For a home right on the lake, buyers can find nice single-family homes starting in the $200,000-range, such as this waterfront three-bedroomasking $259,000. Those four-season attractions have made the areas lake homes a hot commodity among second homeowners. I cover residential real estate, including buying, selling and trends. Head to Greenhorn Ranch first for an authentic ranch experience in the Lost Sierra. They say a rainy day on the lake is better than a sunny day in the city. These days, with fears of Covid, some may not like the idea of opening their home to outsiders and possibly investing more money in cleaning. Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Meander the historic district, then break out your boats or find a picnic bench along the shore to take in a few relaxing hours in LaGrange. At The Soda Shop, centrally located on one of Davidson's main drags, you'll find vintage sips and classic comfort food any time of the day. 5. Sara Ventiera is a journalist based in New York City and Los Angeles. Lake Tahoe is so big (22 miles long and 12 miles wide) that it straddles . Theres a reason Chelan is the go-to second-home destination for Seattlites seeking a more affordableand infinitely sunniersummer escape. Situated on nearly a half-acre, this house features a screened porch and is within walking distance of Roamingwood Lake. Median home sales price: $175,000. More than 125 homes and a projected fifty businesses moved to higher ground, the . Melbourne, Florida, is the highest-ranked beach town on the Atlantic Ocean shore. Lake Wylie is the oldest lake on the Catawba River. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Bayview is right on the water (literally), giving it a northwestern island feel, and it is home to the 4,000-acre Farragut State Park. Some offer Zen-inducing tranquility, some pulse-pounding action, and others the kind of family-friendly tourist vibe that can optimize rental opportunities. Rocky River, Ohio. Originally located precisely where the lake is, the town of Butler was submerged in 1948 as the reservoir filled. If Queen Dolly Partons Stampede and live country music shows arent your thing, check out the Titanic Museum, with 400 pre-Discovery artifacts spread across 20 gallerieswhich can be enjoyed in the blissful A/C. Every outdoor activity you can imagineswimming, hiking, rock climbing, golfing, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, and moreis possible at Lake Lure, and you'll still find plenty of time for relaxation once the sun sinks behind Chimney Rock each evening. For more places to explore, check out The South's Greatest Lakes and The South's Best Small Towns. Reality check: Most of us are no more likely find ourselves in ostentatious ocean estates in Malibu, the Hamptons, or Bal Harbour than we are to enjoy an eight-minute joyride to the edge of space. The 10 Most Affordable Beach Towns for Homebuyers, 2021, Avoid the Crowds and Take the Plunge: Top Affordable Lake Towns in the U.S., 2020 Edition. The Lake of the Woods area is perfect for spending one's golden years of retirement. Don't miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College. The lakes crystal-clear waters are the ideal spot for fishing, water-skiing, and swimming. Next: 25. Abingdon, Virginia. 1. Last on our list of the best lakes in Georgia is the "Big Bass Capital of the World." Walter F. George Lake extends 85 miles along the Chattahoochee River and is formed by the Walter F. George Lock and Dam. The red-brick sidewalks and friendly locals in this town are sure to make you nostalgic for childhood days on the water. And last year was already nuts! This Southern Adirondack lake town is home to just 515 residents. This lake town is brimming with charming accommodations, too, from the more modern Hotel Earl to the historic Bridge Street Inn and the waterfront Edgewater Inn & Suites. Lake Wylie is a 13,400 acre lake that was created for hydro-electric power, but is also used as a recreational facility by its nearby towns - which includes the rather famous Tega Cay, known for the Jim Bakker/PTL Club extravagance. Sandpoint, Idaho, is the most expensive of the affordable lake towns, with a median list price of $429,000 and a variety of lakefront houses that . And for $800,000, its possible to buy a cabin on a private island. Residential lots on Lake Monticello 8. But that doesnt mean the rest of the 99% cant get in on the waterfront action. Thinking of Buying a Lakeside Home? Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . Rent a cabin with a private dock (and a boat, if you like) at MacDonald's Resort in Bayview. The median home value in Deerfield Beach has increased by 7.7% in the last year to $182,300, making it one of the most affordable coastal towns to buy a home in Florida. Marshals in South Carolina Friday afternoon. Be sure to make a stop at the iconic Mount Dora Lighthouse, one of only three registered freshwater lighthouses in the country. Statesboro's place among America's cheapest small towns is largely due to housing costs, which are 32% lower compared with the national average. Along the 185-mile shoreline, you'll find patches of crystal clear water. The area offers hiking, skiing and gambling at the casinos. The area is quiet and the weather is warm in the winter. 