6 Beautiful Towns on Lake Erie to Call Home

Of all the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is the most accessible to millions, as it shares borders with four states and Canada. Around one-third of the people who live near a Great Lake live near Lake Erie.

The vital waterway isn’t just part of transporting goods to the Atlantic Ocean. Along Lake Erie is a string of charming towns offering an excellent quality of life with stunning waterfront views. For states that lack oceanfront, the scenic waterfront serves as their beach vacation destination. The towns on its shores often feel like they’ve been picked up and put down from somewhere else compared to the rest of the state.

Whether looking for a vacation home, a part-time summer escape, or want to enjoy the lake life full time, these top towns to live along Lake Erie guarantee a relaxed lifestyle. For our list, we’re not including major cities like Cleveland or Detroit, nor the islands like Put-In-Bay or Kelleys Island. Any towns on the Canadian side are also excluded.

Buffalo, New York

Named an “underappreciated destination” by Wall Street Journal, Buffalo has also been called America’s “Coolest summer city.” Located at Lake Erie’s easternmost shore and at the end of the Niagara River, Buffalo has undergone a renaissance in recent years. Today the city is known for its friendly residents, affordable housing, and burgeoning arts and music scene.

What is life like here? Beer lovers will delight in the 17 craft breweries and counting that have sprung up. Those hops pair well with the famous buffalo chicken wings, but the restaurant serves more than spicy sauce-drenched meat. Try some sponge candy or a beef on weck sandwich for something else local.

The Canalside district exemplifies the city’s re-emergence as a great place to live. At the end of the Erie Canal, it now has parks, bike paths, and facilities for outdoor concerts. Locals come for winter ice skating and summer roller skating.

The revitalization efforts have also extended to downtown Buffalo, resulting in new businesses, restaurants, and residential developments, especially along the West End.

Buffalo’s people are resilient and passionate about their professional sports teams despite losing many championship games. The Bills Mafia is renowned for their table-smashing ardent support and their generosity, as they’ve thrown their weight behind many good causes through fundraising.

This is the largest town on our list and classifies as a small city with over 275,000 residents. But it has a fantastic cost of living that is 12% cheaper overall than the US average and with housing prices 37% under. The 1,220 listings in June 2023 had a median price of $180,000.

Erie, Pennsylvania

Even though it’s the fourth largest city in Pennsylvania, Erie has a cozy vibe with a mix of urban amenities and natural beauty.

Presque Isle State Park, a peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie, is one of the state’s most visited state parks. From here are miles of stunning Lake Erie sunsets viewable on the beach in all four seasons. Summer is definitely the high season. Thousands of visitors come to kick back in the luxurious sands along the cool Lake Erie waters.

Downtown Erie extends the charm of the state park with a collection of fascinating museums and a boardwalk with an observation tower for more beautiful views. The Erie Maritime Museum exhibits the area’s history as a shipbuilding center. You can step onto a vessel that once plied the rolling waters. If you’re there in August, don’t miss out on the Tall Ships festival, when the marinas and waters are graced with these stunning masted vessels.

Life in Erie is enhanced by two colleges and its healthcare access. The city diversified its job market into manufacturing, healthcare, education, and tourism. Some major employers include Erie Insurance and GE Transportation.

Erie’s cost of living is 20% under the national average, with housing delivering serious savings at 51% less than the median prices. Housing is even less than PA’s average, even though this is a waterfront town and a popular vacation destination for the state. The median list price of $175,000 in June 2023 was for 498 homes.

Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio

Looking for a relaxing getaway with a touch of vintage charm? Check out Geneva-on-the-Lake across the border into Ohio!

If you’re a laid-back lifestyle and summer fan, you’ll fit right in. This quaint resort town developed in the late 19th century. By the 1950s, it was Ohio’s summer destination. The main attractions are the beautiful sandy beach and an old-fashioned amusement park. The original amusement park is now closed, but the Ferris Wheel is still present, and kids can ride the carousel at Adventure Zone.

Besides the beach, this town doubles down on its resort vibe. Zip-lining, go-karting, cycling paths, and shopping outlets await you, along with plenty of good food and 1950s-style diners. There’s a miniature golf course that has been open since 1924, and a donut shop serving up the same recipes from 1938.

And with a state park and marina thrown in, beach bums and go-getters alike will find something to love.

Geneva-on-the-Lake is also in the heart of Ohio wine country, Ashtabula County. Two dozen wineries are in the Geneva area, taking advantage of the cooler climate to craft varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Riesling.

Geneva-on-the-Lake’s cost of living runs 27% under the national average. It’s an impressive 62% less and about 50% under the Ohio average for housing. All its spending categories are below average, so you can have an affordable life living lakeside in a resort town! But homes are harder to find, with just six on the market in June 2023 at a list price of $165,000.

