The presence of water-based activities and attractions was one of the main ranking factors for this list. Kick up your feet at the Inn on the Square between grub sessions at Good Times Brewing at The Mill House and the Cheeseburger House. The community is well-known for its abundance of vacation rentals and homes for sale. Yup. Ebenezer Park on Lake Wylie offers a boat ramp, picnic tables, swimming, playgrounds, and fishing. 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. Erie's 9,910-square-mile namesake Great Lake is home to Presque Isle State Park, which is a National Natural Landmark. The quaint village offers restaurants, hotels, resorts, and fun and unique shops along its cute downtown corridor. For those looking for a property as close to the water as possible, there are options. Hot Springs Village is the largest gated community in the United States. Nestled into the scenic foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, this picturesque community is home to Highland Lake, one of the largest lakes in Connecticut and a popular spot for residents to beat the summer heat. Traveling with kids or an inner child at heart? Beaufort, North Carolina, one of the Southeast's oldest and most charming beach towns, is at the southern tip of North Carolina's Crystal Coast. One perennial rule of summer: Branson, MO, is always one of the highest-ranking lake towns in the nationeven if it did move down a couple of spots, from No. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. 3 . Callawassie Island, located in the heart of the Lowcountry, is a private, gated island community offering world-class Tom Fazio golf and a full complement of amenities including a tennis center, clubhouse, pools, fitness center, and River Club. Condos start as low as $40,000. For more places to explore, check out The South's Greatest Lakes and The South's Best Small Towns. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Knoxville, this gated lakefront community offers space to grow and explore the iconic wilderness of the region. Right near the Canadian border, way up north in Minnesota, secluded Ely offers acres upon acres of pristine lakes and unspoiled forests set on a stunning, glacier-carved landscape. RETIRE NEAR THE WATER. Emmie Martin , Melissa Stanger, and Andy Kiersz. This three-bedroom across the street from Big Bass Lake was listed at $229,000. Two years ago, USA Today named it the best coastal town in America. Nestled on Lake Lure in the forested hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the eponymous small town has unparalleled outdoor attractions, including the lake with its wide beach, greenways, golf courses, hiking trails, and Chimney Rock. Cost of living . The light turquoise waters attract vacationers from all over the country. Spanning 2,600 acres, the lake of the Woods master-planned lake paradise offers residents exclusive access to its on-site equestrian center, 18-hole PGA golf . 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. 13. The drive to Wolfeboro is about two hours from Boston and five from New York City. Its perfect for outdoor recreation with acres to hike and canoe. 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. 1. Healthcare is another notable bargain, running 12% . What do Frank Lloyd Wright, shellfish, and the Tennessee River all have in common? And with inflation rising, stock and cryptocurrency markets taking a beating, and fears of another recession mounting, plenty of well-off Americans are holding off on buying yet another home. . Family-friendly activities abound at our number one Best Place to Buy a Lake House. It is also renowned as the most hippie town in the state, offering drum circles, natural food options, and plenty of community art scattered across town. The area around Winter Park, Florida is a veritable lake oasis. Buyers can find single-family homes just blocks from the water starting in the $400,000s, like this $419,000, three-bedroom house just outside town. Its charming downtown, great restaurants, and fun shops are sure to keep you busy. Some offer Zen-inducing tranquility, some pulse-pounding action, and others the kind of family-friendly tourist vibe that can optimize rental opportunities. 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. 2 . 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. Listed at $129,900, this house is close to the lake walk and Ashlands vibrant downtown. But its not just the water that makes the area so special and desirable. Once an old port town, Sandusky is now known as a major recreation and entertainment destination. 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. Sandusky, OH, was ranked the most affordable lake town in 2021 by Realtor.com . A suburb of Lafayette, Scott is the third most affordable city in Louisiana. Best Lake Towns To Retire To in the South, 12 Lesser-Known Southern Destinations Our Editors Can't Wait To Visit In 2023, The Best Mother-Daughter Vacations to Take This Summer, 10 Prettiest Places for Fall Foliage in Tennessee, Pass Christian Is the Mississippi Beach Town You've Probably Never Heard Of, Affordable Florida Beach Towns Perfect For Your Next Vacation, 18 Perfect Fall Girlfriend Getaways To Plan Immediately. Here is a lake town that visitors and residents can enjoy throughout all four seasons. The famously human-made lake is known for speed boating and waterfront resorts, but Osage Beach claims 420 acres of shorefront that's particularly inviting for families keen on a beach vacation. Saugatuck Dunes State Park draws adventure seekers with its massive mounds and 13 miles of sandy trails. Trout fishing is popular on Lake Taneycomo. Budget tip: Ko Lanta is one of the cheap beach towns that's as perfect for adventurous backpackers as it is for families. 