Campbell & West San Jose Real Estate, brought to you by the Zanger Team at Referral Realty

What’s the BEST PLACE to buy a second home? Consider activities, amenities, and access to where you live full-time.

Tried and True

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

            Steeped in seafaring tradition, Cape Cod is a popular summer tourist destination for New Englanders and city dwellers. However, for some vacation home buyers, weekends aren’t enough, and they look for a cottage, condo, or luxury residence in one of the 15 charming towns on this 65-mile-long peninsula. Bike and hiking trails wind along the scenic Cape Cod National Seashore and past old lighthouses, kettle ponds, and wild cranberry bogs. Ferries go to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, and Boston’s Logan Airport is 75 miles away.

capecodchamber.org

Lake Tahoe, California

            Scenic Lake Tahoe is an all-season playground nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The California/Nevada state line bisects the largest alpine lake in North America, and lakeside neighborhoods feature boutiques, museums, galleries, and real estate from rustic to luxurious. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy ski and gold resorts, boating, and fishing. Lake Tahoe is a wilderness experience with cultural perks and nightlife.

visitinglaketahoe.com

Breckenridge, Colorado

            Skiing isn’t the only draw for vacation home buyers in this historic mining town. It’s a year-round destination for kayaking, golfing on high-caliber courses, and exploring national forests. Realtor Dennis L. Johnson estimates housing is 35 to 49 percent less here than in nearby Aspen and Vail.

colorado.net

Chincoteague Island, Virginia

            On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the historic fishing village of Chincoteague preserves its charm. This island is known for the annual swim of wild Chincoteague ponies from a barrier island, as well as for fish fries, bingo nights, and folksy festivals. Inventory is limited, says Virginia Beach Realtor Dorcas-Helfant-Browning, but development continues: “You go not because you’re a (real estate) bargain hunter, but because you’re a lifestyle hunter.”

chincoteague.com

South Padre Island, Texas

            With more second-home buyers seeking island living and access to unspoiled Gulf of Mexico beaches, condo towers and luxury homes have moved in among the seaside cottages of South Padre Island. Located just 30 miles from Mexico, the island is popular for its deep-sea fishing, championship golf courses, and bird sanctuaries.

spichamber.com

Up and Coming

Grand Haven, Michigan

            Even in the landlocked Midwest, a seaside-style sojourn can be a reality in charming Grand Haven on the east coast of Lake Michigan. Once an 1880s fur-treading outpost and later a port of call for lake commerce and ferries, the town makes an appealing second-home locale. Its features include a historic downtown, outdoor cafes, trolley cars, a lively arts scene, and beautiful beaches beyond the boardwalk and centuries-old lighthouses. Its and accessible getaway for city dwellers; Chicago and Detroit are each less than 200 miles away.

grandhavenmichigan.com

Cody, Wyoming

            Vacation-home buyers head to Cody for authentic Old West character, its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, and year-round recreation. The Buffalo Bill Dam and reservoir draw boaters, anglers, and windsurfers, and Cody’s renowned rodeo runs nightly in summer. Shops, a frontier history center, and family ski resort give a “small town, hometown feel,” says Realtor Erynne Selk. “Cody is holding onto its Western roots.”

codywyomingnet.com

Birch Bay/San Juan Island, Washington

            On Washington’s far northwest coast, Birch Bay boasts more sunny days than Seattle, 100 miles to the south. It’s a gateway to historic San Juan Island, whale-watching cruises, and Birch Bay State Park. Outdoor recreation spans the seasons, from river rafting and trail riding to skiing and snowboarding. Birch Bay is a true wilderness getaway but urban Vancouver, BC, is just 50 miles north.

birchbay.net

Arrowhead Lake/ Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

            The Pocono Mountains in northeast Pennsylvania are a favorite getaway for urbanites because they’re 90 minutes from New York City and two hours from Philadelphia. A community developed adjacent to state game lands, Arrowhead Lake makes a convenient second-home base for exploring and enjoying the Pocono Mountains’ state parks, historic sites, and quaint towns and festivals.

800poconos.com

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

            Nestled in The Great Smokey Mountains, Gatlinburg enjoys steady growth as an affordable vacation-home market because it features city amenities and outdoor recreation, including golf resorts and national park wilderness for hiking. Country music star Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park is in nearby Pigeon Forge. Real estate taxes are modest, and it’s accessible-about 200 miles from Atlanta. “People are looking for a place to come and just relax,” says Pigeon Forge Realtor Claudia Castro.

gatlinburg.com

~Better Homes and Gardens, August 2008

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS ZANGER WITH THE ZANGER TEAM AT REFERRAL REALTY. 

CALL [408] 914-5046, OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.THEZANGERTEAM.COM