Yahoo Finance 6 Best Affordable Lake Towns for Retirees
Dream of retiring on the shores of a lapping lake?
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Beyond access to boating, fishing and other recreational activities, you could potentially score an affordable waterfront view with plenty of local wildlife to watch. Many lakes offer extensive scenic hiking trail networks and some enjoy a moderate climate year-round.
Downsides include distance from major cities and amenities like airports, the risk of higher maintenance and insurance costs and of course surges in seasonal crowds. But the greatest downside of all for many retirees is the steep price tag that often accompanies lakeside living.
To help kick off your search for the perfect lake town for relaxing in retirement, scope out these affordable gems. The median home price for each comes from Zillow.
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1. Grenada, Massachusetts
Grenada and its namesake lake offer abundant angling, particularly for bass, catfish and crappie. When you get sick of fishing, you can take advantage of watersports like boating, kayaking and even waterskiing if you feel like a shot of adrenaline.
Grenada Lake is the largest body of water in the state, which means you also have plenty of room for sailing.
The town itself comes steeped in history and community, with plenty of dining options and opportunities to socialize.
Median Home Price: $116,344.
2. Clearlake, California
Didn’t expect to see any lake towns in California on this list?
Clearlake sits just outside the Mendocino National Forest for near-endless hiking trails. After a day on the trail you can drink in the thriving local arts scene — or a glass of local wine. You won’t be far from the world-famous wineries of Sonoma, after all.
Median Home Price: $219,845.
3. Taylor Creek, Florida (Lake Okeechobee)
The largest freshwater lake in Florida, Lake Okeechobee offers plenty of fishing, boating and birdwatching of course. But it also features the 110-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail for hiking, cycling, jogging or an evening stroll.
Median Home Price: $274,811.
4. Mobridge, South Dakota (Lake Oahe)
Lake Oahe, a huge reservoir in South Dakota, is dotted with tiny lake towns. That leaves you plenty of options, but check out Mobridge to start.
With a modest median home price and a central location, Mobridge offers a lot to like. It boasts a rich cultural history to match the quiet beauty and excellent fishing in the lake.
Median Home Price: $130,043.
5. Greenville, Massachusetts (Lake Ferguson)
Looking to buy a home for five digits? Check out Greenville, Mississippi.
Come for the lakefront sunset views and bass, bream and catfish angling, stay for the cultural amenities like the Greenville Blues Festival and the Mississippi River Museum.
Median Home Price: $68,114.
6. Canandiagua, New York
The finger lakes sometimes get a posh reputation, but there’s enough lakeside land to go around in this vast region.
Canandiagua and its namesake lake feature farmers markets filled with local organic food. You won’t struggle to find wines to pair with it either, given the local family wineries such as the Canandaigua Wine Company.
You can also easily access city life as well at nearby Rochester, just 25 miles away. While Rochester is as close as Zillow gets to analyze median home values, some homes do sell under $200,000 in Canandiagua.
Median Home Price: $254,563.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be rich to retire by a beautiful lake, perhaps even with waterfront property.
You do need to do your homework to find the right town however. Consider this list a starting point for your research and enjoy tumbling down the rabbit hole of scoping out the ideal little corner of the country to call your own in your golden years.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Best Affordable Lake Towns for Retirees
