The grandest home that United States presidents have ever lived in is probably the White House. Of course, we wouldn’t expect less for a president, right? Well, just because they lived in an estate as remarkable as the White House doesn’t mean that their personal homes couldn’t compare.
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We’ve compiled a list of some of the former U.S. president’s homes. From Nixon’s Western White House to Trump’s palace inspired Mar-A-Lago Club, have a look at how fit these estates are to their homeowners.
Lyndon B. Johnson’s Ranch
This ranch is where Lyndon B. Johnson grew up and lived out his days. Did you know he’s even buried here? Before he passed on, he arranged for the place to be turned into a National Park and Museum.
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Although he lived in the White House during his term as President, he held meetings her in the ranch. Leaders would convene and discuss important matters underneath the shady tree that’s in Lyndon’s front yard.
Texas White House
Lyndon’s use of the estate during his Presidency earned it the nickname Texas White House. He also has an office there which features the American flag and a cow skin lounge char, which goes well with the home’s nickname, don’t you think?
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Although it was the home of a president at that time, the house still featured floral curtains and wood-paneling on the walls which give it a more cosy feel. His home features shelves full of books and other knickknacks and fine china.
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s House
Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s home in Pennsylvania was donated to the National Park Service in 1967 and was opened to the public in 1980. The estate grounds are adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield, which just adds some historical significance to the property.
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His Pennsylvania home features a huge garden, a teahouse, and a skeet range. The shutters are gray-green, which blends with the gardens but also makes it stand out from the home’s grey exterior. The lush green landscape makes the house look less ostentatious
Eisenhower’s Meetings
Eisenhower’s home features an amazing view of South Mountain, making it a great spot to convene with world leaders. This relaxed setting helped calm tensions during the Cold War. The sunroom especially helped Eisenhower during these times.
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The space has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the surrounding areas. The wood-paneled ceilings give the place a more relaxed atmosphere, while the white paint keeps it looking classy. The lounge area leads to a large dining room that offers additional seating or simply a nice place to enjoy a homecooked meal.
His Weekend Retreat
The home wasn’t only a place to ease tension amongst world leaders; it was also a Eisenhower’s escape from the stresses of Capital Hill. His house has a room that’s set up like a relaxing reading room, ensuring he got all the peace he could.
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Along the right wall of the reading room are built-in shelves stacked with books. Beneath that is a comfortable loveseat. On the other end of the room are two lounging chairs, one of which is perfect for kicking your feet up and laying back. The fireplace is the room’s focal point, giving the room a vintage and cosy feel.
Richard Nixon’s Western White House
At the time of his presidency, Richard Nixon’s home was dubbed the Western White House due to its exclusive gatherings and its location. The property is 4,572 square metres huge and sits on a 5.45-acre lot right off the coast of San Clemente, California.
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This Spanish-style mansion is also known as La Casa Pacifica. It was built in 1926 and has 9 bedroom and 10.5 bathrooms! The massive entertainment areas made it the perfect place for Nixon to host lavish parties for celebrities, politicians, and other high-ranking individuals.
Nixon’s Memoirs
When Nixon resigned as president, he returned to his estate and wrote his memoirs there. We can only imagine how comforting it was being surrounded with ocean views while working. Even his office complements the ocean with its exposed beam ceiling and wood panels.
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The room is lined with huge windows, offering natural lighting and a stunning view wherever you look, while the bamboo Venetian blinds offer shade and privacy when needed. Beneath those huge windows are shelves lined with books.
Currently On The Market
La Casa Pacifica is currently on the market for a staggering amount of $65 million (£45.9 million)! Realtor.com estimates that the monthly payment for this property would amount to more or less $300,000 (£212,000), and that’s already with the 20% downpayment amounting to $13 million (£9.2 million)!
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This is reported to be a fun crossover to drive and has many impressive features. Not only is it luxurious, but it also has excellent handling and a 355-horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder engine. Despite this, 9.0% fell out of love with this model within a year.
Barack Obama’s Washington Home
When Obama’s term ended and he left the White House, he actually didn’t have to go far. He and his family moved into a gorgeous home in the Kalorama neighboorhood of Washington, DC. The home’s exterior has a very French feel to it with its exposed brick walls and iron window frames.
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The lush green trees and bushes offering some contrast to the home’s dark color scheme. A charming, curved staircase leads right up to the front door, offering some distance and privacy from foot traffic on the sidewalk.
