most affordable lake towns in the south most affordable lake towns in the south

Minocqua, Wisconsin. 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. Next: 25. Plan a visit. There are several nearby lakes: Burt Lake, Long Lake, Mullett Lake, Twin Lakes, and Black Lake. On Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro is fast becoming the best lake town in the Northeast. 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. 5. Those looking to move to Cheboygan are finding plenty of affordable homes . 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. These towns are not only right on the waterfront of the country's clearest and most sought-after lakes - they have bustling town centers and lively culture within. Median home list price: $248,000. Meanwhile, downtown is filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques. The drive to Wolfeboro is about two hours from Boston and five from New York City. 13. Port Aransas is a town close to Corpus Christi making it an easy day trip from the bigger city. 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. 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. Weve become a year-round vacation destination now because of the resorts, indoor water parks, and other amenities in the area, he adds. 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. But in todays overheated housing market, is the concept of owning your own waterfront home a punishing fantasy or an achievable reality? Located at the southern edge of Lake Keowee and just a short drive from Lake Hartwell, Seneca is a great small town for retirement. Cliff Billingsley/Getty Images. Chelan offers housing options at a wide range of price points. Check out Margaritaville Lake Resort for a family-friendly vacation in Osage Beach. On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is Mandeville, Louisiana, a locale with lots of natural beauty and places to explore in the outdoors. 01 of 10. The Fort Worth side of the lake is more expensive than the Azle side, where prices are lower and the commute is longer (there is no bridge across the lake). The area offers hiking, skiing and gambling at the casinos. The undulating vistas of the Smoky Mountains make for an idyllic backdrop to life at Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake. Butler is located on the northern shore of Watauga Lake, and is actually the reconstruction of the "old" Butler. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Knoxville, this gated lakefront community offers space to grow and explore the iconic wilderness of the region. This city also ranks just outside of the top 10, with the 13 th-most Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 1. Paducah and the small towns that surround it offer up fun on the area's many lakes and rivers. 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. Healthcare is another notable bargain, running 12% . No. And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. For anyone who wants some waterfront privacy, this certainly is the place. Even though only 120 people live here full-time, in the summer the Canadian border town attracts hundreds to the resorts and campsites near the shores of the 3,088-acre lake. 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. 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. Darien is one of the best family beach towns in Georgia, with plenty to see and do. 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. 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. The region's McGhee and North . Most of the time beach towns are far too expensive to actua. Just an hour-and-a-half by car from Birmingham, Guntersville boasts nearly 1,000 miles of shoreline on more than 69,000 acres of water. 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 . The roughly 2,000-square-foot house sits on a third of an acre and has a fenced backyard. Rocky River, Ohio. 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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. Winsted, Connecticut is a 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. 11. 10 . For car buffs, the Okoboji Classic Cars Museum is a must-see. Daniel has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in Housing and Community . Watch: Relax for Less: The 10 Most Affordable U.S. Beach Towns for Homebuyers. This four-bedroom with views of Sandusky Bay is listed at $355,000. 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 former industrial town has pivoted and is cultivating its reputation as a resort town, Fullford says. Visitors flock to Harbour Town for a New England-style getaway without stepping foot out of the Midwest. Its basically the complete opposite of Bransonaside from, you know, the lakes. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. Sara Ventiera is a journalist based in New York City and Los Angeles. 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. for much of the year. The 1,500-square-foot footprint allows for a second story, allowing the buyer to build a stunning 3,000-square-foot home on the water. Norris Lake dominates the area to the south. Meera Pal is a Northern California-based writer with a background in journalism and books. Median home price: $260,000. Unlike beach towns, lake towns never close for an off season, so there's always plenty to do and see year-round. Its a way to feel secure about making payment, so they can float it if the world turns upside down, he says. Rent a house right on the shores of Flathead Lake, or book a cabin at the all-inclusive Flathead Lake Lodge for a memorable dude ranch experience. 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. Little wonder Lake Chelan is such a popular vacation destination for 12 to 14 weeks per year. 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. Located near Lake Toxaway, the largest private lake in the state, Cashiers has long been a favorite vacation spot and has also inspired people to relocate there for retirement. Traveling with kids or an inner child at heart? When looking for a place to retire, lake towns make a strong case. As one of the best beach vacations in Texas, Port Aransas has everything you need for a family or solo getaway. