most affordable lake towns in the south most affordable lake towns in the south

Two years ago, USA Today named it the best coastal town in America. Well, it all depends on where you look. Chelan offers housing options at a wide range of price points. 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. Average temperature: 71.8 degrees. The first is its sheer size. The International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center are probably the most happening spots in 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. - Port Isabel, TX - Port Isabel is a beach town and a popular resort, as well as being a retirement destination. This three-bedroom across the street from Big Bass Lake was listed at $229,000. Residents can enjoy leisurely days boating on the lake, or go fishing in two of the nearby lakes, Lake Henry and Lake Wallenpaupack. Consider a visit to the LEGOLAND Theme Park. Its possible to get a house in this area for just over $100,000, such as this cute three-bedroomasking $115,000. 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. The area also has lots to do, from shopping and dining to mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and canoeing on its rivers and lakes. Howebuyers can settle right into this three-bedroom, one-bathroom home just blocks from Lake Superior. . 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. Your life in Wolfeboro will be filled with sunset swims at Brewster Beach, ice cream cones at Wolfeboro Dockside Grille & Dairy Bar, and beers at Lone Wolfe Brewing Company. Alaska might not be the first place most folks think of when they envision summer lake towns. 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. Each year, with the arrival of the dog days of summer, the desire to find a place by the water becomes nothing less than a national obsession. Saugatuck, Michigan. Once an old port town, Sandusky is now known as a major recreation and entertainment destination. Michigan is home to dozens of Great Lakes towns, many interchangeable, all fantastic. 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. We have homes that are $100,000 to $250,000, and then we also have $5 million lake homes. Most people visit Florida for its beaches, but land-locked in the center of the Sunshine State is Winter Haven, a spot known for its Chain of Lakes. With Lone Star College . Tucked into Chequamegon Bay on the south shore of Lake Superior, Ashland is rich with local history, arts and culture, and natural beauty. At Rarity Bay . As for housing, there is something for any price range. 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. Lake of the Ozarks, MO. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. 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. Find a warm welcome in LaGrange, a cozy West Georgia town located on West Point Lake. Lookout Belle - Flickr. It's an ideal setting for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities. At B-52 Brewery, you'll find them serving up a new brew release every Friday alongside live music performances. Waterfront condos start in the mid 300s like this two-bedroom listed at $349,000. Marble Falls in the Highland Lakes Region is becoming one of the best-known tourist destinations in the central part of the state. Entry-level lake homes start in the $100,000s such as this $155,000 four-bedroom with a giant deck. 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. Fishing, beach going, and relaxing are popular activities. Scott. Ebenezer Park on Lake Wylie offers a boat ramp, picnic tables, swimming, playgrounds, and fishing. Average Home Cost: $338,035. From a time-capsule-worthy main drag in Greensboro, Georgia, to a sun-soaked chain of lakes in Winter Haven, Florida, these are the South's best lake towns of 2022. No. Those who want to be on one of the larger bodies of water like East Okoboji Lake should expect to pay more, such as this five-bedroom on the market for $289,000. Homes can vary widely in price: A single-family fixer-upper on the water can go for around $250,000 or into the millions.. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. What do Frank Lloyd Wright, shellfish, and the Tennessee River all have in common? On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is Mandeville, Louisiana, a locale with lots of natural beauty and places to explore in the outdoors. 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. Set on the banks of Lake Erie, the popular vacation destination offers a revitalized downtown with good shopping and dining. 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. 4. Trout fishing is popular on Lake Taneycomo. 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. 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. Lake Sara has a bit of everything. With a population of roughly 14,500, Lake Ariel is among the quieter, more peaceful lake towns. If you have to socially distance or can work from home, just move to the lake full time.. And yes, they can be terrific investments, too. Check out Margaritaville Lake Resort for a family-friendly vacation in Osage Beach. Sights include the Palace Hotel and Bath House, listed on the National Historic Register, as well as the Basin Park Hotel and the supposedly haunted Crescent Hotel. The 15 Best Resorts in the Continental U.S. How to Plan the Perfect Adirondacks Vacation in Any Season Charming Towns and Gorgeous Hikes Included. Minneapolis is just over three hours northwest, and Chicago more than three hours northeast. Idaho Falls, Idaho. There are few things more relaxing than the quintessentially American lake vacation. For those looking for an affordable lake home, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom ranch is listed for $375,000. 