In a lengthy analysis of the Roman real estate market, it emerges that-even with prices between 11,700 and 14,000 euros per square meter-the historic center of the Eternal City is a bargain for foreign buyers. Especially when compared to other major European capitals, Paris and Madrid in the lead.

The Wall Street Journal reports on a number of high-end properties for sale, from the Parioli penthouse with fantastic views (almost 400 square meters at 5.5 million euros) to the 600-square-meter apartment in the Pinciano at 6.2 million, noting that “Rome is cheap” for both purchases and rents, given that - without leaving Italy - in Milan the same homes could cost up to 30 percent more.

The report recalls how prices in the capital have no longer recovered the levels touched in 2007 even though homes priced above one million euros have risen in recent years by 4 percent while transactions for luxury homes have grown by 3.6 percent.

In short, having the right amount in the capital makes it possible to get great deals on homes placed in dream locations.

This opportunity has not escaped the notice of potential American clients who - notes the WSJ - although “traditionally attracted to the Historic Center, today they are also ‘open’ to purchases in the Parioli and Aventine areas” where, however, “luxury residences are rarely found for sale.” One exception is the villa of more than 1,000 square meters with a large park, which is on the market for about 20 million euros.

And it was noticed by an American-French mother and daughter who bought two apartments in Palazzo Raggi, a renovated 18th-century building located between the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Total expenditure around 2.7 million euros. Not an insignificant sum, but in London the outlay could have been as much as 800 percent higher. As for the Ville Lumiere, the two confess that they considered it for their relocation but - they explain - “for the price of an apartment in Paris, we can afford two in Rome.”