most affordable lake towns in the south

Some offer Zen-inducing tranquility, some pulse-pounding action, and others the kind of family-friendly tourist vibe that can optimize rental opportunities. 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. Theres a reason Chelan is the go-to second-home destination for Seattlites seeking a more affordableand infinitely sunniersummer escape. Where to Buy a Lakefront Home in America - Travel + Leisure Lake Wylie- South Carolina/North Carolina. For those looking for an affordable lake home, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom ranch is listed for $375,000. 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. Caddo Lake - Karnack. That provides plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, and even hiking. The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In South Carolina For 2022 - HomeSnacks Marquette, Michigan. Catering to guests from around the world, this working dude ranch offers guided trail rides, horseback riding lessons, stocked fishing ponds, and an all-inclusive resort experience. The 10 Most Liberal Small Towns in the United States - Journeyz 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. It's an ideal setting for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities. 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. 4. This area is one of the more affordable places to purchase from, ensuring that your investment will provide you with the most value. Meanwhile, downtown is filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques. 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. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at twilight. Branson, MO (Table Rock Lake & Lake Taneycomo) Table Rock Lake, MO Photo courtesy of wanderthemap.com. Median home sales price: $175,000. And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. * 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. 10 Walkable Towns - Explore These Southern Communities. - ideal-LIVING 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. for much of the year. Bayview, Idaho is a floating village - yes, that's a real thing - on Lake Pend Oreille. 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. 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. His brokerage has seen sales in lake towns surge by 50% this year compared to last year, as people flock to the water. These Are the Most Affordable Lake Towns In the U.S. 10. Emmie Martin , Melissa Stanger, and Andy Kiersz. On the southeast shore of Lake Chelan, Chelan is a resort town nestled between the water and the Cascade Mountains. 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. Even in the gated community, affordable homes can still be found. Buyers willing to spend a bit more can find huge spreads like this three-bedroom on more than an acre of property right on the edge of Lake Desoto listed for $454,900. The unique 1.88-acre, lake-to-bay lot offers views from every window in the 8,800-square-foot home. The area is quiet and the weather is warm in the winter. For more places to explore, check out The South's Greatest Lakes and The South's Best Small Towns. Enjoy Greensboro's historic charm: Main Street bustles with locally owned businesses and eateries, and Lake Oconee is a destination for water activities. The Pacific Northwest is filled with pine tree-lined bodies of water, but in terms of lake towns that offer both water activities and mainland charms, Chelan is one of the best waterfront enclaves in the PNW. Residents, many of whom move to the village for retirement, spend their days paddleboarding, fishing and swimming in the lakes or walking along 30 miles of forested trails. $376,111. She writes about food, travel, and real estate for Zagat, FoodNetwork.com, BBC Travel, and more. For anyone who wants some waterfront privacy, this certainly is the place. Canyon Lake. The charming red-brick downtown is filled with fun shops and restaurants. Lake Tahoe is so big (22 miles long and 12 miles wide) that it straddles . 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. 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. 1. Known as a major vacation destination, Lake Ariel is surrounded by the gently rolling hills of the Poconos Mountains. 10: Jordan Lake, average home listing $340,734. Other towns in the area include Lakeland, Lakeview, Lakeside, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and others. Clermont Chain of Lakes is a system of 11 lakes in Florida, but the historic village of Clermont is specifically nestled on Lake Minneola. Its a way to feel secure about making payment, so they can float it if the world turns upside down, he says. Vergennes and the area bordering Lake Champlain have an old-world New England feel - which stands to reason, as Vergennes was founded in 1788. 15 Cutest Small Towns in The South, USA - Southern Trippers Median home price: $260,000. Its perfect for outdoor recreation with acres to hike and canoe. 3: Georgetown, South Carolina. 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. Its charming downtown, great restaurants, and fun shops are sure to keep you busy. There are few things more relaxing than the quintessentially American lake vacation. Residents can enjoy leisurely days boating on the lake, or go fishing in two of the nearby lakes, Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack. 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. 2019 Best Retirement Lakes | Lake Homes Realty After a full day of work, many residents find themselves on the water or hitting the trails for a hike. Baraboo, Wisconsin. The pinnacle of Montana lake culture is spending the summer months on Flathead Lake. 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. Trout fishing is popular on Lake Taneycomo. The Corpus Christi Bay area sits behind the Padre and Mustang islands. Wisconsin Dells, named for the mighty Wisconsin River Dells, is a lakefront vacation destination that truly has something for everyone. 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. No. Sara Ventiera is a journalist based in New York City and Los Angeles. Even though it has dropped a couple of spots, Sandusky remains a popular vacation spot for Midwesterners looking for lake living at affordable prices. 9 Things Youd Better Consider First. With a name like Sulphur, its no surprise that the area is famous for its mineral springs. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Buyers can find lakeview condos starting in the $200,000 range, such as this three-bedroom listed at $298,000 a bit farther from town. But in todays overheated housing market, is the concept of owning your own waterfront home a punishing fantasy or an achievable reality? Population: 316,381. 3. The cold winters allow for hockey and ice fishing, and the warmer months . Single-family homes on the water start in the high $300,000s to low $400,000 range, such as this four-bedroom on 2.31 acres listed at $410,000 or this three-bedroom on the market for $399,000. Coos Bay, Oregon. 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. This Southern Adirondack lake town is home to just 515 residents. There are many reasons why Lake Tahoe stands out as a lake vacation. 