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

Condos start as low as $40,000. Enjoy Greensboro's historic charm: Main Street bustles with locally owned businesses and eateries, and Lake Oconee is a destination for water activities. And that is providing an opening for regular folks with steady jobs who have been saving up for just this opportunity to swoop in. The village of Winsted offers a downtown filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques for those hoping to wile away a lazy afternoon. Statesboro's place among America's cheapest small towns is largely due to housing costs, which are 32% lower compared with the national average. The outdoor offeringswhich often include boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, golfing, and lounging on the shoresare great ways to spend newly free hours during the weekdays and weekends. The dock area of a home for sale in Crane Lake, where most listings are under $226,000. Animal lovers will gladly pay roughly $7 ($4 for kids) to spend a couple . They were all built around the citys natural springshence the name. Enjoy the natural beauty while hiking through the park, or set out for a swim in nearby Greers Ferry Lake. And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. The small lakes around Chestertown have been booming with second home buyers this year, who make up about 80% of the real estate market. Minocqua's quieter lakes are perfect for swimming lessons and sand castles. The area surrounding the lake is made up of mostly private homes, but there are several marinas where visitors can rent or launch a boat onto the lakes clear waters. Consider spending the winter or the entire year in one of these southern cities. Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Your life in Wolfeboro will be filled with sunset swims at Brewster Beach, ice cream cones at Wolfeboro Dockside Grille & Dairy Bar, and beers at Lone Wolfe Brewing Company. People are moving back to the area, either after retirement or because they can work from their lake cottage, she says. Alabama's Lake Town lives up to its moniker by offering plenty of activities on and off the water. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The light turquoise waters attract vacationers from all over the country. 1. The community is nestled between the southern shores of the lake and the foothills of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains. Darien is one of the best family beach towns in Georgia, with plenty to see and do. Gigabit ISP: C Spire ($80/month) Zillow Home Value Index: $165,574. 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. Buyers might want to check out the Hideout, a planned residential community with 3,200 single-family homes nestled into the Poconos. For outdoor enthusiasts, Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahomas oldest national park) offers nearly 10,000 acres of camping, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. 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. 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. Some offer Zen-inducing tranquility, some pulse-pounding action, and others the kind of family-friendly tourist vibe that can optimize rental opportunities. Located at the southern edge of Lake Keowee and just a short drive from Lake Hartwell, Seneca is a great small town for retirement. 25. 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. 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. 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. The trooper had successful surgery Thursday and is in "great spirits," Attorney General Matt . Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. 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. 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. The town has less than 2,000 permanent residents, which gives it a . It sits on 1.5 acres across from Templar State Park on Big Spirit Lake. 2 . 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. 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. (Sorry.). 24. 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. Next: 25. Abingdon, Virginia. Buyers can find homes like this three-bedroom, two-bathroom lakeside abode, listed for $449,000. 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. 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. 22. Credit: John Noltner. People are moving back to the area, either after retirement or because they can work from their lake cottage, she says. 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. However, the Adirondack region is also a destination for folks who just want to sunbathe and roast marshmallows over a fire pit. Just 85 miles outside of Atlanta sits one of the most charming lake destinations in the South: Lake Oconee. Butler. 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. Homes can vary widely in price: A single-family fixer-upper on the water can go for around $250,000 or into the millions.. If you have to socially distance or can work from home, just move to the lake full time.. 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. Asheville, North Carolina. 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. And last year was already nuts! This Southern Adirondack lake town is home to just 515 residents. Rent a house along the water - on either the Nevada or California side - or stay at Edgewood Tahoe, the only five-star resort right on the water with gorgeous architecture, golfing, and an idyllic pool overlooking the lake. This Texas coastal city is known for its soft sand and its profound birding and fishing culture. Clemson, with the cultural draws of the university and the South Carolina Botanical Garden is just a stone's throw across the water. That makes Ely paradise for lake lovers who really do want to escape from the crowds and arent afraid to keep socially distant. Clearlake is one the more affordable lake towns in California, with average home prices just under $200,000. 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. 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. This waterfront home . At a time when many Americans are trying to manage life under lockdown, a home where you can enjoy the outdoors is looking more and more appealingnot just as a weekend-only getaway, but potentially for year-round living, if you have the ability to work remotely, said realtor.com housing expert Cicely Wedgeworth. #13. Cost of living . Watch: Home Buying Update: Where to Aim Highand Bid Higher. 