23. Credit: John Noltner. Consider a visit to the LEGOLAND Theme Park. Healthcare is another notable bargain, running 12% . Buyers can get a home and land, such as this $225,000 one-bedroom log cabin overlooking Shagawa Lake. Realtor.com has rounded up its list of the most affordable lake towns where you can find a home that is either directly on a lake or close enough to get a great view. Even in the gated community, affordable homes can still be found. Lake Burton. In town, you'll find its historic district and long-loved restaurants. Aurora, New York. Anglers from all over the Midwest flock to this rural destination for the awesome catch on manmade Lake Delton, two local rivers, and other, smaller bodies of water that are surrounded with lovely and affordable homes all along their shorelines. For anyone who wants some waterfront privacy, this certainly is the place. For outdoor enthusiasts, Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahomas oldest national park) offers nearly 10,000 acres of camping, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. Charlevoix is the perfect getaway to Lake Michigan. Neighboring Muscle Shoals has a deep music history. Theres also this quirky three-bedroom within walking distance to Main Street for $350,000. Clear Lake, South Dakota, is proud of its strong, traditional values. Waterfront townhomes start in the mid-$100,000s, like this three-bedroom for $168,000. This waterfront home . Little wonder Lake Chelan is such a popular vacation destination for 12 to 14 weeks per year. Daniel has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in Housing and Community . Single-family homes on the water start in the high $300,000s to low $400,000 range, such as this four-bedroom on 2.31 acres listed at $410,000 or this three-bedroom on the market for $399,000. Meera Pal is a Northern California-based writer with a background in journalism and books. Asheville, North Carolina. The word is getting out. Caddo Lake / Shutterstock. The informative museum on the Games and international ski jump, bobsled, and luge training facilities still gets tons of visitors who want to learn more or watch world-class athletes train. Buyers willing to spend a bit more can find huge spreads like this three-bedroom on more than an acre of property right on the edge of Lake Desoto listed for $454,900. The family-friendly area boasts water sports and a drive-in movie theater in the summer months with plenty of hockey, ice fishing and other outdoor winter sports during the colder parts of the year. Many of these towns also offer summer and winter activities, which can make them year-round destinations. However, the Salmon Capital of the World, as Ketchikan is known, is built up along the waterfront due to its steep and mostly forested terrain. But its not just the water that makes the area so special and desirable. If your ideal lakeside lifestyle is a bit more social, Crane Lake has you covered. And while plenty has changed over previous years, one thing remains constant: an overwhelming desire among many Americans to head to the waterand, just maybe, consider what it would take to own a house there. The trooper had successful surgery Thursday and is in "great spirits," Attorney General Matt . Crestline, California. Source: ESB Professional / Shutterstock. There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. But those who want access to the water from their backdoors need IPO-level cash; they should expect to fork over six figures for places like this brand-new three-bedroom listed at $1.25 million. Nine miles west of Cleveland is Rocky River, Ohio, a town of 20,000 ranked #24 by Niche in the entire state for best suburbs. The village of Winsted offers a downtown filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques for those hoping to wile away a lazy afternoon. From big lakes to small ones, natural ones to human-made, there are plenty of bodies of water calling out for you to explore themand maybe even make your new home in one of the lovely towns on their shores. Located in the Adirondack Mountains and surrounded by rivers famous for fly-fishing, cliffs made for climbing (and jumping), and lakes ideal for a host of water sports, Lake Placid is one of the most sought-after vacation spots in New York. Animal lovers will gladly pay roughly $7 ($4 for kids) to spend a couple . We see a trend across all our markets of buyers thinking, Life is short, buy the lake home! Many of those seek out the more rural lake towns where homes may be relatively more affordable than at larger lakes or at lakes near cities, says Phillips. Watch the sun set over the town while grabbing a pint at Oconee Brewing Company, or beat the early bird crowd and catch the sunrise with a side of coffee and buttermilk pancakes at Caf 44. Alabama's Lake Town lives up to its moniker by offering plenty of activities on and off the water. Cheboygan, Michigan. 