most affordable lake towns in the south

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. Test your muscles and head downriver to Wilson Lake, where there are plenty of spots to stay and enjoy fresh shellfish by the water. Tucked into Chequamegon Bay on the south shore of Lake Superior, Ashland is rich with local history, arts and culture, and natural beauty. Rent a cabin with a private dock (and a boat, if you like) at MacDonald's Resort in Bayview. The light turquoise waters attract vacationers from all over the country. Watch the sun set over the town while grabbing a pint at Oconee Brewing Company, or beat the early bird crowd and catch the sunrise with a side of coffee and buttermilk pancakes at Caf 44. 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. You can even catch a game of golf on one of the many greens located across the lake. 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. . After a full day of work, many residents find themselves on the water or hitting the trails for a hike. 3: Georgetown, South Carolina. No. Bayview is right on the water (literally), giving it a northwestern island feel, and it is home to the 4,000-acre Farragut State Park. Situated on nearly a half-acre, this house features a screened porch and is within walking distance of Roamingwood Lake. 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. 8. If you have to socially distance or can work from home, just move to the lake full time.. The city sits about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. 1. Tucked way up in northern Minnesota, Ely is secluded and full of pristine lakes and unspoiled forests. Trout fishing is popular on Lake Taneycomo. 9 Things Youd Better Consider First. 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. 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. Population: 316,381. 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. Its possible to get a house in this area for just over $100,000, such as this cute three-bedroomasking $115,000. 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. Meander the historic district, then break out your boats or find a picnic bench along the shore to take in a few relaxing hours in LaGrange. There is also an active and vibrant local arts scene thanks to the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. 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. There's also plenty of nature . Summer and fall in the South Lake Tahoe area is synonymous with boat rentals, hiking Rubicon Trail for views of the lake, dining al fresco at Boathouse on the Pier, and sunsets savored with a bottle of wine. For car buffs, the Okoboji Classic Cars Museum is a must-see. The trooper had successful surgery Thursday and is in "great spirits," Attorney General Matt . But in todays overheated housing market, is the concept of owning your own waterfront home a punishing fantasy or an achievable reality? Family-friendly activities abound at our number one Best Place to Buy a Lake House. 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. Lookout Belle - Flickr. That makes it appealing for investors as well as folks who stay there part of the time and rent out for the rest, to help pay off their mortgages. 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. 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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. The Fort Worth side of the lake is more expensive than the Azle side, where prices are lower and the commute is longer (there is no bridge across the lake). When looking for a place to retire, lake towns make a strong case. 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. The area is quiet and the weather is warm in the winter. These are the United States' most affordable lake towns in 2021. 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. Retire to Davidson and you'll find all the small-town charm you crave near North Carolina's Lake Norman, plus proximity to the bustling Charlotte metropolitan area. And those who get seasick can avoid the water altogether with local wine tastings. Darien is one of the best family beach towns in Georgia, with plenty to see and do. About half an hour from Orlando, Clermont is the heart of this multi-lake community and is also close to Lake Louisa (the largest of the Clermont Chain of Lakes). The former industrial town has pivoted and is cultivating its reputation as a resort town, Fullford says. 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. Caddo Lake is a 25,000-acre lake and bayou on the border of Texas and Louisiana. Condos on Lake Delton start in the low $100,000s, like this sweet two-bedroom asking $154,900. For anyone who wants some waterfront privacy, this certainly is the place. For outdoor enthusiasts, Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahomas oldest national park) offers nearly 10,000 acres of camping, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at twilight. We have homes that are $100,000 to $250,000, and then we also have $5 million lake homes. And last year was already nuts! 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. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Abingdon is one of those small towns in the south that is known for its combination of artsy vibes and historic charm. 3. You're sure to catch your fix of small-town charm and slow country living in this Alabama town. 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. 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. 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. Daniel has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in Housing and Community . 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. Lake Moultrie. From this $400,000 one-bedroom cabin on a wooded, waterfront acre right near the Trezona Trail to this $599,000 one-bedroom cabin on a 1.25-acre island in Shagawa Lake, Ely is the ideal lake town for folks who want to get away from it all.. 