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. 8. Realtor.com has rounded up its list of the most affordable lake towns where you can find a home that is either directly on a lake or close enough to get a great view. 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. 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. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Winter Olympics. Little wonder Lake Chelan is such a popular vacation destination for 12 to 14 weeks per year. 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. In . 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. Scott's median income of $55,825 is quite high, which helps offset the slightly higher home prices and rent. 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. Well, it all depends on where you look. Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. (Sorry.). Median home list price: $248,000. Heres a $55,000 one-bedroom unit. Aurora, New York. 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. 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. Lake Wylie- South Carolina/North Carolina. You get larger lots for the same amount of money, but you still have access to everything you need.. Jordan Lake is about 25 miles north of Montgomery in Elmore County with almost a dozen homes between $300,000 and $400,000. 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. Rangeley Lake State Park boasts 850 acres of mountainous terrain, making the area a perfect hiking destination as well. If you're looking for the perfect vacation town on Lake of the Ozarks, look no further than Osage Beach. Maguire says there has been an increase in interest in the area, especially from out-of-state buyers given the areas lakeside location and tranquil and safe community. One of the best things is that were far enough from any major metropolitan area that our lakes are not that busy relative to their size, says Deborah Fullford, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors of Indian River. More than 125 homes and a projected fifty businesses moved to higher ground, the . 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. Striking views, a gorgeous landscape, stunning lakes, and affordable housing? The red-brick sidewalks and friendly locals in this town are sure to make you nostalgic for childhood days on the water. While its not a vacation hot spot, its just as beautiful as many nearby lake towns for a lot less cash. 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. I cover residential real estate, including buying, selling and trends. The most affordable small town in every state. No. 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. 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. This two-bedroom condo on Highland Lake, with a shared dock across the street, is for sale for $319,000. There are no theme parks or big music shows. Ogden, Utah. For more places to explore, check out The South's Greatest Lakes and The South's Best Small Towns. 10: Jordan Lake, average home listing $340,734. 11. Asheville, North Carolina. Median home sales price: $175,000. Sandusky has been getting a lot of press over the past few years. It's an ideal setting for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities. This Southern Adirondack lake town is home to just 515 residents. Vacation homes are still affordable in Winsted. The charming red-brick downtown is filled with fun shops and restaurants. Wisconsin Dells, named for the mighty Wisconsin River Dells, is a lakefront vacation destination that truly has something for everyone. 10 . Source: ESB Professional / Shutterstock. Situated on nearly a half-acre, this house features a screened porch and is within walking distance of Roamingwood Lake. 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. 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. 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. For more water activities, locals also visit nearby Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack, both recognized as prime fishing spots. 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. 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. 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. Median home list price: $307,000. Watch: Relax for Less: The 10 Most Affordable U.S. Beach Towns for Homebuyers. Lake Wylie is a 13,400 acre lake that was created for hydro-electric power, but is also used as a recreational facility by its nearby towns - which includes the rather famous Tega Cay, known for the Jim Bakker/PTL Club extravagance. The pinnacle of Montana lake culture is spending the summer months on Flathead Lake. Lake Moultrie. That makes Ely paradise for lake lovers who really do want to escape from the crowds and arent afraid to keep socially distant. Homes can vary widely in price: A single-family fixer-upper on the water can go for around $250,000 or into the millions.. On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is Mandeville, Louisiana, a locale with lots of natural beauty and places to explore in the outdoors. William Hereford. Many places with lake houses have activities. Enjoy the natural beauty while hiking through the park, or set out for a swim in nearby Greers Ferry Lake. Even though only 120 people live here full-time, in the summer the Canadian border town attracts hundreds to the resorts and campsites near the shores of the 3,088-acre lake. Charlevoix is the perfect getaway to Lake Michigan. 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. 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 . To ensure geographic diversity, we limited our list to just one city per state. Canyon Lake. LindaZ74 / Shutterstock. 