Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life? It's no secret that you'll get much more for your money by trading in a shoebox urban apartment for a sprawling home in the country – and you'll get breathtaking views and fresh air to boot. On the market now, take a look around these gorgeous rural retreats that you could swap your compact city pad for.

This city-view condo is located in the heart of South Loop, a vibrant neighbourhood in Chicago. On the market for $262,000 (£194k), the industrial-style home features just 975 square feet of inside space, with one bedroom, one bathroom, an open-plan living area, kitchen and dining zone. Clearly, square footage in town comes at a premium. But if you'd like more for your money, head just outside city the limits... 

Two hours outside of Chicago you'll find this stunning family home on the outskirts of Champaign. Surrounded by green spaces and positioned close to Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, this large residence is a real bargain. On the market for $269,000 (£199k), the four-bedroom house offers over 1,000 square feet more than the apartment in Chicago. With its shuttered windows and clapboard façade, suburban living in America doesn’t get much more picturesque than this.

The living areas are bright and open, with the lounge, dining area and kitchen all flanked by enchanting garden views. The property’s four bathrooms are all spacious, while the office and basement provide extra room for guests. Though the interior could do with modernising, this pad is pretty much move-in ready. The sellers are also throwing in $1,000 (£738) for the buyer to put towards paint.

As well as light-filled living areas, the 2,150-square-foot home also boasts a laundry room, a two-car garage and a large backyard with a huge deck and privacy fence. Located in a very quiet neighbourhood, the house is also just moments from a nice park and some idyllic walking paths.

Located in the Östermalm district in central Stockholm, Sweden, this micro home is the epitome of Scandi chic, but it also happens to be tiny. In fact, there are just three rooms. Spanning just 323 square feet, the stylish apartment boasts a galley kitchen, a tiny lounge and a snug dining area, as well as a bedroom and bathroom. On the market for SEK 3.9 million, which is around $438,600 (£324k), this property would be a tight squeeze for a growing family.

Yet head two hours north of Stockholm and your wallet will stretch a whole lot further. Set against idyllic woodlands and endless lakes, this custom-built country home can be found in the quaint locality of Östhammar and is listed for SEK 3.4 million, which equates to $375,300 (£277k). With an open porch that boasts spectacular views, it’s straight from a picture postcard.

With three-times more interior space than the shoebox apartment in Stockholm, there’s no question that this rural hideaway offers incredible value for money. The single-storey residence was built in 2020 and boasts an airy, open-plan living space, encompassing a kitchen, dining zone and lounge, complete with a cosy wood-burning fire that'll come in handy during Sweden's bracing winters.

With three bedrooms and one bathroom, there’s plenty of scope to turn the property into a holiday home – you could even transform one of the bedrooms into a dreamy home office. Perfectly designed, this modern home is move-in ready. The main living areas also open up to an expansive deck and a 17,900-square-foot garden, which backs onto woodlands and lakes. Bliss!

Nestled in Washington D.C.’s sought-after Glover Park neighbourhood, this contemporary apartment is located inside an historic building, within walking distance of the area's museums, river and parks. While it isn’t short of luxury finishes, the 800-square-foot apartment doesn’t leave much room for a family to stretch out, with just one small bedroom and one bathroom for a grand total of $439,999 (£325k). Luckily, however, there is an alternative...

Head 45 minutes east into Maryland and you'll find your money gets you more square footage, and a stress-free lifestyle to boot. On the market for less than $20,000 (£15k) more than the 800-square-foot city apartment, is this unique mid-century home in Brandywine, Prince George's County. The eye-catching home has been recently updated and has almost 2,500 square feet of well-appointed interior space.

Step through the front door and you'll enter a bright and beautiful interior, with large rooms, modern fixtures and plenty of windows that overlook the surrounding garden. There's a lounge, a kitchen and dining area, as well as four bedrooms and three contemporary bathrooms.

If all that wasn't enough, the impressive property also has giant walk-in closets and a fully fitted-out basement complete with a den, bedroom and bathroom. Chic, move-in ready and reasonably priced, this property offers a far better investment.

Oregon's largest city, Portland, is home to a thriving arts scene and plenty of parks, which has made it a popular choice with homeowners. Located in the area's Portland Heights neighbourhood, this high-rise apartment is on the market for $540,000 (£399k), which buys you one bedroom, one bathroom and 1,029 square feet of space. While the main living space includes a compact balcony, you'll have to look further afield for a real taste of the great outdoors...