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. Meanwhile, downtown is filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques. 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. 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. A suburb of Lafayette, Scott is the third most affordable city in Louisiana. Median home list price: $307,000. Long-time locals and even some visitors are convinced that there's something in the water in this lake town. The dog days of summer 2021 are upon us at last. Located in the Poconos Mountains, Lake Ariel is a true small town with a population of about 14,500. Here are the 25 most affordable places for renters currently, according to Zillow. 1. 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 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. Come for the entire summer, or just for the annual White Lake Water Festival traditionally held in May. But its not just the water that makes the area so special and desirable. Take a stroll through this town, and you'll understand why it's a popular destination. Statesboro's place among America's cheapest small towns is largely due to housing costs, which are 32% lower compared with the national average. 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. 1. And we specifically wanted to hone in on the best lake towns in America as a way to help travelers pinpoint exactly where to book a week-long rental or a charming inn for their next lake vacation. To ensure geographic diversity, we limited our list to just one city per state. Nestled in a valley between the Piedmont region and Appalachian Mountains, this town has been luring people to its picturesque waters for yearsespecially since it was the filming location for Dirty Dancing. Hot Springs Village is the largest gated community in the United States. Condos on Lake Delton start in the low $100,000s, like this sweet two-bedroom asking $154,900. Source: ESB Professional / Shutterstock. We also factored in the number of restaurants, bars, and entertainment establishments per capita to ensure there was more to do in these places than just lounge by the water. While its not a vacation hot spot, its just as beautiful as many nearby lake towns for a lot less cash. 9 Things Youd Better Consider First, Surf and Save? If you're looking for the perfect vacation town on Lake of the Ozarks, look no further than Osage Beach. Then we calculated affordability by analyzing median home list prices year to date through May 2022 for these communities. Fun fact: hundreds of Bigfoot sightings have been reported on the Texas side of Caddo Lake since 1965. There are no theme parks or big music shows. Healthcare is another notable bargain, running 12% . Rent a house along the water - on either the Nevada or California side - or stay at Edgewood Tahoe, the only five-star resort right on the water with gorgeous architecture, golfing, and an idyllic pool overlooking the lake. When you're not exploring the surrounding lakes, enjoy the small-town charms of Clermont, from the Downtown Clermont Farmer's Market every Sunday to the shopping along Montrose Street in Clermont's Historic Village. Meera Pal is a Northern California-based writer with a background in journalism and books. Heres a $55,000 one-bedroom unit. The community is nestled between the southern shores of the lake and the foothills of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains. For many, lakeside living is the answer. The town center of Wolfeboro is actually positioned directly on Lake Winnipesaukee, which offers an expansive 72 square miles of water. The past few years of the COVID-19 pandemic brought hordes of well-heeled buyers into vacation destinations, bidding up prices and purchasing any and all available real estate. Prices generally range from $400,000 to . Erie's 9,910-square-mile namesake Great Lake is home to Presque Isle State Park, which is a National Natural Landmark. 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. The famously human-made lake is known for speed boating and waterfront resorts, but Osage Beach claims 420 acres of shorefront that's particularly inviting for families keen on a beach vacation. Port Aransas. Cheapest Places to Live In Tennessee: Murfreesboro. 01 of 10. Dillon's overall cost of living score is 88, compared to South Carolina's 94 and the national average of 100. 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. Lake Wylie covers over 13,000 acres, with a shoreline of 325 miles. Theres also this quirky three-bedroom within walking distance to Main Street for $350,000. Supported by natural spring and rain water, White Lake is a 1,200-acre body of water in North Carolina, and the town welcomes 200,000 tourists each summer. Vermilion has long been one of the most beloved beach towns on the south shore of Lake Erie. Caddo Lake - Karnack. 4) Holland State Park Beach: An expansive, sandy beach on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, each with its own campground. 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. 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. 2 . Homes with private access to the water from their backdoors are more costly, such as this four-bedroom listed at $1,997,000. The community is well-known for its abundance of vacation rentals and homes for sale. Homes, Townhomes, Condos: $139.9K - $2.8M Lots: $20K - $595K. The area is quiet and the weather is warm in the winter. The data team at realtor.com ran the numbers to come up with these affordable lake towns. Head to Greenhorn Ranch first for an authentic ranch experience in the Lost Sierra. According to Time and Money magazines, Murfreesboro is one of the top 20 places to live in the US. There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. Lightvision, LLC/ Getty Images. Some offer Zen-inducing tranquility, some pulse-pounding action, and others the kind of family-friendly tourist vibe that can optimize rental opportunities. Emmie Martin , Melissa Stanger, and Andy Kiersz. Minocqua's quieter lakes are perfect for swimming lessons and sand castles. Lake Ozark is a small town of less than 2,000 people in the Lake of the Ozarks region of Missouri. 