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. (They come highly recommended.) It's all about the water sports at White Lake - tourists come to swim, boat, tube, jet ski, wake board, and the like. 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). 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. 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. Sean Pavone/Getty. 10 . 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. 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. 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. Population: 316,381. 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. Theres a reason Chelan is the go-to second-home destination for Seattlites seeking a more affordableand infinitely sunniersummer escape. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. 22. 11 Affordable Places to Retire on the Waterfront - Topretirements According to Time and Money magazines, Murfreesboro is one of the top 20 places to live in the US. 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. This three-bedroom across the street from Big Bass Lake was listed at $229,000. She writes about food, travel, and real estate for Zagat, FoodNetwork.com, BBC Travel, and more. Sandy beaches and waters for boating and kayaking are inviting spots to spend the afternoons. 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. A vacation in a lake town is a guaranteed dose of old-fashioned family fun. Alabama's Lake Town lives up to its moniker by offering plenty of activities on and off 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. 4) Holland State Park Beach: An expansive, sandy beach on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, each with its own campground. 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). Striking views, a gorgeous landscape, stunning lakes, and affordable housing? Those looking to move to Cheboygan are finding plenty of affordable homes . 10. In town, you'll find its historic district and long-loved restaurants. Located in the Poconos Mountains, Lake Ariel is a true small town with a population of about 14,500. The 10 Cheapest Lakes to live on in Texas - Journeyz The 15 Best Affordable Beach Vacations in America - Reader's Digest Caddo Lake / Shutterstock. Best Lake Towns In America - Best Lake Towns to Retire - Country Living Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. The Most Underrated Small Towns Near Lake Tahoe - California Homes, Townhomes, Condos: $139.9K - $2.8M Lots: $20K - $595K. The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In South Carolina For 2022 - HomeSnacks 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. 10: Jordan Lake, average home listing $340,734. Boone, North Carolina. 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. 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. . Share of household income . Covington, Louisiana. Buyers might want to check out the Hideout, a planned residential community with 3,200 single-family homes nestled into the Poconos. 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. Even though it has dropped a couple of spots, Sandusky remains a popular vacation spot for Midwesterners looking for lake living at affordable prices. 5 of the Best Towns to Buy Florida Waterfront Homes - Clever Real Estate There's also plenty of nature . The area around Winter Park, Florida is a veritable lake oasis. 9. 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. 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. 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. 3: Georgetown, South Carolina. 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. That makes Ely paradise for lake lovers who really do want to escape from the crowds and arent afraid to keep socially distant. 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. Even in the gated community, affordable homes can still be found. 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. The former industrial town has pivoted and is cultivating its reputation as a resort town, Fullford says. 15 Best Lakes in Georgia - The Crazy Tourist To ensure geographic diversity, we limited our list to just one city per state. 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. Caddo Lake - Karnack. And that is providing an opening for regular folks with steady jobs who have been saving up for just this opportunity to swoop in. 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. Sandusky, OH, was ranked the most affordable lake town in 2021 by Realtor.com . Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, this lake is part of a chain of lakes each created by a dam to generate electricity in the area. To keep the list geographically diverse, we limited the list to one lake town per state. Enjoy Greensboro's historic charm: Main Street bustles with locally owned businesses and eateries, and Lake Oconee is a destination for water activities. Aurora, New York sits . Best of 2020: Walkable Towns - Strong Towns Best Retirement Lake Communities | Compare Communities Get Facts Median home list price: $248,000. Residents can enjoy leisurely days boating on the lake, or go fishing in two of the nearby lakes, Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack. 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. Other towns in the area include Lakeland, Lakeview, Lakeside, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and others. The bucolic town, tucked between Pelican Lake and Lake Kampeska, offers a plethora of water sports like canoeing and water skiing. 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. The Corpus Christi Bay area sits behind the Padre and Mustang islands. The most affordable small town in every state. 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. And last year was already nuts! For many, lakeside living is the answer. 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. Ithaca is considered the most liberal of all towns in New York City and is ranked the 7th most liberal city in America. Top 10 Cheapest Beach Towns in the US. - YouTube 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. 