Everyone has their own translation for what the American Dream means but, to us, it is the chance to own a gorgeous little vacation home that we can escape to when the hustle and bustle of everyday life gets a bit too much. The big problem with this being our definition of the American Dream is that, well, it will probably always remain a dream… or will it?
Sure, when it comes to seriously considering a vacation home, you have to seriously consider other variables that will influence just how possible this aim is. We’re not just talking about the financial side of things here, we’re talking about how much you will really get to use this little hideaway. If you are one of those that has wangled themselves a work-from-home job or a place in the ranks of a company that promotes working remotely, then fine. But, for everyone else, the average amount of annual vacation time is between three and six weeks. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fruits of a second home, it just means you may have to put your investing cap on.
Your heart will probably tell you to invest in that favorite destination city of yours, or somewhere by the beach where there are 360 days of sunshine. But you need to think realistically about the other side of having a vacation pad. Yes, the costs, but also who will look after your property while you are absent, whether you will rent it out and, if so, who will manage it. All of these things can drastically reduce the hit your bank balance will take.
With that said, we still think the pros well outweigh the cons. So, to help you out a little bit, we have pulled together a list of places you should add to your list of Places To Possibly Buy A Vacation Home. How exciting.
Top Priority: Cheap But Great
If your main concern here is cost and whether you can afford to have a vacation home, then you need to check out a little city in Florida known only as Titusville, where the average house price is just $90K. For some reason, this place isn’t well-known, which is shocking because it has everything you could possibly want from a hideaway home. There is the chance to go boating, enjoy fishing, get into surfing, and soak up all the festivities of the Canaveral National Seashore. If these kind of heart-pounding aren’t your cup of tea, though, don’t despair just yet because you can also help out with the turtle-nesting each year and even go manatee-spotting. Basically, there is a ton of reasons why Titusville, Florida was named the best cheap beach town in the US not so long ago.
Top Priority: Exciting City Getaway
Austin, Texas ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to being an attractive city and the excitement level is probably the pick of the bunch. This place just has it all, from tons of young people to three-hundred days of sunshine and a barbecue culture that is so infectious it is almost totally impossible to ignore. In terms of prices, the average house price is $215K, but you can snap something up for a lot less or you could go the other way and look at some luxury apartments to invest in, the kind that you will not regret. What makes Austin so exciting – at least in our mind’s eye – is the fact it is often called The Music Capital Of The World thanks to its two-hundred plus live-music venues. Couple that with the cocktail bars, delicious eateries, sports, activities and overall entertainment and you could find yourself enjoying your weekends away a lot more than you ever have.
Top Priority: The Great Outdoors
If you are the kind of person that wants to use their time on this planet to good effect, run away, enjoy wild adventures and create some truly great memories, then you need to consider having a vacation home in Thousand Palms, California. What makes this place so special? Well, on the doorstep are two of the most breathtaking preserves you could ever hope to visit, Coachella Valley and Thousand Palms Oasis, both of which offer the perfect escape for those wanting to hike, ride horses, enjoy treks or check out some wildlife. However, the best part of Thousand Palms is the price, in which the average property sits the right side of $100K. That’s right, you can get all that adventure, as well as a fantastic shopping centre, sports park and the famous Bermuda Dunes for an average of $100K. Trust us, you will want to get your big red marker pen out and circle this place on whatever map is on your wall.
Top Priority: Family-Friendliness
Myrtle Beach in South Carolina may be the most expensive place on our list, but what you get for your money is quite astounding, which is supported by the fact almost fifteen million tourists flock to this beachside town each and every year. Seriously, fifteen million people can’t be wrong. When we say expensive, we’re talking about an average house price about fifteen thousand dollars over $300K, so yeah, it’s quite an expensive option. That said, it is the epitome of an American-style summer hotspot. It is sixty-miles of sun-bleached fun that is home to the towering Sky Wheel, sculpture garden, city zoo, the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Ripley’s Aquarium, Carolina Opry and, yes, the Legends In Concert. If you want to step out of the hustle and bustle slightly, then we recommend you look at buying a house in North Myrtle Beach, which is actually a separate town and one that is just as much fun but a lot lower-key. Sure, it may not be one for those that love all things nature, but if you are looking for a place to have a good time with the kids then you’ll struggle to find anywhere else that hits the mark quite as well as this place.
Top Priority: Life On The Water
The teeny-tiny town of Port Salerno in Florida only has a population of around ten-thousand people. However, it is still considered to be one of the premier destinations when it comes to all things boating and fishing. In fact, this place holds some of the most celebrated fishing tournaments, which is why the back of your brain may be telling you that you’ve heard of it before. The great news comes in the form of the house prices, where you can get the average home here for less than $70K, and that will hold its value pretty well too. What do you get for your money? Well, the answer to that is all things water, but namely some of the most delightful beaches and the stunning vista that is the Atlantic Ocean, deep blue waters stretching out as far as the eye can see. So, whether it is relaxing on a boat, taking up fishing, spotting wildlife or a day trip to the ski slopes that you are after, Port Salerno needs to be seriously considered.
Maybe these places tickle your taste buds, maybe they don’t. Whatever the case, though, we hope that the American Dream of owning a second home is now firmly in your grasp and that you find the ideal place to suit you and your priorities. Just remember that this is an investment, which requires some smart thinking, and you’ll be onto a winner no matter what you do with it.