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Gigabit ISP: C Spire ($80/month) Zillow Home Value Index: $165,574. The Tennessee River runs between the two, and the stretch between Wilson Dam and Wheeler Dam is known as Wilson Lake, a popular reservoir for fishing. For many looking to escape the city, it became a great place this summer to social distance and enjoy the outdoors. Come for the entire summer, or just for the annual White Lake Water Festival traditionally held in May. Caddo Lake is a 25,000-acre lake and bayou on the border of Texas and Louisiana. This area is one of the more affordable places to purchase from, ensuring that your investment will provide you with the most value. Quincy is an absolute must-see when in Northern California and is considered one of the most affordable towns near Lake Tahoe. Top 10 Cheapest Beach Towns in the US.Most people dream about buying a home near or on the beach. Cost of living . Homes, Townhomes, Condos: $139.9K - $2.8M Lots: $20K - $595K. 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. And yes, they can be terrific investments, too. 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. 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. Fun fact: hundreds of Bigfoot sightings have been reported on the Texas side of Caddo Lake since 1965. $376,111. Visitors will find endless entertainment within the village of Big Bear, from brunch at Teddy Bear Restaurant to midday microbrews at Big Bear Lake Brewing Company. The area also has lots to do, from shopping and dining to mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and canoeing on its rivers and lakes. The house, which sits on nearly a quarter-acre, offers views of Lake Kampeska from the deck. But this year looks a bit different. Striking views, a gorgeous landscape, stunning lakes, and affordable housing? Watch: Home Buying Update: Where to Aim Highand Bid Higher. 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. 9. 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. 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. 25. 3. Marble Falls in the Highland Lakes Region is becoming one of the best-known tourist destinations in the central part of the state. Two years ago, USA Today named it the best coastal town in America. When it comes to American lakes, Maine's got game. 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. 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. 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. Baraboo, Wisconsin. It's an ideal setting for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities. . Branson, MO (Table Rock Lake & Lake Taneycomo) Table Rock Lake, MO Photo courtesy of wanderthemap.com. For those looking for an affordable lake home, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom ranch is listed for $375,000. Those four-season attractions have made the areas lake homes a hot commodity among second homeowners. You get larger lots for the same amount of money, but you still have access to everything you need.. Lake of the Ozarks State Park is the largest state park in Missouri. 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. 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. The word is getting out. Then we calculated affordability by analyzing median home list prices year to date through May 2022 for these communities. 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. 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 beach on Lake Huron at Port Crescent State Park in Port Austin. 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. Sailing, fishing and kayaking are also popular pursuits. LindaZ74 / Shutterstock. . You can find traces of all of them in Florence, Alabama. 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? Situated near Columbia, South Carolina's capital city, and just a short drive from Lake Murraya 50,000-acre reservoir with more than 600 miles of shorelineLexington is a great place to live. 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. If you're looking for the perfect vacation town on Lake of the Ozarks, look no further than Osage Beach. There are many reasons why Lake Tahoe stands out as a lake vacation. Vermilion has long been one of the most beloved beach towns on the south shore of Lake Erie. 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. Closer to town, those similar units near the large body of water go for at least an extra $100,000if not moresuch as this three-bedroom asking $539,000. Hot Springs Village is the largest gated community in the United States. 3. These lake towns might not be ones with the highest name recognition or bragging rights, but they do offer a host of fun water activitiesand the privacy and small-town feel missing from bigger, more populated vacation spots. Cayuga Lake is known for its stunning wine trail and Aurora, nestled right on the shores of Cayuga, is in close proximity to wineries along the lake as well as wineries lining the adjacent Seneca Lake. The community is home to several private bodies of water: Roamingwood Lake, Deerfield Lake, Brooks Lake, Windermere Lake, Hidden Lake, and Big Springs Pond. 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. Chelan offers housing options at a wide range of price points. Howebuyers can settle right into this three-bedroom, one-bathroom home just blocks from Lake Superior. Charlevoix is the perfect getaway to Lake Michigan. Listed at $129,900, this house is close to the lake walk and Ashlands vibrant downtown. And while it is possible to find a single-family home on the water that needs a bit of love for under $200,000, the pickings at that price point are slim. Flagstaff, Arizona. More than 125 homes and a projected fifty businesses moved to higher ground, the . Just 85 miles outside of Atlanta sits one of the most charming lake destinations in the South: Lake Oconee. Florence, Alabama. 