8 Stunning Personal Residences of Former U.S. Presidents

Many of America’s former presidents chose to live in luxury when they weren’t confined to the walls of the White House. Check out eight of the most impressive and beautiful personal homes of former U.S. presidents, from stately brick abodes to oceanfront retreats.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill Mansion – Cove Neck, New York

Now a National Historic Site, Theodore Roosevelt’s rustic Long Island mansion was his home from 1885 until his death in 1919. Set on 83 acres, the 23-room Victorian-style estate includes 15 bedrooms, a library rumored to hold 10,000 books, a great hall, and a trophy room. Wraparound porches offer sweeping views of Oyster Bay, where Roosevelt and his family often spent their days relaxing, entertaining, or simply enjoying the outdoors, one of the “conservation president’s” greatest passions. 

During Roosevelt’s presidency, Sagamore Hill doubled as a “Summer White House,” hosting diplomats, journalists, and foreign leaders. Rather than being flashy or luxurious, the estate stood out for its size, rugged charm, and modernity for the time, with indoor plumbing and central heating.

The Bush Family’s Walker’s Point Estate – Kennebunkport, Maine

Walker’s Point Estate has been in the Bush family since 1902, when George Herbert Walker (former President George H.W. Bush’s grandfather) and his father, David Davis Walker, purchased the sprawling oceanfront property in southern coastal Maine. They each built large homes at the tip of a peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In 1921, George added a bungalow as a wedding gift for his daughter Dorothy. In 1977, George H.W. Bush purchased the property to ensure it stayed in the family, and the estate has served as a summer retreat (aka the “Summer White House”) for generations ever since. 

Over the years, Walker’s Point has hosted weddings, parties, and world leaders in the former president’s living room. The homes are built in classic New England shingle-style architecture, with the main house featuring nine bedrooms, multiple sitting rooms, a library, an office, a dining room, and numerous patios and decks. The property also includes a four-car garage, swimming pool, tennis court, private dock, and even a small sports field set amid Maine’s pristine nature. 

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Springwood Estate – Hyde Park, New York

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Springwood Estate in Hyde Park, New York, was more than a home — it was where the 32nd U.S. president was born, grew up, and lived throughout his life. Originally purchased by his father, James Roosevelt, in 1866, the estate passed to his mother, Sara, and remained in the family. Two years after Sara’s death in 1941, FDR arranged for Springwood to be donated to the federal government, with the National Park Service taking over after his own passing in 1945. 

Set upon a bluff overlooking the Hudson River, Springwood Estate is a study in early 20th-century elegance, with gardens, wooded paths, and a family cemetery in which Roosevelt himself is buried. Inside are multiple bedrooms, formal living spaces, and a library filled with FDR’s books and personal collections. Over the decades, the estate welcomed family, friends, and world leaders, and today Springwood is a National Historic Site, open to the public for a glimpse into FDR’s remarkable life.

The Kennedy Compound – Cape Cod, Massachusetts

It’s no surprise that the Kennedys, a family deeply rooted in Massachusetts, chose to make this stunning stretch of coastline their home. In 1928, Joseph P. Kennedy purchased a summer property on Hyannis Port, which had originally been a rental. Joseph, who had nine children — including future U.S. President John F. Kennedy — expanded the property into what is now known as the Kennedy Compound. 

The 6-acre waterfront estate consists of three houses. For decades, the grounds were a place of family gatherings and celebrations, and served as the “Summer White House” from 1961 to 1963 during JFK’s time in office. Beyond its political importance, the compound has been the site of marriages, births, election watch parties, political meetings, and a retreat for President Kennedy, who often visited to walk on the beach when faced with tough decisions. The site has since been transformed into a museum and designated a National Historic Landmark. 

Richard Nixon’s Oceanfront Estate – San Clemente, California

A native of Southern California, President Nixon attended Duke Law School, practiced law in California, and served as a state senator before moving to Washington, D.C., and winning the presidency in 1969. That same year, he purchased a stunning 5.5-acre property in San Clemente, an hour from his hometown of Yorba Linda. 

While close to his roots, the property was a far cry from his modest beginnings. Boasting 450 feet of prime beachfront and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the estate was nicknamed “La Casa Pacifica.” Also known as the “Western White House,” it served as Nixon’s sanctuary, and the former president made it his permanent residence after his infamous resignation following the Watergate scandal in 1974. 

Built in 1927, the 9,000-square-foot Spanish Colonial Revival home features expansive terraces perfect for taking in the ocean vistas. Additional amenities include a pool, tennis courts, a bar, an entertainment room, and a two-bedroom guest house.

The Clinton Compound – Chappaqua, New York

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s home in Westchester County offers a peaceful and comfortable escape from nearby New York City. The couple purchased the main Dutch Colonial home on the property for $1.7 million in 1999, when Bill was still in the Oval Office. Sitting on 1.1 acres and shrouded by trees, the house offers plenty of space across its three stories, including five bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as an outdoor pool and a detached barn, which serves as a base for the Clintons’ Secret Service team. 

Although the main house was constructed in 1889, it has been significantly updated, with land and building records showing the Clintons spent several hundred thousand dollars on improvements. In 2016, they also purchased the neighboring property, a 3,631-square-foot ranch-style house on 1.5 acres, which is rumored to serve as a summer getaway for their daughter, Chelsea.

Barack Obama’s Brick Mansion – Washington, D.C.

After leaving office, the Obamas chose to call their Kalorama Heights property in Washington, D.C., their permanent home. Located 2 miles from the White House, the neighborhood has welcomed many former presidents and is currently the home of Jeff Bezos, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, news anchor Chris Wallace, and other celebrities. 

Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama  purchased the four-story, 8,200-square-foot brick mansion for $8.1 million in 2017. The elegant home boasts nine bedrooms, eight and a half baths, two kitchens, and an inviting backyard patio and garden. The Obamas also made some renovations when they became the homeowners, including converting the garage into an office and building a brick wall around the grounds for added security. 

Joe Biden’s Lakefront Property – Greenville, Delaware

In 1996, former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden built a 6,850-square-foot lakefront home on 4 acres of land in Greenville, Delaware. Designed by Biden himself, the house has since become the couple’s primary residence and the place the former president returned to after leaving the White House in early 2025. 

Located in a quiet, wooded suburb about 4 miles from Wilmington, the home features three bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a swimming pool, and a spacious, wood-paneled office furnished with overstuffed leather chairs and Biden’s original Senate desk. One of the home’s standout features is the expansive back porch, which overlooks a 10-acre human-made pond. During the 2020 election, Biden campaigned from his basement, using it as a virtual event hub, and after the election, he hosted several world leaders here, including the prime ministers of Australia, Japan, and India.