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

Coos Bay, Oregon. Listed at $399,900, 29 Marina Cove Drive is a 2-bed, 3.5-bath condo on Spinnaker Island with 1,894 square feet as well as views of Hull Bay and Boston Harbor from the living room and bedrooms. A comparatively high tax rate and low income helped push Erie to 15th place in the rankings despite low home costs, but it's still one of the most affordable waterfront cities in the country. Bayview is right on the water (literally), giving it a northwestern island feel, and it is home to the 4,000-acre Farragut State Park. In fact, for $250,000, homebuyers can buy their own patch of Lake Placid and build their dream home. The area is quiet and the weather is warm in the winter. You can drive 30 minutes to Austin to go out for a meal or take in some live music, or unwind in the quieter suburb of Lakeway, where you'll still find great barbeque and Tex-Mex. 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. 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. 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. This two-bedroom condo on Highland Lake, with a shared dock across the street, is for sale for $319,000. A vacation in a lake town is a guaranteed dose of old-fashioned family fun. 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 International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center are probably the most happening spots in town. 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. 1. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Visitors can easily hop on a ferry for a day of island-hopping, or spend the day at Cedar Point Amusement Park, which bills itself as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World. They can also take a trip to the Merry-Go-Round Museum. Marquette, Michigan. Top 10 Cheapest Beach Towns in the US.Most people dream about buying a home near or on the beach. Supported by natural spring and rain water, White Lake is a 1,200-acre body of water in North Carolina, and the town welcomes 200,000 tourists each summer. Caddo Lake / Shutterstock. 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 Aurora, New York. 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. Striking views, a gorgeous landscape, stunning lakes, and affordable housing? 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. There are few things more relaxing than the quintessentially American lake vacation. But of course, those who want to go all out on their lake home can find secluded properties that cost much more, like this two-bedroom cottage on 180 feet of deep-water shoreline, for $699,500. Lake homes have always been a popular, aspirational home. 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. Those who want to be on one of the larger bodies of water like East Okoboji Lake should expect to pay more, such as this five-bedroom on the market for $289,000. Bayview, Idaho is a floating village - yes, that's a real thing - on Lake Pend Oreille. Situated on nearly a half-acre, this house features a screened porch and is within walking distance of Roamingwood Lake. In the past, many people have viewed buying a vacation home as a combination of a family amenity and a revenue opportunity, said Wedgeworth. Tucked way up in northern Minnesota, Ely is secluded and full of pristine lakes and unspoiled forests. This list could include 10 from along the state's 3,300 miles of shoreline and be very . 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. 5. 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. 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. Covington, Louisiana. With world-class skiing nearby, Lake Placid hosted both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. 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. Family-friendly activities abound at our number one Best Place to Buy a Lake House. Median home list price: $248,000. 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. And yes, they can be terrific investments, too. 9. Weve become a year-round vacation destination now because of the resorts, indoor water parks, and other amenities in the area, he adds. Swimming is unlikely because the lake contains alligators, but it's a great spot for boating. Those lucky enough to see a sunset at Lake Kampeska could understand how wildlife artist Terry Redlin was inspired by his surroundings in Watertown. The top 10 most affordable lakes for lakefront homes in Michigan are listed below, with the most affordable lake at No. 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. For many, lakeside living is the answer. 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. Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. 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. Lake Moultrie. The median home price in Dillon is $125,400. Visitors flock to Harbour Town for a New England-style getaway without stepping foot out of the Midwest. 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. Buyers might want to check out the Hideout, a planned residential community with 3,200 single-family homes nestled into the Poconos. 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. Melbourne, Florida, is the highest-ranked beach town on the Atlantic Ocean shore. Take a stroll through this town, and you'll understand why it's a popular destination. Browse Art on the Lake, where a variety of local art can be viewed and purchased; enjoy a zipline adventure at Screaming Eagle at Lake Guntersville, where you'll catch a great view of Northeastern Alabama forests and learn about the efforts Guntersville has made to restore the North American Bald Eagle population; and finish your stay with the best of lakeside cooking at Wintzell's Oyster House. Known as a major vacation destination, Lake Ariel is surrounded by the gently rolling hills of the Poconos Mountains. House hunters who want easy access to entertainment after paddleboarding, kayaking, or boating across 43,000 acres of water will appreciate one of the many waterfront homes on Table Rock Lake. Just a three-hour drive, the idyllic glacial valley, located across the Cascade Range in the high desert, centers on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Chelan. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Chattanooga area residents spend just 21.86% of the area's median household income on housing expenses, including mortgage payments, rent, property taxes and utilities. 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. If you love the outdoors, you'll appreciate Deerfield Beach's Quiet Waters Park, where you can camp, fish, and ride some of the longest cable ski courses in the U.S. * 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. 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. 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. We have homes that are $100,000 to $250,000, and then we also have $5 million lake homes. Check out five lake areas with lake homes listings that have been included in the top 10 most affordable lake areas in the country. Trout fishing is popular on Lake Taneycomo. With a name like Sulphur, its no surprise that the area is famous for its mineral springs. Fun fact: hundreds of Bigfoot sightings have been reported on the Texas side of Caddo Lake since 1965. Treptow notes that the town has seen an uptick in the number of visitors to the area, as well as folks who have decided to turn their lake homes into their permanent homes. And for $800,000, its possible to buy a cabin on a private island. Asheville, North Carolina. Prices include all homes in these towns, including those on a lake. Well, it all depends on where you look. Cheboygan, Michigan. Lake Wylie- South Carolina/North Carolina. 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. Saugatuck Dunes State Park draws adventure seekers with its massive mounds and 13 miles of sandy trails. Consider spending the winter or the entire year in one of these southern cities. Its basically the complete opposite of Bransonaside from, you know, the lakes. (Sorry.). No. The community is home to several private bodies of water: Roamingwood Lake, Deerfield Lake, Brooks Lake, Windermere Lake, Hidden Lake, and Big Springs Pond. The area offers hiking, skiing and gambling at the casinos. 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. Midwesterners travel from near and far to relax in the gorgeous bodies of water that dot the tourist towns of Okoboji and Spirit Lake. The most affordable town on the list is Jamestown, N.Y., with a median list price of just $59,000, but if you desire a two-bedroom home with a private shoreline that can raise the price significantly. The village of Winsted offers a downtown filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques for those hoping to wile away a lazy afternoon. 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. 23. for much of the year. The dock area of a home for sale in Crane Lake, where most listings are under $226,000. Sandusky, OH. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Buyers can find homes like this three-bedroom, two-bathroom lakeside abode, listed for $449,000. When on dry land, you might hit a casino (Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania) or theme park (Branson, Missouri), tubing or go-karting (Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin), or enjoy strolling through the shops and restaurants of a historic district (Vermilion, Ohio).. As its nickname suggests, the lake is an immensely popular destination year-round for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities. 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. 2019 Best Retirement Lakes 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. Waterfront townhomes start in the mid-$100,000s, like this three-bedroom for $168,000. Once an old port town, Sandusky is now known as a major recreation and entertainment destination. 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. Homes: $165K - $1.5M Lots: $10K - $300K. 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. 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. 25. Summer and fall in the South Lake Tahoe area is synonymous with boat rentals, hiking Rubicon Trail for views of the lake, dining al fresco at Boathouse on the Pier, and sunsets savored with a bottle of wine. Cost of living . The bucolic town, tucked between Pelican Lake and Lake Kampeska, offers a plethora of water sports like canoeing and water skiing. RETIRE NEAR THE WATER. With Lone Star College . Homes, Townhomes, Condos: $139.9K - $2.8M Lots: $20K - $595K. Enjoy Greensboro's historic charm: Main Street bustles with locally owned businesses and eateries, and Lake Oconee is a destination for water activities. Although offerings vary by location, youre likely to find options for boating, fishing and paddle boarding, said Wedgeworth. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Thinking of Buying a Lakeside Home? 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 dog days of summer 2021 are upon us at last. 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. Test your muscles and head downriver to Wilson Lake, where there are plenty of spots to stay and enjoy fresh shellfish by the water. Buyers can get a home and land, such as this $225,000 one-bedroom log cabin overlooking Shagawa Lake. Find a warm welcome in LaGrange, a cozy West Georgia town located on West Point Lake. Bryson City. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Knoxville, this gated lakefront community offers space to grow and explore the iconic wilderness of the region. But beyond this, Abingdon has great outdoor recreation because it is so close to the Blue Ridge Mountains. 5. 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. Traveling with kids or an inner child at heart? Bryson City, North Carolina, is a small town with big views. And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. Waterfront condos start in the mid $300,000s, like this one-bedroom listed at $349,000. Sandusky has been getting a lot of press over the past few years. Beautiful beaches and candy-colored sunsets over Lake Michigan make this Midwest town a must. 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. Buyers on a budget, who dont mind roughing it a bit, can check out this small cabin on Pennock Island for just $79,000. Some offer Zen-inducing tranquility, some pulse-pounding action, and others the kind of family-friendly tourist vibe that can optimize rental opportunities. 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. However, for those who are willing to rent out their vacation homes, there is a greater demand for such getaways, particularly if they are within driving distance of a larger metro.. 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. 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. Its very close to pricier Lake George as well as Gore Mountain Ski Resort. 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. Lake Wylie is in both Carolinas and the variety of activities in this area is great. 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. Located approximately 35 miles south of the Kennedy Space Center, Melbourne residents average $853 on monthly housing costs, ranking 12 th for this metric. And all of them are great for those seeking escape in the spring and fall as wellno small consideration these days. Buyers at one of these two lakes in the Branson, MO area, can find their dream home for a median price of 205,900. 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. 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. Animal lovers will gladly pay roughly $7 ($4 for kids) to spend a couple . Butler is located on the northern shore of Watauga Lake, and is actually the reconstruction of the "old" Butler. Ogden, Utah. At B-52 Brewery, you'll find them serving up a new brew release every Friday alongside live music performances. 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 red-brick sidewalks and friendly locals in this town are sure to make you nostalgic for childhood days on the water. These are the United States' most affordable lake towns in 2021. It's all about the water sports at White Lake - tourists come to swim, boat, tube, jet ski, wake board, and the like. There is a thriving and vibrant art and cultural scene that highlights the areas Alaskan native heritage. It boasts quaint shops and restaurants that surround the town square and plenty of locals who like to watch the passers-by as they sip beverages on their front porches. Lightvision, LLC/ Getty Images. Be sure to make a stop at the iconic Mount Dora Lighthouse, one of only three registered freshwater lighthouses in the country. * Median home list prices as of June from Realtor.com. Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . . During the summer months, visitors and locals cruise along the shores of the 55-mile-long body of Lake Chelan, sailing, wakeboarding or paddling past historic cabins and vineyards. Boone, North Carolina. Estes Park, CO. 3.8%. What do Frank Lloyd Wright, shellfish, and the Tennessee River all have in common? 8. 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. The community is well-known for its abundance of vacation rentals and homes for sale. 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. 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. We also factored in the number of restaurants, bars, and entertainment establishments per capita to ensure there was more to do in these places than just lounge by the water. But this year looks a bit different. The region's McGhee and North . Homes can vary widely in price: A single-family fixer-upper on the water can go for around $250,000 or into the millions.. 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. The beach on Lake Huron at Port Crescent State Park in Port Austin. 22. And those who get seasick can avoid the water altogether with local wine tastings. Those looking to move to Cheboygan are finding plenty of affordable homes . 4. 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. Big Bear is less of a hotel town - the name of the game here is renting a house on the water and spending your days fishing, hiking, swimming, and mountain biking. Two years ago, USA Today named it the best coastal town in America. (Fun fact: Big Spirit Lake is home to 40 different species of fish.). - Port Isabel, TX - Port Isabel is a beach town and a popular resort, as well as being a retirement destination. 24. 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. Can it be? Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Halfway between Minneapolis and Chicago, the area has become a popular year-round destination for urbanites seeking an escape from city life. This four-bedroom with views of Sandusky Bay is listed at $355,000. For many looking to escape the city, it became a great place this summer to social distance and enjoy the outdoors. Idaho Falls, Idaho. Alaska might not be the first place most folks think of when they envision summer lake towns. There are less costly options, such as this two-bedroom with views of the lake and Crystal River listed for $410,000.