If you’d love to buy a lake house but believe you can’t afford one, you might want to reconsider that belief. Living by the lake is affordable – you just have to know where to look. While lakeside property prices are very high in some places, the story is different in offbeat lake towns.
realtor.com 11,000+ lake towns were analyzed to find the country’s most affordable options. To compile the list, they looked at list prices from January through May. And because you’ll want to do something other than just relax on the lake (at least sometimes), they also made sure each town has ample restaurant and entertainment options.
Here are ten charming but cheap lake towns to consider:
Ashland, WI
- Average home price: $146,000
Located on stunning Lake Superior, Ashland has a lot to offer. Of course, there’s the lake, and everything that goes with it—swimming, boating, and fishing. And then there’s also the city’s healthy arts and culture scene.
According to lake link, Ashland’s historic business district is walking distance to the water. You’ll find street art murals, restaurants, galleries, and local shops there. As a result, this Wisconsin gem should be on your radar.
Lake Placid, NY
- Average home price: $279,000
The natural beauty of Lake Placid shines throughout the year. Get in the water in the summer, go leaf pee in the fall, ski the mountains in the winter, and then watch everything bloom again come spring.
There’s also plenty to do in Lake Placid when you’ve moved from the great outdoors to the great outdoors. In addition to art galleries, restaurants, and recreational shops, there is also the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. It stages theatre, music and dance performances throughout the year.
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