For anyone who enjoys both the fast-paced city life as well as a peaceful lake environment, choosing to buy a house in an urban lake area may provide the perfect balance you’re seeking.
According to the Encyclopedia of Lakes and Reservoirs, an urban lake is defined as an inland body of water, which is larger than a pond surrounded by an urban environment. An urbanized area encompasses both the region’s city and surrounding areas, such as towns and suburbs.
To qualify as anurban area, a city and its neighboring parts should have a high population density (at least 50,000 people). In addition to providing an aesthetically pleasing balance of cityscapes and landscapes, urban lakes have several practical functions. They encourage biodiversity, assist in flood control, and provide a recreational spot for the city’s many residents.
Further, there are several personal advantages to living on an urban lake. There’s the apparent advantages — the opportunity to have that high-powered city job while also going boating, swimming, and fishing on the weekends.
But there’s also the lesser-known benefits of living by a “blue space.” For example, research suggests that living by water has a positive impact on physical and mental health. While scientists have yet to determine the reason behind this correlation, it certainly has implications for the benefits of urban lakes.
If you’re already sold on the possibility of living adjacent to both natural beauty and a concrete jungle, check out these five thriving urban lake areas in the U.S.
You may have heard the phrase “Keep Austin Weird.” Originally a slogan used to promote local businesses in the city, it now serves as a mantra proclaiming Austin’s eclectic, artsy feel. If you’re looking for this same lively vibe that’s unique to Austin but you’re also searching for a little more nature and open space than a city offers, look no further than Lake Travis.
Just 30 minutes outside the city of Austin, you’ll find a large lake with plenty of activities, restaurants, breweries, and fun events. With an abundance of things to do, Lake Travis is Texas’s most visited freshwater lake for a reason. Check out the highlights of this remarkable southern lake — and maybe find your dream lake house along the way.
Lake Travis is part of a series of Highland Lakes that extend from Colorado to Central Texas. These man-made lakes, along with the Mansfield Dam, were created by the Lower Colorado River Authority to control flooding. In 1958, President Lyndon Johnson called the Colorado River his “proudest accomplishment,” viewing this series of lakes as an integral part of the national economy and an ideal way to eliminate waste. Though Lake Travis is one of many lakes on the massive Colorado River, it’s certainly not an insignificant one. Stretching 63.75 miles, Lake Travis is enormous. Surrounding the lake, there’s plenty of open space with several communities and villages. Today, the area continues to thrive as a vacation destination and a growing community of residents.
Lakeside Attractions
Ranging from classic lake excursions such as fishing and boating to more unique pursuits like ziplining and scuba diving, there’s truly no shortage of exciting outdoor activities on Lake Travis. As the largest body of water in the area, Lake Travis is a perfect location for boating or relaxing on a yacht. You may even choose to anchor down at Devil’s Cove, famously known across both the state and the country as the “party cove.” While you’re out on the water, take advantage of the abundance of fishing opportunities in Lake Travis. You’re likely to have the most luck reeling in a sunfish, bass, or catfish.
If you’re looking for a place to take your dog, have a picnic, or toss the frisbee, check out one of Lake Travis’s many parks. In particular, Windy Point Park is known for its diving opportunities where you can find underwater canyons and discover interesting remains from shipwrecks. If you’re looking for remnants of Austin’s edgy flare, there’s also Hippie Hollow Park, the only clothing-optional public park in Texas. Regardless of how you spend your time outdoors, there’s always something to do on Lake Travis.
What to Do
After a long day of boating, fishing, and exploring, you’ll likely be on the lookout for a cold beer and a steak right off the grill. Luckily, Lake Travis is known for its craft breweries such as Hops & Thyme and Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery. Oasis Texas Brewing Company is one of the most popular, offering live music, a dog-friendly patio, and scenic views of the water. Of course, Lake Travis is also known for its restaurants. Check out Beachside Billy’s, an upscale steak restaurant complete with a pool for kids and an adult pool with a tiki bar. For a more chill, lakeside feel, there’s Emerald Point Bar and Grill where local musicians frequently play on their outdoor stage. After dinner and drinks, there’s plenty of fun, often artsy, events that are worth seeing around Lake Travis. From February 27th to March 1st, the Lake Travis Film Festival will attract filmmakers from around the world to show their latest projects. If you won’t be in town during those dates, there’s always other performances going on, such as this Comedy Showcase on February 1st.