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. Midwesterners travel from near and far to relax in the gorgeous bodies of water that dot the tourist towns of Okoboji and Spirit Lake. Homes: $165K - $1.5M Lots: $10K - $300K. (Fun fact: Big Spirit Lake is home to 40 different species of fish.). While the area boasts hundreds of hiking trails for all levels of ability, it also offers motorboating, fishing, and, for those seeking some summer adrenaline, whitewater rafting. Hot Springs Village is the largest gated community in the United States. Estes Park, CO. 3.8%. Most of the time beach towns are far too expensive to actua. 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. Cliff Billingsley/Getty Images. And yes, they can be terrific investments, too. There is a wide variety in a very small town.. Sailing, fishing and kayaking are also popular pursuits. The 55-mile-long body of water is ideal for sailing or paddling past historic cabins and sprawling vineyards. 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. We are right between Minneapolis and Chicago, and its a relatively quick trip on the interstate for people from those regions to come and vacation, says one real estate agent, Kirkland Kettleson of Century 21 Affiliated. Clear Lake, South Dakota, is proud of its strong, traditional values. 4. To find out where house hunters can actually buy a lake home without taking an extra jobor threeRealtor.com looked at the median list prices of more than 2,000 towns located on Americas watering holes from May 2020 through June 2021. 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. Unlike beach towns, lake towns never close for an off season, so there's always plenty to do and see year-round. 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. Located in the Poconos Mountains, Lake Ariel is a true small town with a population of about 14,500. 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. If your ideal lakeside lifestyle is a bit more social, Crane Lake has you covered. 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. In the past, many people have viewed buying a vacation home as a combination of a family amenity and a revenue opportunity, said Wedgeworth. Howebuyers can settle right into this three-bedroom, one-bathroom home just blocks from Lake Superior. The International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center are probably the most happening spots in town. Waterfront townhomes start in the mid-$100,000s, like this three-bedroom for $168,000. Those who want to own property right on the water should expect to spend at least $500,000, such as this $725,000 three-bedroom home. Aurora, New York. 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. 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. Homes with private access to the water from their backdoors are more costly, such as this four-bedroom listed at $1,997,000. Erie's 9,910-square-mile namesake Great Lake is home to Presque Isle State Park, which is a National Natural Landmark. 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. 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. Tucked way up in northern Minnesota, Ely is secluded and full of pristine lakes and unspoiled forests. 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. Daniel has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in Housing and Community . The 2019 Best Retirement Lake designation goes to this community for its not one, but two lakes. In the summer, families wakeboard, tube and fish on the lakes and rivers. Vergennes and the area bordering Lake Champlain have an old-world New England feel - which stands to reason, as Vergennes was founded in 1788. 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. RETIRE NEAR THE WATER. 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. Rocky River, Ohio. But in todays overheated housing market, is the concept of owning your own waterfront home a punishing fantasy or an achievable reality? Branson, MO (Table Rock Lake & Lake Taneycomo) Table Rock Lake, MO Photo courtesy of wanderthemap.com. Situated on nearly a half-acre, this house features a screened porch and is within walking distance of Roamingwood Lake. Located at the mouth of the Cheboygan River on Lake Huron, the town offers clear waters and a gorgeous shoreline. Marquette, Michigan. Eureka, California. Residents can enjoy leisurely days boating on the lake, or go fishing in two of the nearby lakes, Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack. 10. Caddo Lake is a 25,000-acre lake and bayou on the border of Texas and Louisiana. In between shopping, dont miss the reason Ashland is called the Historic Mural Capital of Wisconsin. Roughly two dozen murals dot the downtown district, depicting the lively history of the former logging town. Whether you're renting a lake house for the summer, or looking for a lakeside long weekend to book this fall, these are the 15 best lake towns in America. Sean Pavone/Getty. Lake Burton. The beauty of Aurora, apart from the gorgeous sunsets on Cayuga Lake, is that you have culture, incredible food and wine, and water activities at your fingertips. Buyers on a budget, who dont mind roughing it a bit, can check out this small cabin on Pennock Island for just $79,000. More than 125 homes and a projected fifty businesses moved to higher ground, the . You can even catch a game of golf on one of the many greens located across the lake. Those looking to move to Cheboygan are finding plenty of affordable homes . In fact, for $250,000, homebuyers can buy their own patch of Lake Placid and build their dream home. Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . Lake homes have always been a popular, aspirational home. The quaint village offers restaurants, hotels, resorts, and fun and unique shops along its cute downtown corridor. Greensboro is situated right on the 19,000-acre lake and is home to a posh golf community (there are six courses within Reynolds Lake Oconee). If you're looking for the perfect vacation town on Lake of the Ozarks, look no further than Osage Beach. With world-class skiing nearby, Lake Placid hosted both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. For more places to explore, check out The South's Greatest Lakes and The South's Best Small Towns. 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. Entry-level lake homes start in the $100,000s such as this $155,000 four-bedroom with a giant deck. Even in todays expensive real estate market, there are still a few places left where homebuyers can find great, affordable lake homes that can serve as Zen-inducing or pulse-pounding retreats (your choice!) Nestled on Lake Lure in the forested hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the eponymous small town has unparalleled outdoor attractions, including the lake with its wide beach, greenways, golf courses, hiking trails, and Chimney Rock. Weve become a year-round vacation destination now because of the resorts, indoor water parks, and other amenities in the area, he adds. Originally located precisely where the lake is, the town of Butler was submerged in 1948 as the reservoir filled. Buyers at one of these two lakes in the Branson, MO area, can find their dream home for a median price of 205,900. 