At Rarity Bay . However, the Adirondack region is also a destination for folks who just want to sunbathe and roast marshmallows over a fire pit. 15 Best Lake Towns in America - Travel + Leisure Even in the gated community, affordable homes can still be found. Don't miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College. People are realizing they dont have to be in the city and suburbs, so they can be out there, says Stephen Bednarski, a real estate agent with Mark Martin and Company. It's an ideal setting for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities. The International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center are probably the most happening spots in town. 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. Cost of living . Abingdon, Virginia. 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. 3 . This four-bedroom with views of Sandusky Bay is listed at $355,000. 1. Two years ago, USA Today named it the best coastal town in America. There's also plenty of nature . Ogden, Utah. There's something for every travel palette in this town, from the boutique shops and locally-owned restaurants, to the 9,000-foot-plus peaks boasting hiking and mountain biking trails, to the seemingly unlimited boating and water sport opportunities on the clear blue water of Lake Chelan. The bucolic town, tucked between Pelican Lake and Lake Kampeska, offers a plethora of water sports like canoeing and water skiing. But that doesnt mean the rest of the 99% cant get in on the waterfront action. Striking views, a gorgeous landscape, stunning lakes, and affordable housing? Then we calculated affordability by analyzing median home list prices year to date through May 2022 for these communities. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices 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. 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. Fishing, beach going, and relaxing are popular activities. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. There are less costly options, such as this two-bedroom with views of the lake and Crystal River listed for $410,000. Come for the entire summer, or just for the annual White Lake Water Festival traditionally held in May. * 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. 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. Lightvision, LLC/ Getty Images. 25 Coolest Midwest Lake Vacation Spots | Midwest Living 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. Glen Arbor is nestled between Lake Michigans Sleeping Bear Bay and the Glen Lakes. The lake is named after the town of Burton which is now situated at the bottom of the lake. An hour north of Orlando, you'll find this quaint small town full of antique shops and historic charm on the edge of Lake Dora. 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. An upscale and heavily golf-oriented resort community on the Gulf Coast, Diamondhead is . RETIRE NEAR THE WATER. 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. Boone, North Carolina. California, Omaha, and Minnesota are among the most popular transplant states. Your life in Wolfeboro will be filled with sunset swims at Brewster Beach, ice cream cones at Wolfeboro Dockside Grille & Dairy Bar, and beers at Lone Wolfe Brewing Company. Each place had to have at least 25 listings. 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. Healthcare is another notable bargain, running 12% . The undulating vistas of the Smoky Mountains make for an idyllic backdrop to life at Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake. The light turquoise waters attract vacationers from all over the country. 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. Treat your family to a boat tour aboard the M/S Mount Washington, which has been cruising the lake for nearly 150 years, and if you're looking for a charming hotel, Pickering House Inn is just the place. "The City of Opportunity" offers plenty of rest-and-relaxation opportunities to its visitors. Take a stroll through this town, and you'll understand why it's a popular destination. 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 charming red-brick downtown is filled with fun shops and restaurants. 10 Best Lakes in Georgia - From North to South - Lake Rabun Hotel 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. Most Affordable Lake Areas to Call Home - Lake Homes Realty The data team at realtor.com ran the numbers to come up with these affordable lake towns. Pronounced "Bowfort" (not "Bewfert" like its South Carolina namesake), this colonial-era village embraces its pirate history. The red-brick sidewalks and friendly locals in this town are sure to make you nostalgic for childhood days on the water. Coos Bay, Oregon. This is a country chock-full of picturesque lakes, from the northeastern shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire and Rangeley Lake in Maine, all the way to the southern California shores of Big Bear Lake. 4) Holland State Park Beach: An expansive, sandy beach on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, each with its own campground. Be sure to make a stop at the iconic Mount Dora Lighthouse, one of only three registered freshwater lighthouses in the country. Find a warm welcome in LaGrange, a cozy West Georgia town located on West Point Lake. Here are the 25 most affordable places for renters currently, according to Zillow. In town, you'll find its historic district and long-loved restaurants. A suburb of Lafayette, Scott is the third most affordable city in Louisiana. Butler is located on the northern shore of Watauga Lake, and is actually the reconstruction of the "old" Butler. 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Tennessee: A Guide - UpNest Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Abingdon is one of those small towns in the south that is known for its combination of artsy vibes and historic charm. Consider spending the winter or the entire year in one of these southern cities. The first is its sheer size. The town has less than 2,000 permanent residents, which gives it a . Marquette, Michigan. Near Klamath Falls. 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. On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is Mandeville, Louisiana, a locale with lots of natural beauty and places to explore in the outdoors. Set your sights on Lakeway, Texas, which is located in the Hill Country near Lake Travis, and you'll have bountiful opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking in the picturesque landscape of the sunny Lone Star State. For anyone who wants some waterfront privacy, this certainly is the place. 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. The trooper had successful surgery Thursday and is in "great spirits," Attorney General Matt . The Best Lakes to Live On in California Enjoy Greensboro's historic charm: Main Street bustles with locally owned businesses and eateries, and Lake Oconee is a destination for water activities. for much of the year. #21 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Ebenezer Park on Lake Wylie offers a boat ramp, picnic tables, swimming, playgrounds, and fishing. Source: ESB Professional / Shutterstock. The 43,000 acres of Table Rock Lake are perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking or boating. The presence of water-based activities and attractions was one of the main ranking factors for this list. Entry-level lake homes start in the $100,000s such as this $155,000 four-bedroom with a giant deck. At B-52 Brewery, you'll find them serving up a new brew release every Friday alongside live music performances. The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In South Carolina For 2022 - HomeSnacks Laconia, New Hampshire. 