Paducah and the small towns that surround it offer up fun on the area's many lakes and rivers. 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. The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In South Carolina For 2022 - HomeSnacks Marble Falls in the Highland Lakes Region is becoming one of the best-known tourist destinations in the central part of the state. Lightvision, LLC/ Getty Images. 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 Moultrie. Surprisingly, they're not talking about the lake wateralthough there's plenty of enjoyment to be had there. There has been a steady uptick in the number of people seeking out homes in lake towns over the past few years, says Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty. 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. Scott's median income of $55,825 is quite high, which helps offset the slightly higher home prices and rent. The lakes themselves arent the only appeal. That provides plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, and even hiking. They can play on the lake, ride horses, or follow off-road Jeep trails without losing access to high-speed internet and other city amenities. Sandusky has been getting a lot of press over the past few years. 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. Located along the Guadalupe River, Canyon Lake is one of the most picturesque places to own a home, and it just so happens to also be the most affordable. The top tourist attractions are the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center. 10 Affordable Lake Towns To Buy A Waterfront Property - Forbes Those lucky enough to see a sunset at Lake Kampeska could understand how wildlife artist Terry Redlin was inspired by his surroundings in Watertown. Clemson, with the cultural draws of the university and the South Carolina Botanical Garden is just a stone's throw across the water. Don't miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College. This small two-bedroom on the bay is listed for $1,850,000. 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. 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. But beyond this, Abingdon has great outdoor recreation because it is so close to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Aurora, New York. 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. (Fun fact: Big Spirit Lake is home to 40 different species of fish.). Top 10 Cheapest Beach Towns in the US. - YouTube Those looking to move to Cheboygan are finding plenty of affordable homes for sale, including this four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house listed for $169,900. 25 of the most affordable waterfront cities in America - USA TODAY Homes: $165K - $1.5M Lots: $10K - $300K. She writes about food, travel, and real estate for Zagat, FoodNetwork.com, BBC Travel, and more. Vermont's first and smallest city, Vergennes is a short drive to both Burlington and Middlebury. RETIRE NEAR THE WATER. Those four-season attractions have made the areas lake homes a hot commodity among second homeowners. Alabama's 10 most affordable lakes to buy a house - al.com The region's McGhee and North . * 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. Theres a reason Chelan is the go-to second-home destination for Seattlites seeking a more affordableand infinitely sunniersummer escape. It's the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi - boasting 200 square miles of water. Meanwhile, downtown is filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques. Butler is located on the northern shore of Watauga Lake, and is actually the reconstruction of the "old" Butler. These days, with fears of Covid, some may not like the idea of opening their home to outsiders and possibly investing more money in cleaning. Lake Tahoe, California. 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. Beaufort, North Carolina. I want to retire in Texas and near freshwater on $4,000 a month where Rangeley Lake State Park boasts 850 acres of mountainous terrain, making the area a perfect hiking destination as well. With beautiful mountain scenery, the nearby lake (about 15 miles away), and lots of waterfall-dotted hiking trails, there's not shortage of enjoyment to be had in Western North Carolina. When looking for a place to retire, lake towns make a strong case. In 2012, 70% of registered voters supported former President Barack Obama. 22. Prices include all homes in these towns, including those on a lake. Sandpoint, Idaho, is the most expensive of the affordable lake towns, with a median list price of $429,000 and a variety of lakefront houses that . 10 Walkable Towns - Explore These Southern Communities. - ideal-LIVING Diamondhead, MS. Population: 8,044. 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. Bryson City. For some vacation homeowners, renting out their property has meant accepting the fact that a booking could possibly entail more risk than reward during the coronavirus pandemic. 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). Legend has it that seven mineral springs in Springs Park have healing powers. Stacker used 2020 data from WalletHub to determine the 46 best U.S. lake towns to live in, evaluating each on six factors: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of . Listed at $129,900, this house is close to the lake walk and Ashlands vibrant downtown. 