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 . Rent a cabin with a private dock (and a boat, if you like) at MacDonald's Resort in Bayview. 13. Baraboo, Wisconsin. Sandusky, OH, was ranked the most affordable lake town in 2021 by Realtor.com . Waterfront townhomes start in the mid-$100,000s, like this three-bedroom for $168,000. 1. Beaufort, North Carolina. 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. 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. The drive to Wolfeboro is about two hours from Boston and five from New York City. 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 can find lakeview condos starting in the $200,000 range, such as this three-bedroom listed at $298,000 a bit farther from town. 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. 25. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Knoxville, this gated lakefront community offers space to grow and explore the iconic wilderness of the region. Jordan Lake is about 25 miles north of Montgomery in Elmore County with almost a dozen homes between $300,000 and $400,000. 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. The light turquoise waters attract vacationers from all over the country. * Median home list prices as of June from Realtor.com. The village of Winsted offers a downtown filled with antiques stores, restaurants, and small boutiques for those hoping to wile away a lazy afternoon. 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 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. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. 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. Lake of the Ozarks State Park is the largest state park in Missouri. Maya Kachroo-Levine is the luxury and experiences editor at. Theres also the noteworthy shops and restaurants located in the towns eight-block business district, which happens to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rocky River, Ohio. She covers tech, real estate, and everything in between. Situated on nearly a half-acre, this house features a screened porch and is within walking distance of Roamingwood Lake. There are several nearby lakes: Burt Lake, Long Lake, Mullett Lake, Twin Lakes, and Black Lake. Paducah and the small towns that surround it offer up fun on the area's many lakes and rivers. Next: 10. With a name like Sulphur, its no surprise that the area is famous for its mineral springs. "The City of Opportunity" offers plenty of rest-and-relaxation opportunities to its visitors. In fact, for $250,000, homebuyers can buy their own patch of Lake Placid and build their dream home. The most affordable small town in every state. Gigabit ISP: C Spire ($80/month) Zillow Home Value Index: $165,574. Buyers can get a home and land, such as this $225,000 one-bedroom log cabin overlooking Shagawa Lake. This waterfront home . While the area boasts hundreds of hiking trails for all levels of ability, it also offers motorboating, fishing, and, for those seeking some summer adrenaline, whitewater rafting. 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. 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. 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 . 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. 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. Daniel has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in Housing and Community . It is so beautiful that the locals of the Texas Hill Country have given it the nickname of "The Jewel". 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. Venture into Ithaca, New York for dinner at Maxie's Supper Club, visit Heart & Hands Wine Company in nearby Union Springs, and of course, stay at Inns of Aurora for a luxurious lakeside escape at one of their five beautifully curated inns. Aurora, New York sits on Cayuga Lake, one of the largest of the 11 Finger Lakes. Asheville, North Carolina. 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. That said, you'll also find an amusement park in town and, next to White Lake (heading toward neighboring Elizabethtown), a picturesque 18-hole golf course. Lake Moultrie. People are moving back to the area, either after retirement or because they can work from their lake cottage, she says. Aurora, New York. $376,111. Chattanooga, Tennessee. The lake is named after the town of Burton which is now situated at the bottom of the lake. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Located near some of the highest mountain peaks in the region, Flagstaff is a stunning location year round: Think snow-capped mountains, fall . 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. Saugatuck Dunes State Park draws adventure seekers with its massive mounds and 13 miles of sandy trails. Caddo Lake / Shutterstock. 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. The 10 Most Affordable Beach Towns for Homebuyers, 2021, Avoid the Crowds and Take the Plunge: Top Affordable Lake Towns in the U.S., 2020 Edition. 23. Check out five lake areas with lake homes listings that have been included in the top 10 most affordable lake areas in the country. Buyers might want to check out the Hideout, a planned residential community with 3,200 single-family homes nestled into the Poconos. 