5) CityFlatsHotel: A sister property to the CityFlats in downtown Grand . Add that to the shops, restaurants, and galleries that fill these charming small towns, and you'll find inviting places to spend your retirement years. Butler is located on the northern shore of Watauga Lake, and is actually the reconstruction of the "old" Butler. This Georgia city is set on the shores of Lake Lanier, which is a busy spot in summertime and a lovely place to live year-round. In 2012, 70% of registered voters supported former President Barack Obama. 10. Those looking to move to Cheboygan are finding plenty of affordable homes for sale, including this four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house listed for $169,900. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Lake Wylie is in both Carolinas and the variety of activities in this area is great. But in todays overheated housing market, is the concept of owning your own waterfront home a punishing fantasy or an achievable reality? Marquette, Michigan. If they already had one home by the lake and they had another home in an expensive city and you had to consolidate, which are you going to choose? she says. Methodology: GOBankingRates found 25 affordable waterfront cities by evaluating 112 of the United . Its easy to spend an entire day outdoors in Ashland, either fishing in the deep waters of Chequamegon Bay, hiking to one of the many nearby waterfalls, or simply counting the different species of birds flying over the bay. Unlike beach towns, lake towns never close for an off season, so there's always plenty to do and see year-round. It's an ideal setting for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities. But there are also plenty of folks whod prefer to be right in town, within walking distance to dozens of restaurants, the performance center, and the nearly 30 sculptures spread throughout downtown. Lake Moultrie. This area is one of the more affordable places to purchase from, ensuring that your investment will provide you with the most value. Chattanooga receives its highest score for affordability. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at twilight. Chelan offers housing options at a wide range of price points. With Lone Star College . No. Whether you're renting a lake house for the summer, or looking for a lakeside long weekend to book this fall, these are the 15 best lake towns in America. Budget tip: Ko Lanta is one of the cheap beach towns that's as perfect for adventurous backpackers as it is for families. Saugatuck Dunes State Park draws adventure seekers with its massive mounds and 13 miles of sandy trails. 25. William Hereford. For car buffs, the Okoboji Classic Cars Museum is a must-see. Asheville, North Carolina. Bryson City. Buyers can find lakeview condos starting in the $200,000 range, such as this three-bedroom listed at $298,000 a bit farther from town. We are right between Minneapolis and Chicago, and its a relatively quick trip on the interstate for people from those regions to come and vacation, says one real estate agent, Kirkland Kettleson of Century 21 Affiliated. Weve become a year-round vacation destination now because of the resorts, indoor water parks, and other amenities in the area, he adds. Eureka, California. In fact, for $250,000, homebuyers can buy their own patch of Lake Placid and build their dream home. Although some of these homes are pricier than many homes across the country, they offer the chance to get a waterfront property, and with hurricane season upon us, perhaps a safer location than an oceanfront home. Gigabit ISP: C Spire ($80/month) Zillow Home Value Index: $165,574. Editor's Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. That makes it appealing for investors as well as folks who stay there part of the time and rent out for the rest, to help pay off their mortgages. Minneapolis is just over three hours northwest, and Chicago more than three hours northeast. Jordan Lake is about 25 miles north of Montgomery in Elmore County with almost a dozen homes between $300,000 and $400,000. The 0.67-acre lot is one of the last waterfront building sites in the village of Lake Placid and comes with 295 feet of sandy waterfront. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Hot Springs Village is the largest gated community in the United States. When you're wiped from a day spent on the water and under the sun at Lake Conroe, there's nothing like kicking back at a local brewery and enjoying some tunes. With the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, the Lake of the Arbuckles, and the Artesian Hotel, Casino, and Spa, the small town has a lot to offer. Heres a $55,000 one-bedroom unit. Test your muscles and head downriver to Wilson Lake, where there are plenty of spots to stay and enjoy fresh shellfish by the water. Sandy beaches and waters for boating and kayaking are inviting spots to spend the afternoons. During the summer months, visitors and locals cruise along the shores of the 55-mile-long body of Lake Chelan, sailing, wakeboarding or paddling past historic cabins and vineyards. Can it be? Many places with lake houses have activities. This makes it and the nearby town of Effingham a beloved getaway for families from nearby St. Louis, a drive of about an hour-and-a-half away. In the summer, families wakeboard, tube and fish on the lakes and rivers. Clearlake is one the more affordable lake towns in California, with average home prices just under $200,000. The median home price in Dillon is $125,400. Vergennes and the area bordering Lake Champlain have an old-world New England feel - which stands to reason, as Vergennes was founded in 1788. 