8. 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. 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. The quaint village offers restaurants, hotels, resorts, and fun and unique shops along its cute downtown corridor. 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Tennessee: A Guide - UpNest 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.. 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. How to Find the Best Places to Retire in the Southeast Near the Water Quincy is an absolute must-see when in Northern California and is considered one of the most affordable towns near Lake Tahoe. 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!) 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. Butler is located on the northern shore of Watauga Lake, and is actually the reconstruction of the "old" Butler. Asheville, North Carolina. 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? Dillon's overall cost of living score is 88, compared to South Carolina's 94 and the national average of 100. for much of the year. Ogden, Utah. 11. 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. 3 North Carolina Lake Towns Among The Best To Live In The U.S. A majority of the population is seasonal. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Lake Tahoe, California. 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. Minocqua, Wisconsin. As for housing, there is something for any price range. 5. 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. 15 Best Lake Towns in America - Travel + Leisure This rural Wisconsin getaway attracts water lovers from across the upper Midwest with its two local rivers, popular manmade Lake Delton and around a dozen other bodies of water with nice homes set right on the shoreline. For those looking for a property as close to the water as possible, there are options. Charlevoix is the perfect getaway to Lake Michigan. 10 Surprisingly Affordable Lake Towns To Own Property in Across the US 15 Cutest Small Towns in The South, USA - Southern Trippers Best Places to Buy a Lake House 2021 | Vacasa $376,111. 20 Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the U.S. 11 Best Lake Tahoe Beaches With Sandy Shores and Mountain Views, The Best Small Towns in the U.S. to See Fall Foliage. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 4. 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).. 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. 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. Well, it all depends on where you look. Diamondhead, MS. Population: 8,044. Meera Pal is a Northern California-based writer with a background in journalism and books. With a name like Sulphur, its no surprise that the area is famous for its mineral springs. 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. This five-bedroom, two-bedroom house is listed for $325,000. At Rarity Bay . Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices 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. 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. Lake Wylie covers over 13,000 acres, with a shoreline of 325 miles. The drive to Wolfeboro is about two hours from Boston and five from New York City. 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. While its not a vacation hot spot, its just as beautiful as many nearby lake towns for a lot less cash. 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. Although Lake Placid boasts some impressive multimillion-dollar homes on the water, like this $11 million seven-bedroom estate, folks without trust funds can get into the housing market, too. The trooper had successful surgery Thursday and is in "great spirits," Attorney General Matt . 24. "The City of Opportunity" offers plenty of rest-and-relaxation opportunities to its visitors. 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. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 10 of the cheapest U.S. beach towns to buy a home - CBS News The unique 1.88-acre, lake-to-bay lot offers views from every window in the 8,800-square-foot home. Pronounced "Bowfort" (not "Bewfert" like its South Carolina namesake), this colonial-era village embraces its pirate history. Lake Wylie is in both Carolinas and the variety of activities in this area is great. Lake Front Property - SC Lakes - Lakefront Homes for Sale Weve become a year-round vacation destination now because of the resorts, indoor water parks, and other amenities in the area, he adds. The word is getting out. 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. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Knoxville, this gated lakefront community offers space to grow and explore the iconic wilderness of the region. Located at the mouth of the Cheboygan River on Lake Huron, the town offers clear waters and a gorgeous shoreline. Clear Lake, SD. Melbourne, Florida, is the highest-ranked beach town on the Atlantic Ocean shore. On Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro is fast becoming the best lake town in the Northeast. ( (Tony Franzel for Realtor.com)) 1. 5 Massachusetts towns with waterfront property under $400,000 The beach on Lake Huron at Port Crescent State Park in Port Austin. Aurora, New York. Known as a major vacation destination, Lake Ariel is surrounded by the gently rolling hills of the Poconos Mountains. 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. 3. I want to retire in Texas and near freshwater on $4,000 a month where Chattanooga receives its highest score for affordability. 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. 8 Best Beach Towns in Georgia - Southern Trippers The International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center are probably the most happening spots in town. Sara Ventiera is a journalist based in New York City and Los Angeles. Lake Burton. Erie's 9,910-square-mile namesake Great Lake is home to Presque Isle State Park, which is a National Natural Landmark. 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. Originally located precisely where the lake is, the town of Butler was submerged in 1948 as the reservoir filled.