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. Don't miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College. This Southern Adirondack lake town is home to just 515 residents. Rangeley Lake State Park boasts 850 acres of mountainous terrain, making the area a perfect hiking destination as well. This two-bedroom condo on Highland Lake, with a shared dock across the street, is for sale for $319,000. If you're looking to have the time of your life, this quiet lake town is meant for you. Along the 185-mile shoreline, you'll find patches of crystal clear water. The dog days of summer 2021 are upon us at last. Clearlake is one the more affordable lake towns in California, with average home prices just under $200,000. Located approximately 35 miles south of the Kennedy Space Center, Melbourne residents average $853 on monthly housing costs, ranking 12 th for this metric. Abingdon, Virginia. California, Omaha, and Minnesota are among the most popular transplant states. For more places to explore, check out The South's Greatest Lakes and The South's Best Small Towns. The community is nestled between the southern shores of the lake and the foothills of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains. 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. But its not just the water that makes the area so special and desirable. Port Aransas. 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 New York Finger Lakes region is a pristine part of the state with 11 glistening bodies of water, each lined by towns with character. 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. With a population of roughly 14,500, Lake Ariel is among the quieter, more peaceful lake towns. Aurora, New York. 1. It just depends on what youre looking for, Schaben says. And with the cool waterfront breezes, fishing and kayaking on demand, early evening tequila on the dock, and a generally life-affirming vibe beckoning, who are we to argue with that logic? 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. 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 Ozark is a small town of less than 2,000 people in the Lake of the Ozarks region of Missouri. Enjoy Greensboro's historic charm: Main Street bustles with locally owned businesses and eateries, and Lake Oconee is a destination for water activities. William Hereford. 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. 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. Greenwood, South Carolina. Conroe, Texas, has made its name as a live music destination with shows happening in town almost every day. 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. Lake Burton. Alabama's Lake Town lives up to its moniker by offering plenty of activities on and off the water. 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. 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. 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. She writes about food, travel, and real estate for Zagat, FoodNetwork.com, BBC Travel, and more. 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 2019 Best Retirement Lake designation goes to this community for its not one, but two lakes. The city sits in a strategic position at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, connecting the Gulf of Alaska to the Puget Sound. 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. Clear Lake, South Dakota, is proud of its strong, traditional values. Its charming downtown, great restaurants, and fun shops are sure to keep you busy. 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. A majority of buyers use their homes here partly as vacation rentals, says Justin Skaar, owner of Coldwell Banker Lake Chelan. In . 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. Lake Tahoe is so big (22 miles long and 12 miles wide) that it straddles . Lake Tahoe, California. Buyers want to be as close to the water as possible, whether in a condo near the lakelike this one-bedroom asking $160,500or in a single-family house. Those looking for history and a well-preserved downtown will enjoy the heart of this city, while those keen on a lake vacation can head straight to Basin Harbor, a resort on Lake Champlain celebrating its 135th season. 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. If you have to socially distance or can work from home, just move to the lake full time.. For outdoor enthusiasts, Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahomas oldest national park) offers nearly 10,000 acres of camping, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. 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. Once an old port town, Sandusky is now known as a major recreation and entertainment destination. And isn't that what makes the best lake towns shine? 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!) Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. 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. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. There's also plenty of nature . Cheboygan, Michigan. The dock area of a home for sale in Crane Lake, where most listings are under $226,000. The village of Winsted offers a downtown filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques for those hoping to wile away a lazy afternoon. 10. This five-bedroom, two-bedroom house is listed for $325,000. They say a rainy day on the lake is better than a sunny day in the city. Thats where the data team at Realtor.com comes in. Lake Wylie is in both Carolinas and the variety of activities in this area is great. 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. 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. Tucked into Chequamegon Bay on the south shore of Lake Superior, Ashland is rich with local history, arts and culture, and natural beauty. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at twilight. There is a wide variety in a very small town.. The Lake of the Woods area is perfect for spending one's golden years of retirement. Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . Can it be? Lake homes have always been a popular, aspirational home. 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. The presence of water-based activities and attractions was one of the main ranking factors for this list. Well, it all depends on where you look. Lake Burton. 23. Residents can enjoy leisurely days boating on the lake, or go fishing in two of the nearby lakes, Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack. Thinking of Buying a Lakeside Home? Prices include all homes in these towns, including those on a lake. Condos start as low as $40,000. Maya Kachroo-Levine is the luxury and experiences editor at. Lake Sara has a bit of everything. In the past, many people have viewed buying a vacation home as a combination of a family amenity and a revenue opportunity, said Wedgeworth. 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. Median home list price: $307,000.