Business Insider

Mamdani just gave wealthy homeowners more time to avoid his pied-à-terre tax

3 min read

Seated person in a light blue shirt poses with hands clasped in a modern office lounge.

I've been buying foreclosed properties for almost 10 years. Here's what you should know before buying one.

5 min read

Downtown street with lit storefronts at dusk beneath snow-capped mountains and a blue evening sky.

The best and worst US states to live in

US News & World Report ranked all 50 states on livability and came up with a list of the best states to live in. See who came out on top.

6 min read

The writer walking his child in a stroller down a sidewalk.

We thought a small town outside the suburbs would be perfect for our family — but ended up in a walkable city instead

We thought we'd move to an exurb, or a semi-rural town outside the suburbs of St. Louis. I'm glad we moved to a walkable part of the city instead.

4 min read

Luxury garage showroom displays sports cars, an open-wheel race car, motorcycles, and a mezzanine lounge.

Wealthy collectors are buying condos just for their cars

A condo for a car might sound strange, but for some wealthy collectors, the extra space and chance to socialize with other enthusiasts is worth it.

4 min read

Jackson, Mississippi state capitol building

Rivers, railroads, and political bribes: How every state capital was chosen

Most capitals in the US date back hundreds of years. See how each state selected its capital city.

19 min read

Left: Kaur and her husband are celebrating her graduation. She is wearing a blue graduation gown. Right: Kaur is in the Canadian snow, holding a coffee cup from Tim Horton's.

I moved to the US for my husband's job but it didn't feel like home. We took a risk and moved to Canada.

A woman followed her husband to the US, but couldn't work on her H-4 visa. She shared how she decided to move to Canada.

6 min read

Woman standing in the doorway of a home, carrying two cardboard boxes. Sunlight streams in from outside, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

5 tips homebuyers should know in 2026

Gain a competitive edge in homebuying with practices like preapprovals and partnering with independent mortgage brokers for expert guidance.

5 min read

Pieces of vintage furniture in a thrift shop.

8 mistakes you should never make when thrifting for furniture and decor, according to interior designers

Business Insider asked interior designers to share the most common mistakes they see people make when shopping for furniture and decor at thrift shops.

4 min read

We moved from a big US city to a small town in Southern Italy 12 years ago. Raising kids here isn't what I expected.

Our American family moved from a big US city to a small town in Southern Italy 12 years ago. Raising kids and being a parent here is so different.

6 min read

U.S. President Donald Trump (seated) speaks during an announcement to renovate Washington Dulles International Airport, in the Oval Office of the White House on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.

From Dulles airport to the proposed 'Arc de Trump': See how Trump has changed Washington, DC, during his second term.

From a $400 million ballroom to a planned 250-foot triumphal arch, these are all the changes Trump has made to the capital during his second term.

18 min read

States ranked by how much of their federal income tax is paid by the top 1%

See how much the top 1% of earners pay in federal income taxes in every US state, ranked using the latest available IRS data.

11 min read

A Japanese man working in the Japanese countryside.

I spent years in finance. Then I realized rural Japan's rice terraces were an overlooked asset.

Goki Akuzawa swapped finance for farming, restoring rice terraces and opening a guesthouse and sake brewery in rural Japan.

5 min read

Author Naydeline Mejia leaning on doorway next to blue door, looking to the side

I moved to Paris 2 years ago. My dream career is still on hold, and I often question if I truly belong here.

Moving from the United States to Paris has its challenges. Navigating healthcare is tough, my career is on hold, and I've struggled to make friends.

5 min read

Smiling person in a black sleeveless dress stands outdoors in a green garden setting.

I took over the family business at 26 after my father died. Finishing his final project helped me grieve.

Camilla Kodsi took over her father's company at 26 after his unexpected death. Now, she's found her passion in real estate while honoring his legacy.

6 min read

Full-wall marble fireplace, white couches, black metal tables

I'm an interior designer. Here are 10 things that I'd never have in my own home.

As an interior designer in residential luxury design, here are trends and decor pieces I don't like for my own space, like posters and ceiling fans.

6 min read

A living room with a green ceiling and lightbulbs hanging down from it, a wooden wall with personal art pieces, and plants throughout the space.

Interior designers share 9 trends they'd like to see in more homes

From colorful ceilings and canopy beds to biophilic design elements, here are the home trends interior designers wish they saw more of.