Leased From Clinton’s Press Secretary
Aside from being the home of the Obamas, there’s one more political association to this estate. They actually leased this home from Bill Clinton’s former press secretary, Joe Lockhart. This gorgeous home has nine bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms!
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The living room is full of natural light due to the floor-to-ceiling windows that extend throughout the entire rear-facing back wall. The dark hardwood floors offer a stunning contrast to the off-white walls. The fireplace may be considered the focal point, but the coffered ceiling is a scene-stealer and makes the room look more spacious
Sold For £3.7 Million
When the house was sold in 2014, it cost £3.7 million. However, now, Redfin estimates that the amount has risen to more than £4.6 million! Its backyard is just as gorgeous as the interior. It even has a large, green lawn big enough to play football with the entire family.
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Beyond the green lawn and along the sides is patio space perfect for placing furniture and soaking up the weather. Massive hedges line the property for security. It also offers shade during warm summer months.
Ronald Reagan’s Bel-Air Home
When the couple Ronald and Nancy Reagan said goodbye to the White House, they packed up their stuff and went to Los Angeles. In Bel-Air they found a gorgeous property that’s 2,192 square metres inside and features three bedrooms and six bathrooms.
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The house was built in 1952 and sits on a 1.29-acre lot. It has a lush green landscape and a pool at the back. It was last sold in 2016 for a staggering £10.6 millions. With an amount like this, Zillow estimates the monthly payment would cost around £50,000, even with the 20% deposit.
Donald Trump’s Private Club
After Donald Trump’s term ended as president, he chose to reside at his private club in Palm Beach, Florida called Mar-a-Lago. The massive resort has upscale designs that were inspired by European palaces. It also has neo-Gothic and Andalusian highlights.
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Inside the property are extra-high ceilings and gold-plated designs that line the walls. The club is found on a 20-acre estate and has 128 rooms! Its waterfront property also features different pool throughout, making it a great place for a summer getaway, or in Trump’s case, his new residence.
Jimmy Carter’s Ranch
Next up on the list we have Jimmy Carter’s ranch that he built in 1961. The house was built in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, and he still remains residence there today. Although the house seems rather big, it’s actually only a two-bedroom.
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The house is said to be priced at just £118,000 ($167,000)! This makes the house cheaper than his entourage of secret security. But still, the house has some sentimental value considering this was Carter’s home for most of his life.
George W. Bush’s Ranch
Bush lived on this ranch in Texas before and after his term as POTUS. While residing at the White House, he also took breaks and came here to relax. His estate is named Prairie Chapel Ranch and sits on 1,600 acres of land in Crawford, Texas.
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Like Nixon’s estate, this place was also nicknamed the Western White House, however it was for different reasons. Nixon’s place was called so because it was on the West Coast, whereas Bush’s home is called so because of its Western feel.
Jenna Bush’s Wedding
With a property that massive, it’s no surprise that first daughter Jenna Bush chose to get married there. The beautiful greenery was the perfect backdrop for her wedding. The main house has 3 bedrooms, and there is also a two-suite guest house.
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Jenna Bush was wed to her husband Henry Chase Hager on this ranch in 2008. Aside from being a perfect place to hold intimate events, the property also has lots of space for exploration and offers 64 kilometres of bike trails.
Gerald Ford’s Property
Gerald and Betty Ford decided to settle down in Rancho Mirage, a Coachella Valley-town situated just 16 kilometres from Palm Springs. This house was custom-built and has 6 bedrooms spread out across the more than 1,800-metre size of the property.
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Aside from that, the ranch-style home overlooks a golf course and even has a pool, which is certainly useful in the warm desert area. In 2012, the house was sold to a Dreamworks executive for nearly £1.2 million.
A Quick Sell
In this photo, we see First Lady Betty Ford and Steve Ford, her son, sitting in the study of their Rancho Mirage home. Out of frame are built-in shelves lining the walls that are filled with books. There is also a small seating area to get comfy while you read.
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The home’s interior design reminds you of the ’70s with its floral curtains and beige carpets. This photo was taken in 2006, shortly before Gerald Ford passed away in his home. The property wasn’t put up for selling until the first lady passed. According to reports, the home was sold in just 11 days!
George H.W. Bush’s Waterfront Home
For decades before and after his presidency, George H.W. Bush enjoyed many days in his waterfront home in Kennebunkport, Maine. The house was officially named Walker’s Point and it was here where the Bushes were filmed for the 2007 ABC interview.