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. 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. Its charming downtown, great restaurants, and fun shops are sure to keep you busy. Most of the time beach towns are far too expensive to actua. The area is quiet and the weather is warm in the winter. Coos Bay, Oregon. A majority of the population is seasonal. 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? Clear Lake, South Dakota, is proud of its strong, traditional values. Port Aransas is a town close to Corpus Christi making it an easy day trip from the bigger city. Can it be? Prices include all homes in these towns, including those on a lake. 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. 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. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at twilight. 2 . Aurora, New York sits on Cayuga Lake, one of the largest of the 11 Finger Lakes. With a population of roughly 14,500, Lake Ariel is among the quieter, more peaceful lake towns. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Norris Lake dominates the area to the south. Eureka, California. Vermont's first and smallest city, Vergennes is a short drive to both Burlington and Middlebury. 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. Butler. What do Frank Lloyd Wright, shellfish, and the Tennessee River all have in common? Theres also the noteworthy shops and restaurants located in the towns eight-block business district, which happens to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 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. Homes: $165K - $1.5M Lots: $10K - $300K. Darien is one of the best family beach towns in Georgia, with plenty to see and do. You're sure to catch your fix of small-town charm and slow country living in this Alabama town. 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. RETIRE NEAR THE WATER. In the winter, it is a haven for ice fishing and the indoor water parks are open throughout the year. Caddo Lake is a 25,000-acre lake and bayou on the border of Texas and Louisiana. But beyond this, Abingdon has great outdoor recreation because it is so close to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Come for the entire summer, or just for the annual White Lake Water Festival traditionally held in May. And isn't that what makes the best lake towns shine? Fishing, beach going, and relaxing are popular activities. Plan a visit. Marquette, Michigan. 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. Next: 25. 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. 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. 5) CityFlatsHotel: A sister property to the CityFlats in downtown Grand . While the area boasts multiple lakes, the family-friendly destination offers plenty to do when you need a break from the sun and heat. There are 6 public boat accesses, 2 nuclear power plants, and it is popular to both nearby North Carolina and its . The community is nestled between the southern shores of the lake and the foothills of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains. Its a way to feel secure about making payment, so they can float it if the world turns upside down, he says. Chattanooga receives its highest score for affordability. Sara Ventiera is a journalist based in New York City and Los Angeles. 13. And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. 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. 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. 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. She covers tech, real estate, and everything in between. 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. (Fun fact: Big Spirit Lake is home to 40 different species of fish.). Its possible to get a house in this area for just over $100,000, such as this cute three-bedroomasking $115,000. The events of the past year drove additional interest, says Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty. 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. 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. As for housing, there is something for any price range. - Port Isabel, TX - Port Isabel is a beach town and a popular resort, as well as being a retirement destination. California, Omaha, and Minnesota are among the most popular transplant states. The unique 1.88-acre, lake-to-bay lot offers views from every window in the 8,800-square-foot home. Jocquise R. Timmons, 28, of Paterson was arrested by U.S. While the town of Osage Beach has only 5,000 residents, there is a variety of restaurants, bars, and parks that attract visitors every summer. Bryson City, North Carolina, is a small town with big views. Rent a cabin with a private dock (and a boat, if you like) at MacDonald's Resort in Bayview. The drive to Wolfeboro is about two hours from Boston and five from New York City. Be sure to make a stop at the iconic Mount Dora Lighthouse, one of only three registered freshwater lighthouses in the country. 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. The former industrial town has pivoted and is cultivating its reputation as a resort town, Fullford says. Cliff Billingsley/Getty Images. 10. 5. 22. 4. Sandusky, OH. 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. #21 in Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the USA. 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. Alabama's Lake Town lives up to its moniker by offering plenty of activities on and off the water. The small town, which made our 2020 and 2019 lists, offers something for everyone, from nature lovers to history buffs and foodies to golfers. However, its ghost town status seems to be changing with a larger number of people moving here after .