Chattanooga, Tennessee. Emmie Martin , Melissa Stanger, and Andy Kiersz. 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. 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 Wylie covers over 13,000 acres, with a shoreline of 325 miles. Vergennes and the area bordering Lake Champlain have an old-world New England feel - which stands to reason, as Vergennes was founded in 1788. Check out Margaritaville Lake Resort for a family-friendly vacation in Osage Beach. Saugatuck, Michigan. Just 85 miles outside of Atlanta sits one of the most charming lake destinations in the South: Lake Oconee. 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. Minocqua, Wisconsin. 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. Located in the Poconos Mountains, Lake Ariel is a true small town with a population of about 14,500. Buyers can find homes like this three-bedroom, two-bathroom lakeside abode, listed for $449,000. Located in Pennsylvanias Poconos Mountain range, Gouldsboro is a close weekend trip for New Yorkers and New Jerseyians. Rent a cabin with a private dock (and a boat, if you like) at MacDonald's Resort in Bayview. Located at the southern edge of Lake Keowee and just a short drive from Lake Hartwell, Seneca is a great small town for retirement. 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. 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. Along the 185-mile shoreline, you'll find patches of crystal clear water. 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. Lake Tahoe, California. 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. A majority of the population is seasonal. Lake Sara has a bit of everything. Maya Kachroo-Levine is the luxury and experiences editor at. 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. Diamondhead, MS. Population: 8,044. Consider spending the winter or the entire year in one of these southern cities. The dog days of summer 2021 are upon us at last. 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. The first is its sheer size. Cost of living . The word is getting out. 10. 24. 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. Once an old port town, Sandusky is now known as a major recreation and entertainment destination. 5. Clermont Chain of Lakes is a system of 11 lakes in Florida, but the historic village of Clermont is specifically nestled on Lake Minneola. Port Aransas. 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. Originally located precisely where the lake is, the town of Butler was submerged in 1948 as the reservoir filled. The area also has lots to do, from shopping and dining to mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and canoeing on its rivers and lakes. Alabama's Lake Town lives up to its moniker by offering plenty of activities on and off the water. 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. 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. 9. Our readers voted on their favorites, and while no two stays are alike, we're sure that you'll find plenty of rest and relaxation in each of them. Rocky River, Ohio. 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. Unlike beach towns, lake towns never close for an off season, so there's always plenty to do and see year-round. 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. 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. Situated on nearly a half-acre, this house features a screened porch and is within walking distance of Roamingwood Lake. Take a tour of Wright's Rosenbaum House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Alabama. The 1,500-square-foot footprint allows for a second story, allowing the buyer to build a stunning 3,000-square-foot home on the water. 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. 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. Some offer Zen-inducing tranquility, some pulse-pounding action, and others the kind of family-friendly tourist vibe that can optimize rental opportunities. 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. Little wonder Lake Chelan is such a popular vacation destination for 12 to 14 weeks per year. 4. 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. Enjoy the natural beauty while hiking through the park, or set out for a swim in nearby Greers Ferry 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. To keep the list geographically diverse, we limited the list to one lake town per state. The area around Winter Park, Florida is a veritable lake oasis. And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. But there are also plenty of folks whod prefer to be right in town, within walking distance to dozens of restaurants, the performance center, and the nearly 30 sculptures spread throughout downtown. 10. 1. Heres a $55,000 one-bedroom unit. Its very close to pricier Lake George as well as Gore Mountain Ski Resort. 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. Add that to the shops, restaurants, and galleries that fill these charming small towns, and you'll find inviting places to spend your retirement years. Striking views, a gorgeous landscape, stunning lakes, and affordable housing? Median home price: $260,000. The dock area of a home for sale in Crane Lake, where most listings are under $226,000. In terms of housing, though, Dillon is much cheaper than those numbers suggest. Aurora, New York. No. 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. Dillon's overall cost of living score is 88, compared to South Carolina's 94 and the national average of 100. Each year, with the arrival of the dog days of summer, the desire to find a place by the water becomes nothing less than a national obsession. 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. There is also an active and vibrant local arts scene thanks to the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. 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. 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. There's something for every travel palette in this town, from the boutique shops and locally-owned restaurants, to the 9,000-foot-plus peaks boasting hiking and mountain biking trails, to the seemingly unlimited boating and water sport opportunities on the clear blue water of Lake Chelan. Those four-season attractions have made the areas lake homes a hot commodity among second homeowners. For car buffs, the Okoboji Classic Cars Museum is a must-see. 10 . 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. Methodology: GOBankingRates found 25 affordable waterfront cities by evaluating 112 of the United . There are many reasons why Lake Tahoe stands out as a lake vacation. 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. This four-bedroom with views of Sandusky Bay is listed at $355,000. The village of Winsted offers a downtown filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques for those hoping to wile away a lazy afternoon. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Other towns in the area include Lakeland, Lakeview, Lakeside, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and others. That provides plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, and even hiking. Lake Tahoe is so big (22 miles long and 12 miles wide) that it straddles . But buyers willing to share rights could find a home starting in the $300,000 range, like this three-bedroom log cabin with a deeded dock on private Friends Lake listed at $339,000. Scott. The most affordable small town in every state. The quaint village offers restaurants, hotels, resorts, and fun and unique shops along its cute downtown corridor. Clearlake is one the more affordable lake towns in California, with average home prices just under $200,000. Those looking for history and a well-preserved downtown will enjoy the heart of this city, while those keen on a lake vacation can head straight to Basin Harbor, a resort on Lake Champlain celebrating its 135th season. 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. Flagstaff, Arizona. Visitors flock to Harbour Town for a New England-style getaway without stepping foot out of the Midwest. 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. 3: Georgetown, South Carolina. $376,111. It sits on 1.5 acres across from Templar State Park on Big Spirit Lake. But in todays overheated housing market, is the concept of owning your own waterfront home a punishing fantasy or an achievable reality? Bryson City. After spending the day on Lake Norman, North Carolina's largest man-made lake, pop into any of the locally owned shops for a handmade souvenir. Conroe, Texas, has made its name as a live music destination with shows happening in town almost every day. Traveling with kids or an inner child at heart? Sandusky has been getting a lot of press over the past few years. 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. 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. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. 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. Average Home Cost: $338,035. 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. You get larger lots for the same amount of money, but you still have access to everything you need.. Branson, MO (Table Rock Lake & Lake Taneycomo) Table Rock Lake, MO Photo courtesy of wanderthemap.com. Lake Moultrie. 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. William Hereford. 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 . Read on for the 25 best places to live in the South. We see a trend across all our markets of buyers thinking, Life is short, buy the lake home! Many of those seek out the more rural lake towns where homes may be relatively more affordable than at larger lakes or at lakes near cities, says Phillips. 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. And we specifically wanted to hone in on the best lake towns in America as a way to help travelers pinpoint exactly where to book a week-long rental or a charming inn for their next lake vacation. 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. Thinking of Buying a Lakeside Home? 10: Jordan Lake, average home listing $340,734. 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. 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. 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 Charlevoix is the perfect getaway to Lake Michigan. 3. 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. 22. And with the cool waterfront breezes, fishing and kayaking on demand, early evening tequila on the dock, and a generally life-affirming vibe beckoning, who are we to argue with that logic? Consider a visit to the LEGOLAND Theme Park. - Port Isabel, TX - Port Isabel is a beach town and a popular resort, as well as being a retirement destination. With the campsites, the natural spring water, the scenic views around the park, and the lake, its just so calming and relaxing, says Misty Treptow, executive director of the Sulphur Chamber of Commerce. 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. Known as Alabamas Lake City, its surrounded by older trees, rugged mountains, and has cultural amenities like a regional theater company. 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. But its not just the water that makes the area so special and desirable. This Texas coastal city is known for its soft sand and its profound birding and fishing culture. The lake is named after the town of Burton which is now situated at the bottom of the lake. 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).. Marble Falls in the Highland Lakes Region is becoming one of the best-known tourist destinations in the central part of the state. Lake homes have always been a popular, aspirational home. 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. A vacation in a lake town is a guaranteed dose of old-fashioned family fun. 10. The median listing price in 2020 was a very affordable $107,792. Can it be? Neighboring Muscle Shoals has a deep music history. 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. Meera Pal is a Northern California-based writer with a background in journalism and books. 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. 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. And yes, they can be terrific investments, too. Minneapolis is just over three hours northwest, and Chicago more than three hours northeast. Rangeley Lake is known for terrific fishing (it's a trout and salmon hub), swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. Beaufort, North Carolina. 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. There is a wide variety in a very small town.. Watch: Home Buying Update: Where to Aim Highand Bid Higher. Two years ago, USA Today named it the best coastal town in America. 2019 Best Retirement Lakes Check out five lake areas with lake homes listings that have been included in the top 10 most affordable lake areas in the country. For many looking to escape the city, it became a great place this summer to social distance and enjoy the outdoors. The roughly 2,000-square-foot house sits on a third of an acre and has a fenced backyard. 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. Head to Greenhorn Ranch first for an authentic ranch experience in the Lost Sierra. 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 . 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. Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. 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. What do Frank Lloyd Wright, shellfish, and the Tennessee River all have in common? Homes: $165K - $1.5M Lots: $10K - $300K. Darien is one of the best family beach towns in Georgia, with plenty to see and do. 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. Its perfect for outdoor recreation with acres to hike and canoe. If your ideal lakeside lifestyle is a bit more social, Crane Lake has you covered. Lake Ozark is a small town of less than 2,000 people in the Lake of the Ozarks region of Missouri. 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. Cheboygan, Michigan. 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. 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. (Sorry.). 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. The data team at realtor.com ran the numbers to come up with these affordable lake towns. 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.