01 of 10. The South's Best Lake Towns 2022 - Southern Living The community is well-known for its abundance of vacation rentals and homes for sale. In town, you'll find its historic district and long-loved restaurants. Then we calculated affordability by analyzing median home list prices year to date through May 2022 for these communities. Budget tip: Ko Lanta is one of the cheap beach towns that's as perfect for adventurous backpackers as it is for families. Alleged shooter of State Police trooper arrested in SC The pinnacle of Montana lake culture is spending the summer months on Flathead Lake. 5) CityFlatsHotel: A sister property to the CityFlats in downtown Grand . Test your muscles and head downriver to Wilson Lake, where there are plenty of spots to stay and enjoy fresh shellfish by the water. Check out Margaritaville Lake Resort for a family-friendly vacation in Osage Beach. The undulating vistas of the Smoky Mountains make for an idyllic backdrop to life at Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake. 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. From Turnip Greens Country Market, where you'll find a farmer's market as well a range of boutique stores, to Vernon Square, with historic sites and trails, Darien is an ideal destination for a low key family getaway. Located in the Adirondack Mountains and surrounded by rivers famous for fly-fishing, cliffs made for climbing (and jumping), and lakes ideal for a host of water sports, Lake Placid is one of the most sought-after vacation spots in New York. Caddo Lake / Shutterstock. . Bransons usually-packed Silver Dollar City theme park, Dolly Partons Stampede and live country music shows may not be nearly as appealing during the pandemic as they have been in summers past, but theres plenty of opportunity to distance from strangers across the areas many lakes. For a home right on the lake, buyers can find nice single-family homes starting in the $200,000-range, such as this waterfront three-bedroomasking $259,000. 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. Even in the gated community, affordable homes can still be found. 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. 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. Homes, Townhomes, Condos: $139.9K - $2.8M Lots: $20K - $595K. 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. Residents can enjoy leisurely days boating on the lake, or go fishing in two of the nearby lakes, Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack. Connected to Marion through a water bridge called the Diversion Canal, Lake Moultrie is a smaller lake but is still the third largest lake in South Carolina. * Median home list prices as of June from Realtor.com. 10 Surprisingly Affordable Lake Towns To Own Property in Across the US The Lake of the Woods area is perfect for spending one's golden years of retirement. The 10 Most Affordable Places to Buy a Lake House - House Beautiful 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. 20 Great Places Where You Can Retire on a Lake - Topretirements 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. 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 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. 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. 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 of the Ozarks, MO. After a full day of work, many residents find themselves on the water or hitting the trails for a hike. 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. Unlike beach towns, lake towns never close for an off season, so there's always plenty to do and see year-round. Best Lake Towns to Live in | Stacker Most people visit Florida for its beaches, but land-locked in the center of the Sunshine State is Winter Haven, a spot known for its Chain of Lakes. The town has less than 2,000 permanent residents, which gives it a . 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. Top 10 Affordable Lake Towns in the US - Lakefront Living International 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. 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. Fishing, beach going, and relaxing are popular activities. 2 . 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. There are no theme parks or big music shows. 8 Best Beach Towns in Georgia - Southern Trippers But this year looks a bit different. Lake Sara has a bit of everything. From this $400,000 one-bedroom cabin on a wooded, waterfront acre right near the Trezona Trail to this $599,000 one-bedroom cabin on a 1.25-acre island in Shagawa Lake, Ely is the ideal lake town for folks who want to get away from it all.. Median home sales price: $175,000. Vergennes and the area bordering Lake Champlain have an old-world New England feel - which stands to reason, as Vergennes was founded in 1788. Best South Carolina Lakes to Buy Lakefront Property It's an ideal setting for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities. Lake Wylie is the oldest lake on the Catawba River. 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. A leg of the great Cumberland Trail is accessible at the north end of LaFollette. (Sorry.). 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. ( (Tony Franzel for Realtor.com)) 1. Its a way to feel secure about making payment, so they can float it if the world turns upside down, he says. Each place had to have at least 50 listings each month to make the cut. Where to Buy a Lakefront Home in America - Travel + Leisure 2019 Best Retirement Lakes | Lake Homes Realty Lake Burton. Neighboring Muscle Shoals has a deep music history. California, Omaha, and Minnesota are among the most popular transplant states. Once an old port town, Sandusky is now known as a major recreation and entertainment destination. 