There's the African Safari Wildlife Park, a 100-acre, drive-through park with bison, giraffes, and zebras (oh my). With all due respect to ocean lovers, there's something unique and mysteriously seductive about lakeside living. I am an award-winning journalist and former real estate editor at the Chicago Tribune, where I was cited for excellence for my work in launching and editing real estate. It has a mild four season climate, and is the gateway to the excellent recreational opportunities of the nearby Appalachian Mountain forests. The data team at realtor.com ran the numbers to come up with these affordable lake towns. Winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. There are also plenty of condos and townhomes on Pinecrest Lake, best known for its campgrounds. We’re all about a stunning lake house this summer. "We call this the Iowa Great Lakes," says local real estate broker Amy Maris of Okoboji Realty. Those who really need to get their big top fix can make a pilgrimage to Circus World, a museum devoted to carnival history. Unlike many of the other towns on our list, there are plenty of affordably priced condos, some right on the lake. This three-bedroom across the street from Big Bass Lake was listed at $229,000. Gulf Islands. The artsy community framed by mountains (about 90 minutes northeast of Spokane, WA) is catnip for skiers, who can who head to the Schweitzer Mountain Resort when the powder starts to pile up. For anyone who wants some waterfront privacy, this certainly is the place. The 43,000 acres of Table Rock Lake are perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking or boating. Nine areas in the Great Lakes region made the overall list, including Traverse City, Michigan at No. I am an award-winning journalist and former real estate editor at the Chicago Tribune, where I was cited for excellence for my work in launching and editing real estate and home improvement sections. 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Waterfront condos start in the mid 300’s like this two-bedroom listed at $349,000. She also taught journalism courses at several New York City colleges and obtained a real estate license. If there’s a common wish on every beach lovers’ bucket list, it’s to own a vacation home by the shore. Kawarthas, Peterborough. But the best lake towns aren’t just about relaxation – that’s why we’re also featuring locales with plenty of adventure, both on the water and on land. The 10 Most Affordable Places to Buy a Mountain House “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. Jamestown, an upstate town about an hour and a half southwest of Buffalo, near Lake Erie, is known for its beautiful lakes, its too-good-to-be-true low home prices—and its comedy. To determine the best place to buy a vacation home in every state, GOBankingRates looked at the top vacation destinations in each state and cross-listed those locations with the median home value and the median rent for each destination. Rather than diving into a list, let’s first build an understanding of traits to look for in an area to build or buy a home and enjoy peace of mind. While the waterfront housing stock is predominantly single-family homes, there's also an assortment of townhomes and condos available for reasonable prices. Do you search out those tourist destinations jampacked with seafood joints and family-friendly entertainment to optimize rental income? Also consider vineyard opportunities, specifically in Mendoza, one of the best places in … Norfolk, VA. Tucked way up in northern Minnesota, Ely is secluded and full of pristine lakes and unspoiled forests. 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. And that's why the data team at realtor.com® set out on its annual warm-weather crusade to find the best affordable lake towns in America. Contact her at clare.trapasso@realtor.com. There, you'll find Winnipesaukee's smaller sister lake, beautiful Lake Opechee. 1/50 . Median lake home price: $792,000. Email tips and story ideas to brendayrichardson@gmail.com. At the end of Broadway stands a 28-foot-tall Viking emblazoned with "Alexandria, Birthplace of America." Although some of these homes are pricier than many homes across the country, they offer the chance to get a waterfront property, and with hurricane season upon us, perhaps a safer location than an oceanfront home. Many of Sanders' clients are boomers purchasing summer homes that will turn into their future retirement homes. Midwesterners travel from near and far to relax in the gorgeous bodies of water that dot the tourist towns of Okoboji and Spirit Lake. There are about 300 lakes alone in Douglas County, where the summer resort town of Alexandria is located. The top spots to swim, fish, sail, ski, and relax. Single-family homes by Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River run from $200,000 for a modest, two-bedroom, one-bath cottage to $3.6 million for a grand, seven-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom estate with spectacular water views. Is the property and lake accessible year-round? Let's dive in! 2-year price appreciation: 24.7% Located at the … Spirit Lake, IA. Ludington is the county seat of Mason County. Finally, we measured the percentage of vacation homes and of dining, drinking, and outdoor activity establishments. What do they love to do?". About this List Longfellow. "In the middle of all these cornfields, we have these beautiful lakes. Buy it now on Amazon. Here's are the top 10 spots. © 2020 Forbes Media LLC. About two-thirds of his clients are second-home buyers from Seattle and Northern California. There are gorgeous lakes just about as far as the eye can see—and all of the attractions that come along with them. Eastern Ontario, Calabogie. Older, waterfront, single-family homes start at a measly $100,000 here, the lowest on our list. Well, the town of Clearlake has had its struggles, which have driven prices way down. To determine the best place to buy a vacation home in every state, GOBankingRates looked at the top vacation destinations in each state and cross-listed those locations with the median home … The beautiful 32 mile long stretch of lake entices many New Yorkers to visit the area each and every year. Do you shell out more for a home on a bigger body of water, maybe even one of the Great Lakes, for the ne plus ultra in fishing and water sports? Buy. It is a top summer destination for people who want to go boating and swimming, or you can sunbathe on the sandy beach due to the available surf. "It is a small town," says local real estate Chris Chambers of Tomlinson Sotheby's International Realty. The median home price in Lake Havasu City is $276,300. Lake George. Pinterest. 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. Entry-level lake homes start in the $100,000s such as this $155,000 four-bedroom with a giant deck. 5 Reasons You’ll Want a Veteran-Friendly Real Estate Agent, How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Forever Changed the Process of Selling a House. I would imagine that you would want to find somewhere that has a nice property. Located in Pennsylvania’s Poconos Mountain range, Gouldsboro is a close weekend trip for New Yorkers and New Jerseyians. Hamlin Lake is located at the mouth of the Pere Marquette River and Lake Michigan. You're terrified of clown noses? And while there are still wineries as well as a lakefront casino and resort, the area was smacked hard by the foreclosure crisis of a decade ago and then ravaged by wildfires over the past few years. There's no shortage of true showstoppers, too, like this four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom beauty with both lake and bay views and a two-story fireplace for $1,495,000. It hosts the major annual fishing competitions in the area such as the Bassmasters, and other smaller club tournaments as well. Although most of the decisions you have to make about where you live are out of your control, when you do have the flexibility to expand your search, it’s important to remember that finding the best market can often mean getting more house for your dollar. Devise a strategy for the property. 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