Like the neighboring town of Austin, Lake Travis boasts an eclectic range of activities, delicious restaurants, and people who choose to make this special lake their home. There’s something for everyone here!
The Dallas-Fort Worth region often seems like an endless sea of asphalt, concrete, and steel. Buildings and boulevards dominate the landscape, and it can feel as though lake life is hundreds of miles away.
Actually, it takes less than a 30-minute drive from the DFW metroplex to reach many of the lakes surrounding the city. This is where hustle and bustle are replaced by peace and quiet.
“It’s amazing that you can be so close to the metro area, but it feels like you’re out in the middle of the wilderness,” says William Ford, Parks and Recreation Director for the city of Cedar Hill, which is located approximately 15 miles from downtown Dallas and is home to 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake. “It’s one of the reasons this area is so appealing to people.”
There are approximately 50 major lakes and reservoirs within 100 miles of Dallas-Fort Worth. Here is a quick look at five of the closer ones:
Eagle Mountain Lake
Located 15 miles outside Fort Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake has something for nearly all tastes. Nature lovers can enjoy the hiking trails that lead to numerous hills and bluffs, offering picturesque views of the lake. All manner of watersports are available, and the 8,700-acre lake is regularly stocked with bass and catfish for anglers. There is even a designated party cove for boaters who prefer their fun a little more on the boisterous side.
In addition to such regular water activities as boating and fishing, Lake Grapevine is home to the largest floating aqua park in Texas. Spread out over 25,000 square feet, Altitude H2O offers floating trampolines, slides, and an obstacle course. There are also 40 miles of paved and natural trails around the 7,200-acre lake, for those seeking a relaxed lake experience.
Joe Pool Lake borders four parks, including the popular Cedar Hill State Park. As a result, there are numerous boat ramps, beaches, fishing areas, campsites, and picnic shelters surrounding the lake. Joe Pool is also near Dogwood Canyon, a 250-acre forested ravine that is a favorite for birdwatchers. Dogwood’s two miles of hiking trails lead to some of the highest elevations in Dallas County, providing beautiful views of the lake.
With 121 miles of shoreline along its 21,400 acres, Lake Lavon lives up to the reputation of everything being bigger in Texas. Because of its size, there are amenities galore around the lake. These include 16 parks, 244 picnic sites, 19 boat ramps, five beaches, and six group shelters for large picnics. There are also hiking and biking trails in the area, as well as a 9-mile equestrian trail. The lake is a prolific fishing hole for sunfish, crappie, and catfish.
It doesn’t get much closer to the metroplex than this, as White Rock Lake is located just 5 miles from downtown Dallas. Originally used as a water source for the city, this 1,015-acre lake has nearly 10 miles of shoreline trails as well as an official Audubon Society bird-watching area. There are fishing opportunities for bass, catfish, and sunfish, and boating activities are available through both the White Rock Boat Club and the 80-year-old Corinthian Sailing Club.
So despite initial appearances, there is much more to the Dallas-Fort Worth area than the glass and steel that originally meets the eye.
“There are plenty of natural resources in this area,” Ford says. “With all the natural beauty that we have around here, you can get out and enjoy it whether you’re a walker, biker, jogger, boater, whatever.”
Click here to learn more about lake life in Texas.
The only thing more fun than playing at the lake is eating at the lake! We’ve done the hard work of choosing the best of the best lakeside restaurants. Hey, somebody’s got to do it! Savor local lakeside flavors at these must-try boat-up restaurants.
The BoatYard Grill
On the sparkling shores of Cayuga
Lake in Ithica, New York, The BoatYard Grill
specializes in ” serving up a warm welcome and unforgettable
experience” for all lake-loving guests.
Featuring American favorites like
burgers, sweet potato fries and juicy, wood fire-grilled steaks alongside
creative dishes like lobster lollipops and eggplant arrabiata, this restaurant
has plenty of mouthwatering options for hungry boaters to choose from.
Patrons are invited to relax on the
waterfront in the Grill’s Adirondack chairs, sip on Frozen Boatyard Thrill
cocktails and enjoy live music every Friday night during the summer.
