city from any angle, marking points of interest along the way — whether it’s the most convenient bus stop or the biggest movie theater.
* Homes for Sale: Check out what’s available in the town, using FrontDoor.com’s powerful technology to narrow down options by neighborhood, size, price, amenities and type. Then use the unique tools to calculate mortgage options, and whether it’s smarter to rent or to buy.

"FrontDoor.com knows that the home search typically begins at the city or neighborhood level, yet it can be difficult to get a sense of what it's like to live in a particular area. FrontDoor City Guides employ rich photography, video, articles, data and local perspectives to introduce consumers to the pulse of a new city or area," explains Rich Lacy, vp and site director of FrontDoor.com.

Adds Vikki Neil, Scripps' vp and gm of online brands, "Knowing consumers are spending record time conducting their own research online before contacting a real estate professional, FrontDoor City Guides can introduce real estate professionals into the conversation earlier in the search process through brand sponsorship opportunities and promotion of property listings within the content."

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page