most affordable lake towns in the south
Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . Its very close to pricier Lake George as well as Gore Mountain Ski Resort. 10 . 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. #13. William Hereford. Theres also the noteworthy shops and restaurants located in the towns eight-block business district, which happens to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 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. We have four seasons here, and most people like that it switches things up from boating, to snowmobiling, ice fishing, and huntingthe list goes on, says Jayson Maguire, Realtor and owner of Exit Realty Connection in Watertown. 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. This two-bedroom condo on Highland Lake, with a shared dock across the street, is for sale for $319,000. Find a warm welcome in LaGrange, a cozy West Georgia town located on West Point Lake. The Corpus Christi Bay area sits behind the Padre and Mustang islands. Lake Moultrie. 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. The village of Winsted offers a downtown filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques for those hoping to wile away a lazy afternoon. You'll also find the town of Bigfork, Montana, which has old Western resort town energy, not dissimilar to the ski towns you'd find in Colorado mining country. 9. This three-bedroom across the street from Big Bass Lake was listed at $229,000. 10: Jordan Lake, average home listing $340,734. If you have to socially distance or can work from home, just move to the lake full time.. Located about 85 miles outside of Atlanta, Greensboro is situated on Lake Oconee, a 19,000-acre lake that's also a popular destination for golfing, boating, and fishing. The 10 Cheapest Lakes to live on in Texas - Journeyz 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. 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. Next: 25. For many, lakeside living is the answer. And yes, they can be terrific investments, too. Lookout Belle - Flickr. Each place had to have at least 25 listings. Lake Greenwood in Lake Greenwood State Park, located right outside the towns of Ninety Six (yes, real name) and Greenwood, offers 11,400-acres of floating fun. The International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center are probably the most happening spots in town. Conroe, Texas, has made its name as a live music destination with shows happening in town almost every day. * The average of monthly, median list prices for all homes in the city (not just lake houses) from January 2022 through May 2022, using Realtor.com data. 3 North Carolina Lake Towns Among The Best To Live In The U.S. 4) Holland State Park Beach: An expansive, sandy beach on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, each with its own campground. 15 Best Lakes in Georgia - The Crazy Tourist 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. The 7 Best Beach Towns in Texas to Visit This Year - Boundless Roads 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. Covington, Louisiana. In the past, many people have viewed buying a vacation home as a combination of a family amenity and a revenue opportunity, said Wedgeworth. Lake Ozark is a small town of less than 2,000 people in the Lake of the Ozarks region of Missouri. Asheville, North Carolina. Why Southern Lake Lovers Will Always Choose the Lake Over the Beach, The Best Places for a Dreamy Retirement in the South, Our Favorite Small Towns in North Carolina, 32 Charming Mountain Towns To Visit This Fall, The Prettiest Beach Town in Every Beachy State, 8 Things to Do in the Charming Town of Anderson, South Carolina, Our Guide to the Best Fall Color in Every Southern State, The Best Trips to Take with Your Girlfriends, The Best Vacation Spots In Every Southern State, Tell Grandma To Get Out Her Good Luggage, We've Got 18 Trip Ideas for the Whole Family. Best Places to Buy a Lake House 2021 | Vacasa 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. 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. 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. With a name like Sulphur, its no surprise that the area is famous for its mineral springs. 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. Minocqua's quieter lakes are perfect for swimming lessons and sand castles. 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. 3 . The 10 Best Lakes to Call Home - D Magazine The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway connects the area's extensive park system via roads and walking and biking trails. 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. Laconia, New Hampshire. 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. The past few years of the COVID-19 pandemic brought hordes of well-heeled buyers into vacation destinations, bidding up prices and purchasing any and all available real estate. This charming Missouri town is nestled in the Ozarks on the shores of Table Rock Lake and has lots of outdoor activities happening in and around the lake year-round, as well as indoor attractions including museums, galleries, and a historic downtown district filled with shops and restaurants. Lake Wylie is the oldest lake on the Catawba River. Tucked way up in northern Minnesota, Ely is secluded and full of pristine lakes and unspoiled forests. 