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. (Sorry.). There are less costly options, such as this two-bedroom with views of the lake and Crystal River listed for $410,000. Median home sales price: $175,000. - Port Isabel, TX - Port Isabel is a beach town and a popular resort, as well as being a retirement destination. While its not a vacation hot spot, its just as beautiful as many nearby lake towns for a lot less cash. Its quiet and peaceful early in the morning, and bustling with waterskiers and boaters in the afternoon. 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. However, its ghost town status seems to be changing with a larger number of people moving here after . 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. This three-bedroom across the street from Big Bass Lake was listed at $229,000. Florence, Alabama. Methodology: GOBankingRates found 25 affordable waterfront cities by evaluating 112 of the United . For more places to explore, check out The South's Greatest Lakes and The South's Best Small Towns. Lake Wylie is in both Carolinas and the variety of activities in this area is great. Homes can vary widely in price: A single-family fixer-upper on the water can go for around $250,000 or into the millions.. 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. As one of the best beach vacations in Texas, Port Aransas has everything you need for a family or solo getaway. Homes: $165K - $1.5M Lots: $10K - $300K. For many, lakeside living is the answer. If your ideal lakeside lifestyle is a bit more social, Crane Lake has you covered. The Lake of the Woods area is perfect for spending one's golden years of retirement. Coos Bay, Oregon. The town of Lake Placid, set on the banks of, you guessed it, Lake Placid, is probably best known as the home of the 1980 (and 1932!) Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. It's all about the water sports at White Lake - tourists come to swim, boat, tube, jet ski, wake board, and the like. Homes with private access to the water from their backdoors are more costly, such as this four-bedroom listed at $1,997,000. The lakes themselves arent the only appeal. Then we ensured these were the kind of places buyers want to be, by searching for the towns with the most water-based businesses, like marinas, restaurants, and activities, using U.S. Census Bureau data. In 2012, 70% of registered voters supported former President Barack Obama. Pronounced "Bowfort" (not "Bewfert" like its South Carolina namesake), this colonial-era village embraces its pirate history. 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. Families love heading to the rides and entertainment at Cedar Point Amusement Parkthe self-proclaimed roller coaster capital of the world., We have a lot of second-home buyers that come here for their getaway homes, says real estate agent Jenny Craig of Russell Realty Company. 1. Many places with lake houses have activities. The roughly 2,000-square-foot house sits on a third of an acre and has a fenced backyard. 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. 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. 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. 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. Melbourne, Florida, is the highest-ranked beach town on the Atlantic Ocean shore. 10. The top 10 most affordable lakes for lakefront homes in Michigan are listed below, with the most affordable lake at No. 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. Jocquise R. Timmons, 28, of Paterson was arrested by U.S. The small town, which made our 2020 and 2019 lists, offers something for everyone, from nature lovers to history buffs and foodies to golfers. It's the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi - boasting 200 square miles of water. Saugatuck Dunes State Park draws adventure seekers with its massive mounds and 13 miles of sandy trails. The city sits in a strategic position at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, connecting the Gulf of Alaska to the Puget Sound. 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. Offers may be subject to change without notice. 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. Buyers on a budget, who dont mind roughing it a bit, can check out this small cabin on Pennock Island for just $79,000. Many of these towns also offer summer and winter activities, which can make them year-round destinations. 10 of the Best Small Towns on the East Coast, 11 Most Beautiful Lakes in the United States, This Is the Largest Alpine Lake in North America and It's Perfect for Visiting Year-round, 8 Amazing California Road Trips That Take You From Big Sur to the Sierras, These Are the Best Small Towns in the South, 50 Best Romantic Getaways for a Couples Trip, 34 Last-minute Beach Trips to Extend Your Summer, 12 Best Washington State Parks for Camping. 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. Sandy beaches and waters for boating and kayaking are inviting spots to spend the afternoons. Clemson, with the cultural draws of the university and the South Carolina Botanical Garden is just a stone's throw across the water. Cayuga Lake is known for its stunning wine trail and Aurora, nestled right on the shores of Cayuga, is in close proximity to wineries along the lake as well as wineries lining the adjacent Seneca Lake. 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. Take a stroll through this town, and you'll understand why it's a popular destination. A vacation in a lake town is a guaranteed dose of old-fashioned family fun. In fact, for $250,000, homebuyers can buy their own patch of Lake Placid and build their dream home. 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. With Lone Star College . 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. There has been a steady uptick in the number of people seeking out homes in lake towns over the past few years, says Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty. Bryson City, North Carolina, is a small town with big views. Michigan is home to dozens of Great Lakes towns, many interchangeable, all fantastic. 