- Trulia measured the most popular places people are vacationing to from the largest 100 metros, ranking both the most expensive and least expensive destinations.
- California residents don't have to leave the state to find a place to vacation, whether they are searching for a cheap getaway or an expensive retreat.
- Kentucky had three cities rank within the top 10 due to its inexpensive median price and proximity to lakes and outdoor activities.
When picking the perfect location for a home, sometimes it’s about more than just what’s surrounding it. Many homeowners who vacation frequently know that finding the perfect place to call home includes easy access to places to get away from it.
Trulia recently released Where the Nation Vacations: The Hottest Markets for Second Homes to find the most popular spots for second homes for people who live in the largest 100 metros throughout the country.
To find those special places, Trulia looked at the most searched vacation ZIP codes and used U.S. Census data to compile the list of the fastest growing and most popular places for a vacation home.
The top 20 hot spots were located all over the country, and a lower listing price was a major component of the ranking. Compared to those cities that ranked in the lower end of the spectrum, median listing prices in the top teir were roughly 31 percent less expensive.
In New York, residents have the option to stay close by or venture south for extra warmth. The three most expensive vacation spots for New Yorkers are perhaps worth it for the convenience. South Hampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk in the state of New York were ranked as the three most expensive spots.
The most affordable are a bit more of a trek. Kissimmee, Florida and Pocono Lake and Bushkill in Pennsylvania were the listed as three best deals for New Yorkers.
In San Francisco, vacationers don’t need to leave the state to get away from the hustle. The three most affordable and least affordable vacation cities were all within the Golden State. Palm Springs, Twain Harte and Groveland were all inexpensive places for San Francisco residents. Carmel, Incline Village and Tahoe City ranked as the most expensive.
Los Angeles residents didn’t trek outside of the state, either. The three least expensive vacation spots for L.A. residents were Big Bear City, Crestline and Arrowbear Lake. The priciest places were Rancho Mirage, La Quinta and Lake Arrowhead.
Most Chicagoans weren’t able to find places in the state of Illinois to vacation. Residents luckily have Wisconsin and Michigan to trek to for lakeside adventures, and Lake Geneva ranked as one of the least expensive places to vacation from the city.
Other than Florida cities, Chicagoans looked to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a beautiful Smokey Mountain getaway. Fort Myers and the southwest coast of Florida were popular locales for Chicagoans. The city of Fort Myers ranked as one of the least expensive spots, while Fort Myers Beach, Marco Island and Saint Petersburg slightly to the north were the most expensive.
Houston residents are in a pretty lucky spot where they can get to cities throughout much of the country. The least expensive places for residents of Houston were reported as Gatlinburg, and Rockport and Ruidoso of New Mexico. The most expensive places for Houston residents were Breckenridge, Colorado; Sandestin, Florida; and Orange Beach, Alabama.