A mere hour west of Portland, this remarkable forest home is hidden beneath a canopy of trees in Clackamas County, a leafy area peppered with national parks, rivers, waterfalls and hiking trails. Encompassing 1,930 square feet, the former Forest Service Cabin is almost twice the size of the Portland pad and includes show-stopping surroundings, three large bedrooms and two bathrooms, all for the bargain sum of $339,000 (£250k).

Offering a living room, kitchen, dining space and endless balconies, it’s the ideal property for a family looking to reconnect with nature – almost every window captures breathtaking views of the dense surrounding woodlands. To make the most of the vistas, the main living areas have been finished with large picture windows, which also flood the rooms with natural light. While the décor is rustic, there's an undeniable charm about this rural retreat.

However, the real star of the show lies outside. Sit on one of the home's decks to soak up the woodland oasis around you, or head to the alfresco fire pit for marshmallows under the stars. Local beauty spots, Timbered Rain Forest and Still Creek, offer fantastic fishing and walking opportunities, too. What more could a nature-lover ask for?

Located in highly desirable West Hollywood in Los Angeles, this sleek apartment comes with an open-plan layout and all the latest mod cons. On the market for a cool $725,000 (£535k), the 1,231-square-foot pad has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open galley kitchen, a dining space and a lounge, as well as a balcony. Step outside of the city boundaries, however, and your money could stretch a whole lot further.

Fancy swapping your city pad for this charming cabin? Situated on the cusp of Mount San Jacinto State Park and Fern Valley, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom property is not only bigger than the apartment in LA but significantly cheaper, too. What's more, it comes with unparalleled views.

On the market for $615,000 (£454k), the 1,834-square-foot home is overflowing with character and charm, thanks to its double-height ceilings, timber accents, wood-burning stoves and extensive windows that frame the view outside. There's a spacious lounge and kitchen, a dining room, a handy home office and even a gym.

However, the real wow-factor feature lies outside. The home has a spectacular wrap-around deck for outdoor living, as well as a 0.26-acre garden – the ultimate spot to soak up the Californian sunshine. There's also an old outbuilding that's ripe and ready to be put to better use. With space and seclusion in equal measure, we'd be looking forward to summer staycations!

Located in the Auraria neighbourhood of Denver, Colorado, this apartment sits moments from the city's action. The open floor plan covers 1,654 square feet, with high ceilings, exposed beams and ductwork lending the space an industrial feel. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is on the market for a staggeringly high $740,000 (£546k), but head two hours out of the city limits and you might just be surprised by what you can snap up...

Prefer the calm of the country? For less than a city centre apartment in Denver, this mountainside home in Guffey, Colorado, could be yours. On the market for $695,000 (£513k), the remote property sits on 26 acres of land, with no visible neighbours for miles around. 

Inside, the expansive main living room features a vaulted ceiling, a glazed gable and sleek tiled floors, while rustic focal points, like the rock fireplace, give a nod to the rugged landscape beyond. The 2,338-square-foot interior also includes a spacious kitchen, a large loft, two bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Modern and light-filled, this luxurious remote home also comes equipped with a large basement workshop, with a finished bathroom, closet and plenty of space, which could be turned into a third bedroom. There's also a two-car drive-under garage and an incredible wraparound deck – the perfect place to while away a lazy afternoon. 

With just 943 square feet of interior space, this luxe apartment in Manhattan, New York, is definitely a tight squeeze. The two-bedroom, one-bathroom home is on the market for $799,999 (£591k) and features high ceilings, large windows that look out over the hustle and bustle of the city and plenty of high-end features, such as polished oak floors, maple cabinets and Caesarstone countertops. But if you want to gain far more for your buck, you simply need to head an hour out of the city.

Ideal for those craving a slower pace of life, the hamlet of Chappaqua in Westchester County is a mere 45-minute drive from the heart of The Big Apple. There, you'll find this charming, 1,700-square-foot farmhouse. Surrounded by a quarter of an acre of land, the home offers plenty of development opportunities and it's on the market for $785,000 (£580k).

The ultimate All-American abode, this historic residence was built in 1927 and features an exterior with bags of curb appeal. Inside, there are light-filled living spaces, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and plenty of characterful features – all overlooking the idyllic garden.

Light, bright and modern, the home's key architectural details have been retained. From hardwood floors to sash windows, fireplaces and plantation shutters, this pad is overflowing with personality. There's even a pretty little porch outside, where you can pull up a rocking chair and watch the hours melt away.

It's no secret that London is one of the world's most expensive cities. Indeed, this tiny studio apartment is currently up for grabs for a staggering $852,700 (£630k). The same size as the average tiny home, the flat offers a kitchen, lounge, dining space, bathroom and bedroom, all squeezed into 550 square feet (51 sq m). Residents do, however, gain access to a roof garden, the highest private gym in Europe, a cinema and a concierge service – but of course, such luxuries come with monthly fees!