3: Georgetown, South Carolina. It just depends on what youre looking for, Schaben says. It's all about the water sports at White Lake - tourists come to swim, boat, tube, jet ski, wake board, and the like. Check out five lake areas with lake homes listings that have been included in the top 10 most affordable lake areas in the country. This four-bedroom with views of Sandusky Bay is listed at $355,000. Aside from focusing on the worlds largest collection of standing totem poles, amateur photographers can point their cameras in nearly any direction and capture a gorgeous view of the citys jaw-dropping natural beauty. 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. Minocqua's quieter lakes are perfect for swimming lessons and sand castles. Aurora, New York. Caddo Lake / Shutterstock. The roughly 2,000-square-foot house sits on a third of an acre and has a fenced backyard. 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. Maine is home to (literally) thousands of lakes and ponds, from the largest lake, Moosehead, to midsize lakes like Portland-adjacent Sebago Lake and Rangeley Lake near the middle of the state. 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. Buyers can find three-season cottages on the water that need some fixing up starting in the $100,000 range, like this two-bedroom ranch with river access listed for $125,000. #13. You can find traces of all of them in Florence, Alabama. Nothing says summertime bliss like hanging out in a lake town, watching the glowing sun set in the company of friends and family, sightseeing, visiting the local farmers market for fresh veggies and kicking back in a cozy cabin. Lake Moultrie. Dillon's overall cost of living score is 88, compared to South Carolina's 94 and the national average of 100. 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. Cliff Billingsley/Getty Images. One of the best things is that were far enough from any major metropolitan area that our lakes are not that busy relative to their size, says Deborah Fullford, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors of Indian River. 8. Next: 25. Lake Wylie covers over 13,000 acres, with a shoreline of 325 miles. 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. Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Located about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, Gainesville has city draws along with a branch of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a nature center, visual arts center, and a history center. 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. Homes: $165K - $1.5M Lots: $10K - $300K. For more water activities, locals also visit nearby Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack, both recognized as prime fishing spots. Boone, North Carolina. Sights include the Palace Hotel and Bath House, listed on the National Historic Register, as well as the Basin Park Hotel and the supposedly haunted Crescent Hotel. 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. But buyers willing to share rights could find a home starting in the $300,000 range, like this three-bedroom log cabin with a deeded dock on private Friends Lake listed at $339,000. This five-bedroom, two-bedroom house is listed for $325,000. Midwesterners travel from near and far to relax in the gorgeous bodies of water that dot the tourist towns of Okoboji and Spirit Lake. This city also ranks just outside of the top 10, with the 13 th-most Conroe. They're not just waterfront havens where you can rent a boat for the day or go stand-up paddle boarding, they're also destinations with exciting restaurants, hotels, shopping, and plenty of non-water-based activities. This list could include 10 from along the state's 3,300 miles of shoreline and be very . South Lake Tahoe: If North Lake Tahoe is a pristine and relaxed winter wonderland, South Lake Tahoe is more of a year-round affair. In the winter, it is a haven for ice fishing and the indoor water parks are open throughout the year. 5) CityFlatsHotel: A sister property to the CityFlats in downtown Grand . Find a warm welcome in LaGrange, a cozy West Georgia town located on West Point Lake. On Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro is fast becoming the best lake town in the Northeast. Vermilion has long been one of the most beloved beach towns on the south shore of Lake Erie. Residents, many of whom move to the village for retirement, spend their days paddleboarding, fishing and swimming in the lakes or walking along 30 miles of forested trails. Chelan offers housing options at a wide range of price points. Homes can vary widely in price: A single-family fixer-upper on the water can go for around $250,000 or into the millions.. There has been a lot of new development in the area, as more people from out of state discover the Spirit Lake area, says Schaben. Set in the Ozark Mountains of Northwestern Arkansas, Eureka Springs gets a ton of visitors who want to admire the beautifully preserved architecture of its Historic District. 