16 best places to buy a second home in 2025
For many, Location, lifestyle, attractions and budget are all factors. To help you narrow it down, we’ve compiled 16 of the best places for a second home or vacation home in the U.S. — ordered by their median home prices — to help you find the spot that’s calling your name.
1. Whitewater, Wisconsin Whitewater is close to the Kettle Moraine State Forest, giving nature-lovers all they could hope for in a retreat. It has biking trails, multiple lakes and dark night skies that are perfect for stargazing. The city is also only a one-hour drive from Milwaukee and two hours from Chicago, providing convenient access to big city entertainment. The nearest major airport is Milwaukee Mitchell International, which is 50 miles away. 2. Savannah, Georgia Savannah makes the list as one of the best vacation home locations thanks to its riverfront properties and classic Southern charm. This is one of the more affordable towns to buy property in this list, allowing you to get plenty of bang for your buck. If cobblestone streets, Spanish moss-covered trees of Forsyth Park, historic architecture and a scenic riverfront are missing from your primary home, moving near the Savannah Historic District may offer all you need. Plus, it’s only a 25-minute drive to Tybee Island. 3. St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers and is among the oldest inhabited cities in the country. Those historic roots play an important role in its present-day culture. Visitors can still see the Spanish influence all over the buildings, with fortresses like Castillo de San Marcos and cathedrals like the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine being preserved to this day. Its prime location near St. Augustine Beach and Crescent Beach makes it a perfect oceanside escape, and it’s just a short drive from Jacksonville. 4. Charleston, South Carolina This charming port city is one of the best second home locations thanks to its subtropical climate and ocean access. Here, you’ll find cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and gorgeous parks like The Battery and Waterfront Park. It’s also a popular place to buy vacation rental properties and 5. Vail, Colorado And when the snow melts, the town transforms into an amazing summer destination. From adventurous activities like whitewater rafting on the Colorado and Arkansas Rivers to farmers markets and outdoor concerts, there are endless 6. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Hilton Head Island is located between Charleston and Savannah, providing a less congested escape for people looking to unwind in a 7. Palm Springs, California Palm Springs is a bucket list destination for people who’ve dreamt of rubbing shoulders with the old school Hollywood elite, like Frank Sinatra. Countless celebrities have called the city home over the years, leaving an unmistakable mark on its personality. Fans of Mid-Century Modern architecture will be hard pressed to find a better city to serve as their time capsule. Hikes through the desert bring spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and wildlife. Afternoon retreats at your 8. Barnstable Town, MA Cape Cod’s largest town has access to over 100 miles of beaches, including gorgeous barrier beaches like Sandy Neck. The town of Barnstable is comprised of seven villages, each with its own distinct personality. With plenty of nearby fishing towns, harbors and lighthouses, Barnstable is a water-lover’s paradise. But appreciators of art will also find this town alluring. Barnstable also has two cultural districts, Barnstable Village Cultural District and Hyannis HyArts, which boast plenty of galleries, performances and museums. 9. Bend, Oregon Craft beer enthusiasts may want to take a special interest in 10. Scottsdale, Arizona Scottsdale is quickly becoming the mecca for snowbirds looking to skip winter weather and dodge the tropical storms of the Southeast. Here you’ll find year-round sunshine and zero humidity. You can watch baseball teams conduct spring training or spend your days on a golf course or in a spa. You’ll also have easy access to everything nearby Phoenix has to offer. 11. Napa Valley, California North of San Francisco, Napa Valley is wine country — with over 400 wineries and many fantastic restaurants (15 of which have Michelin stars), owning a 12. Maui, Hawaii Hawaii and paradise are often spoken in the same breath, and there’s no better representation of that than 13. Ocean City, New Jersey Located on the Jersey Shore, Ocean City is a family-friendly beach getaway. This fun, beachy town is famous for its 8-mile Ocean City Boardwalk, which is full of shopping, biking, amusement parks and other entertainment. Choosing Ocean City as your regular getaway spot means tons of activities for the whole party, including fishing, lounging at the beach, surfing and treating yourself to plenty of saltwater taffy. 14. Steamboat Springs, Colorado If winter activities are more your speed, check out the winter wonderland that is Steamboat Springs. A known ski resort hotspot, Steamboat Springs is a prime place for winter sports. But there’s much to do off the slopes, too. It’s also 150 miles from Denver and has its own airport. Located in the Yampa Valley, Steamboat Springs is surrounded by mountains and sits on a river. The myriad nature activities, like canoeing on Pearl Lake or soaking in geothermal hot springs at Old Town Hot Springs, undoubtedly make this town one of the best places to own a second home.
