Lake Sara has a bit of everything. Tucked into Chequamegon Bay on the south shore of Lake Superior, Ashland is rich with local history, arts and culture, and natural beauty. 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. She writes about food, travel, and real estate for Zagat, FoodNetwork.com, BBC Travel, and more. Just an hour-and-a-half by car from Birmingham, Guntersville boasts nearly 1,000 miles of shoreline on more than 69,000 acres of water. Located in the Poconos Mountains, Lake Ariel is a true small town with a population of about 14,500. It just depends on what youre looking for, Schaben says. For more water activities, locals also visit nearby Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack, both recognized as prime fishing spots. Lake Burton. Conroe. Asheville, North Carolina. 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. Sandusky, OH. Marquette, Michigan. Clear Lake, South Dakota, is proud of its strong, traditional values. The Corpus Christi Bay area sits behind the Padre and Mustang islands. This city also ranks just outside of the top 10, with the 13 th-most Waterfront condos start in the mid 300s like this two-bedroom listed at $349,000. 3. Cheboygan, Michigan. 25. Swimming is unlikely because the lake contains alligators, but it's a great spot for boating. 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. 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. And yes, they can be terrific investments, too. 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. 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. Bryson City. Florence is a fun small town with great downtown shops and restaurants as well as outdoor adventure in Shoal Creek Preserve and Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve. The small lakes around Chestertown have been booming with second home buyers this year, who make up about 80% of the real estate market. 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. An upscale and heavily golf-oriented resort community on the Gulf Coast, Diamondhead is . While its not a vacation hot spot, its just as beautiful as many nearby lake towns for a lot less cash. 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. Two years ago, USA Today named it the best coastal town in America. 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. 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. The top tourist attractions are the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center. three-bedroom, two-bathroom lakeside abode, The 10 Most Affordable Places To Buy A Vacation Home, How to Buy a Second Home (Hint: It Wont Be Like Your First), Thinking of Buying a Lakeside Home? 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. 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 unique 1.88-acre, lake-to-bay lot offers views from every window in the 8,800-square-foot home. It's all about the water sports at White Lake - tourists come to swim, boat, tube, jet ski, wake board, and the like. 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. This is a country chock-full of picturesque lakes, from the northeastern shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire and Rangeley Lake in Maine, all the way to the southern California shores of Big Bear Lake. For outdoor enthusiasts, Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahomas oldest national park) offers nearly 10,000 acres of camping, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. The median home price in Dillon is $125,400. 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. These are the United States' most affordable lake towns in 2021. No. If your ideal lakeside lifestyle is a bit more social, Crane Lake has you covered. 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. Condos start as low as $40,000. 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. Charlevoix is the perfect getaway to Lake Michigan. Asheville, North Carolina. When looking for a place to retire, lake towns make a strong case. Alaska might not be the first place most folks think of when they envision summer lake towns. The Lake of the Woods area is perfect for spending one's golden years of retirement. 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. Other towns in the area include Lakeland, Lakeview, Lakeside, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and others. 25. Weve become a year-round vacation destination now because of the resorts, indoor water parks, and other amenities in the area, he adds. You can even catch a game of golf on one of the many greens located across the lake. Its charming downtown, great restaurants, and fun shops are sure to keep you busy. 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. Minocqua, Wisconsin. There are several nearby lakes: Burt Lake, Long Lake, Mullett Lake, Twin Lakes, and Black Lake. Buying or renting, Scott is in or around the top ten statewide in terms of housing costs to income ratio. There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. 23. 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. 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. Port Aransas is a town close to Corpus Christi making it an easy day trip from the bigger city. Winter Olympics. Its quiet and peaceful early in the morning, and bustling with waterskiers and boaters in the afternoon. Sandy beaches and waters for boating and kayaking are inviting spots to spend the afternoons. Aurora, New York. 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. Michigan is home to dozens of Great Lakes towns, many interchangeable, all fantastic. And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. 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. The data team at realtor.com ran the numbers to come up with these affordable lake towns. To keep the list geographically diverse, we limited the list to one lake town per state. Scout a rental property to live out your Southern lake dream sequence, or stay at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee in Greensboro for waterfront five-star accommodations. Sandusky has been getting a lot of press over the past few years. Even in the gated community, affordable homes can still be found. A vacation in a lake town is a guaranteed dose of old-fashioned family fun. If Queen Dolly Partons Stampede and live country music shows arent your thing, check out the Titanic Museum, with 400 pre-Discovery artifacts spread across 20 gallerieswhich can be enjoyed in the blissful A/C. The New York Finger Lakes region is a pristine part of the state with 11 glistening bodies of water, each lined by towns with character. 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. 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. Surprisingly, they're not talking about the lake wateralthough there's plenty of enjoyment to be had there. 10. This list could include 10 from along the state's 3,300 miles of shoreline and be very . Lake Moultrie. 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. In town, you'll find its historic district and long-loved restaurants. There is a wide variety in a very small town.. 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. William Hereford. The 2019 Best Retirement Lake designation goes to this community for its not one, but two lakes. Its easy to spend an entire day outdoors in Ashland, either fishing in the deep waters of Chequamegon Bay, hiking to one of the many nearby waterfalls, or simply counting the different species of birds flying over the bay. 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. Watch: Relax for Less: The 10 Most Affordable U.S. Beach Towns for Homebuyers. However, those who want a waterfront view should expect to spend $400,000 and up, such as this lakefront two-bedroom with a rooftop deck listed for $499,999. Idaho Falls, Idaho. For those who aren't as keen on sinking their toes into soft white sand, Charlevoix is also home to Lavender Hill Farm, with idyllic fields packed with 25 lavender varieties, and Castle Farms - an actual stone castle in northern Michigan. The small town, which made our 2020 and 2019 lists, offers something for everyone, from nature lovers to history buffs and foodies to golfers. More than 125 homes and a projected fifty businesses moved to higher ground, the . - Port Isabel, TX - Port Isabel is a beach town and a popular resort, as well as being a retirement destination. The presence of water-based activities and attractions was one of the main ranking factors for this list. (They come highly recommended.) 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. Marshals in South Carolina Friday afternoon. 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. 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. Jordan Lake is about 25 miles north of Montgomery in Elmore County with almost a dozen homes between $300,000 and $400,000. Credit: John Noltner. Lake homes have always been a popular, aspirational home. 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. The 0.67-acre lot is one of the last waterfront building sites in the village of Lake Placid and comes with 295 feet of sandy waterfront. Its basically the complete opposite of Bransonaside from, you know, the lakes. 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. Many of these towns also offer summer and winter activities, which can make them year-round destinations. 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 . 5) CityFlatsHotel: A sister property to the CityFlats in downtown Grand . Lakeway Resort & Spa is the place to be in the area - not just for those looking for a lovely lakeside hotel, but for those renting in the area who want to book a spa day or dinner at the resort. A suburb of Lafayette, Scott is the third most affordable city in Louisiana. This four-bedroom with views of Sandusky Bay is listed at $355,000. 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. 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. ( (Tony Franzel for Realtor.com)) 1. 4. Homes with private access to the water from their backdoors are more costly, such as this four-bedroom listed at $1,997,000. 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. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at twilight. 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. Nothing says summertime bliss like hanging out in a lake town, watching the glowing sun set in the company of friends and family, sightseeing, visiting the local farmers market for fresh veggies and kicking back in a cozy cabin. Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . 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.