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In this photo, we see the American flag raised only halfway. This was done to honor the former president’s death. The town recognized the famous property as the Bush family’s home and residents would sometimes gather on the water hoping to see the first family.
Their Summer Home
Walker’s Point was the family’s summer estate even when Bush was president. He and First Lady Barbara Bush would come down and live in this home every year between the months of May and October.
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In this picture we see the former president pictured out on the deck where he’s convening with several political figures, such as future Vice President Dick Cheney. During this time, the men were discussing the Gulf War Crisis. During crucial meetings like these, the calm waters surely help ease tensions.
John F. Kennedy’s Childhood Home
Although Kennedy didn’t live here as an adult, he still did grow up in this home. The house can be found in Boston, Massachusetts and is now a historic site. It is open to the public, so people can come and have a look at where the famous former president and his direct relatives lived.
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The house stands out on the street due to its blue color and the American flag out front that further distinguishes it from other homes. Above the front porch is a balcony. However, there is no door leading to it. Instead, there are perfectly lined windows facing the street.
The Family Dining Room
When visitors enters the Kennedy home, one of the first things they’ll encounter is the gorgeous dining room. It has a fancy golden chandelier over an oval table set for six. There’s even a small table off to the side underneath the window for extra seating.
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The Kennedy family was huge with a total of nine kids, so even with that extra seating, it still wouldn’t have been enough for the entire family to have a meal together. Regardless, the room is still incredibly dainty, even if it did get cramped.
Where JFK Was Born
Aside from the fact that this is where JFK grew up, this was also the actual place where he was born. His mother birthed him on the far bed in this room, mainly because it offered better lighting for the doctor.
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Exactly 50 years after JFK’s birth, this house was turned into a National Park Service historic site. For this reason, not only is May 29th a celebration of JFK’s birth, it’s also a day for the NPS’ special event.
George Washington
George Washington’s home in Virginia is called Mount Vernon. It first came into his possession in 1754. At the time, it was nothing but a farmhouse with one and a half stories. He spent nearly 50 years improving his home.
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Today, tourists from all over the US travel to visit the 21-room home. This beautiful home has a red roof with black shutters that contrast the off-white walls. A light tower also sits atop the estate acting like the main focal point.
A Candlelight Holiday Tour
There are various tours offered, but the most unique one is the Holiday Mount Vernon tour because it’s the only time of the year where the home is open in the evening. This way, visitors can see the home when it is candlelit.
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Although the home has electricity, the candles give the space a certain kind of twinkle. The dining room has wall molding and is covered in green paint that completely contrasts the wooden doors and furniture.
Where They Slept
In this picture, we see the estate’s master bedroom where George and Martha Washington reportedly slept. The decorators even left the corner of the blanket pulled back to make it seem like the couple still lived there and slept on the bed.
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The cream-colored canopy offers a stunning contrast to the red, yellow, and green area rug. Gold-framed paintings are hung on the wall. If you walk straight ahead, you will be led right into a walk-in closet.
James Madison’s Home
In 1817, James Madison and his wife, Dolley decided to settle down in this estate. The home is located in Montpelier, Virginia and features 2,650 acres of land! With a size like this, it’s no surprise that the family famously held lavish parties here.
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The beautiful home has a pillared portico that stands out from the colored walls of the home. Even the blue front door is distinguishable at a distance. The property also features horse pastures that overlook the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Madison’s Work
Inside, the home has ornate architecture and decorations like this one, which displays one of Dolly Madison’s dresses. Visitors can have a peek in the various room, including the drawing-room where most parties were held.
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The house also has a presidential library, and it as here where Madison edited some of his most recognized political papers. Aside from the historical mansions, the property also features a garden, some forest trails, and archaeological sites.
Harry Truman’s Home
Harry Truman and his wife, Bess Wallace, spent many years in this gorgeous Victorian home. The property came into their possession in 1919 and was theirs until Truman passed away in 1972. This house was actually built even before Truman was born!
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It was Bess’ grandfather who built the home, which can be found in Independence, Missouri. It’s nicknamed the Summer White House because the couple stayed here while vacationing away from Washington D.C.
Passing His Time
In this picture, we see former president Harry Truman and his wife reading in the living room of their Missouri estate. The vintage room has floral furniture, an ornately designed area rug, and a grandfather clock placed in the corner.
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Light sconces flank the ginormous windows on the far end of the wall to highlight the room’s impeccable symmetry. Harry Truman reportedly loved reading, and his study has more than 1,000 books that visitors can have a look at when having a tour.