And better still, The BoatYard Grill
offers watercraft docking at its on-site marina for convenient fishing to
feasting.
The restaurant is also part of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, a 5.5 mile paved route connecting the lake’s most iconic lakeside attractions.
One of five Tim’s Rivershore restaurants and venues, Tim’s at Lake Anna has been an Old Dominion favorite since first opening its doors (and shores) in 2012.
Located in Mineral, Virginia, on the lake’s northwestern region, the restaurant offers fresh seafood year-round, its menu featuring scallops, oysters, crab and cod prepared in every way imaginable.
Renowned for its home-cooked cuisine, Tim’s at Lake Anna is also known for its idyllic lake views and family-friendly, community atmosphere.
Each year, in addition live entertainment, Tim’s at Lake Anna hosts a variety of lake-wide events, including a Memorial Day Pig Roast, Halloween Bash, Crawdad Festival and poker runs for charity.
The Gnarly Gar
Never leave the water for lunch or dinner again at Lake Travis’ famous floating eatery The Gnarly Gar.
An all-in-one restaurant, bar, filling station and entertainment venue, The Gnarly Gar provides a one-of-a-kind experience for lake lubbers of all ages.
With plenty of boat parking, lake lovers flock to this Texas novelty’s decks and docks to enjoy watching sports on the restaurant’s big screens, listen to live music, feed the area’s giant catfish, and indulge in the tastes of Lake Travis.
Menu items range from classic fish and chips to burgers to shrimp stuffed with Serrano peppers, wrapped in bacon and deep fried, paired with a kickin’ strawberry lime habanero sauce.
The Gnarly Gar also proudly serves Maine Root handcrafted, organic fountain drinks.
Fish Tales Lakeside Grill
Dubbed the “Best Dining Experience on Lake Lanier” Fish Tales Lakeside Grill has been serving up good times and fish tales (fried grouper fingers) since 2010.
Located within Hideaway Bay Marina in Flowery Branch, Georgia, this Lake Lanier landmark welcomes lakers by boat, car and even the occasional aircraft, year-round.
The restaurant caters to their loyal lake guests at every turn, offering a courtesy dock for those traveling by water, allergy-friendly menus at every table and unwavering service with a smile.
Fish Tales Lakeside Grill also features a giant kids’ sandbox and live music.
Mouthwatering menu favorites beyond the restaurant’s famous Fish Tales include the fish tacos, grouper sandwiches and signature items like the Aloha Chicken and Gulf Mix Platter.
And did we mention Fish Tales’ bar menu features NINE taste bud-tickling, shareable cocktails?
Enjoying the lake goes beyond boating and swimming. Take our advice and enjoy these great restaurants, remember lakes across the U. S. have great local restaurants with lots of local color. Be on the lookout and let us know what you find!
Canyon Lake expects to see an influx of new potential buyers this lake season, as former Lake Dunlap consumers turn their attention to the lake’s more ideal market conditions following recent issues with the Lake Dunlap dam.
“There is a lot of uncertainty for our neighbors in the Lake Dunlap community as we wait to hear what the timeline will be for restoring the dam,” said Tara Biesboer, a Lake Homes Realty agent who specializes in Lake Dunlap properties. “Lakefront property owners are also concerned about how recent events will affect the lake’s real estate market this summer.”
While plans for reconstruction are in development, many buyers previously interested in Lake Dunlap real estate will likely turn their attention to Canyon Lake, located roughly 30 miles northwest.
The tenth-largest lake real estate market in the Lone Star State, Canyon Lake’s inventory is primed to meet the anticipated needs of these consumers.
In early March, the lake’s real estate market was valued at approximately $93 million and featured 422 total listings. But as the market approaches Memorial Day weekend — and the unofficial kick-off to lake season — inventory has increased roughly 6% to about 450 listings.
Listings will likely continue increasing as summer progresses when homeowners know the most potential buyers will be in their market. Traditionally, summer sees the highest inventory volumes and lowest average home prices of the year.
“Lake Dunlap sees buyers from all across the country,” Biesboer said, “many of them from California. Californians, in particular, have been flocking to Texas for its affordability in comparison to vacation and second home prices on the west coast.”
According to a recent report published by LakeHomes.com, more than 25% of all potential Texas lake home buyers, including those shopping Lake Dunlap properties, come from outside the Lone Star State, with the highest concentration of potential buyers originating in the Los Angeles area.