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. Tucked into Chequamegon Bay on the south shore of Lake Superior, Ashland is rich with local history, arts and culture, and natural beauty. There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. 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. But that doesnt mean the rest of the 99% cant get in on the waterfront action. Known as a major vacation destination, Lake Ariel is surrounded by the gently rolling hills of the Poconos Mountains. Set on the banks of Lake Erie, the popular vacation destination offers a revitalized downtown with good shopping and dining. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Chelan offers housing options at a wide range of price points. The red-brick sidewalks and friendly locals in this town are sure to make you nostalgic for childhood days on the water. Its quiet and peaceful early in the morning, and bustling with waterskiers and boaters in the afternoon. Clermont Chain of Lakes is a system of 11 lakes in Florida, but the historic village of Clermont is specifically nestled on Lake Minneola. Greenwood, South Carolina. 1. Best Lake Towns In America - Best Lake Towns to Retire - Country Living Aurora, New York sits on Cayuga Lake, one of the largest of the 11 Finger Lakes. Find a warm welcome in LaGrange, a cozy West Georgia town located on West Point Lake. 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. Located in Pennsylvanias Poconos Mountain range, Gouldsboro is a close weekend trip for New Yorkers and New Jerseyians. Maya Kachroo-Levine is the luxury and experiences editor at. And last year was already nuts! 10. There is a wide variety in a very small town.. 3. The median home price in Dillon is $125,400. 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. Lake Wylie covers over 13,000 acres, with a shoreline of 325 miles. 9 Things Youd Better Consider First, Surf and Save? Take a stroll through this town, and you'll understand why it's a popular destination. Wisconsin Dells, named for the mighty Wisconsin River Dells, is a lakefront vacation destination that truly has something for everyone. Most Affordable Lake Areas to Call Home - Lake Homes Realty Lake Wylie is in both Carolinas and the variety of activities in this area is great. Port Aransas is a town close to Corpus Christi making it an easy day trip from the bigger city. 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. 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. But its not just the water that makes the area so special and desirable. 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. And all of them are great for those seeking escape in the spring and fall as wellno small consideration these days. They're not just waterfront havens where you can rent a boat for the day or go stand-up paddle boarding, they're also destinations with exciting restaurants, hotels, shopping, and plenty of non-water-based activities. 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. Many of these towns also offer summer and winter activities, which can make them year-round destinations. 4) Holland State Park Beach: An expansive, sandy beach on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, each with its own campground. 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. The 7 Best Beach Towns in Texas to Visit This Year - Boundless Roads There's also plenty of nature . Many places with lake houses have activities. Norris Lake dominates the area to the south. If you're looking to have the time of your life, this quiet lake town is meant for you. Just 12 miles from Minneapolis, the lake town is one of Niche's top suburbs in the state, grading highly in nearly every quality-of-life category from crime to education. These are the United States' most affordable lake towns in 2021. 3: Georgetown, South Carolina. 10. Buyers who want to get in on the monthly drum circles in Basin Springs Park can find great deals on homes close to downtown, such as this renovated three-bedroom asking $279,000. According to Time and Money magazines, Murfreesboro is one of the top 20 places to live in the US. Lake Tahoe is so big (22 miles long and 12 miles wide) that it straddles . There are few things more relaxing than the quintessentially American lake vacation. And while plenty has changed over previous years, one thing remains constant: an overwhelming desire among many Americans to head to the waterand, just maybe, consider what it would take to own a house there. 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. Darien is one of the best family beach towns in Georgia, with plenty to see and do. For outdoor enthusiasts, Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahomas oldest national park) offers nearly 10,000 acres of camping, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. Located at the mouth of the Cheboygan River on Lake Huron, the town offers clear waters and a gorgeous shoreline. 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!) 10 Surprisingly Affordable Lake Towns To Own Property in Across the US 8 Quaint Beach Towns In The Southeast - TravelAwaits 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. 1. Editor's Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. 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. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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.