13. Homes: $165K - $1.5M Lots: $10K - $300K. 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. Little wonder Lake Chelan is such a popular vacation destination for 12 to 14 weeks per year. The dog days of summer 2021 are upon us at last. 10 Best Lakes in Georgia - From North to South - Lake Rabun Hotel People are moving back to the area, either after retirement or because they can work from their lake cottage, she says. 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 10 Most Affordable Places to Buy a Lake House - House Beautiful The presence of water-based activities and attractions was one of the main ranking factors for this list. There are few things more relaxing than the quintessentially American lake vacation. Marble Falls in the Highland Lakes Region is becoming one of the best-known tourist destinations in the central part of the state. 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. 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. Explore the Seneca Historic District where wraparound porches are a staple on every home and Southern charm is a way of life, then grab a bite to eat at Dimas Brothers Caf before renting a kayak at Lake Keowee Marina to take in the views on the water. It just depends on what youre looking for, Schaben says. Those looking to move to Cheboygan are finding plenty of affordable homes . Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, this lake is part of a chain of lakes each created by a dam to generate electricity in the area. 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. On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is Mandeville, Louisiana, a locale with lots of natural beauty and places to explore in the outdoors. Two years ago, USA Today named it the best coastal town in America. The roughly 2,000-square-foot house sits on a third of an acre and has a fenced backyard. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. These are the United States' most affordable lake towns in 2021. The lake is named after the town of Burton which is now situated at the bottom of the lake. 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. These Are the Most Affordable Lake Towns In the U.S. 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. Lightvision, LLC/ Getty Images. The region boasts seven lakes, with the three largest natural bodies of water located in the town proper: Big Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake. Greensboro is situated right on the 19,000-acre lake and is home to a posh golf community (there are six courses within Reynolds Lake Oconee). 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. The area around Winter Park, Florida is a veritable lake oasis. Then we ensured these were the kind of places buyers want to be, by searching for the towns with the most water-based businesses, like marinas, restaurants, and activities, using U.S. Census Bureau data. With the campsites, the natural spring water, the scenic views around the park, and the lake, its just so calming and relaxing, says Misty Treptow, executive director of the Sulphur Chamber of Commerce. 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 City of Opportunity" offers plenty of rest-and-relaxation opportunities to its visitors. Eureka Springs is situated near several bodies of water, including Lake Leatherwood in the city limits and the enormous nearby Beaver Lake, as well as Table Rock Lake, which is located just across the Missouri border. The small community of Georgetown on the Carolina coast is what Charleston used to be - 200-year-old homes (more than Charleston, in fact), lots of Southern . Cheboygan is located on Lake Huron, but it's close to many other lakes as well Burt Lake, Long Lake, Mullett Lake, Twin Lakes and Black Lake. 15 Best Lake Towns in America - Travel + Leisure This area is one of the more affordable places to purchase from, ensuring that your investment will provide you with the most value. This three-bedroom, single-family house asking $205,000 offers down payment assistance for buyers who earn under a certain income. The small lakes around Chestertown have been booming with second home buyers this year, who make up about 80% of the real estate market. Legend has it that seven mineral springs in Springs Park have healing powers. Quincy is an absolute must-see when in Northern California and is considered one of the most affordable towns near Lake Tahoe. 10 of the Best Small Towns on the East Coast, 11 Most Beautiful Lakes in the United States, This Is the Largest Alpine Lake in North America and It's Perfect for Visiting Year-round, 8 Amazing California Road Trips That Take You From Big Sur to the Sierras, These Are the Best Small Towns in the South, 50 Best Romantic Getaways for a Couples Trip, 34 Last-minute Beach Trips to Extend Your Summer, 12 Best Washington State Parks for Camping. Located on the sandy shores of Lake Erie, Sandusky was named one of Americas best coastal towns by U.S. Today, and topped the Realtor.com 2021 list of the Most Affordable Lake Towns. Howebuyers can settle right into this three-bedroom, one-bathroom home just blocks from Lake Superior. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Although offerings vary by location, youre likely to find options for boating, fishing and paddle boarding, said Wedgeworth. Ebenezer Park on Lake Wylie offers a boat ramp, picnic tables, swimming, playgrounds, and fishing. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Lake Tahoe, California. If you're looking for the perfect vacation town on Lake of the Ozarks, look no further than Osage Beach. A suburb of Lafayette, Scott is the third most affordable city in Louisiana. Near Klamath Falls. Rent a house along the water - on either the Nevada or California side - or stay at Edgewood Tahoe, the only five-star resort right on the water with gorgeous architecture, golfing, and an idyllic pool overlooking the lake. The South's Best Lake Towns 2022 - Southern Living 10 Affordable Places to Retire on the Water - US News & World Report 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. Marshals in South Carolina Friday afternoon. Aurora, New York sits . 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. Homes can vary widely in price: A single-family fixer-upper on the water can go for around $250,000 or into the millions.. Sandusky, OH. This four-bedroom with views of Sandusky Bay is listed at $355,000. The 800-acre recreational lake is surrounded by a wooded shoreline, winding road and grassy picnic spots that come right up to the edge of the water. Top 10 Affordable Lake Towns in the US - Lakefront Living International 4. Thinking of Buying a Lakeside Home? 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. 8. Average Home Cost: $338,035. #21 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA. But that doesnt mean the rest of the 99% cant get in on the waterfront action. Clearlake is one the more affordable lake towns in California, with average home prices just under $200,000. With world-class skiing nearby, Lake Placid hosted both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Scott's median income of $55,825 is quite high, which helps offset the slightly higher home prices and rent. Located in the Poconos Mountains, Lake Ariel is a true small town with a population of about 14,500. Known as Alabamas Lake City, its surrounded by older trees, rugged mountains, and has cultural amenities like a regional theater company. 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. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Knoxville, this gated lakefront community offers space to grow and explore the iconic wilderness of the region. The unique 1.88-acre, lake-to-bay lot offers views from every window in the 8,800-square-foot home. No. Read on for the 25 best places to live in the South. The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Louisiana For 2022 - HomeSnacks Thats where the data team at Realtor.com comes in. She writes about food, travel, and real estate for Zagat, FoodNetwork.com, BBC Travel, and more. The 15 Best Resorts in the Continental U.S. How to Plan the Perfect Adirondacks Vacation in Any Season Charming Towns and Gorgeous Hikes Included. 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. 10. There is also an active and vibrant local arts scene thanks to the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. 9 Things Youd Better Consider First, Surf and Save? In town, you'll find its historic district and long-loved restaurants. Median home list price: $307,000. Bryson City. To help narrow down that search, one website has chosen three cities in North Carolina as some of the best lake towns in the country to live in. Rent a cabin with a private dock (and a boat, if you like) at MacDonald's Resort in Bayview. However, those who want a waterfront view should expect to spend $400,000 and up, such as this lakefront two-bedroom with a rooftop deck listed for $499,999. Charlevoix is the perfect getaway to Lake Michigan. When looking for a place to retire, lake towns make a strong case. Coos Bay, Oregon. There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. A leg of the great Cumberland Trail is accessible at the north end of LaFollette. Prices include all homes in these towns, including those on a lake. 01 of 10. 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. A vacation in a lake town is a guaranteed dose of old-fashioned family fun. It sits on 1.5 acres across from Templar State Park on Big Spirit Lake. Don't miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College. Canyon Lake. three-bedroom, two-bathroom lakeside abode, The 10 Most Affordable Places To Buy A Vacation Home, How to Buy a Second Home (Hint: It Wont Be Like Your First), Thinking of Buying a Lakeside Home? The actual town of Bigfork has a growing arts scene - between their impressive array of galleries, notable theatre presence, and annual Festival of the Arts - and it is known for great hiking, with many trails offering views of the lake. There's also plenty of nature . 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Tennessee: A Guide - UpNest 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. The lakes in the region include Osceola, Maitland (pictured), Minnehaha, Virginia, and Mizell, and those who visit and live in Winter Park can enjoy them all. 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. 