4 min read

KFC founder Colonel Sanders' home and memorabilia are up for auction — with a planner that may contain his secret recipe

KFC founder Colonel Harland Sanders' former home is up for auction. So is his 1964 day planner rumored to contain KFC's secret recipe.

3 min read

A bathroom with gold faucets and blue wallpaper

11 things to get rid of in your bathroom, according to interior designers

According to interior designers, things like counter clutter, soap bars, and air fresheners should be removed to make a bathroom look and feel better.

5 min read

The writer and her niece, in winter clothing, pose in front of red-and-white holiday lights.

After college, I moved in with my sister and niece to save money. It completely changed how I think about adulthood.

In 2020, after finishing college, I thought I would live on my own. Instead, since I didn't have a steady job, I moved in with my sister and niece.

5 min read

A modern bedroom with a gray upholstered bed, gray curtains, an area rug, and a leather bench.

I'm an interior decorator. Here are 10 things I'd never put in my bedroom.

As an interior decorator, there are a few things I'd never have in my bedroom — like polyester sheets, busy patterns, and nightstands without storage.

4 min read

Composite portrait shows Simone Biles, Bella Hadid, and Elon Musk smiling in separate event images.

21 celebrities who moved to Texas on why it's the best place for them

Famous people from Elon Musk to Simone Biles have moved to Texas in recent years, many from California. Here's why.

12 min read

A couple posing with citrus fruits they harvested.

Priced out of Hawaii, this couple bought a home in rural Japan instead

"In Hawaii, I could never ever afford to buy a home, especially one with a view of the sea," Jeff Layfield told Business Insider. He bought a vacant home in Japan for about $25,000.

5 min read

The Palace of Fine Arts stands next to the Marina district

A photo of a community meeting has sparked a generational fight over San Francisco real estate

A group of older San Francisco residents resisting a new residential tower is facing a backlash from the city's younger techies.

4 min read

Miami Beach, Florida, North Beach, aerial view of Biscayne Bay, Indian Creek, Allison Island, La Gorce Island, Normandy Isles, Normandy Shores, luxury waterfront residential district

Miami is now the second-most expensive metro area in the US. These CEOs are fueling its billionaire boom.

Miami was just named the second-most expensive metro area in the US. See some of the biggest companies and CEOs shaping its billionaire migration.

8 min read

South Carolina state flag and United States flag wave together against a cloudy blue sky.

I wrote a story about a woman who regretted moving to South Carolina. It sparked a debate about living in the South.

BI readers debated one woman's move from Connecticut to South Carolina, discussing the state's climate and affordability.

4 min read

A side-by-side of the exterior of a white ADU and the interior's spacious kitchen.

A woman built a $400,000 ADU on her property so her parents can live rent-free

Hana Brown didn't want her parents to have to worry about housing as they age, so she and her husband built a luxury ADU for them in their yard.

11 min read

Mark Wahlberg, Ivanka Trump, and Sylvester Stallone appear in a three-panel celebrity portrait collage.

16 celebs who moved to Florida and why they love it there

Celebrities from Mark Wahlberg to Jeff Bezos are moving to the Sunshine State. Here's why.

10 min read

Seven people pose together on a sunlit grassy lawn beneath trees in an outdoor portrait.

I bought my dream home that wasn't listed for sale. 6 months of texts sealed the deal.

Ben Mutz found his dream home using Unlisted, an app that lets buyers contact homeowners to see if they'd sell. He waited months but ultimately bought the home.

6 min read

Inside the pope's centuries-old summer retreat, a 135-acre estate overlooking an Italian lake

Pope Leo XIV is on vacation at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, a 135-acre estate featuring multiple properties and gardens.

4 min read

Kristen and Dan Koepke with their dog Vinny

A couple moved into an RV full time after running a winery. Here's what they've learned after a month on the road.

After running a winery for years, Kristen and Dan Koepke are exploring a new chapter: RV living to have adventures around the US.

6 min read

girl fingers make sign LA on cityscape view

I moved to Los Angeles for love. The relationship ended, but staying helped me find my future husband and build a career.

Moving to Los Angeles for love didn't work out how I expected, but staying in California after we split helped me find my husband and build a career.

4 min read

The White House Rose Garden, then and now.

Donald Trump added a new statue to the White House Rose Garden. See how the space has changed over the years.

President Donald Trump's Rose Garden redesign is one of many decor changes he's made to White House. Take a look at the "Rose Garden Club."

5 min read

The writer and her wife sitting at an outdoor table holding hands.