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 City of Opportunity" offers plenty of rest-and-relaxation opportunities to its visitors. When it comes to American lakes, Maine's got game. 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. Many of these towns also offer summer and winter activities, which can make them year-round destinations. Located just south of the Iowa-Minnesota border, Spirit Lake sits on the western shore of East Okoboji Lake, in the Iowa Great Lakes region. But this year looks a bit different. This list could include 10 from along the state's 3,300 miles of shoreline and be very . 10. Can it be? Lookout Belle - Flickr. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Chattanooga receives its highest score for affordability. Located approximately 35 miles south of the Kennedy Space Center, Melbourne residents average $853 on monthly housing costs, ranking 12 th for this metric. Known as a major vacation destination, Lake Ariel is surrounded by the gently rolling hills of the Poconos Mountains. Maya Kachroo-Levine is the luxury and experiences editor at. For those looking for a property as close to the water as possible, there are options. 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. It's the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi - boasting 200 square miles of water. 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. * 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. 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. Conroe, Texas, has made its name as a live music destination with shows happening in town almost every day. Buying or renting, Scott is in or around the top ten statewide in terms of housing costs to income ratio. Set on the banks of Lake Erie, the popular vacation destination offers a revitalized downtown with good shopping and dining. for much of the year. It is a college town home to Ithaca College, an internationally known private college that has the Center LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services. To ensure geographic diversity, we limited our list to just one city per state. Next: 10. 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. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Wallethub's Best Beach Towns to Live in (Ocean or Lake) 15 Sparkling Seaside Towns In The USA The Best Small Beach Towns in the United States America's 25 Favorite Beach Towns America's Most Affordable Beach Towns in 2019 The 21 Most Popular Active and 55+ Communities in the Southeast. Spanning 2,600 acres, the lake of the Woods master-planned lake paradise offers residents exclusive access to its on-site equestrian center, 18-hole PGA golf . A vacation in a lake town is a guaranteed dose of old-fashioned family fun. The presence of water-based activities and attractions was one of the main ranking factors for this list. Paducah and the small towns that surround it offer up fun on the area's many lakes and rivers. Family-friendly activities abound at our number one Best Place to Buy a Lake House. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at twilight. 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. 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. There are many reasons why Lake Tahoe stands out as a lake vacation. 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. William Hereford. Each place had to have at least 25 listings. 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. 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. Come for the entire summer, or just for the annual White Lake Water Festival traditionally held in May. You'll also find the town of Bigfork, Montana, which has old Western resort town energy, not dissimilar to the ski towns you'd find in Colorado mining country. Don't miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College. The drive to Wolfeboro is about two hours from Boston and five from New York City. Asheville, North Carolina. And all of them are great for those seeking escape in the spring and fall as wellno small consideration these days. Bryson City, North Carolina, is a small town with big views. Listed at $129,900, this house is close to the lake walk and Ashlands vibrant downtown. Last on our list of the best lakes in Georgia is the "Big Bass Capital of the World." Walter F. George Lake extends 85 miles along the Chattahoochee River and is formed by the Walter F. George Lock and Dam. 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. Its a way to feel secure about making payment, so they can float it if the world turns upside down, he says. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. 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. 5. Saugatuck, Michigan. The events of the past year drove additional interest, says Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty. 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. 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. 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. Lake Tahoe, California. Emmie Martin , Melissa Stanger, and Andy Kiersz. $376,111. On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is Mandeville, Louisiana, a locale with lots of natural beauty and places to explore in the outdoors. 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. A majority of the population is seasonal. However, its ghost town status seems to be changing with a larger number of people moving here after . According to Time and Money magazines, Murfreesboro is one of the top 20 places to live in the US. This two-bedroom condo on Highland Lake, with a shared dock across the street, is for sale for $319,000. The 440-acre, 3-mile-long lake features two public beaches and a shoreline dotted with a mix of upscale and affordable permanent and vacation homes. Wisconsin Dells, named for the mighty Wisconsin River Dells, is a lakefront vacation destination that truly has something for everyone. Top 10 Cheapest Beach Towns in the US.Most people dream about buying a home near or on the beach. For more water activities, locals also visit nearby Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack, both recognized as prime fishing spots. The region's McGhee and North . Lake Moultrie. Near Klamath Falls. Two years ago, USA Today named it the best coastal town in America. 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. Consider a visit to the LEGOLAND Theme Park. Little wonder Lake Chelan is such a popular vacation destination for 12 to 14 weeks per year. 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. These are the United States' most affordable lake towns in 2021. 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.