The Multi-Home Lifestyle: How the Ultra-Wealthy Are Redefining Secondary Real Estate
September 2, 2026For the world’s ultra-wealthy, home is rarely a single location. Today’s ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals—those with a net worth of $30 million or more—view luxury real estate as a strategic, multi-property portfolio. A secondary residence is no longer just a holiday getaway; it is a vital pillar of a modern, multi-city lifestyle used to establish strategic footprints, create personal sanctuaries, and optimize wealth. Whether establishing a primary tax domicile in zero-income-tax states like Florida while maintaining a Manhattan estate, or balancing multi-city business interests, today’s elite build living networks that seamlessly support their personal, financial, and professional lives.
According to the latest data from wealth intelligence firm Altrata, there are now approximately 556,000 UHNW individuals worldwide, and their residential portfolios are expanding rapidly. From seasonal coastal estates to urban pieds-à-terre, the modern elite are building living networks that span multiple cities and countries.
At HeliFlite, we see this geographic evolution every day. Our clients aren’t merely commuting; they are managing seamless transitions between their primary residences, secondary estates, and seasonal retreats.
Tracking the Global Residential Footprint: The Top 20 Hubs
The modern UHNW portfolio is expanding into specific high-growth hubs. Whether it’s for tax advantages in Florida or the institutional stability of London and New York, these are the cities where the world’s most successful people are putting down roots.
The Top 10 U.S. Second-Home Hubs
- Miami, FL: The leader with 13,211 UHNW second-home owners.
- New York, NY: A global anchor with 12,813 owners.
- Los Angeles, CA: 8,640 owners.
- San Francisco, CA: 6,477 owners.
- Naples, FL: 4,213 owners.
- Boston, MA: 3,167 owners.
- San Jose, CA: 2,824 owners.
- Greenwich, CT: 2,732 owners.
- Washington, DC: 2,699 owners.
- Chicago, IL: 2,295 owners.
The Top 10 International Second-Home Hubs
- London, UK: The international leader with 9,221 second-home owners (59% of its UHNW population).
- Beijing, China: 5,648 owners.
- Hong Kong: 4,939 owners.
- Singapore: 4,256 owners.
- Geneva, Switzerland: 1,745 owners.
- Munich, Germany: 1,686 owners.
- Milan, Italy: 1,650 owners.
- Paris, France: 1,643 owners.
- Zurich, Switzerland: 1,354 owners.
- Dubai, UAE: 1,288 owners.
Looking Ahead: Growth is Redrawing the Map
While established capitals like New York, London, and Miami remain the bedrock of global real estate, future growth is relocating. North America continues to lead with over 225,000 UHNW residents, but Asia is expanding rapidly at 15.8% annually.
Looking out toward 2030, emerging high-growth cities outside today’s top 10 hubs, such as Delhi (+11.3%/yr), Stockholm (+10.2%/yr), and Melbourne (+10.2%/yr), are seeing an influx of wealth creation. Tracking where these growth markets sit allows luxury property owners to identify where the next wave of premier secondary real estate networks will be established.
HeliFlite: Effortlessly Connecting Your Residences Around the World
Owning exceptional properties in these premier destinations is only half the equation; the other half is moving between your homes without friction or lost time. HeliFlite strategically aligns its operations to connect some of the world’s most prominent multi-home markets.
The California Innovation Hub (San Francisco & San Jose)
With Northern California serving as the global epicenter for tech and venture capital, the residential footprint here is massive. San Francisco (#4) and San Jose (#7) represent a combined pool of over 9,300 second-home owners who require rapid transit between the city’s financial heart and the South Bay’s innovation corridors.
- The Expansion: To meet this growing demand, HeliFlite has officially launched operations in the San Francisco Bay Area with dedicated aircraft stationed locally. This positioning enables seamless 15-to-20-minute flights between San Francisco and San Jose, a trip that can take over two hours by car during peak highway gridlock.
- The Regional Reach: Beyond the immediate Bay, our Northern California fleet facilitates effortless travel to retreats in Napa Valley, Sonoma, Monterey, and Lake Tahoe, ensuring that the commute between your primary residence and your secondary estate is as luxurious as the destinations themselves.
The Northeast Power Corridor (NYC, Greenwich, Boston, & DC)
In the Northeast, where New York (#2), Greenwich (#8), Boston (#6), and DC (#9) form a dense cluster of wealth, HeliFlite provides the essential link.
- The Regional Reach: From 20-minute transfers connecting Manhattan to the Hamptons, Greenwich, or White Plains (HPN), to fast flights out to Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, or down to Washington, DC, our clients can seamlessly manage multi-city interests and return home in time for dinner.
- The Direct Access: We provide seamless transfers from private FBOs at Teterboro (TEB) and White Plains (HPN) directly to the heart of the city, bypassing the gridlock of the New York metro area.
The Florida Seasonal Circuit (Miami & Naples)
Florida’s dominance in the Altrata report, with Miami at #1 and Naples at #5, is reflected in our heavy presence in the Sunshine State.
- The Regional Reach: Our South Florida operations connect the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Whether taking a 40-minute flight between a primary residence in Palm Beach and a second home in Naples, or a quick 8-minute transfer from Opa-locka to Watson Island, we turn hours of highway travel into minutes of scenic flight.
- Beyond the Coast: Our Florida-based fleet also facilitates direct missions to The Bahamas, serving retreats in Nassau, Marsh Harbour, and Harbour Island.
The Transatlantic Link (London & Europe)
With London ranking as the top international second-home destination, our presence in the UK through our partnership with Starspeed Ltd is more vital than ever.
- The Operations: Utilizing the Sikorsky S-76 C++, we connect the London metropolitan area to key domestic and international destinations.
- The Regional Reach: From the Battersea Heliport, we provide 10-to-20-minute connections to UK gateways and 85-minute cross-Channel transfers to Paris, as well as flights to the Isles of Scilly.
The Institutional Standard: Safety and Sophistication
As the Altrata report notes, today’s luxury is defined by freedom of movement and institutional-grade security. HeliFlite meets this demand with a fleet of twin-engine, dual-pilot aircraft, including the Sikorsky S-76 and the Leonardo AW139. These aircraft feature “Quiet Zone™” technology, allowing for boardroom-level conversations at 180 mph.
Real luxury isn’t just about the square footage of your second home; it’s about the time you spend in it. By providing the world’s most elite property owners with the speed and safety they require, HeliFlite ensures that a global footprint never feels like a logistical burden.
Carolyn Caretti Marino
973.273.7572
cmarino@heliflite.com