We bought a house and regretted it after 2 years. Now, we own an apartment instead.

My wife and I were thrilled to buy a house. The pricey repairs and lack of accessibility made it harder then we expected, so now we own an apartment.

5 min read

The writer holds a small seabird on a rural road under a cloudy sky, on a remote island.

I live on a remote island with fewer than 60 people. There are a few things I wish I'd known before moving here.

Last year, I moved to Fair Isle, a remote UK island with under 60 residents. I love my life here, but I faced some challenges and surprises at first.

5 min read

Inside the mega-rich's war over leaf blowers: 'Driven insane by this noise'

The mega-rich's war over leaf blowers: 'Driven insane by this noise.'

9 min read

The writer gazing out at the water in Lisbon.

I moved to Portugal last year. My life has improved in many ways, but finding work has been a challenge.

About a year ago, I moved from the US to Lisbon, even though I'd never visited Portugal before. I've noticed lifestyle improvements and challenges.

4 min read

A millennial retired early by investing in real estate and one index fund. He explains why he likes owning both assets.

Investing in VOO "almost feels like a loophole," said Todd Baldwin.

6 min read

A paper trap showing a hand, house, for sale sign, and money

James Rodriguez

She tried to fire her real estate agent. It turned into a nightmare.

Thanks to a seismic new rule, your real estate agent will likely hand you something to sign before a house tour. Risks abound for millions of buyers.

14 min read

A white and tan living room with a light-gray couch, white cushioned chairs, a circular coffee table, and various plants

I'm an interior decorator. Here are 8 things I'd never have in my living room.

As an interior decorator, there are a few things I'd never have in my living room, like vertical plastic blinds, exposed wires, and a futon.

4 min read

The writer wearing a white top and black skirt and holding up a peace sign in front of a flowering plant.

I moved to Japan on a one-year visa. Many areas of my life have improved, but I'm still struggling with a few changes.

Last year, I moved from Canada to Japan on a one-year visa. My life has improved in many ways, but there are a few downsides to being far from home.

5 min read

Two people sit together on an outdoor sofa with a small dog in a sunny garden.

I promised to care for my mom with Alzheimer's. I'm building a tiny home in our yard instead of choosing a care facility.

Lena Koropey bought a home so her mother, who has Alzheimer's, could age in place. She plans to build an ADU instead of sending her mother to a care facility.

5 min read

A financially independent millennial shares 2 'golden rules' of real estate that helped him build wealth

The 1% rule can be used as a starting benchmark to figure out if a rental will generate positive cashflow, Cody Berman said.

4 min read

Woman in dress smiling, twirling between rows of greenery under blue sky

I've lived in one of New England's most popular tourist destinations for over 20 years. It's certainly not for everyone.

As a local in Newport, Rhode Island, living in a popular New England city that attracts tourists year-round comes with challenges and surprises.

5 min read

The apartment I never would have picked became our family's home. I've learned to love it.

I moved into my partner's apartment which didn't check any of my must-have boxes. Five years later, we're married with a child and we're still here.

4 min read

Person wearing a Swimply T-shirt stands beside a foosball table in an indoor pool room.

When I lost my business, I started renting out my indoor pool to earn money. Now, it's my full-time job.

Portland homeowner Rick Neuhoff is making money by renting out his indoor pool through the app Swimply after losing his business.

4 min read

Left: Mostafa is with Sam Altman. Right; Mostafa is standing in front of a yellow background

I studied in Canada but networked in Silicon Valley. I got an OpenAI internship in San Francisco and met Sam Altman.

Hamza Mostafa decided he needed to be in San Francisco to make it in tech. When he landed an OpenAI internship, he felt that decision paid off.

5 min read

A person stands beside railroad tracks next to an interior scene with wall art, a lamp, and books.

I sold my dream home and moved into an apartment less than half the size. It was tough, but I'm happy in a smaller space.

I bought my dream home, but decided to sell it just 2 years later after a divorce. Now, I rent a smaller apartment, which has been surprisingly great.

4 min read

Visitors viewing the White House on June 19, 2026

I visited Washington, DC, for the first time. The capital felt like one big construction site.

Washington, DC, has undergone extensive renovations under Trump's second term, with fences and cranes surrounding the White House and other structures.

9 min read

The 10 best US cities to buy a home — and 10 where you should rent

Should you buy a home or should you rent? A Zumper analysis came up with 10 cities where it makes more sense to buy, and 10 where renting is a better idea.

4 min read