8. Top 10 Cheapest Beach Towns in the US.Most people dream about buying a home near or on the beach. The 26,000-acre census-designated place boasts nine golf courses, dozens of restaurants, 14,000 residents and 11 lakes with plenty of single-family houses and townhomes on the shores. The 440-acre, 3-mile-long lake features two public beaches and a shoreline dotted with a mix of upscale and affordable permanent and vacation homes. Waterfront condos start in the mid 300s like this two-bedroom listed at $349,000. There is a thriving and vibrant art and cultural scene that highlights the areas Alaskan native heritage. For more water activities, locals also visit nearby Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack, both recognized as prime fishing spots. While the area boasts multiple lakes, the family-friendly destination offers plenty to do when you need a break from the sun and heat. While its not a vacation hot spot, its just as beautiful as many nearby lake towns for a lot less cash. Glen Arbor is nestled between Lake Michigans Sleeping Bear Bay and the Glen Lakes. Thats where the data team at Realtor.com comes in. Covington is an excellent one, with state parks, biking trails, easy access to the lake, a great brewery in Abita Springs, coffee shops, restaurants, and waterways streaming through. The undulating vistas of the Smoky Mountains make for an idyllic backdrop to life at Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake. Aurora, New York sits . Aurora, New York sits on Cayuga Lake, one of the largest of the 11 Finger Lakes. The beauty of Aurora, apart from the gorgeous sunsets on Cayuga Lake, is that you have culture, incredible food and wine, and water activities at your fingertips. Coos Bay, Oregon. And all of them are great for those seeking escape in the spring and fall as wellno small consideration these days. The roughly 2,000-square-foot house sits on a third of an acre and has a fenced backyard. Florence is a fun small town with great downtown shops and restaurants as well as outdoor adventure in Shoal Creek Preserve and Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve. 3. The area also has lots to do, from shopping and dining to mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and canoeing on its rivers and lakes. The dock area of a home for sale in Crane Lake, where most listings are under $226,000. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Lightvision, LLC/ Getty Images. Located at the mouth of the Cheboygan River on Lake Huron, the town offers clear waters and a gorgeous shoreline. Alaska might not be the first place most folks think of when they envision summer lake towns. Even though it has dropped a couple of spots, Sandusky remains a popular vacation spot for Midwesterners looking for lake living at affordable prices. Fishing, beach going, and relaxing are popular activities. RETIRE NEAR THE WATER. Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. Come for the entire summer, or just for the annual White Lake Water Festival traditionally held in May. A vacation in a lake town is a guaranteed dose of old-fashioned family fun. Minocqua, Wisconsin. Find a warm welcome in LaGrange, a cozy West Georgia town located on West Point Lake. This northern Wisconsin resort town (165 miles northwest of Green Bay) has all the ingredients of a great family vacation , including more than 3,000 lakes in Vilas and Oneida counties. Baraboo, Wisconsin. The New York Finger Lakes region is a pristine part of the state with 11 glistening bodies of water, each lined by towns with character. From a time-capsule-worthy main drag in Greensboro, Georgia, to a sun-soaked chain of lakes in Winter Haven, Florida, these are the South's best lake towns of 2022. 25. And we specifically wanted to hone in on the best lake towns in America as a way to help travelers pinpoint exactly where to book a week-long rental or a charming inn for their next lake vacation. Just a three-hour drive east of Seattle, this high desert town is the sunny escape from the rain and clouds of the coastal Pacific Northwest. If you love the outdoors, you'll appreciate Deerfield Beach's Quiet Waters Park, where you can camp, fish, and ride some of the longest cable ski courses in the U.S. Lake of the Ozarks, MO. The events of the past year drove additional interest, says Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty. But family members who arent into waiting hours (or what can feel like hours) for fish to bite have plenty of other entertainment options throughout the year as well, from wakeboarding and tubing on the water to minigolf and go-karts off it. There is a wide variety in a very small town.. Once an old port town, Sandusky is now known as a major recreation and entertainment destination. Even in todays expensive real estate market, there are still a few places left where homebuyers can find great, affordable lake homes that can serve as Zen-inducing or pulse-pounding retreats (your choice!)

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