Vermillion, Ohio

Vermillion’s nicknames include “Harbour Town” or “Town of Sea Captains.” This charming and nostalgic spot is at the edge of the Cleveland metro. Just a half-hour drive east of Sandusky and an hour west of Cleveland, it’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a simpler lifestyle.

The town is named after the Vermillion River, which empties into Lake Erie and increases the waterfront options. Boaters have a treasure trove of marinas and boat slips, which is why the town is popular with sailors and fishermen. There are even public docks easily walkable to the downtown restaurants and attractions.

Capture the sunsets from the town’s scenic downtown beach, Main Street Beach. It’s right next to the lighthouse and the historic 1837 downtown. The pedestrian-friendly area is filled with quirky artisanal shops and high-end dining tucked inside Victorian-era and New England-style architecture.

The summer calendar is packed with community-run events. Think of free concerts, outdoor movies, street fairs, the Woollybear Festival, and the Fourth of July festival. These aren’t small-town affairs, as over 150,000 people attend the Woollybear Festival regularly!

Locals also have a choice of over 12 parks, ranging from scenic waterfront green spaces to skateparks and a 70-acre formal botanical garden. Vermillion has two golf courses, a road cycling loop, and a 27-mile canoe or kayak water trail for more recreation.

The summer lake cottages have a charm of a bygone era, but not all the properties are historic. However, many of the newer homes try to reflect the historic ambiance of Vermillion. The houses have a median price running about 39% under the national average, a steal for coastal real estate. The overall cost of living in Vermillion was 19% under the national average.

June 2023 had a median list price of $278,000, with 72 homes for sale.

Sandusky, Ohio

World famous for the Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky shines for its family-friendly attractions. The park is truly a standout. Not many places have thrilling roller coasters ranked among the world’s best. The twists and turns will leave riders screaming in joy and terror.

But Cedar Point isn’t “America’s Best Coastal Town” only attraction. The indoor water parks make it Ohio’s Water Park Capital, and they run all year! Even Cedar Point has a water park for cooling off on summer days.

Sandusky’s long been associated with fun and amusement. For decades, it crafted the wooden horses you may have ridden on at century-old carousels. The Merry Go Round Museum still brings the whimsy of childhood to life with its exhibits on the art of carousel horse-making. Its working wood carving workshop allows visitors to witness firsthand the mastery of carving tools at work.

More attractions include the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, whose exhibits educate visitors about the area’s rich history and role in the Underground Railroad. You can visit it while strolling along the inviting waterfront. The historic buildings now house delicious restaurants and boutique stores beside the museums.

You can also hop on an island ferry tour to nearby Kelley’s Island, Put-in-Bay, or across the Canadian border to Pelee Island, Ontario.

Those buying here gain easy access to Lake Erie for boating and fishing, a strong school system with a gifted charter high school, and many parks.

Around 24,000 people live in Sandusky, so it’s a larger town. It can feel more packed in the summer high season. Sandusky’s cost of living comes in at 34% under national averages. Housing is incredibly affordable for a big-time vacation destination, indexing at 75% below! Residents realize cost savings in every single category.

Sandusky had 204 homes for sale in June 2023 at a median list price of $179,000.

Port Clinton, Ohio

Not too far west from Sandusky awaits Port Clinton, a sleepy town on the Marblehead peninsula. Port Clinton is often called the “Walleye Capital of the World” due to its prime Lake Erie location. With a waterfront on two sides, it has abundant access points for fishing, boating, and water sports. Anglers come to catch walleye, perch, and other freshwater fish.

Port Clinton’s charming Main Street area delights with historic architecture and great shopping choices. As a common stopping point for those heading out to the islands, many retailers cater to the visitors, but even the Jolly Roger Restaurant is beloved by locals. The downtown sets the scene for the town’s many festivals, like the Walleye Festival, which celebrates the local fishing heritage with live entertainment, carnival rides, and delicious food. The Sunday Farmers Market runs from 9am to 2pm every spring through mid-October.

The town is a gateway to the Lake Erie Islands, with Put-In-Bay and Middle Bass visible on the horizon. Ferry services make exploring the idyllic islands known for their natural beauty, wineries, recreational activities, and historic attractions easy.

East Harbor State Park, located nearby, provides camping, hiking trails, and a sandy beach for swimming and sunbathing. Golf courses, parks, and nature preserves are also available for recreational use. There’s even an African Safari Wildlife Park.

Based on the national rate, Port Clinton’s cost of living will typically save you about 21%. Housing indexed at 35% more affordable, with only miscellaneous costs exceeding national averages. About 6,000 people called Port Clinton home. The 140 homes for sale had a median price of $429,000.

Living along Lake Erie

Don’t let the price of waterfront living deter you. As you can see, Lake Erie’s towns and cities are affordable for those seeking a coastal lifestyle. They’re an excellent option for part-time or full-time living. Explore more of the gems around this Great Lake with a local real estate expert.