Similarly, web-traffic data indicates Canyon Lake’s market will likely see increased interest from buyers in LA, Denver and New York, along with consumers in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, Odessa-Midland and the Waco-Temple-Bryan areas of Texas.
Buyers looking for lake homes listed near Canyon Lake’s average home price of $426,000 will have the largest variety of properties to shop this summer, as listings priced in the $250,000 to $500,000 range represent 44% of all Canyon Lake homes for sale, according to LakeHomes.com’s 2019 Spring Lake Real Estate Market Report.
Homes listed for below $250,000 represent 33% of all residential properties on the market, followed by listings priced between $500,000 and $700,000.
Canyon Lake homes for sale between $750,000 and $2 million in list price make up a combined 8% of total home listings, with roughly 1% of homes listed at or above $2 million.
“This past week was a whirlwind for many homeowners, and we are all sending up good thoughts that their lives return to normal as soon as possible,” Biesboer said. “Moving forward, I hope I can continue to be a source for the community as we learn more about future market conditions.”
Lake Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) is a 6,200-acre, constant-level reservoir located on the Colorado River in the famous Texas Hill Country.
Originally named Lake Granite Shoals, Lake LBJ is just an hour’s drive from Austin, Texas, and is the perfect combination of rural, relaxed lake living and big-city accessibility.
Whether you grew up visiting the lake during the summers, or grew up on the water, you’ll recognize Lake LBJ by these amazing qualities:
At Lake LBJ, Wildlife Lives Next Door
In the Texas Hill Country, wildlife is abundant.
Fishing, of course, is one of the more popular past times during the spring and summer months. Amateur and skilled anglers from all over the country flock to Lake LBJ for a chance at record-breaking bass and crappie.
Along with its impressive variety of fish species, the area surrounding the lake is populated by a myriad of wildlife including foxes, coyotes, rabbits, and deer.
Because the areas surrounding the lake are made up of incorporated subdivisions, hunting is strictly prohibited, so a wide variety of beautiful wild animals will be among your neighbors.
Celebrity Sightings Are Routine
While it may not be Los Angeles or New York City, Lake LBJ holds its own when it comes to attracting the best and brightest.
Influential businessmen and women from several of the largest cities in the state (and the country) flock to the lake for weekend getaways or for retirement.
In fact, the lake is one of the top three choices for retirement in the United States!
Celebrity actors like Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey as well as a number of professional athletes also love calling Lake LBJ their home.
If you’re lucky, you may see Matthew and his kids driving the boat around Horseshoe Bay.
The Beauty of the Highland Lakes is Unparalleled
Whether the blue from the sparkling expanse of water or a rainbow of Texas wildflowers, you know that stepping outside and gazing at the lake is all the color you will need some days.
Throughout April and May, people travel from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the amazing assortment of wildflowers scattered along the shoreline and surrounding fields.
Every year, visitors are drawn to the vivid colors and unrivaled charm of the Lake LBJ area, however, you are lucky enough to call it home.
There is No Shortage of Things to Do
Whether a regatta, boat race or the annual Fourth of July Fireworks display, there is always something going on at Lake LBJ.
Aside from the usual lake activities like boating, swimming, sailing, and skiing, Lake LBJ offers a wide array of other opportunities to get outdoors.
During the day, you like to visit Lake LBJ State Park for its top-notch hiking trails. And if you’re feeling adventurous? The state park offers archery clinics, fishing days, conservation workshops and celebrations.
Rich, Texan Culture
One of the most popular lakes in Texas, Lake LBJ is visited by thousands of Texans from all over the state.
Named after the 36th U.S. president, who spent a great deal of his downtime on the lake, this lake brings a touch of Texan (and national) pride to the area.
The lake’s beauty, rich history, and lively atmosphere make a great day at the lake inevitable!
Interested in making Lake LBJ your home? Residents, lake experts, and real estate agents would tell you you’d be surprised at the variety of homes found on Lake LBJ’s 30 miles of shoreline.
Homes on the Lake LBJ market range anywhere from $80,000 to $7,000,000. To get a taste of the real estate diversity on Lake LBJ or browse our 468 listings, visit lakehomes.com or contact lake expert Bruce Jones.
