Owning a vacation property is a rapidly growing trend in America today, either as an investment or as a second home to beat the weather, especially in today’s remote-worker environment. Whether you’re searching for respite from your daily routine or want to own an investment property, you’ll want to take several things into consideration before you purchase a vacation home. Aside from the home itself, location is one of the top factors to contemplate. If you’re looking for a place your family can enjoy perhaps for generations to come, you want to be near to the amenities and attractions they love, and from an investment perspective, you want to be in an area that consistently attracts renters.
Here are five great destinations that offer fun for all ages and are expected to be good vacation property buys in the USA for the foreseeable future, and beyond.
Gatlinburg, TN
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’ most popular national park, with over 12 million visitors each year, and that demographic spills over into rental accommodations. The small yet bustling town of Gatlinburg is the principal gateway to the park, and combines with the neighboring towns of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville to offer countless family friendly attractions such as museums, arcades, restaurants, shops, and indoor and outdoor adventures for all. Multiple accommodations include thousands of luxury Gatlinburg cabins nestled in the foothills that offer both affordability and a spacious way for families to have a home base with a full kitchen and laundry, entertainments and games galore, a hot tub on the deck, and stunning views of the gorgeous mountains. Outdoors there’s plenty to do with incredible scenic drives, picnic areas, trails and waterfalls.
Tip: The national park extends into North Carolina from Tennessee, in the Cherokee area (with Asheville not too far away; this whole side is also worth exploring for property and vacation rentals.
Kissimmee, FL
Many areas of Florida attract people wanting to buy a home, but Kissimmee is one of the most popular ones. When it comes to enjoying beautiful weather, tons of attractions, and great shopping, yet still close enough to the beaches, it’s hard to pass up property in Kissimmee. Adjacent to Orlando, homes here are in proximity to major theme parks. Walt Disney World is practically steps away, and Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND are just a short drive away, along with dozens of other popular attractions in neighboring Orlando. Beaches are about an hour’s drive either east or west, so you or your guests have plenty of options. What’s also great about this area is the diversity of property types, which include single-family, townhouse, condo, villa, or multi-family homes.
Tip: Nearby Davenport is another hotspot located a little farther away from the theme parks but still close enough to visit. Elsewhere in Florida, the Emerald Coast to the north is one of the most sought vacation property investments right now, a booming area roughly between Destin and Panama City Beach, with gorgeous beaches and super-quaint accommodations.
Gulf Shores, AL
Farther along that warm Gulf coast, one of Alabama’s most popular destinations, Gulf Shores offers perennial appeal for visitors, making it a great place to own a home to enjoy yourself or to rent out to guests. Beach lovers find its miles of powder-soft white sand hard to resist. And besides luxuriating in the sun and beautiful Gulf of Mexico waters, you can go deep-sea fishing, parasailing, golfing or take sunset cruises to spot the dolphins. Condos are popular here, with many located right on the water, an obvious selling point.
Tip: If Gulf Shores is close to what you’re seeking, but not quite right, you might enjoy moving a little west and buying property on Dauphin Island.
Big Sky, MT
Most people don’t necessarily think of Montana when top vacation spots come to mind, but that’s part of what makes this destination so appealing. Considered to be a gateway to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky is rooted in ranching history, but over time has evolved into a popular vacation destination. Investing in property in Big Sky has grown because it offers year-round appeal. It’s a top location for winter sports, such as skiing, tubing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing. Warmer months offer golf, fly fishing, and scenic lift rides. The Big Sky Resort offers first-class skiing and, with 31 ski lifts, makes it a tie for first place as the largest ski resort in America. Big Sky itself spans 5,800 acres but is essentially a small-town community with roughly just 3,000 residents, which doubles in the high season.
Fort Bragg, CA
Fort Bragg is a community located in northern California (about 3.5 hours north of San Francisco) on the Mendocino Coast, situated between Jackson State Forest and the Pacific Ocean. This historic destination was founded as a military garrison in the post-Civil War era, but today its amazing ocean views make it a popular tourist location. With plenty to do, Fort Bragg appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and explorers with its numerous parks (check out MacKerricher State Park, Fort Bragg Coastal Trail, and Noyo Headlands Park), Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, museums, and wineries. The famous Glass Beach is a top draw because of the decades’ worth of old bottles, headlights, and other debris thrown off cliffs in the vicinity, making for interesting and spectacular weathered “sand”.
Tip: If you prefer property in southern California, you’ll find beautiful homes in the Palm Springs area – its hot spring spas offer the ultimate in relaxation, but this town offers plenty of nightlife and other things to do as well.
