Vacations are essential for anyone. Taking time off from your normal routine can give you a chance to reset yourself so you don’t fall into burnout with your job. It’s a common dream for most people to have a vacation home—somewhere to get away without the stress of planning and booking a trip.

Sadly, some people don’t ever pursue the dream of a vacation home, believing it isn’t financially attainable or worth the investment. These nine places in the United States prove otherwise, showing that a dream vacation home can be within your budget and give a great return on investment if you plan to rent it out while you’re not there.

Mountain getaway

For those who love to hike, sip on hot cocoa near the fire, or hit the slopes and ski away their worries, these are the winter wonderland locations to consider for your vacation home.

Cody, Wyoming

Located a scenic fifty-two-mile drive outside Yellowstone National Park, Cody, Wyoming, is a growing area, making it a great investment right now. There are never-ending skylines of mountains and rich, evergreen trees with multiple nearby mountain ranges and lakes. The median home listing price is currently $327,000.

Killington, Vermont

Winter sport enthusiasts will love Killington, Vermont. This beautiful, budget-friendly area is in the center of Vermont—a state that boasts an impressive average of four million visitors each year to its extreme slopes and cozy cabin coffee shops. Bundle up and buy today while the median home listing price remains about $299,000.

Rhododendron, Oregon

The Cascade Mountain Range in Oregon is 260 miles long, and Rhododendron, Oregon, offers unmatched views of the best parts of the mountain range, great family-friendly activities, and a friendly alpine town community—all coming with the reasonable median home listing price of $350,000.

Lake and river retreat

The flowing waters of a river or the still, tranquil waters of a lake give a sense of calm that you can’t find anywhere else. There’s a reason so many people want to be by the water, and if you’re one of them, here are the top locations to dock your boat.

Harbor Springs, Michigan

Settled near Lake Michigan, Harbor Springs is a town full of wildlife, peaceful views, and low prices. Homes right up on the edge of the water can go for a median listing price of $274,500. Escape the hustle and bustle and sit by the water just steps from your house.

Whittier, North Carolina

Water adventure sports like white water rafting excite any adrenaline junkie, so if you love the peace of a river but also the adventure, consider paddling over to Whittier, North Carolina. The Tuskegee River is sixty miles long with endless opportunities for fun. The median home listing price is an incredible $155,400, making it one of the most inexpensive vacation home locations in the US.

Cape Royale, Texas

Everything’s bigger and better in Texas! Cape Royale, Texas, is located north of Houston, right between Lake Livingston and Sam Houston National Forest. The opportunities for lake activities and hiking are endless. You’ll want to take advantage of the current median home listing price sitting at $187,500.

Beach bumming

As the saying goes, life is better at the beach. Properties at the beach often come at a premium since they are the number one choice of Americans when it comes to a summer vacation. So, it is essential to choose your beach wisely. These places will have you catching rays and swimming without drowning in debt.

Dauphin Island, Alabama

Dauphin Island, Alabama, is on the Gulf Coast, with white sand beaches and birds-a-plenty. This birdwatcher’s dream is a family-friendly town with museums, preserves, and great eats. The median home listing price is $295,000, so head on down to the island where you can dig your toes in the sand and brush up on your bird knowledge.

Kissimmee, Florida

If you love Walt Disney World, just not the nightly rates, consider a vacation home in Kissimmee, Florida. Only a few miles south of Orlando, there are plenty of opportunities for fun, including walking paths, animal preserves, and streets full of entertainment. If this sounds too magical to be true, wait until you hear that the median home listing price is $260,000!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

If you want a beach with plenty of nearby action and attractions, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, could be your most exciting beach stay yet. This sixty-mile string of beaches has boardwalks with old-fashioned arcades and a few celebrity-designed golf courses for you to take a swing at. Home prices vary depending on proximity to the boardwalks, but the median home listing price is an affordable $215,000. 

Talk to your real estate agent today about how you can land a home in one of these incredible vacation spots!

*Home listing price numbers courtesy of Realtor.com