Tag: Chautauqua Lake

Most Affordable Lake Areas to Call Home

Posted on Camille Smith

As any lake lover would agree, owning a lake home is a dream come true. Surrounded by serene nature, a plethora of outdoor activities and a carefree atmosphere, a lake environment is certainly an ideal place to call home. However, many people who dream of owning a lake house might write it off as an impossible fantasy– one that’s only possible once you’ve achieved a certain level of wealth. While this may be true in an expensive lake area, there are several lake regions in the U.S. that are both thriving and affordable. Check out five lake areas with lake homes listings that have been included in the top 10 most affordable lake areas in the country.

Branson, MO (Table Rock Lake & Lake Taneycomo)

Table Rock Lake, MO
Photo courtesy of wanderthemap.com.

Buyers at one of these two lakes in the Branson, MO area, can find their dream home for a median price of 205,900. If you choose to settle in at Table Rock Lake, you can enjoy water skiing and paddle boarding along this large lake with 750 miles of shoreline. If you enjoy trout fishing, you might make Lake Taneycomo your home, as this lake is known for large trout populations in its clear waters. In the general region, Branson is known for the Silver Dollar Theme Park, where you can enjoy both roller coaster rides and bluegrass music.

Mountain Home, AR (Lake Norfolk & Bull Shoals Lake)

Mountain Home, AR
Photo courtesy of nearsay.com.

If you’re less interested in theme parks and instead, you’re seeking a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, you’ll want to look at Lake Norfolk or Bull Shoals Lake in  Mountain Home, AR, where the median home price is $174,900. At both of these man-made bodies of water, lakeside dwellers can enjoy scuba diving, fishing, and boating. There’s also plenty of opportunities to go camping nearby. With the open space and smaller crowds, you’ll be able to enjoy nature in an undisturbed way. 

Jamestown, NY (Chautauqua Lake)

Photo courtesy of townofbusti.com.

Chautauqua Lake is included in Lake Home Realty’s top 10 real estate areas in the state of New York– and with good reason. Near Lake Erie, it’s recognized for its swimming beaches, boating, and fishing opportunities. There’s also an attractive comedy scene in Jamestown, NY. This town hosts the Annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival (Jamestown is Lucille Ball’s hometown) and claims the interactive humor museum called the National Comedy Center. For both a good swim and a good laugh, look no further than Chautauqua Lake, where the median home price is $59,900.

Sevierville, TN (Douglas Lake)

Photo courtesy of slubne-suknie.info.

Lucille Ball isn’t the only famous name that’s represented among these affordable lakes — Sevierville, TN is the hometown of Dolly Parton, the irreplicable country music legend. This area is also known for Douglas Lake, which has a reputation for good largemouth bass and crappie fishing. This lake also neighbors the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, Tennessee — an area with mountain views and pancake shops that draw many tourists each year. Here, the median listing price is $252,500.

Each of these lake areas truly offers the best of both worlds — a combination of exciting lakeside activities and affordable prices. If you’re looking for a bargain price, we hope you check out one of these markets!

The Lakes and Lifestyle of Upstate New York

Posted on Staff

When you think of New York, what images come to mind?

The Empire State Building? Times Square? Maybe you immediately imagine the Statue of Liberty of that famously gorgeous Manhattan skyline.

Most people don’t associate the great outdoors with the Empire State, but there’s more to NY than meets the eye.

Welcome to Upstate New York

Upstate New York is a far cry from Queens. The region includes the cities of Rochester, Buffalo and Niagara Falls, as well some outlying rural counties.

And here, Mother Nature is alive and well. Shimmering lakes, world-famous waterfalls and tree-lined canyons that stretch across more than 14,000 acres characterize the expansive landscape.

Onieda Lake Home

Often noted for its eye-popping natural beauty, each season boasts a unique vibrance that takes sightseeing to another level.

From crystal white winter wonderlands to the multitude of colors that are born each autumn, the scenic landscape is picture perfect year round.

To the benefit of thrill seekers everywhere, the terrain varies greatly which offers a wide variety of major outdoor fun.

For water sport lovers, Lake Erie’s regional outdoor recreation service has it all. Kayaking, biking, stand-up paddleboarding, backpacking, fishing and even whitewater rafting!

The many freshwater beaches have all of your classic summertime favorites.  Video game arcades, ice cream shops, playgrounds and outdoor grills make for the perfect place for a family outing.

Speaking of the water, any angler could find happiness here.

A favorite local past time is deep sea fishing in Lake Erie. Western New York’s largest inland lake is known to yield record-sized smallmouth bass and walleye.

The other four inland lakes–Chautauqua, Findley, Bear and Cassadaga–are filled with pan fish, muskellunge, bass and walleye.

There’s plenty of wildlife for hunting, like whitetail deer, wild turkey and bear. In the winter, residents can enjoy cross country skiing or snowshoeing.

This landscape was practically made for fun.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

A mixture of Victorian, Amish and lakeside communities come together to make up the counties of Western New York. Quaint and idyllic, the towns exude more of a village vibe.

In Chautauqua County, the arts and culture scene is thriving.

Tourists and residents have access to all sorts of options like ballet and theater performances, or live music by the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. Off-beat art galleries are also sprinkled around the towns and along the shores of the lakes.

The sheer beauty of the region is no secret to the locals, and Western New York sure knows how to capitalize on its natural aesthetic.

Charming, country chic bed and breakfasts surround all five lakes, leveraging the landscape. They each have their own unique theme, and they all come with stunning views of pastures, lakes, mountains or forests.

One such place is Barcelona Lakeside, a year-round B&B that lies right in the heart of wine country. And Lake Erie Wine Country is simply breathtaking.

Also called “America’s Grape Country”, a 40-mile long wine trail snakes through 30,000 acres of vineyards and 23 wineries along the lake’s shores. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of dry, sweet, ice, dessert and specialty wines.

Hungry tourists can also indulge in the region’s local cuisine, which runs the gamut from burgers and fries to fine dining. Take your pick of a Tuscan-themed Italian eatery, or enjoy fresh seafood right overlooking Chautauqua Lake. The options are endless.

Culture and charm make up Western New York. So sure, Chinatown is pretty cool, but have you ever set sail on a dinner cruise on Lake Erie at sunset?

Consider making the Empire State the site for you new lake home. Regardless of the season, you’ll never run out of things to do and sights to see.

If you would like to view our current listings, feel free to visit our website for available lake homes in New York