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. A majority of the population is seasonal. 25 of the most affordable waterfront cities in America - USA TODAY When it comes to American lakes, Maine's got game. Clermont Chain of Lakes is a system of 11 lakes in Florida, but the historic village of Clermont is specifically nestled on Lake Minneola. 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!) Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. Baraboo, Wisconsin. 25. Yup. Condos on Lake Delton start in the low $100,000s, like this sweet two-bedroom asking $154,900. 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. Maguire says there has been an increase in interest in the area, especially from out-of-state buyers given the areas lakeside location and tranquil and safe community. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. In between shopping, dont miss the reason Ashland is called the Historic Mural Capital of Wisconsin. Roughly two dozen murals dot the downtown district, depicting the lively history of the former logging town. I cover residential real estate, including buying, selling and trends. 5 Massachusetts towns with waterfront property under $400,000 That said, you'll also find an amusement park in town and, next to White Lake (heading toward neighboring Elizabethtown), a picturesque 18-hole golf course. This Charming Small Town in Upstate New York Was Just Named the Best Place to Buy a Lake House in 2023 8 Best Small Towns to Buy a Vacation Home in the U.S. Where to Buy a Vacation Home in Colorado * Median home list prices as of June from Realtor.com. Families love heading to the rides and entertainment at Cedar Point Amusement Parkthe self-proclaimed roller coaster capital of the world., We have a lot of second-home buyers that come here for their getaway homes, says real estate agent Jenny Craig of Russell Realty Company. Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Located at the southern edge of Lake Keowee and just a short drive from Lake Hartwell, Seneca is a great small town for retirement. Where to Buy a Lakefront Home in America - Travel + Leisure The area also has lots to do, from shopping and dining to mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and canoeing on its rivers and lakes. While the town of Osage Beach has only 5,000 residents, there is a variety of restaurants, bars, and parks that attract visitors every summer. 10 best coastal small towns across the United States 12 Cheapest Small Towns in America | Kiplinger Lake Front Property - SC Lakes - Lakefront Homes for Sale 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 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. 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. Buyers at one of these two lakes in the Branson, MO area, can find their dream home for a median price of 205,900. The area is quiet and the weather is warm in the winter. 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. Other towns in the area include Lakeland, Lakeview, Lakeside, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and others. Situated on nearly a half-acre, this house features a screened porch and is within walking distance of Roamingwood Lake. Enjoy the natural beauty while hiking through the park, or set out for a swim in nearby Greers Ferry Lake. Chelan offers housing options at a wide range of price points. 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. Stay at Lakeside Inn, Florida's oldest continuously operating hotel, and get your fill of delicious Florida cuisine, offered by chef Norman Van Aken at his restaurant 1921. And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. Weve become a year-round vacation destination now because of the resorts, indoor water parks, and other amenities in the area, he adds. 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. Its perfect for outdoor recreation with acres to hike and canoe. Head to Greenhorn Ranch first for an authentic ranch experience in the Lost Sierra. Beautiful beaches and candy-colored sunsets over Lake Michigan make this Midwest town a must. Its charming downtown, great restaurants, and fun shops are sure to keep you busy. Many of these towns also offer summer and winter activities, which can make them year-round destinations. The 10 Best Places to Retire in the South - US News & World Report Whether you explore its canal-linked lakes via paddle board or a water boat cruise, you'll find plenty of lakeside dining with fresh afternoon catches along the way. Admire the view of the Tennessee River from the McFarland Park Fishing Pier and be sure to grab a bite to eat at Stanfield's River Bottom Grill with a dockside view of the harbor. An upscale and heavily golf-oriented resort community on the Gulf Coast, Diamondhead is . Check out five lake areas with lake homes listings that have been included in the top 10 most affordable lake areas in the country. The median listing price in 2020 was a very affordable $107,792. Lake Sara has a bit of everything. Retire to Davidson and you'll find all the small-town charm you crave near North Carolina's Lake Norman, plus proximity to the bustling Charlotte metropolitan area. Here is a lake town that visitors and residents can enjoy throughout all four seasons.