US Cities Where Nature Lovers Can Afford to Buy a House
Some city dwellers think of outdoor activities as something like chasing the bus, having lunch in the park, and visiting a farmer’s market. But for others it won’t help. They prefer fresh air, unpaved paths and trees in the forest. But they also want the benefits of living in an urban area.
As it turned out, many people think so, which has made housing in cities in close proximity to nature and outdoor activities quite expensive. However, there are a few exceptions to this. Here are 10 US cities where nature lovers can afford to buy a home, according to a report from Realtor.com .
1. Urbana, Illinois
Median list price for a home : $165,000
Highlights include:
- The city began protecting green spaces in the 1880s.
- 26 miles of hiking/biking trails
- 1,077 acres of city parks
- The State’s Only “Dark Sky” Campsite
2. Madison, Wisconsin
Median List Price for Home : $410,000
Highlights include:
- There are more bicycles than cars
- Over 200 miles of biking and hiking trails
- Opportunities for fishing, kayaking and other water sports, as well as snowshoeing, skiing and ice skating.
3. Iowa City, Iowa
Median list price of a home : $320,000
Highlights include:
- 1,800 acres of parks and natural areas
- The League of American Bicyclists has called it “a cyclist-friendly community”.
4. Bloomington, Indiana
Median list price of a home : $375,000
Highlights include:
- 10 city parks
- A short drive from nearby Lake Monroe and the Hoosier National Forest.
5. El Paso, Texas
Median list price for a home : $280,000
Highlights include:
- Opportunities for mountain biking, climbing, off-road and caving
- Almost 300 sunny days a year
6. Columbia, Missouri
Median list price for a home : $349,000
Highlights include:
- Huge network of routes that extends throughout the city
- Minutes from five state parks
7. State College, Pennsylvania
Median list price of a home : $340,000
Highlights include:
- Over 100 miles of forest trails in the nearby Rothrock State Forest.
- 19 trout streams for fly fishing
8. Morgantown, West Virginia
Median list price of a house : $300,000
Highlights include:
- Located along the Monongahela River near the foothills of the Appalachians, surrounded by valleys and lakes.
- The old railroads have been turned into over 50 miles of trails for hiking and biking.
9. Rochester, New York
Median list price of a home : $200,000
Highlights include:
- Located on Lake Ontario
- In summer sailing and fishing; skiing and sledding in winter
10. Duluth, Minnesota
Median list price of a home : $265,000
Highlights include:
- Nearly 7,000 acres of city-owned parks, 178 miles of forest trails, and 16 trout streams.
- Located on Lake Superior