15. The Keys, Florida While Key West is probably the best known of this island chain, the others have too much to offer to be left out. With miles upon miles of sandy coastlines, you’re bound to find your perfect spot on the beach before hitting the southernmost point in the United States. These small islands are brimming with stories about shipwrecks and celebrities. It’s hard to think of a place more fitting of the word “paradise.” 16. Park City, Utah Park City gives hopeful buyers a healthy mix between the great outdoors and homebound elegance. Luxury homes, second homes and vacation rentals in this destination often have gourmet kitchens, so you can recover with a proper meal after a full day of skiing. There are more reasons to live in Park City than just for the winters. Buying a 4 factors to consider when buying a second home The real estate cliche about location, location, location is just as true for second homes as it is for primary residences. It’s all about where you’ll spend your time and build your memories. We’ve identified a few factors to consider when searching through the best places for your second home. The real estate cliche about location, location, location is just as true for second homes as it is for primary residences. It’s all about where you’ll spend your time and build your memories. Below, we’ve identified four factors to consider — travel time, seasonal preferences, lifestyle and home use — when searching for where to buy a second home. Travel time By travel time, we mean the time it takes to get to your second home. You’ll also need to factor in how far your getaway is from family members and attractions. No matter where you live, you're likely to use your second home more if you don’t have a spirit-breaking slog to get there. If you want the flexibility of driving to your destination, identify communities you love within a two-to-three-hour drive time from your primary home and family members. It's the reason Palm Springs and Las Vegas have long appealed to Angelenos, and why Napa, Sonoma and Lake Tahoe are retreats of choice for many San Franciscans. If you don't mind hopping on a plane and plan to use your home less often but for longer stretches, you could buy a second home in another part of the country. This will make planning ahead important, so factor both time and cost of travel into your buying equation. Make sure to consider locations with your preferred amenities and attractions nearby. A remote location might look enticing until you have to drive an hour to get to the nearest beach. Seasonal preferences Some vacation home locations cater to seasonal visitors — think ski towns or sunny snowbird destinations. These bustling communities may transform into quiet, locals-only spots in the off-season. If you are looking for a second home for seasonal use, like skiing in the winter or lake access for summertime fun, it's wise to research weather and real estate market conditions to get the full picture of when to come to your home. You’ll want to know if roads near your summer home get plowed in the winter, or if your ski chalet is plagued with mosquitoes come summer. If you plan to use your home year-round, the community will be a big factor in your buying decision. Are there recreational clubs, events, shops and services that meet your needs? The more you know about where you’re going to buy, the more confident you'll feel that you've picked the best location for your second home. Lifestyle Consider the kind of life you want to live in your second home. Does a remote home surrounded by nature appeal to you, or do you want to be within a stone's throw from urban amenities? Are you semi-retired and looking for new adventures, or are you in a young family seeking fun, Isolated locations are appealingly peaceful. If nature is important to you, what recreational activities are nearby? Explore area hiking and biking trails, and check out boating and fishing spots. If it's a ski hill you're after, see what it offers in both winter and summer. The tradeoffs of an isolated spot are fewer amenities, less access to satellite internet and more drive time to get to restaurants and activities. In addition to streaming Netflix, you may want the option of working remotely. That will require a reliable connection, powerful enough for video conferencing. On the other hand, city living comes with less privacy but more proximity to good food — a draw for many buyers. Larger cities may also give you peace of mind knowing there's a hospital close by. Or, you may need to be near a train or airport. Identify the services you can’t forego while spending time at your second home. Having these questions top of mind can help reassure you that you’re making the right decision. Home use Finally, what is your goal for your second home? Are you looking for a private home to enjoy with your family and friends, or are you interested in a vacation rental property that can provide some annual gross rental revenue? You may choose to use the home as a secondary residence, a vacation home or a place for your kids to stay. How you use the home may determine whether it’s better to consider co-ownership. Co-ownership is one smart option for owning a home you’ll enjoy periodically throughout the year. You purchase a fraction of the property, share costs with fellow co-owners, and easily schedule your stays with an app. Consider a second home with Pacaso After researching the best places for a second home, it’s time to consider your buying options. You can make your dreams a reality by co-owning a luxury home with Pacaso. With a
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