Monaco: This mythical principality is a magnet for the rich and powerful of the world who gravitate towards this 2 km independent state (the second smallest after Vatican City) attracted by its famous tax laws, the high levels of security provided by its incredibly efficient police force and the glitzy and glamorous social life on offer.

Here you can be sure that you will rub shoulders with the elite of beautiful people, from the real James Bond types to the supermodel types, all of whom sit comfortably alongside oligarchs, billionaire property developers, European royalty as well. like Shirley Bassey and Ringo Starr! The flashy Lamborghinis and Aston Martins lounging around Casino Square, as well as the mega yachts moored in Turquoise Bay are testament to the fact that the credit crisis hasn’t hit everyone that badly.

Properties for sale in this small principality on the Côte d’Azur are rare and worth a not-so-small fortune, even with modest studios starting at around a million euros, a small price to pay for those who require a tax ticket. in a divine location just a short private jet flight to London, as well as access to a lifestyle where neighbors are regulars on Tatler’s social pages and the weather is Cote d’Azur heaven.

The Grand Prix is ​​undoubtedly the social highlight of the year and world-class nightclubs like Jimmy’z, the Amber Lounge and the Sea Lounge, Michelin-starred restaurants like the famous Louis XV and, of course, the legendary Monte Carlo Casino. Unmissable on the social circuit of the jet-set.

The outrageous luxury offered here is beyond the reach of most mortals … But for those of us who need to tighten our belts, there IS a way to live the Monte Carlo lifestyle on a Credit Crunch budget!

While a small 2-bedroom apartment in Monaco will cost you around 5 million (and the rest, take a look at some of our Monaco properties for sale on our website!) A 2-bedroom apartment in Beausoleil, a only 2 minutes walk from the Casino square. , it can be found for less than 400,000 euros; if you’re up for a lick of paint, even € 350,000 can get you a good-size apartment in this little-known location.

Beausoleil borders Monaco and the center is a pretty and lively place with an excellent food market that spills onto the streets on Sundays to include clothing and household items. There are excellent bakeries and supermarkets, as well as all the cafes and restaurants, boutiques and other amenities you would expect on your doorstep and of course, Monaco’s shopping mecca literally right across the street! The predominant architecture in the central streets of Beausoleil is the much loved French bourgeois style and the overall feeling is refined elegance.

From the center, it is just a few minutes walk to the heart of Monte Carlo, the Casino, the Hotel de Paris, the exquisite restaurants and the incredible shops. In fact, the Rue de France in Beausoleil is Monaco on one sidewalk and Beausoleil on the next.

This is a first-class place for anyone who wants to live the Monaco lifestyle on a budget! A recently shopped British lady on Boulevard de la Republique is delighted with her recent purchase: “It only takes me a couple of minutes to walk to the Monte Carlo Casino from my front door. I can sit and have my morning croissant at Café de Paris, but I can hear the accordionist on a Saturday morning at the Beausoleil market, right next to my apartment, so I have a great mix of cosmopolitan sophistication and local French vibe. The center of Beausoleil seems like a village to me, as I already know the shop owners and the locals … it’s a really nice place and the center is small enough to meet everyone. I share the same neighborhood shops, bars and restaurants as some of the richest people in the world and However, I bought my 2 bedroom flat in a beautiful French building just a few meters from the Monaco border for only € 360,000. It was in need of a renovation, but I still have Go for a bargain and for a fraction of the price you would have had to pay down a street. where the Mo begins the Naco border “.

Beausoleil is also a great place for Cote d’Azur rental investment, as many of the people who work in Monaco (all the big private banks, accounting firms, wealth management firms, and yacht brokers are based there ) need a place to live, as only the mega-rich can afford Monaco, therefore Beausoleil is a first-class option – your property will never be short of a tenant if you want to rent it out!

Be careful though, as Beausoleil is spread up the hills towards the Grande Corniche … and not all areas are created equal! The best places to shop are obviously those in the center that are also closer to Monaco, around the Beausoleil market area, the Monaco train station and near the Beausoleil town hall.

Boulevard de la Republique, Boulevard de France and all the streets in between are first-class investment spots, as Monte Carlo can be reached on foot. Parking in this city center location is difficult, you will be lucky to find a property with a garage (unless you invest in a new build), but the monthly rates at local car parks are around 120 euros a month if you need one, But with first-class bus and train services on your doorstep, a car is not a strict necessity.