The perfect town to buy an inexpensive lake house is just 2 hours from New York

Summer has come, which means that many people dream of relaxing by the sea. And as interest in vacation homes continues to grow, it may be worth considering buying a home by the lake, advises Travel and Leisure.

Real estate website Trulia studied the 20 most popular lakeside real estate zip codes. And he focused on places where at least 25% of the housing market is made up of affordable homes. This includes places such as:

• Streetman, Texas, a tiny town about an hour from Dallas;
• Wadowie, Alabama, an idyllic location about 90 minutes from Birmingham;
• Ellston, Iowa, a quaint community 90 minutes from Des Moines.

But one of the prettiest places on this list is the town of Kauneonga Lake, just two hours from New York.

“At Kauneonga Lake, a hamlet in the picturesque town of Bethel, you will find blooming gardens surrounding White Lake,” Trulia shared on her blog about her findings. “The Children's Peace Garden is a great place for families, and along the small restaurant row there are many local cafes, bars and bistros.”

In Kauneong, part-time visitors and permanent residents can visit Bethel Woods Center for the Artslocated about 10 minutes drive from the lake. It houses a museum dedicated to the 1960s, with a special focus on the 1969 Woodstock Festival. Guests can also plan to attend events including guided tours, concerts and more.

There are plenty of open spaces nearby to explore. Including Walnut Mountain Park, which is 15 minutes north of the lake. There, visitors can enjoy walking, and there are many walking and cycling trails in the park.

On the subject: The cleanest lake in New York: where to spend a weekend during the warmer months

There are also several restaurants worthy of your attention. For example, a restaurant The Local Table and Tapspecializing in American cuisine. Check out the pizzeria Benji & Jakes, where they serve both classic options and pies according to their unique recipes.

So, how much does a country house cost in this small dream town?

A two-bedroom, two-bath home located near restaurant row will set you back $599. But you can also find a three-bed waterfront cottage at White Lake Homes for $000.

Right now you can buy everything. From a $210 82-acre ready-to-build lot to a $000 three-bedroom cottage or $190 three-bedroom, two-bath home on 000 acres of private property. Want to try before you buy? Book this charming two bedroom cottage on the lake on Airbnb right now to experience life at Kauneonga Lake.