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. 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. 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. 10. 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. Its quiet and peaceful early in the morning, and bustling with waterskiers and boaters in the afternoon. While Charlevoix offers both waterfront attractions and inland charms, beach-going visitors will love the five miles of shore at Fisherman's Island State Park and Beach. Sandusky has been getting a lot of press over the past few years. 13. Port Aransas. The dog days of summer 2021 are upon us at last. 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. Just 85 miles outside of Atlanta sits one of the most charming lake destinations in the South: Lake Oconee. 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. Along the 185-mile shoreline, you'll find patches of crystal clear water. 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. Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. 10 . 20 Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the U.S. 11 Best Lake Tahoe Beaches With Sandy Shores and Mountain Views, The Best Small Towns in the U.S. to See Fall Foliage. 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. 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. The dock area of a home for sale in Crane Lake, where most listings are under $226,000. 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. 25. However, its ghost town status seems to be changing with a larger number of people moving here after . The 10 Most Affordable Lake Towns in America, 2021 - realtor.com Just outside Austin, Texas is Lakeway, along the southern shores of Lake Travis. The community is well-known for its abundance of vacation rentals and homes for sale. 9 Things Youd Better Consider First, Surf and Save? The cold winters allow for hockey and ice fishing, and the warmer months . The small town, which made our 2020 and 2019 lists, offers something for everyone, from nature lovers to history buffs and foodies to golfers. Although Lake Placid boasts some impressive multimillion-dollar homes on the water, like this $11 million seven-bedroom estate, folks without trust funds can get into the housing market, too. Best South Carolina Lakes to Buy Lakefront Property The 10 Best Places to Retire in the South - US News & World Report Port Aransas is a town close to Corpus Christi making it an easy day trip from the bigger city. . Check out Margaritaville Lake Resort for a family-friendly vacation in Osage Beach. LindaZ74 / Shutterstock. Located in Pennsylvanias Poconos Mountain range, Gouldsboro is a close weekend trip for New Yorkers and New Jerseyians. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. 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. 13 Best Lake Vacations in the Southeast Region, USA - Life Family Fun Nestled in a valley between the Piedmont region and Appalachian Mountains, this town has been luring people to its picturesque waters for yearsespecially since it was the filming location for Dirty Dancing. Caddo Lake is a 25,000-acre lake and bayou on the border of Texas and Louisiana. To come up with our list of the nations most affordable lake towns, we looked at more than 11,000 towns with or on lakes. 25 of the most affordable waterfront cities in America - USA TODAY This two-bedroom condo on Highland Lake, with a shared dock across the street, is for sale for $319,000. With serene scenes, mountain-framed horizons, and breathtaking stretches of river and lake valleys, lake life looks different in every state, and we're here to celebrate them all. 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. It's the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi - boasting 200 square miles of water. 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 . Big Bear Lake is a year-round California destination because, much like Tahoe, it transforms from a ski town in the winter to a lake town in the summer. Located just an hour from Austin, the town and its surrounding lakeswhich are actually dams in the Colorado Riverhave become an increasingly popular second-home destination. The area offers hiking, skiing and gambling at the casinos. Check out five lake areas with lake homes listings that have been included in the top 10 most affordable lake areas in the country. Quincy is an absolute must-see when in Northern California and is considered one of the most affordable towns near Lake Tahoe. Scott's median income of $55,825 is quite high, which helps offset the slightly higher home prices and rent. 10 of the cheapest U.S. beach towns to buy a home - CBS News When you're not exploring the surrounding lakes, enjoy the small-town charms of Clermont, from the Downtown Clermont Farmer's Market every Sunday to the shopping along Montrose Street in Clermont's Historic Village. 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. At a time when many Americans are trying to manage life under lockdown, a home where you can enjoy the outdoors is looking more and more appealingnot just as a weekend-only getaway, but potentially for year-round living, if you have the ability to work remotely, said realtor.com housing expert Cicely Wedgeworth. The small lakes around Chestertown have been booming with second home buyers this year, who make up about 80% of the real estate market. Theres also this quirky three-bedroom within walking distance to Main Street for $350,000. Homes with private access to the water from their backdoors are more costly, such as this four-bedroom listed at $1,997,000. Paducah and the small towns that surround it offer up fun on the area's many lakes and rivers. Median home sales price: $175,000. This Southern Adirondack lake town is home to just 515 residents. 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. 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. As for housing, there is something for any price range. 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. You have the best of land and sea activities here, from hiking trails and wildlife spotting opportunities to boating and swimming along 42 miles of shoreline. Buyers on a budget, who dont mind roughing it a bit, can check out this small cabin on Pennock Island for just $79,000. Buyers at one of these two lakes in the Branson, MO area, can find their dream home for a median price of 205,900. Caddo Lake / Shutterstock. 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. Known as a major vacation destination, Lake Ariel is surrounded by the gently rolling hills of the Poconos Mountains. 25. She writes about food, travel, and real estate for Zagat, FoodNetwork.com, BBC Travel, and more. Lake of the Ozarks State Park is the largest state park in Missouri. Traveling with kids or an inner child at heart? 22. 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. Eureka, California. But in todays overheated housing market, is the concept of owning your own waterfront home a punishing fantasy or an achievable reality? And for $800,000, its possible to buy a cabin on a private island. 5) CityFlatsHotel: A sister property to the CityFlats in downtown Grand . Meera Pal is a Northern California-based writer with a background in journalism and books. The 25 Best Places to Live in the South - US News & World Report Greenwood, South Carolina. Its charming downtown, great restaurants, and fun shops are sure to keep you busy.