Yet drive an hour north of London's Canary Wharf and you'll find yourself in Castle Hedingham, a charming village in Essex. With its asymmetrical walls, signature chimney and adorable interior, country escapes don’t get much more picture-perfect than this. For the price of a plush, pocket-sized London apartment, you could snap up this enchanting period property. Yours for $569,000 (£420k), the characterful cottage has all the hallmarks of a dream home.

The historic home is complemented by sensitive modern elements that offer the perfect fusion of old and new. Across the 1,300-square-foot interior, you’ll find lofty ceilings with rustic wood beams, charming stable doors, pretty cast-iron windows, bare brick walls and large inglenook fireplaces. The Grade II-listed cottage boasts a spacious open-plan kitchen and dining room, a delightful sitting room, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

There's also a beautiful backyard. The east-facing space is enclosed by a brick and flint wall and offers an expansive lawn and a plum tree. What's more, Hedingham Castle, the ancestral seat of the de Vere family, is just down the road – as is Tuffon Hall Vineyard, two designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and England's iconic Suffolk coastline. We don't know about you, but we're sold!

As far as city pads go, this stylish two-bed apartment in Toronto’s popular Forest Hill neighbourhood is a pretty expensive option. On the market for the significant sum of CAD$1.2 million, or $944,000 (£697k), there’s approximately 1,100 square feet of space, including an open-plan kitchen and living room, as well as a south-facing private terrace. But if it's fresh air and scenic landscapes you're after, this elegant pad admittedly comes up short.

Head north along Lake Ontario and you'll find yourself in the idyllic municipality of Trent Lakes, an area known for its woodlands and seasonal cottages. This pretty property is worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Toronto and is surrounded by towering trees and nature-rich wetlands. All this could be yours for a third of the price of a city apartment, CAD$499,000, that's just $392,700 (£290k). If you’re looking for a slice of the good life, this is it.

Located in one of Canada's most beautiful areas, the home is quaint and full of charm. The interior features a country-style kitchen and airy open-plan living spaces, thanks to large windows and high ceilings. The property has been modernised, but retains some of its rustic appeal –  we love the wood-burning stove! 

There are two spacious bedrooms, as well as one bathroom, a large open-plan living room, kitchen, dining space and walk-out deck overlooking the woodland. The perfect next move for a small family, the rural retreat offers a natural oasis to the rear. The property also comes with land and several outbuildings, which could be transformed into additional living spaces or holiday cottages.

With its glittering skyline and bustling, cosmopolitan centre, there's plenty going for Victoria's coastal capital Melbourne, except for the metropole's staggering house prices. This two-bedroom apartment for sale in the Carlton neighbourhood may be a sleek and stylish pad, but it'll set you back a hefty AU$1.4 million or $1 million (£741k). But if you're yearning to swap compact city life for wide open spaces, you needn't venture too far outside Melbourne's limits.

Nestled amongst dense forests, the sounds of the city are a world away in this incredible woodland retreat in the township of Menzies Creek, less than an hour's drive from Melbourne. The rural residence offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a double garage and acres of grounds, all for the reasonable price tag of AU$820,000 or $589,000 (£435k).

With sky-high house prices and little space on offer, Paris may be one of the most stylish places to live in the world, but your money certainly won’t stretch far. On the market for an astonishing €999,000, that's $1.1 million (£833k), this elegant apartment in the city's 7th arrondissement offers a mere 678 square feet (63 sq m) of space, one bedroom and an open-plan living area. Talk about cosy...

Travel less than two hours and you'll find yourself in the commune of Abbeville, in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. For this rural home, you'll need just €575,000 – or $652,000 (£481k) – and for your money you'll get plenty of charm, space and style.

The ultimate country escape, this stunning historic home, known as the Mansion on the Towpath, has a 3,229-square-foot interior, six large bedrooms, three bathrooms and truly inviting living space. Recently renovated with sensitive modern touches, the stunning period home boasts original marble fireplaces, tilework, hardwood flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the picturesque grounds outside.

As well as a majestic double staircase that leads to the porch, the idyllic home also boasts a formal living room, a dining room and a cozy lounge for family time. Elsewhere, there's a kitchen, an office, a cellar, a garage and a space that's currently being used as a cinema and music room. Plus, set inside a wooded park, the home's half-acre garden is definitely its pièce de résistance. We don't mind if we do...

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