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 . This charming Missouri town is nestled in the Ozarks on the shores of Table Rock Lake and has lots of outdoor activities happening in and around the lake year-round, as well as indoor attractions including museums, galleries, and a historic downtown district filled with shops and restaurants. Along the 185-mile shoreline, you'll find patches of crystal clear water. Heres a $55,000 one-bedroom unit. A leg of the great Cumberland Trail is accessible at the north end of LaFollette. Its also a prized destination for great shopping and local activitieslike a top-notch weekly farmers marketand its welcoming community vibe, says Jen Schaben, real estate agent with Stauss Realty in Okoboji. 15 Best Lake Towns in America - Travel + Leisure 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. 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. This Texas coastal city is known for its soft sand and its profound birding and fishing culture. 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. 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. Charlevoix is the perfect getaway to Lake Michigan. 25. The city sits in a strategic position at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, connecting the Gulf of Alaska to the Puget Sound. The 10 Most Affordable Lake Towns in America, 2022 Edition - realtor.com Long-time locals and even some visitors are convinced that there's something in the water in this lake town. 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. 25. The Best Lakes to Live On in California Best Retirement Lake Communities | Compare Communities Get Facts 10. There is a thriving and vibrant art and cultural scene that highlights the areas Alaskan native heritage. Family-friendly activities abound at our number one Best Place to Buy a Lake House. Enjoy the natural beauty while hiking through the park, or set out for a swim in nearby Greers Ferry Lake. Bryson City. 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. The undulating vistas of the Smoky Mountains make for an idyllic backdrop to life at Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake. The 25 Most Affordable Places to Rent in the U.S. - Newsweek The light turquoise waters attract vacationers from all over the country. Buyers can find three-season cottages on the water that need some fixing up starting in the $100,000 range, like this two-bedroom ranch with river access listed for $125,000. 1. #21 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA. A suburb of Lafayette, Scott is the third most affordable city in Louisiana. And all of them are great for those seeking escape in the spring and fall as wellno small consideration these days. 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. Lake Moultrie. South Lake Tahoe: If North Lake Tahoe is a pristine and relaxed winter wonderland, South Lake Tahoe is more of a year-round affair. The 10 Most Affordable Lake Towns in America, 2021 - realtor.com Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Best Lake Towns To Retire To in the South - Southern Living Most Affordable Lake Areas to Call Home - Lake Homes Realty On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is Mandeville, Louisiana, a locale with lots of natural beauty and places to explore in the outdoors. It is a college town home to Ithaca College, an internationally known private college that has the Center LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services. Cheboygan, Michigan. This makes it and the nearby town of Effingham a beloved getaway for families from nearby St. Louis, a drive of about an hour-and-a-half away. Stay at Lakeside Inn, Florida's oldest continuously operating hotel, and get your fill of delicious Florida cuisine, offered by chef Norman Van Aken at his restaurant 1921. When it comes to American lakes, Maine's got game. 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. 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. They were all built around the citys natural springshence the name. What do Frank Lloyd Wright, shellfish, and the Tennessee River all have in common? Every outdoor activity you can imagineswimming, hiking, rock climbing, golfing, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, and moreis possible at Lake Lure, and you'll still find plenty of time for relaxation once the sun sinks behind Chimney Rock each evening. 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. Clearlake is one the more affordable lake towns in California, with average home prices just under $200,000. The data team at realtor.com ran the numbers to come up with these affordable lake towns. Don't miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College. The community is nestled between the southern shores of the lake and the foothills of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains. 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. Those four-season attractions have made the areas lake homes a hot commodity among second homeowners. Check out five lake areas with lake homes listings that have been included in the top 10 most affordable lake areas in the country. The 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. 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. But family members who arent into waiting hours (or what can feel like hours) for fish to bite have plenty of other entertainment options throughout the year as well, from wakeboarding and tubing on the water to minigolf and go-karts off it. Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular year-round destinations in California - and when you see the sunshine ricochet off the lake in the summer months, you'll see why it's just as enticing in June as it is in the height of ski season. The area around Winter Park, Florida is a veritable lake oasis. In the summer, families wakeboard, tube and fish on the lakes and rivers. Although offerings vary by location, youre likely to find options for boating, fishing and paddle boarding, said Wedgeworth. Best Lake Towns In America - Best Lake Towns to Retire - Country Living At Rarity Bay . Weve become a year-round vacation destination now because of the resorts, indoor water parks, and other amenities in the area, he adds. Best of 2020: Walkable Towns - Strong Towns There are several nearby lakes: Burt Lake, Long Lake, Mullett Lake, Twin Lakes, and Black Lake. This waterfront home . Lake Tahoe, California. There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. Conroe. But beyond this, Abingdon has great outdoor recreation because it is so close to the Blue Ridge Mountains. 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. 4. 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. 01 of 10. Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . 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. Healthcare is another notable bargain, running 12% . Yup. 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. 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. Sandusky, OH, was ranked the most affordable lake town in 2021 by Realtor.com . Located approximately 35 miles south of the Kennedy Space Center, Melbourne residents average $853 on monthly housing costs, ranking 12 th for this metric. Starting at under $200,000, buyers can find comfortable homes right near the shore, such as this four-bedroom ranch just around the corner from the boat ramp, asking $184,900.