Minneapolis is just over three hours northwest, and Chicago more than three hours northeast. The area surrounding the lake is made up of mostly private homes, but there are several marinas where visitors can rent or launch a boat onto the lakes clear waters. It's the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi - boasting 200 square miles of water. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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 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. Each place had to have at least 25 listings. 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. While Charlevoix offers both waterfront attractions and inland charms, beach-going visitors will love the five miles of shore at Fisherman's Island State Park and Beach. Editor's Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. What do Frank Lloyd Wright, shellfish, and the Tennessee River all have in common? Nine miles west of Cleveland is Rocky River, Ohio, a town of 20,000 ranked #24 by Niche in the entire state for best suburbs. Lake Wylie is in both Carolinas and the variety of activities in this area is great. Retirees interested in exploring the outdoors . Once an old port town, Sandusky is now known as a major recreation and entertainment destination. 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. 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. Rent a house right on the shores of Flathead Lake, or book a cabin at the all-inclusive Flathead Lake Lodge for a memorable dude ranch experience. If your ideal lakeside lifestyle is a bit more social, Crane Lake has you covered. Read on for the 25 best places to live in the South. 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. 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. 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. Those lucky enough to see a sunset at Lake Kampeska could understand how wildlife artist Terry Redlin was inspired by his surroundings in Watertown. 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. 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. There are less costly options, such as this two-bedroom with views of the lake and Crystal River listed for $410,000. Its charming downtown, great restaurants, and fun shops are sure to keep you busy. 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. 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. However, its ghost town status seems to be changing with a larger number of people moving here after . Visitors can easily hop on a ferry for a day of island-hopping, or spend the day at Cedar Point Amusement Park, which bills itself as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World. They can also take a trip to the Merry-Go-Round Museum. This Texas coastal city is known for its soft sand and its profound birding and fishing culture. 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. Halfway between Minneapolis and Chicago, the area has become a popular year-round destination for urbanites seeking an escape from city life. The drive to Wolfeboro is about two hours from Boston and five from New York City. 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. Its possible to get a house in this area for just over $100,000, such as this cute three-bedroomasking $115,000. The quaint village offers restaurants, hotels, resorts, and fun and unique shops along its cute downtown corridor. 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. Lake Tahoe, California. Known as a major vacation destination, Lake Ariel is surrounded by the gently rolling hills of the Poconos Mountains. Dillon's overall cost of living score is 88, compared to South Carolina's 94 and the national average of 100. 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. 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. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. 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. 1. Spanning 2,600 acres, the lake of the Woods master-planned lake paradise offers residents exclusive access to its on-site equestrian center, 18-hole PGA golf . The Tennessee River runs between the two, and the stretch between Wilson Dam and Wheeler Dam is known as Wilson Lake, a popular reservoir for fishing. There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. Greenwood, South Carolina. With a population of roughly 14,500, Lake Ariel is among the quieter, more peaceful lake towns. Take a stroll through this town, and you'll understand why it's a popular destination. 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. The beach on Lake Huron at Port Crescent State Park in Port Austin. 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. 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. Rent a cabin with a private dock (and a boat, if you like) at MacDonald's Resort in Bayview. Lake Moultrie. The area around Winter Park, Florida is a veritable lake oasis. 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. Buyers on a budget, who dont mind roughing it a bit, can check out this small cabin on Pennock Island for just $79,000. It's an ideal setting for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities. Lake of the Ozarks, MO. $376,111. Many places with lake houses have activities. Vermont's first and smallest city, Vergennes is a short drive to both Burlington and Middlebury. Median home list price: $307,000. Enjoy the natural beauty while hiking through the park, or set out for a swim in nearby Greers Ferry Lake. Bryson City. 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. In town, you'll find its historic district and long-loved restaurants. ( (Tony Franzel for Realtor.com)) 1. This small two-bedroom on the bay is listed for $1,850,000. 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. Erie's 9,910-square-mile namesake Great Lake is home to Presque Isle State Park, which is a National Natural Landmark. Statesboro's place among America's cheapest small towns is largely due to housing costs, which are 32% lower compared with the national average. A leg of the great Cumberland Trail is accessible at the north end of LaFollette. Buyers might want to check out the Hideout, a planned residential community with 3,200 single-family homes nestled into the Poconos. Thats where the data team at Realtor.com comes in. 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. Bayview, Idaho is a floating village - yes, that's a real thing - on Lake Pend Oreille. 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. Bryson City, North Carolina, is a small town with big views. With Lone Star College . Average temperature: 71.8 degrees. House hunters who want easy access to entertainment after paddleboarding, kayaking, or boating across 43,000 acres of water will appreciate one of the many waterfront homes on Table Rock Lake. Credit: John Noltner. Rangeley Lake is known for terrific fishing (it's a trout and salmon hub), swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. Aurora, New York. Port Aransas. Lake Burton. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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. We have homes that are $100,000 to $250,000, and then we also have $5 million lake homes. And yes, they can be terrific investments, too. 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. Daniel has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in Housing and Community . The lakes themselves arent the only appeal. Laconia, New Hampshire. The unique 1.88-acre, lake-to-bay lot offers views from every window in the 8,800-square-foot home. - Port Isabel, TX - Port Isabel is a beach town and a popular resort, as well as being a retirement destination. 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. 10. After a full day of work, many residents find themselves on the water or hitting the trails for a hike. 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. For some vacation homeowners, renting out their property has meant accepting the fact that a booking could possibly entail more risk than reward during the coronavirus pandemic. Located at the mouth of the Cheboygan River on Lake Huron, the town offers clear waters and a gorgeous shoreline. 13. LindaZ74 / Shutterstock. Diamondhead, MS. Population: 8,044. 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. Asheville, North Carolina. In the past, many people have viewed buying a vacation home as a combination of a family amenity and a revenue opportunity, said Wedgeworth. In the summer, families wakeboard, tube and fish on the lakes and rivers. 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. While the area boasts multiple lakes, the family-friendly destination offers plenty to do when you need a break from the sun and heat. Come for the entire summer, or just for the annual White Lake Water Festival traditionally held in May. The town center of Wolfeboro is actually positioned directly on Lake Winnipesaukee, which offers an expansive 72 square miles of water. 5) CityFlatsHotel: A sister property to the CityFlats in downtown Grand . On Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro is fast becoming the best lake town in the Northeast. 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. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. 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. 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. 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. 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. This area is one of the more affordable places to purchase from, ensuring that your investment will provide you with the most value. 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. There are few things more relaxing than the quintessentially American 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. But that doesnt mean the rest of the 99% cant get in on the waterfront action. Minocqua, Wisconsin. Located on the sandy shores of Lake Erie, Sandusky was named one of Americas best coastal towns by U.S. Today, and topped the Realtor.com 2021 list of the Most Affordable Lake Towns. 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. 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. And isn't that what makes the best lake towns shine? And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. Melbourne, Florida, is the highest-ranked beach town on the Atlantic Ocean shore. The area also has lots to do, from shopping and dining to mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and canoeing on its rivers and lakes. Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . Covington, Louisiana. 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 Each place had to have at least 50 listings each month to make the cut. 10: Jordan Lake, average home listing $340,734. Ithaca is considered the most liberal of all towns in New York City and is ranked the 7th most liberal city in America. The city sits in a strategic position at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, connecting the Gulf of Alaska to the Puget Sound. Caddo Lake / Shutterstock. The Lake of the Woods area is perfect for spending one's golden years of retirement. 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. 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.. Lake Burton. Be sure to make a stop at the iconic Mount Dora Lighthouse, one of only three registered freshwater lighthouses in the country.