5 Natural Hot Spots for Great Vacation Homes

When you are thinking of purchasing a summer home, where do you imagine it to be? Many second homeowners opt for the convention beach home. But not everyone enjoys the surf, sun, and tourists. For those looking for something different,Barron's list is more varied, and offers inspiration to those who want to get a bit more out of their vacation home. For the outdoor lovers, you can choose a home surrounded by the tranquility of tall trees, deep blue lakes or a babbling brook. To get the best view from your new summer windows, take a look at these up and coming vacation home destinations.

1. Springdale, Utah

Located in the Southwest part of the state, Springdale is a minuscule town, with only 529 residents according to the 2010 census. Deemed one of the prettiest towns in the Forbes top 20, a median price of $850,000, can give you a home there. With Zion National Park as your backyard, with its majestic Kolob Canyons, the Virgin River, and amazing views from Lava Point, you will always have something to enjoy.

2. Durango, Colorado

16,000 people call Durango Colorado home. Famous for its 32 parks covering over 839 acres and its proximity to many natural wonders there is a lot to explore. Located in the heart of the Animas River Valley, the river itself lets visitors enjoy fly fishing, kayaking, and white water rafting. Durango is also offers close proximity to major mountain ski resorts and is only 36 miles from the majestic Mesa Verde National Park. You can purchase a cabin, cottage, or condo starting from $200,000 to upwards of $1 million, depending on your luxuries.

3. Prince Edward Island, Canada

If you are looking for a more northern destination, Prince Edward Island is one of the most beautiful places in Canada. Offering a quaint experience, you can tour the entire island by car in less than a day. With its lush coasts, lighthouses, rustic farms, and cherry blossom forests attracting hundreds of visitors yearly, you will have the scenic dream you are looking for. The low cost of living offers the opportunity to buy real estate there, with car insurance lower than many larger areas. By visiting the folks at Kanetix you can see the current insurance and mortgage rates for the area. The average home runs around $190,000, which may include restored cottages and beautiful rustic homes around the many different areas of the island.

4. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Near the Great Smokies sits a small rustic town. Gatlinburg is a popular tourist attraction, so if you don't mind tourist season, there is still a lot to be said about living in the quiet town. With mountains on every side, it offers breathtaking forests and access to the only ski resort in Tennessee. The Gatlinburg Trolley can take you through neighborhoods filled with comedy and musical theater shows. For such a small town that offers so much, there is surprisingly affordable real estate available. A 2-bedroom home can cost you less than $90,000, with more extravagant options running near to $1 million. With all there is to offer, this corner of Appalachia still offers quite a deal.

5. Braceridge, Ontario

The Muskoka River runs through this many small town. Being built around a waterfall, Bracebridge is a smaller town of 15,000 residents. They often referred to it as "cottage country". Home to lakes, farming villages, country clubs, and scenic vistas, Bracebridge is one of six townships in Muskoka. Many of the historic buildings, and the famous Santa's Village, a Christmas theme park which attracts thousands of visitors a year, offers its residents with year 'round entertainment. Even when getting lost in all its beauty, don't forget it is a place where you can easily hide away from urban life. Some of the homes are pricey, but you can find a good deal for $400,000 or less in many areas of town.

If you are looking for a truly rustic summer home then you may not have to look far. Investing in a vacation home, allow you to aim for that level of stress-reduction, be picky, and explore the rich forests that litter North America. If you can think outside the box, your options are always many.

Posted by Sophia Andrews on Sunday October 13 2013, 6:05 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Travel. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0

5 Natural Hot Spots for Great Vacation Homes