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. The data team at realtor.com ran the numbers to come up with these affordable lake towns. As for housing, there is something for any price range. The town of Lake Placid, set on the banks of, you guessed it, Lake Placid, is probably best known as the home of the 1980 (and 1932!) Venture into Ithaca, New York for dinner at Maxie's Supper Club, visit Heart & Hands Wine Company in nearby Union Springs, and of course, stay at Inns of Aurora for a luxurious lakeside escape at one of their five beautifully curated inns. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. More than 125 homes and a projected fifty businesses moved to higher ground, the . I cover residential real estate, including buying, selling and trends. Those who want to own property right on the water should expect to spend at least $500,000, such as this $725,000 three-bedroom home. Scout a rental property to live out your Southern lake dream sequence, or stay at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee in Greensboro for waterfront five-star accommodations. The trooper had successful surgery Thursday and is in "great spirits," Attorney General Matt . 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. Condos on Lake Delton start in the low $100,000s, like this sweet two-bedroom asking $154,900. While it's near the big central Florida tourist attractions, it has its own charm, with greenspaces like Central Park and museums like The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, and Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. After spending the day on Lake Norman, North Carolina's largest man-made lake, pop into any of the locally owned shops for a handmade souvenir. Theres also this quirky three-bedroom within walking distance to Main Street for $350,000. In addition to lakeside living, residents also take advantage of the prime fishing, picnic, and camping spots, and a scenic paved trail for bikes and pedestrians that winds through the town and around Lake Kampeska. Minneapolis is just over three hours northwest, and Chicago more than three hours northeast. Located in the Poconos Mountains, Lake Ariel is a true small town with a population of about 14,500. 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. 1. They can play on the lake, ride horses, or follow off-road Jeep trails without losing access to high-speed internet and other city amenities. The city sits about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. Daniel Herriges serves as Editor-in-Chief for Strong Towns, writing feature articles and speaking across the country on behalf of the organization.He has been a regular contributor to Strong Towns since 2015 and is also a founding member of the organization. There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. However, the Adirondack region is also a destination for folks who just want to sunbathe and roast marshmallows over a fire pit. A vacation in a lake town is a guaranteed dose of old-fashioned family fun. Just 85 miles outside of Atlanta sits one of the most charming lake destinations in the South: Lake Oconee. The bucolic town, tucked between Pelican Lake and Lake Kampeska, offers a plethora of water sports like canoeing and water skiing. It sits on 1.5 acres across from Templar State Park on Big Spirit Lake. Its possible to get a single-family home right on one of the smaller lakes in the $100,000 range, like this three-bedroom on Center Lake for $119,800. Those interested in a vacation getaway can snag this four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house located about 1.4 miles from the Guy Sandy boat ramp on Arbuckle Lake for $275,000. 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. The small town, which made our 2020 and 2019 lists, offers something for everyone, from nature lovers to history buffs and foodies to golfers. This waterfront home . Thats a whole lot of space for you to lie out, water-ski, fish, kayak, or do whatever other water-based activity you care to dream up. Along the 185-mile shoreline, you'll find patches of crystal clear water. Aurora, New York sits on Cayuga Lake, one of the largest of the 11 Finger Lakes. 