There’s  something refreshing  about  making  your dwelling along a  beautiful natural shoreline,   whether it be an ocean or a lake.   You  get a  nice view,  cooler air,  and easy  access to some  outdoor activities  not available  in landlocked locations. Although you may  have  your  heart  set  on  finding  a home near the water, it’s not always clear where exactly to direct your sights. If you need some initial guidance, check out the best waterfront areas to buy property in listed below.

Saint Petersburg, FL

You may have heard of Miami,   but  Saint Petersburg is a great spot to  purchase  a  home  right by  the ocean.   It borders the Gulf  of  Mexico,   so  its waters are a  bit  calmer.   The  city is a favorite among retirees, however younger residents have been moving  there  recently.   With  Saint Petersburg, you will get an overall  peaceful  atmosphere  with  plenty  of sunshine. In fact, its      nickname     is     the     â€œSunshine City,”     and   it     holds aGuinness       World      Record      for     768     straight      days of  sunshine.  Property    values   are also not  as sky-high there as in some busier waterfront destinations in the U.S.

Chelan, WA

Chelan    is   a   lake   town   that  is  about three  hours  away from  Seattle  by  car.  The   entrancing   Lake Chelan   that  the  town surrounds  sits  in  a valley  between   mountains,   forming  a  truly  picturesque   backdrop.    If   you’re   an   outdoorsy  individual, consider  this  one of  the  best waterfront areas to buy property in.  After all, the lake and  landscape aren’t only  for  visual appeal. You can venture out to participate in paddling, sailing, and fishing in the warmer months and skiing, snowshoeing, and snow tubing when  it  cools down.   Property values vary,  depending  on  the  home  type,   with condominiums being  more affordable and full-scale houses being on the expensive side.

Martha’s Vineyard, MA

For a  taste of Northeastern luxury,   there’s no better  place  to acquire   a   home    than   Martha’s  Vineyard.   The  Vineyard is actually      an      island     that      sits      off      the      coast    of Massachusetts.   You  can   only   access   it  by  boat  or  plane, which  contributes   to  its   idyllic   ambiance    and  makes  it  a renowned    tourist    spot.    Once    there ,      you’ll    see   old-fashioned   architecture  and  bright   beaches.   The  history of Martha’s Vineyard   as   we  know    it  today   is   also  rich   and reaches   as  far   back as  colonial times.    You  should  expect prices to be high, though  they do vary depending on which  of the six towns on the Vineyard you’re considering.