6 Cities, 6 Continents

This week, Mansion Global is taking you on a world tour with a specific goal in mind: Helping you find a dream home in a city you might not have considered before.

In this special series, we’re profiling six cities in six continents over six days, starting in Carmel, California, in the U.S.

Our tour will then continue to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Marrakesh, Morocco; Cannes, France; Shanghai, China; and Byron Bay, Australia.

You’ll learn about each city’s culture, history, notable residents, what makes it unique and, most importantly, what you need to know about buying a luxury home and living there.

The artsy, wealthy community of Carmel Highlands is a fairly secluded and unincorporated part of Monterey County, in Northern California.

Known for its rugged, hilly terrain and often stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, it sits just three-and-a-half-miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is better known as simply “Carmel.”

“It really is a very private location that’s seven minutes to downtown Carmel,” Ms. Canning said. “It’s close, but a complete world away.”

Some people buy very expensive waterfront homes in the Highlands just for whale watching, she said. Some of the whales that migrate back and forth between Alaska and the Baja Peninsula “come very close to the shoreline, 20 feet from their decks—it’s just phenomenal.”

“You can get huge ocean views in the Highlands,” Ms. Canning said. “It’s kind of a bohemian retreat. People like their privacy and mass ocean views.”

And those perks mean that there’s not a lot of inventory. “People tend to live their whole lives there,” she said. “There is not a lot of turnover in housing...Read More

More exclusive than its neighbors Ipanema and Copacabana, Leblon is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, and a haven for the city’s rich and famous.

“Leblon is a special place…where you can find elegant restaurants, boutiques and a beautiful beach,” said Frederico Judice Araujo of Judice & Araujo, a Rio affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate.

In the southern part of the city, between the mountains, the ocean and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, residents and visitors can easily walk or ride a bicycle around the neighborhood, according to Mr. Araujo. “You enjoy a wonderful view of the lagoon itself and the mountains surrounding this unique city.”

The area’s natural beauty is certainly a draw, said Victor Murtinho, a sales agent at Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty. “Nature surrounds the neighborhood, making it one of the most wanted addresses in Rio de Janeiro,” he said.

And Leblon’s beaches are quieter than those in Ipanema and Copacabana, so it is especially appealing to those who value privacy over a trendy scene. Celebrity sightings are common in the area, with the paparazzi often lining up to snap photos of famous faces.

As in any waterfront town, homes on the ocean are the most popular—and hard to find. There are more penthouses and apartments than free-standing houses, according to Mr. Araujo, and those with extra security and seclusion are the most popular.

Leblon has a place in the hearts of many Brazilians, being the setting for novels and other entertainment. “The neighborhood is so captivating that it is often used as scene for Brazilian soap operas that take place in Rio,” Mr. Murtinho said.

And even though “The Girl From Ipanema” might have international recognition, Leblon has inspired songs by Brazilian composer Caetano Veloso and singers Cazuza and Djavan, according to Mr. Araujo...Read More

Palmeraie, once a stop for nomadic Berber tribes traveling across the Sahara Desert, is a desert suburb of Marrakesh known for its opulent villas with oasis-style landscaped gardens. Set amid groves of date palms and verdant grasslands, beneath the Atlas Mountains and surrounded by burnished desert sands, Palmeraie looks like it’s been lifted from the pages of “Arabian Nights.”

The picturesque landscapes and close proximity to the city’s medina quarter make it an appealing place to live, Mr. Peto said. The pace of life is slower and it’s a tranquil place, yet the hustle and bustle of the city’s main square is not too far away.

Over the past decade or so, Palmeraie has become one of Marrakesh’s poshest districts. It is a chic and cool place to live, Mr. Rawlings said. “It is built in a stunning natural environment of palm groves.”

Palmeraie is arguably cooler than it’s neighboring areas, as it is surrounded by grassland and it sits beneath the majestic Atlas Mountains, which have peaks covered in snow from September to April. Though it is safe to walk the streets, most people get around by car because the properties are sprawling and neighbors tend to be far away...Read More

The posh resort town of Cannes, located along the curved coastline of the French Riviera in the Alpes-Maritimes region, is best known for its world-famous film festival and red-carpet ready celebrities. However, it’s the dazzling luxury enclaves in the area that should really be attracting the attention of the paparazzi.

One of the most sought after areas is the district of La Californie. This architecturally rich residential pocket occupies a cinematic setting high on a hill above the town center with panoramic views of the Bay of Cannes and the Esterel.

“The Californie is for Cannes what Beverly Hills is for Los Angeles. This location is surrounded by greenery, it benefits from sea views and is a few minutes from the waterfront, making it one of the most sought-after area of Cannes. La Californie is home to the most prestigious villas, high-end residences and top-of-the-range apartments,” Ms. Chaleil said.

“There are few locations on the French Riviera which combine proximity to a city center, impressive sea views, and relative ease to the Nice international airport. Homes occupy greater plot sizes, and as a result the neighborhood is typically leafier than elsewhere in the vicinity. Another benefit of the region is that it is not a particularly tourist-heavy location, and the crowds tend to stick on the Croisette and the shops of Rue d’Antibes,” Mr. Harris said.

“It’s also important to note that the slope from the hills to the coast is relatively gentle and more easily traversed...Read More