Big houses, bigger gates, and property prices that make the rest of Havenfall look reasonably affordable.
There are Estate Avenue houses.
If you've ever driven through one of Havenfall's most prestigious residential streets and wondered what it actually costs to live behind those enormous gates, you're not alone.
Estate Avenue has long been associated with wealth, privacy and houses that seem to have more rooms than some apartment buildings have tenants.
But how expensive is it really?
We decided to look at the numbers.
THE HOUSE
A typical large property on Estate Avenue can easily cost several hundred thousand to purchase, with the more impressive properties climbing considerably higher depending on their size, location and amenities.
And these aren't exactly houses where you simply get a living room and three bedrooms.
We're talking large gardens, multiple bathrooms, garages, private driveways, security systems and enough space for someone to get lost while looking for the kitchen.
Some properties feature swimming pools.
Others have guest houses.
Some have private entertainment areas that are probably larger than the average person's entire home.
At this point, calling them houses feels slightly unfair.
They're small kingdoms with plumbing.
THEN COME THE BILLS
Buying the property is only the beginning.
Large houses cost money to maintain.
Electricity.
Water.
Security.
Repairs.
Gardening.
Cleaning.
Insurance.
And whatever mysterious expense appears every month because something expensive has apparently broken again.
A homeowner might spend relatively little maintaining a modest apartment.
An Estate Avenue homeowner?
Let's just say the phrase "I'll fix it myself" becomes considerably less convincing when the thing that needs fixing is a swimming pool.
THE SECURITY
Privacy is one of the biggest attractions of Estate Avenue.
It's also one of the expenses.
Many residents invest heavily in security systems, gates, cameras and private security services.
After all, if you've spent a fortune on a house, you probably don't want to discover that your security system consists of hoping nobody climbs over the wall.
And those gates aren't opening themselves.
THE STAFF
Then there is the part nobody likes putting into the property listing.
Staff.
Large properties often require people to keep them functioning properly.
Gardeners.
Cleaners.
Security personnel.
Maintenance workers.
Sometimes drivers.
Sometimes more.
A house with ten rooms is impressive.
A house with ten rooms that all need cleaning every week is something else entirely.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PREMIUM
Part of what you're paying for on Estate Avenue isn't actually the house.
It's the address.
Living there means being surrounded by similarly expensive properties, quieter streets, larger lots and a certain level of privacy.
You're paying for the neighborhood itself.
And, naturally, the bragging rights.
Because when someone asks where you live and you casually say:
"Estate Avenue."
You don't actually have to explain anything else.
Everyone understands.
SO HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY NEED?
The exact figure depends heavily on the property, but one thing is certain:
Living on Estate Avenue isn't cheap.
Buying the house is expensive.
Maintaining it is expensive.
Securing it is expensive.
And replacing whatever expensive thing broke this month is, naturally, expensive.
But for those who can afford it, that's apparently the price of having a giant house, a private driveway and enough lawn to make mowing feel like a full-time occupation.
For everyone else, there is always the option of driving past and looking through the gates.
It's free.
For now.
— Havenfall Living
Editor's note: If you currently live on Estate Avenue and think your neighbor's house is bigger than yours, please do not start a property war because of this article.