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. 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. The city sits in a strategic position at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, connecting the Gulf of Alaska to the Puget Sound. This small two-bedroom on the bay is listed for $1,850,000. If you love the outdoors, you'll appreciate Deerfield Beach's Quiet Waters Park, where you can camp, fish, and ride some of the longest cable ski courses in the U.S. There's a stretch of great small towns north of Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. Waterfront condos start in the mid $300,000s, like this one-bedroom listed at $349,000. Don't miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College. 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. Butler is located on the northern shore of Watauga Lake, and is actually the reconstruction of the "old" Butler. 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. Buyers at one of these two lakes in the Branson, MO area, can find their dream home for a median price of 205,900. The undulating vistas of the Smoky Mountains make for an idyllic backdrop to life at Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake. For those who aren't as keen on sinking their toes into soft white sand, Charlevoix is also home to Lavender Hill Farm, with idyllic fields packed with 25 lavender varieties, and Castle Farms - an actual stone castle in northern Michigan. There are 6 public boat accesses, 2 nuclear power plants, and it is popular to both nearby North Carolina and its . Tucked way up in northern Minnesota, Ely is secluded and full of pristine lakes and unspoiled forests. California, Omaha, and Minnesota are among the most popular transplant states. Prices include all homes in these towns, including those on a lake. And last year was already nuts! Cheboygan is located on Lake Huron, but it's close to many other lakes as well Burt Lake, Long Lake, Mullett Lake, Twin Lakes and Black Lake. 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. The median home price in Dillon is $125,400. And for $800,000, its possible to buy a cabin on a private island. Wisconsin Dells, named for the mighty Wisconsin River Dells, is a lakefront vacation destination that truly has something for everyone. 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. (Sorry.). I cover residential real estate, including buying, selling and trends. Swimming is unlikely because the lake contains alligators, but it's a great spot for boating. Along the 185-mile shoreline, you'll find patches of crystal clear water. 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. Catering to guests from around the world, this working dude ranch offers guided trail rides, horseback riding lessons, stocked fishing ponds, and an all-inclusive resort experience. 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. 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. In the summer, families wakeboard, tube and fish on the lakes and rivers. Be sure to make a stop at the iconic Mount Dora Lighthouse, one of only three registered freshwater lighthouses in the country. The top 10 most affordable lakes for lakefront homes in Michigan are listed below, with the most affordable lake at No. Even in the gated community, affordable homes can still be found. The small community of Georgetown on the Carolina coast is what Charleston used to be - 200-year-old homes (more than Charleston, in fact), lots of Southern . In the winter, it is a haven for ice fishing and the indoor water parks are open throughout the year. Conroe. There is a thriving and vibrant art and cultural scene that highlights the areas Alaskan native heritage. Aurora, New York sits . Lake homes have always been a popular, aspirational home. Each place had to have at least 25 listings. Sandy beaches and waters for boating and kayaking are inviting spots to spend the afternoons. Median home list price: $248,000. 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. Plan a visit. Neighboring Muscle Shoals has a deep music history. Cliff Billingsley/Getty Images. It's all about the water sports at White Lake - tourists come to swim, boat, tube, jet ski, wake board, and the like. 5) CityFlatsHotel: A sister property to the CityFlats in downtown Grand . 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. Located in Pennsylvanias Poconos Mountain range, Gouldsboro is a close weekend trip for New Yorkers and New Jerseyians. LindaZ74 / Shutterstock. 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. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Watch: Relax for Less: The 10 Most Affordable U.S. Beach Towns for Homebuyers. For more places to explore, check out The South's Greatest Lakes and The South's Best Small Towns. Greenwood, South Carolina. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. This five-bedroom, two-bedroom house is listed for $325,000. #13. Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Pronounced "Bowfort" (not "Bewfert" like its South Carolina namesake), this colonial-era village embraces its pirate history. 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. Even in todays expensive real estate market, there are still a few places left where homebuyers can find great, affordable lake homes that can serve as Zen-inducing or pulse-pounding retreats (your choice!) 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. For the price-conscious, there is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo on Shoreline Drive that is listed for $260,000. Sandusky, OH. They say a rainy day on the lake is better than a sunny day in the city. There is also an active and vibrant local arts scene thanks to the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.