There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. The outdoor offeringswhich often include boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, golfing, and lounging on the shoresare great ways to spend newly free hours during the weekdays and weekends. Surprisingly, they're not talking about the lake wateralthough there's plenty of enjoyment to be had there. 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. Waterfront condos start in the mid $300,000s, like this one-bedroom listed at $349,000. Cheboygan, Michigan. Alaska might not be the first place most folks think of when they envision summer lake towns. Asheville, North Carolina. Take a stroll through this town, and you'll understand why it's a popular destination. 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. The 55-mile-long body of water is ideal for sailing or paddling past historic cabins and sprawling vineyards. Melbourne, Florida, is the highest-ranked beach town on the Atlantic Ocean shore. 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. The area around Winter Park, Florida is a veritable lake oasis. The area also has lots to do, from shopping and dining to mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and canoeing on its rivers and lakes. If you're looking to have the time of your life, this quiet lake town is meant for you. The dog days of summer 2021 are upon us at last. 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. 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. 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. I cover residential real estate, including buying, selling and trends. Buyers can find three-season cottages on the water that need some fixing up starting in the $100,000 range, like this two-bedroom ranch with river access listed for $125,000. Homes can vary widely in price: A single-family fixer-upper on the water can go for around $250,000 or into the millions.. Little wonder Lake Chelan is such a popular vacation destination for 12 to 14 weeks per year. - Port Isabel, TX - Port Isabel is a beach town and a popular resort, as well as being a retirement destination. Read on for the 25 best places to live in the South. 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 lake is named after the town of Burton which is now situated at the bottom of the lake. As its nickname suggests, the lake is an immensely popular destination year-round for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities. Credit: John Noltner. 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. Marble Falls in the Highland Lakes Region is becoming one of the best-known tourist destinations in the central part of the state. "The City of Opportunity" offers plenty of rest-and-relaxation opportunities to its visitors. 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. 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. However, its ghost town status seems to be changing with a larger number of people moving here after . 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. Ogden, Utah. This three-bedroom, single-family house asking $205,000 offers down payment assistance for buyers who earn under a certain income. The community is nestled between the southern shores of the lake and the foothills of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains. Check out five lake areas with lake homes listings that have been included in the top 10 most affordable lake areas in the country. Lake Greenwood in Lake Greenwood State Park, located right outside the towns of Ninety Six (yes, real name) and Greenwood, offers 11,400-acres of floating fun. Top 10 Cheapest Beach Towns in the US.Most people dream about buying a home near or on the beach. Buyers can find homes like this three-bedroom, two-bathroom lakeside abode, listed for $449,000. While the area boasts multiple lakes, the family-friendly destination offers plenty to do when you need a break from the sun and heat. Prices include all homes in these towns, including those on a lake. Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . Long-time locals and even some visitors are convinced that there's something in the water in this lake town. 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. 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. Traveling with kids or an inner child at heart? 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. 10. And if Dolly has ever spent time here, she didnt leave much of a trace. The quaint village offers restaurants, hotels, resorts, and fun and unique shops along its cute downtown corridor. For anyone who wants some waterfront privacy, this certainly is the place. 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. 9. Healthcare is another notable bargain, running 12% . 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. 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. Its charming downtown, great restaurants, and fun shops are sure to keep you busy. 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. Those four-season attractions have made the areas lake homes a hot commodity among second homeowners. Unlike beach towns, lake towns never close for an off season, so there's always plenty to do and see year-round. Fishing, beach going, and relaxing are popular activities. Abingdon, Virginia. Located near Lake Toxaway, the largest private lake in the state, Cashiers has long been a favorite vacation spot and has also inspired people to relocate there for retirement. 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. 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. 2 . Port Aransas is a town close to Corpus Christi making it an easy day trip from the bigger city. The 1,500-square-foot footprint allows for a second story, allowing the buyer to build a stunning 3,000-square-foot home on the water. Minneapolis is just over three hours northwest, and Chicago more than three hours northeast. 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. Scott's median income of $55,825 is quite high, which helps offset the slightly higher home prices and rent. 11. As one of the best beach vacations in Texas, Port Aransas has everything you need for a family or solo getaway. 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. Covington is an excellent one, with state parks, biking trails, easy access to the lake, a great brewery in Abita Springs, coffee shops, restaurants, and waterways streaming through. Conroe, Texas, has made its name as a live music destination with shows happening in town almost every day. 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. 10. In fact, for $250,000, homebuyers can buy their own patch of Lake Placid and build their dream home. Asheville, North Carolina. You're sure to catch your fix of small-town charm and slow country living in this Alabama town. It is also renowned as the most hippie town in the state, offering drum circles, natural food options, and plenty of community art scattered across town. There has been a lot of new development in the area, as more people from out of state discover the Spirit Lake area, says Schaben. 1. It is so beautiful that the locals of the Texas Hill Country have given it the nickname of "The Jewel". Sean Pavone/Getty. 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. 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. Trout fishing is popular on Lake Taneycomo. But beyond this, Abingdon has great outdoor recreation because it is so close to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Near Klamath Falls. Branson, MO (Table Rock Lake & Lake Taneycomo) Table Rock Lake, MO Photo courtesy of wanderthemap.com. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at twilight. The data team at realtor.com ran the numbers to come up with these affordable lake towns. Virginia's only lakeside town is located on Kerr Lake and has become a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy the boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and hiking opportunities at Occoneechee State Park. 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. Lake Wylie- South Carolina/North Carolina. Crestline, California. 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 for $800,000, its possible to buy a cabin on a private island. This Georgia city is set on the shores of Lake Lanier, which is a busy spot in summertime and a lovely place to live year-round. 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. Enjoy Greensboro's historic charm: Main Street bustles with locally owned businesses and eateries, and Lake Oconee is a destination for water activities. She covers tech, real estate, and everything in between. When looking for a place to retire, lake towns make a strong case. There's also plenty of nature . 10 . Scott. 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. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Gigabit ISP: C Spire ($80/month) Zillow Home Value Index: $165,574. For many looking to escape the city, it became a great place this summer to social distance and enjoy the outdoors. Median home list price: $248,000. Methodology: GOBankingRates found 25 affordable waterfront cities by evaluating 112 of the United . Most of the time beach towns are far too expensive to actua. Here buyers can find a lake home for under $200,000, if they are willing to make some renovations, such as this $175,000 four-bedroom across the street from the beach. We have homes that are $100,000 to $250,000, and then we also have $5 million lake homes. If you're looking for the perfect vacation town on Lake of the Ozarks, look no further than Osage Beach. The beach on Lake Huron at Port Crescent State Park in Port Austin. The top 10 most affordable lakes for lakefront homes in Michigan are listed below, with the most affordable lake at No. Chattanooga receives its highest score for affordability. Located at the mouth of the Cheboygan River on Lake Huron, the town offers clear waters and a gorgeous shoreline. They were all built around the citys natural springshence the name. 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.