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. There are less costly options, such as this two-bedroom with views of the lake and Crystal River listed for $410,000. If the skys the limit, buyers can check out a four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom mansion on Cedar Point Road listed for roughly $2.4 million. Come for the entire summer, or just for the annual White Lake Water Festival traditionally held in May. In the past, many people have viewed buying a vacation home as a combination of a family amenity and a revenue opportunity, said Wedgeworth. Virginia's only lakeside town is located on Kerr Lake and has become a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy the boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and hiking opportunities at Occoneechee State Park. Visitors flock to Harbour Town for a New England-style getaway without stepping foot out of the Midwest. The top tourist attractions are the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center. For anyone who wants some waterfront privacy, this certainly is the place. Here buyers can find a lake home for under $200,000, if they are willing to make some renovations, such as this $175,000 four-bedroom across the street from the beach. For many looking to escape the city, it became a great place this summer to social distance and enjoy the outdoors. Wallethub's Best Beach Towns to Live in (Ocean or Lake) 15 Sparkling Seaside Towns In The USA The Best Small Beach Towns in the United States America's 25 Favorite Beach Towns America's Most Affordable Beach Towns in 2019 The 21 Most Popular Active and 55+ Communities in the Southeast. Alabama's Lake Town lives up to its moniker by offering plenty of activities on and off the water. Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular year-round destinations in California - and when you see the sunshine ricochet off the lake in the summer months, you'll see why it's just as enticing in June as it is in the height of ski season. 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. To keep the list geographically diverse, we limited the list to one lake town per state. Homes, Townhomes, Condos: $139.9K - $2.8M Lots: $20K - $595K. Beautiful beaches and candy-colored sunsets over Lake Michigan make this Midwest town a must. 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. 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. With pandemic restrictions easing upand American life returning to something akin to normallocking in a home on the water is feeling like less of an imperative to some would-be buyers. When it comes to American lakes, Maine's got game. Sean Pavone/Getty. Swimming is unlikely because the lake contains alligators, but it's a great spot for boating. LindaZ74 / Shutterstock. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Clear Lake, SD. Check out Margaritaville Lake Resort for a family-friendly vacation in Osage Beach. Ogden, Utah. The Corpus Christi Bay area sits behind the Padre and Mustang islands. 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. If you're looking to have the time of your life, this quiet lake town is meant for you. Conroe, Texas, has made its name as a live music destination with shows happening in town almost every day. Bryson City. 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 . (Sorry.). Theres a reason Chelan is the go-to second-home destination for Seattlites seeking a more affordableand infinitely sunniersummer escape. Meanwhile, downtown is filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques. Take a tour of Wright's Rosenbaum House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Alabama. Sandy beaches and waters for boating and kayaking are inviting spots to spend the afternoons. The events of the past year drove additional interest, says Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty. This fast-growing city of nearly 90,000 is 40 miles north of Houston and abuts Lake Conroe, a 33-square-mile lake, and is close to Sam Houston National Forest. Spirit Lake also offers a host of museums and local historical sites such as the Dickinson County Heritage Center and the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum. Buyers can get a home and land, such as this $225,000 one-bedroom log cabin overlooking Shagawa Lake. Consider spending the winter or the entire year in one of these southern cities. The gateway to Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley, this hidden gem, just 35 minutes north of Salt Lake City, sits at 4,280 feet and is adjacent to 170,000 acres of national forest. There are 6 public boat accesses, 2 nuclear power plants, and it is popular to both nearby North Carolina and its . It is so beautiful that the locals of the Texas Hill Country have given it the nickname of "The Jewel". Each place had to have at least 25 listings. 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. 25. Prices generally range from $400,000 to . If your ideal lakeside lifestyle is a bit more social, Crane Lake has you covered. 4) Holland State Park Beach: An expansive, sandy beach on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, each with its own campground. Homes with private access to the water from their backdoors are more costly, such as this four-bedroom listed at $1,997,000. At B-52 Brewery, you'll find them serving up a new brew release every Friday alongside live music performances. But in todays overheated housing market, is the concept of owning your own waterfront home a punishing fantasy or an achievable reality? The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway connects the area's extensive park system via roads and walking and biking trails. Don't miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College. Entry-level lake homes start in the $100,000s such as this $155,000 four-bedroom with a giant deck.
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most affordable lake towns in the south