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. Beaufort, North Carolina, one of the Southeast's oldest and most charming beach towns, is at the southern tip of North Carolina's Crystal Coast. Chelan offers housing options at a wide range of price points. William Hereford. Clear Lake, SD. Swimming is unlikely because the lake contains alligators, but it's a great spot for boating. Buyers can get a home and land, such as this $225,000 one-bedroom log cabin overlooking Shagawa Lake. Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Known as Alabamas Lake City, its surrounded by older trees, rugged mountains, and has cultural amenities like a regional theater company. 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 . With a name like Sulphur, its no surprise that the area is famous for its mineral springs. 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. 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. 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. Marquette, Michigan. Entry-level lake homes start in the $100,000s such as this $155,000 four-bedroom with a giant deck. (Fun fact: Big Spirit Lake is home to 40 different species of fish.). 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. Glen Arbor is nestled between Lake Michigans Sleeping Bear Bay and the Glen Lakes. To keep the list geographically diverse, we limited the list to one lake town per state. According to Time and Money magazines, Murfreesboro is one of the top 20 places to live in the US. Source: ESB Professional / Shutterstock. People are moving back to the area, either after retirement or because they can work from their lake cottage, she says. Set on the banks of Lake Erie, the popular vacation destination offers a revitalized downtown with good shopping and dining. 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 presence of water-based activities and attractions was one of the main ranking factors for this list. Those interested in a vacation getaway can snag this four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house located about 1.4 miles from the Guy Sandy boat ramp on Arbuckle Lake for $275,000. 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. ( (Tony Franzel for Realtor.com)) 1. Buyers can find single-family homes just blocks from the water starting in the $400,000s, like this $419,000, three-bedroom house just outside town. With a population of roughly 14,500, Lake Ariel is among the quieter, more peaceful lake towns. Aurora, New York sits . The village of Winsted offers a downtown filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques for those hoping to wile away a lazy afternoon. 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. Minocqua's quieter lakes are perfect for swimming lessons and sand castles. Flagstaff, Arizona. Buyers can find homes like this three-bedroom, two-bathroom lakeside abode, listed for $449,000. 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. Port Aransas is a town close to Corpus Christi making it an easy day trip from the bigger city. Lake Burton. Vermilion has long been one of the most beloved beach towns on the south shore of Lake Erie. Connected to Marion through a water bridge called the Diversion Canal, Lake Moultrie is a smaller lake but is still the third largest lake in South Carolina. Statesboro's place among America's cheapest small towns is largely due to housing costs, which are 32% lower compared with the national average. An upscale and heavily golf-oriented resort community on the Gulf Coast, Diamondhead is . 25. While it's near the big central Florida tourist attractions, it has its own charm, with greenspaces like Central Park and museums like The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, and Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Ogden, Utah. Howebuyers can settle right into this three-bedroom, one-bathroom home just blocks from Lake Superior. Waterfront condos start in the mid 300s like this two-bedroom listed at $349,000. 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. 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). Eureka, California. And that is providing an opening for regular folks with steady jobs who have been saving up for just this opportunity to swoop in. Plan a visit. The data team at realtor.com ran the numbers to come up with these affordable lake towns. The median listing price in 2020 was a very affordable $107,792. 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. Asheville, North Carolina. Scott. At B-52 Brewery, you'll find them serving up a new brew release every Friday alongside live music performances. However, the Adirondack region is also a destination for folks who just want to sunbathe and roast marshmallows over a fire pit. 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. Just outside Austin, Texas is Lakeway, along the southern shores of Lake Travis. Budget tip: Ko Lanta is one of the cheap beach towns that's as perfect for adventurous backpackers as it is for families. A majority of the population is seasonal. Alabama's Lake Town lives up to its moniker by offering plenty of activities on and off the water. People are realizing they dont have to be in the city and suburbs, so they can be out there, says Stephen Bednarski, a real estate agent with Mark Martin and Company. Located approximately 35 miles south of the Kennedy Space Center, Melbourne residents average $853 on monthly housing costs, ranking 12 th for this metric. 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. Saugatuck, Michigan. 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. Aurora, New York sits on Cayuga Lake, one of the largest of the 11 Finger Lakes. 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. 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. 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. 01 of 10. Long-time locals and even some visitors are convinced that there's something in the water in this lake town. 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.

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